Effectiveness of Oseltamivir in Hospitalized Children With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza, 2014-2023

Key Points:

"Question: Does oseltamivir treatment reduce risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and hospital length of stay among pediatric patients hospitalized with influenza?

Findings: Using a cohort study from a population-based surveillance network in 13 states across 8 influenza seasons, oseltamivir treatment was found to decrease both the likelihood of ICU admission and hospital length of stay among pediatric patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Meaning: These findings support the current national recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Infectious Diseases Society of America that recommend antiviral treatment for children hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza."

Rytlewski, K., Dunn, A., O’Halloran, A., Habeck, J., Armistead, I., Alden, N.B., Sachdev, D., Daily Kirley, P., Meek, J., Yousey-Hindes, K., Kamidani, S., Openo, K.P., Ryan, P.A., Monroe, M., Kim, S., Urlaub, E., Lynfield, R., McMahon, M., Smelser, C.B., Shaw, Y., Barney, G., Rowlands, J.V., Tesini, B., Felsen, C., Lung, K., Sutton, M., Thomas, A., Talbot, H.K., Schaffner, W., George, A., Staten, H., Cataldi, J.R., Dominguez, S.R., Bozio, C.H. and Rao, S. (2026). Effectiveness of Oseltamivir in Hospitalized Children With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza, 2014-2023. JAMA Pediatr. [online] doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.3376.