[Compliance and safety of oseltamivir treatment in children and infants less than one year of age].

Data regarding the compliance and safety of oseltamivir in infants < 1-year-old are limited. To compare the rates of adverse effects and compliance with oseltamivir treatment among hospitalized children aged < 1-year-old with suspected influenza and older children. A telephone follow-up was carried out with parents of children admitted to hospital during the 2009-influenza pandemic within a week after their discharge, and their medical records were reviewed. A total of 89 children were included (median age was 1.3 years old); 38.2% were < 1-year-old. Only 9% were diagnosed with pH1N1 influenza. The mean duration of therapy was 3 days. Difficulty in the administration of oseltamivir was reported in 52.8% of the children. Adverse effects were reported in 53.9% of the children. The most common were vomiting and/or diarrhea (32.6%) followed by restlessness (31.8%), and rash (6.7%). Treatment of only one child was discontinued due to a possible adverse event. The rates of adverse effects and difficulties in oseltamivir administration were similar among infants < 1-yr-old and older children. The compliance and safety of oseltamivir therapy were similar among infants < 1-yr-old and older children. Difficulties in oseltamivir administrating and/or possible adverse effects have rarely influenced compliance. Liberal treatment with oseltamivir has led to prominent overuse of the medication.