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Published on: January 30, 2017
Clinical Signs and Diagnostic Tests in Acute Respiratory Infections
1Department of Pediatrics, Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, 063340, İstanbul, Turkey. raziyemektup@yahoo.com.
Insights
In children under 2, viral infections cause most acute respiratory illnesses, suggesting caution with antibiotics. After age 6, bacterial causes are more common, necessitating prompt antibiotic use to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are common in children.
- Differentiating viral from bacterial etiologies is crucial for appropriate treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess clinical signs of ARTIs in pediatric patients.
- To correlate specific diagnostic tests with causative agents in different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 1654 children (0-16 years) with ARTI symptoms.
- Utilized rapid Strep A test, throat culture, and respiratory viral panel (RVP) testing.
- Data collected from February 2012 to January 2013 at a Turkish pediatric hospital.
Main Results:
- Viral infections were more prevalent in children under 2 years (positive RVP).
- Bacterial infections (positive Strep A/throat culture) were more common in children over 6 years.
- Absence of cough and presence of headache were noted in older children (>6 years).
Conclusions:
- Viral etiologies should be prioritized in children under 2 with ARTI, advising against premature antibiotic use.
- Bacterial infections are more likely in children over 6, supporting timely antibiotic administration to prevent complications.
Objectives:
To evaluate clinical manifestations of acute respiratory system infectious diseases and specific tests for causative agents in pediatric patients.
Methods:
The authors evaluated children aged 0-16 y with clinical symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections who were administered rapid strep A test and/or throat culture test and/or respiratory viral panel test, from February 2012 through January 2013 at pediatric department of Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Turkey.
Results:
A total of 1654 patients were evaluated; 45.9 % were girls, 54.1 % were boys. Absence of cough and presence of headache were higher in the patients >6 y of age (p 0.0001, p 0.002 respectively). Positive respiratory viral panel test was higher in the patients <2 y of age (p 0.002). Both positive rapid strep A test and positive throat culture test were higher in the patients >6 y of age (p 0.0001). Positivity of rapid strep A or throat culture test were not observed in children <2 y of age.
Conclusions:
A clinician should mostly consider viral infections in the etiology of acute respiratory infections in children under 2 y of age and there is no need to rush for the use antibiotherapy. Bacterial etiology should be frequently considered after 6 y of age and rapid use of antibiotherapy is essential to avoid the complications.
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