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Published on: February 9, 2011
Infectious diseases in children admitted from a residential child care centre
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. leewk@netvigator.com
Insights
Children in a residential child care center experienced frequent infectious diseases, primarily respiratory tract infections. Unusual clusters of respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus outbreaks were identified, highlighting the need for improved infection control.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Residential child care centers can be high-risk environments for infectious disease transmission among vulnerable populations.
- Understanding disease patterns in these settings is crucial for implementing effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the spectrum of infectious diseases in children admitted from a specific residential child care center.
- To detect any unusual temporal clusters of infectious disease admissions.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case review was conducted at a regional hospital in Hong Kong.
- Data from children over 28 days old admitted for infections between 1999 and 2003 were analyzed.
- Key outcomes included demographic data, diagnoses, identified infections, and seasonal incidence patterns.
Main Results:
- Out of 267 admissions, 221 children had infectious diseases, with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) being most common (83.7%).
- Specific viral pathogens identified included respiratory syncytial virus (22.7%), parainfluenza virus (9.2%), and influenza A or B (8.6%) within RTI cases.
- Two distinct clusters of respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus infections were observed in late 2003.
Conclusions:
- Children in this residential setting face a significant risk of infectious diseases, predominantly RTIs.
- The study identified an outbreak of respiratory infections, underscoring the need for enhanced infection control strategies.
- Further measures are recommended to mitigate infectious disease transmission within the child care center.
Objectives:
To describe the pattern of infectious diseases among children admitted from a residential child care centre and to identify any unusual clusters of admissions.
Design:
Retrospective case review.
Setting:
Regional hospital, Hong Kong.
Patients:
All children from a residential child care centre aged over 28 days who were admitted from the Accident and Emergency Department to paediatric wards for infections from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2003.
Main Outcome Measures:
Demographic data, clinical diagnoses, infectious diseases identified, and incidence and seasonal pattern of various infections.
Results:
Of 267 children admitted to the hospital over the 5-year period, 221 had infectious diseases. Respiratory tract infections, viral exanthema, and gastroenteritis were present in 83.7%, 7.2%, and 5.9%, respectively. Among those with a respiratory tract infection, 22.7%, 9.2%, and 8.6% had respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and influenza A or B viruses, respectively. Two unusual clusters of respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus were recognised in late 2003.
Conclusion:
Children in this residential child care centre were at risk of infectious diseases. Respiratory tract infection is the most common infectious disease in this centre. An outbreak of respiratory tract infection was recognised. Further efforts may be necessary to improve infection control measures in this setting.
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