Influenza A "novel H1N1" with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious illness that poses a challenge to clinicians managing such cases. This case report reveals a patient with ARDS secondary to influenza A with deteriorating clinical status, who improved tremendously after intravenous immunoglobulin G (IV IgG). Patients with H1N1 associated with ARDS may be given a trial of IV IgG. More case reports and trials are required to ascertain the efficacy of IV IgG and the best dosage and timing of starting IV IgG in relation to antiviral therapy.
The pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza virus in 2009 resulted in extensive morbidity and mortality worldwide. As the virus was a novel virus, there was limited data available on the clinical effects of the virus on children in Malaysia. Herein, we describe the clinical characteristics of children hospitalised with H1N1 influenza in a tertiary care centre; we also attempted to identify the risk factors associated with disease severity.