Fatal Influenza A2 Viral Pneumonia in a Newborn Infant

A fatal case of influenza A 2 viral pneumonia occurred in a newborn. Such an occurrence in the newborn is extremely rare. The virus in this case was isolated from tracheal aspirate collected antemortem. At autopsy the lungs showed typical morphologic changes of severe influenza viral pneumonia. Clinical and pathologic features of this case, including encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of liver, resemble those of Reye syndrome.