Risk factors for influenza-related complications in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Risk factors for influenza-related complications in children
IRAS ID
203880
Contact name
Kay Wang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Flu (influenza) and flu-like symptoms are among the most common reasons why parents bring their children to see a doctor or nurse, especially in winter and during flu outbreaks (such as the ‘swine flu pandemic’ in 2009-10). For most children, flu is a mild and relatively short illness. However, some children can become more unwell if they get flu, and develop further complications, such as chest, throat and ear infections.\n\nThis study will aim to find out which children are more likely to develop further complications if they get flu or a flu-like illness. To do this, the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) will identify the records of children whom they assessed during the swine flu pandemic because of flu or flu-like illness. Information from NPFS records will then be securely linked to information from children’s GP surgery records by NHS Digital (www.digital.nhs.uk, previously known as the Health and Social Care Information Centre). \n\nAll information from which children could potentially be identified will be removed once their records are linked. Researchers at the University of Oxford will study the information extracted from the linked records. It will not be possible for these researchers to identify individual children from the information they receive.\n\nOur findings will help doctors and nurses identify and treat children with flu or flu-like symptoms promptly and safely, and provide information to their parents. Our results will also help government policy makers ensure that flu vaccines, medicines (such as Tamiflu® and antibiotics) and other health care resources are directed towards the correct ‘high risk’ groups during future flu outbreaks. The National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research is funding this research.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0289
Date of REC Opinion
5 May 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion