Influenza virus immunization. Antibody response and adverse effects in children with renal disease.

Before and four weeks after immunization with a single 0.5-ml dose of influenza virus vaccine, sera from 36 children with renal diseases were tested for serum hemagglutinating-inhibiting antibody (HAI) titers to A/New Jersey/76, A/Victoria/75, and A/Port Chalmers/73. Before immunization, 1:40 HI antibodies to A/New Jersey were noted in one child only, to A/Victoria in ten children (27%), and to A/Port Chalmers in 25/34 children (68%). Serum HAI titers increased fourfold or more (P less than .01) in 31/36 children (86%) after immunization. Neither the type of the renal disease nor therapy with prednisone had any effect on the rise of serum HAI titers (P less than .05). Of the seven children with preimmunization proteinuria, four had a transient rise in protein levels following immunization. None required an increased prednisone dose for exacerbation of nephrotic syndrome. Children with chronic renal problems should be protected against influenza.