Epidemiology of viral respiratory infections in children undergoing heart surgery

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Thalis Henrique da Silva1, João Renato Rebello Pinho2,3, Tarcísio José da Silva Junior1

  • 1Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

Progress in Pediatric Cardiology
|April 15, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Viral respiratory infections (VRI) are common in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing surgery. However, this study found VRI did not significantly impact major outcomes in this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Acute viral respiratory infections (VRI) pose significant risks, especially for vulnerable populations like infants and the elderly.
  • Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) face heightened susceptibility to severe VRI, leading to complications like prolonged hospitalization and increased mortality.
  • Altered lung mechanics in CHD patients exacerbate VRI severity and associated adverse outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of VRI in pediatric patients with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery.
  • To compare major clinical outcomes between children with CHD who developed VRI and those who did not.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal, observational cohort study design was employed.
  • Nasopharyngeal samples were collected pre- and post-operatively from pediatric cardiac surgery patients between May 2013 and May 2014.
  • Respiratory viruses were identified using the CLART Pneumovir® assay.

Main Results:

  • A total of 48 patients were included in the study.
  • Preoperative VRI was detected in 33.3% (16/48) of children with CHD; new infections occurred in 8.3% (4/48) postoperatively.
  • Univariate and multivariate analyses, controlling for age and STAT category, indicated no significant difference in major outcomes based on VRI presence.

Conclusions:

  • Viral respiratory infections are frequently observed in children with CHD undergoing open-heart surgery.
  • Despite the high frequency, VRI did not demonstrate a significant impact on major clinical outcomes within this specific cohort.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenCongenital heart diseaseMorbidityMortalityRespiratory viral infection

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