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Human metapneumovirus infections in children

Terho Heikkinen1, Riikka Osterback, Ville Peltola

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. terho.heikkinen@utu.fi

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|February 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) significantly impacts young children, causing respiratory infections. The study found the highest incidence in children under two, highlighting its community effect.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a known cause of severe respiratory illness in hospitalized children.
  • Limited data exists on hMPV's community incidence and impact across different age groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the age-related incidence and community effect of hMPV infections.
  • To determine the proportion of respiratory infections attributed to hMPV in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1,338 children under 13 years was monitored during one respiratory season in Finland.
  • Nasal swabs were collected for viral detection upon any sign of respiratory infection.

Main Results:

  • hMPV was detected in 3.5% of children, with the highest incidence (7.6%) in those under 2 years.
  • hMPV accounted for 1.7% of all infections in children under 2 and peaked at 7.1% of all respiratory infections.
  • 61% of hMPV-infected children under 3 developed acute otitis media.

Conclusions:

  • hMPV has a significant community impact, particularly affecting children under 2 years.
  • The findings underscore the importance of considering hMPV in pediatric respiratory infections, especially in young children.
  • hMPV infection is associated with a high rate of acute otitis media in young children.

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