Acute lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Egyptian children under 5 years of age

2011

RSV Infections in Young Children in Egypt

Sample size: 427 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Fattouh Aya M, Mansi Yasmeen A, El-anany Mervat G, El-kholy Amany A, El-karaksy Hanaa M

Primary Institution: Cairo University

Hypothesis

This study aims to describe the epidemiology of acute lower respiratory tract infections associated with RSV among children under 5 years old in Egypt.

Conclusion

RSV is the most common viral cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under 5, particularly in infants under 6 months, and is more prevalent in winter.

Supporting Evidence

21.3% of enrolled cases had a viral etiology, with RSV detected in 16.4%.
RSV cases were significantly younger than non-RSV cases.
46% of RSV cases required supplemental oxygen compared to 23.5% of non-RSV cases.
RSV cases had a higher hospitalization rate of 37.1% compared to 11.2% for non-RSV cases.
97% of RSV cases occurred in the winter season.

Takeaway

This study found that many young children in Egypt get sick from a virus called RSV, especially in the winter, and it can make them very sick.

Methodology

The study enrolled 427 children under 5 years diagnosed with ALRTI, collected nasopharyngeal aspirates, and performed immunofluorescent assays for RSV.