We explored complications and risk factors for severe disease in 78 children with swine influenza admitted to Bambino Gesù Children Hospital. The majority of our children experienced respiratory complications (55 % ). Previously healthy children developed a chest consolidation more frequently than chronic diseases affected patients (p = 0.04). Apparently, the incidence of respiratory complications was slightly higher in the neutropenic group than in those with a normal value of neutrophilis (respectively 94.1 % and 80 % ).