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[Hospital acute respiratory infections]
1Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital San Juan de Dios.
Insights
Nosocomial respiratory tract infections are a concern in young children. A study found that 13 of 31 pediatric patients acquired new viral infections, including adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, during their hospital stay.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hospital-Acquired Infections
- Virology
Context:
- Investigates nosocomial respiratory tract infections in children under two years old admitted to a Chilean hospital.
- Focuses on the first week post-admission for infection incidence.
- Examines viral and bacterial agents associated with lower respiratory tract infections.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence of nosocomial respiratory tract infections in young children.
- To identify specific viral agents acquired during hospitalization.
- To differentiate between community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections.
Summary:
- 31 children with lower respiratory tract infections were monitored for viral and bacterial agents.
- 18 viral isolates were detected in 13 patients after admission, suggesting nosocomial acquisition.
- Commonly identified viruses included adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and cytomegalovirus.
- No significant changes were observed in bacterial cultures.
Impact:
- Highlights the risk of viral nosocomial infections in pediatric patients.
- Provides data on specific viruses contributing to hospital-acquired respiratory infections in children.
- Informs infection control strategies in pediatric hospital settings.
Abstract:
To study the incidence of nosocomial respiratory tract infection along the first week after admission, 31 children under 2 years of age admitted to the pediatric wards of a general hospital at Metropolitan Santiago, Chile, with the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection, were studied for viral agents by immunofluorescence tests, viral isolation from pharyngeal aspirates, paired serum viral antibodies and bacterial cultures, all of them performed at admission and 4 to 5 days later from May through August 1988. In 13 out of 31 patients admitted because of acute lower respiratory tract infection at least one new virus (to a total of 18 viral isolates) was detected in the second sample, which could have been nosocomially acquired, as follows: adenovirus from 8 cases, respiratory syncytial virus from 5 patients and cytomegalovirus from 5 patients, in different combinations. No significant changes in bacterial cultures were found.