Objective:

To systematically analyze the clinical manifestations, dynamic changes in hematological parameters, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tongue characteristics, and syndrome differentiation patterns in children with influenza A during spring.

Approach:

• Study Design: A single-center retrospective study involving 143 children diagnosed with influenza A.
• Data Collection: Collected general information, initial symptoms, hematological parameters, tongue characteristics, and TCM syndrome differentiation.
• Hematological Analysis: Measured parameters included WBC, NEU, LYM, NLR, PCT, and CRP, with comparisons made across three disease duration stages.
• Tongue Characteristics: Recorded tongue color, coating texture, and coating color.

Key Findings:

• Fever was the most common initial symptom (92.31%), with 'fever + cough' being the most frequent symptom combination (81.12%).
• At initial visit, 90.21% had LYM below normal, and 58.74% had elevated PCT.
• Red tongue was predominant (93.71%), with increased prevalence as disease progressed.
• Heat-toxin attacking the lung syndrome was the most common TCM syndrome (34.97%).

Interpretation:

The findings indicate a fever-dominant onset with changes in hematological parameters and tongue characteristics throughout the disease duration.

Limitations:

• Single-center retrospective design limits generalizability.
• Small late-stage subgroup may affect the robustness of findings.
• Absence of treatment/outcome data.
• Lack of standardized digital tongue imaging.

Conclusion:

The study provides exploratory reference for integrated clinical assessment of pediatric influenza A, highlighting the need for prospective multicenter studies to validate findings.