Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza paediatric viral respiratory infections in southwest Saudi Arabia
2024

Characteristics of Respiratory Infections in Children

Sample size: 423 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): A. A. Asseri, Al-Qahtani Saleh M., Alzaydani Ibrahim A., Al-Jarie Ahmed, Alyazidi Noha Saad, Alrmelawi Ali A., Alqahtani Alya Musfer, Alsulayyim Rahaf S., Alzailaie Ameerah K., Abdullah Dhay M., Ali Abdelwahid S.

Primary Institution: King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

Hypothesis

What are the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza infections among children admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections?

Conclusion

RSV was identified as the most common pathogen causing acute lower respiratory infections among the studied patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • RSV was the leading cause of lower respiratory infections in children.
  • Distinct seasonal peaks for RSV and influenza infections were observed.
  • Lymphopenia could be a predictor of disease severity in viral infections.

Takeaway

This study looked at sick kids in Saudi Arabia to see which viruses were making them the most ill. They found that RSV was the biggest problem.

Methodology

A retrospective analysis of 423 children admitted to a hospital with acute respiratory infections was conducted.

Potential Biases

The retrospective nature of the study may introduce bias.

Limitations

The study was limited to a single center and may not be generalizable to all populations.

Participant Demographics

Children aged 1 month to 12 years, median age 16.5 months.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.002, p=0.013, p=0.035

Confidence Interval

[1.4–6.1], [1.3–4.1], [1.2–3.4]

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/07853890.2024.2445791

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