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Published on: December 10, 2013
Age-Specific Characteristics of Adult and Pediatric Respiratory Viral Infections: A Retrospective Single-Center Study
Jae Kyoon Hwang1, Jae Yoon Na2, Jihye Kim2
1Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri 11923, Korea.
Insights
Respiratory viral infections differ by age. Pediatric patients have high rates of mono- and co-infections, especially younger children. Adult infection rates are lower, with co-infections increasing in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Respiratory viral infections are a significant cause of morbidity across all age groups.
- Understanding age-specific patterns of viral respiratory infections is crucial for effective public health strategies.
- Co-infections are common but their age-related prevalence requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate age-specific characteristics of viral respiratory infections in hospitalized patients.
- To compare the incidence of mono-infections versus co-infections across different pediatric and adult age strata.
- To identify trends in viral respiratory infection patterns as a function of age.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients with confirmed viral respiratory infections.
- Classification of patients into pediatric (<19 years) and adult (≥19 years) groups.
- Subgroup analysis by age: 0–6, 7–12, 13–18, 19–49, 50–64, and ≥65 years.
Main Results:
- Pediatric patients (n=4058) showed high rates of co-infections (51.1%), peaking in the 0–6 year group (31.6%).
- Adult patients (n=1550) had lower co-infection rates (14.4%), with a higher prevalence in the ≥65 year group (16.8%).
- Viral infection and co-infection rates declined with age in pediatrics but rose with age in adults.
Conclusions:
- Viral respiratory infection patterns exhibit distinct age-specific trends.
- Young children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to co-infections.
- Age stratification is essential for understanding and managing viral respiratory infections effectively.
Abstract:
This study aimed to identify age-specific characteristics of respiratory viral infections. Hospitalized patients with confirmed viral respiratory infections were included in the sample. The patients were divided into the pediatric group (<19 years old) and the adult group (≥19 years old). The groups were then subdivided based on age: 0−6, 7−12, 13−18, 19−49, 50−64, and ≥65 years old. These groups were compared to evaluate the differences in the pattern of respiratory viral infections. Among a total of 4058 pediatric patients (mean age 3.0 ± 2.9 years, n = 1793 females), 2829 (48.9%) had mono-infections, while 1229 (51.1%) had co-infections. Co-infections were the most common in the 0−6-year-old group (31.6%). Among 1550 adult patients (mean age 70.2 ± 15.3 years, n = 710 females), 1307 (85.6%) had mono-infections and 243 (14.4%) had co-infections. Co-infections were most common in the ≥65-year-old group (16.8%). Viral infection and co-infection rates decreased with age in pediatric patients but increased with increasing age in adults. In pediatric patients, the rates of viral infections and co-infections were high; the rate of co-infections was higher in younger patients. In adult patients, the rates of viral infections and co-infections were lower than those in pediatric patients; the rate of co-infections was higher in older patients.
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