Severe viral lower respiratory tract infections in Brazilian children: Clinical features of a national cohort.
J Infect Public Health
; 17(1): 1-9, 2024 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37988811
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The accurate etiological diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) is essential for their effective clinical management. The extensive use of molecular methods during the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled massive data acquisition on viral lower respiratory tract infections. The current study aims to identify clinical features associated with eight viral agents among children presenting severe LRTI.METHODS:
retrospective cohort study of data from the Brazilian Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System. Patients under 20 years-old who had severe LRTI with etiological confirmation through RT-PCR between 2020 and 2022 were included. Binary logistic regressions were used to examine associations between pathogens and symptoms.RESULTS:
60,657 cases were assessed. The main viral agents detected were Sars-CoV-2 (COV2) (41.2%), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (29.1%), Human Rhinovirus (HRV) (12.1%), and Influenza (FLU) (5.5%). A general mortality rate of 4.3% was observed. The multivariate analysis evidenced that COV2 less likely presented with cough (OR 0.34; 95%CI 0.32-0.36), respiratory discomfort (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 0.61; 95%Confidence Interval (CI) 0.59-0.64), and desaturation (aOR 0.71; 95%CI 0.69-0.75). RSV strongly associated with cough (aOR 2.59; 95%CI 2.45-2.75) and respiratory discomfort (aOR 1.54; 95%CI 1.46-1.62), whereas FLU was linked to fever (aOR 2.27; 95%CI 2.06-2.50) and sore throat (aOR 1.48; 95%CI 1.34-1.64).CONCLUSIONS:
The viral agents responsible for severe LRTI have distinct associations with clinical features in children.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
/
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
/
Influenza, Human
Limits:
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
/
Infant
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
J Infect Public Health
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil