Comparative Analysis of Pediatric Hospitalizations during Two Consecutive Influenza and Respiratory Virus Seasons...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Epidemiology of respiratory viruses
• Public health interventions

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered respiratory virus epidemiology due to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).
• The long-term impact of NPIs on the circulation patterns and prevalence of various respiratory viruses remains largely undetermined.
• Understanding post-NPI viral dynamics is crucial for public health preparedness and clinical management of pediatric respiratory illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the prevalence and types of respiratory viruses in hospitalized pediatric patients before and after the easing of NPIs.
• To assess changes in disease severity and hospitalization duration associated with shifts in viral epidemiology.
• To investigate the dynamic changes in viral circulation, including the emergence of specific pathogens like rhinovirus.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study design was employed, analyzing data from two distinct respiratory illness seasons.
• Hospitalized pediatric patients were enrolled from October 1, 2021, to March 15, 2022, and October 1, 2022, to March 15, 2023.
• Key metrics included viral detection, mean duration of hospitalization, and assessment of disease severity.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in the detection rate of respiratory viruses was observed in the second season (82.9%) compared to the first (47.1%).
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus emerged as the most prevalent viruses in the second season, with increased detection rates for other viruses like Influenza A/B, Metapneumovirus, and Adenovirus.
• Despite increased viral prevalence, the mean duration of hospitalization and overall disease severity remained comparable between the two study periods.

Conclusions:

• The easing of NPIs has been followed by a notable resurgence and increased prevalence of pediatric respiratory viruses, including RSV and rhinovirus.
• Shifts in peak incidence, such as RSV moving from February to November, and the rise of rhinovirus indicate dynamic changes in viral competition and circulation.
• While viral prevalence increased, the clinical outcomes, measured by hospitalization duration and severity, did not significantly worsen, suggesting host-related or pathogen-specific factors may mitigate severe disease.