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. 2013 Mar;73(3):355-61.
doi: 10.1038/pr.2012.176. Epub 2012 Nov 30.

RT-PCR detection of respiratory pathogens in newborn children admitted to a neonatal medium care unit

Patrick M Smit  1 , Suzanne M Pronk, Jos C Kaandorp, Olivier Weijer, Fanny N Lauw, Paul H M Smits, Eric C J Claas, Jan W Mulder, Jos H Beijnen, Dees P M Brandjes
Affiliations

RT-PCR detection of respiratory pathogens in newborn children admitted to a neonatal medium care unit

Patrick M Smit et al. Pediatr Res. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of respiratory pathogens among newborns admitted to a neonatal medium care unit (NMCU) and to identify clinical predictors.

Methods: A 1-y observational study was performed of neonates admitted to an NMCU in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected for the detection of respiratory viruses and bacteria by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Cycle threshold (Ct) values were provided to estimate viral load. Predictors for the presence of study pathogens were identified.

Results: From October 2010 through September 2011, 334 neonates (median age 1.3 d, 53.6% male) were included. Overall, 37 respiratory pathogens were detected in 34 children (10.2%): parainfluenza-1 (n = 9), human rhinovirus (n = 7), parainfluenza-3 (n = 6), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, n = 6), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 3), adenovirus (n = 2), human coronavirus (n = 2), influenza A (n = 1), and bocavirus (n = 1). Neonates with higher viral loads (Ct <35; n = 11) were more often clinically ill than those with lower viral loads (Ct ≥35; n = 23). Two variables significantly contributed to the detection of study pathogens: age (odds ratio (OR) 1.21 for each day older; 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.30) and rhinorrhea (OR 6.71; 95% confidence interval 1.54-29.21).

Conclusion: Respiratory pathogens seem to play a role in neonates admitted to an NMCU. The influence of respiratory pathogen detection on clinical management remains to be determined.

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