Abstract
Objective Studies have shown that more than one viral agent is not uncommonly detected simultaneously
in respiratory tract infections of children. The aim of this study was to analyze
our single-center experience with the seasonal distribution, clinical and laboratory
outcomes of respiratory viruses, and coinfections in hospitalized children during
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods During the pandemic period of June 1, 2021 to February 1, 2022, 156 pediatric patients
hospitalized with non-COVID-19 respiratory tract infections were retrospectively analyzed.
Among these children, 92 were found to be positive for respiratory pathogens. These
children's ages, genders, polymerase chain reaction results, and blood parameters
were analyzed.
Results The median age of the patients was 8 months (10 days–17.1 years) and 63% were male.
A total of 16.3% of the patients were neonates (0–28 days), 55.4% were infants (1–24
months), 16.3% were preschool (2–5 years), and 12% were school-aged (5–18 years);
73.9% of the patients were hospitalized in the pediatric ward, 16.3% in the neonatal
intensive care unit, and 9.8% in the pediatric intensive care unit. In 76.5% of hospitalized
patients, only one pathogen was identified. Respiratory syncytial virus was detected
as a causative agent of either mono- or coinfections in 78.4% of all patients. There
was no statistical difference between inflammatory parameters in the patients infected
with single or multiple viral agents.
Conclusion As a result of the precautions taken during the pandemic, we found that the viral
distribution of respiratory tract infections changed. In addition, we believe that
hematological parameters are not useful for distinguishing between mono- and coinfections.
Keywords
coinfection - COVID-19 - pediatric - respiratory tract infections - SII
