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. 2015 May:34:3-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.03.003. Epub 2015 Mar 5.

Poor outcome of acute respiratory infection in young children with underlying health condition in Brazil

Giuliana Stravinskas Durigon  1 , Danielle Bruna Leal Oliveira  2 , Maria Carolina Calahani Felicio  3 , Cristiane Finelli  4 , Maria Fernanda Badue Pereira  5 , Juliana Gamo Storni  6 , Raquel Negrão Caldeira  7 , Reni Chehter Berezin  8 , Edison Luiz Durigon  9 , Eitan Naaman Berezin  10
Affiliations

Poor outcome of acute respiratory infection in young children with underlying health condition in Brazil

Giuliana Stravinskas Durigon et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2015 May.

Abstract

Objectives: It is well established that respiratory viruses are an important cause of hospitalizations in young children worldwide, but data are limited on the contribution of specific viruses to severe illness in South America. We describe clinical and laboratory findings from prospective surveillance for acute respiratory infections at a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: We screened children < 2 years old with acute respiratory tract infections admitted to an urban tertiary hospital for respiratory viruses from March 2008 through February 2010, using polymerase chain reaction assays.

Results: Respiratory viruses were identified in 378 (53%) of the 715 samples analyzed. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most commonly identified virus (52%), followed by adenovirus (27%) and Human metapneumovirus (12%). More than one virus was identified in 19% of specimens. Almost half of the samples (46%) were from children with underlying health conditions. We demonstrated that compared to the previously healthy group, those with comorbidities had a worse outcome in terms of severity, with prolonged hospital stay and more need of intensive care.

Conclusion: Identification of this high-risk population along with strategies for fast diagnosis might each help to reduce morbidity and mortality in this group.

Keywords: Acute respiratory tract infection; Children; Respiratory virus; underlying disease.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Monthly distribution of respiratory viruses (RSV, PIV3 and hMPV) among children hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection from March 2008 to February 2010, in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo city, Brazil. Data are presented in total number of cases. RSV: human respiratory syncytial virus; hMPV: human metapneumovirus; PIV3: parainfluenza virus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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