Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice
10:47

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

Published on: April 14, 2011

16.9K

Presentations and Outcomes Among Infants ≤90 Days With and Without SARS-CoV-2

Brett Burstein1, Vikram Sabhaney2, Todd A Florin3

  • 1Montreal Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Pediatrics
|March 22, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in infants under 90 days old are generally milder than similar illnesses. SARS-CoV-2 testing aids clinical management in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Infants under 90 days old presenting with symptoms suggestive of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) require careful evaluation.
  • Differentiating SARS-CoV-2 from other common infant illnesses can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical symptoms and outcomes of infants aged 90 days or younger who were tested for SARS-CoV-2.
  • To analyze data from a large, international cohort of infants presenting to emergency departments with suspected SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

  • A secondary analysis was performed on data from infants aged 0-90 days with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by molecular testing.
  • Data were collected from 41 emergency departments in 10 countries and 14 emergency departments in Canada, with 14-day follow-up.
  • Clinical outcomes assessed included hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and severe outcomes (composite of intensive interventions, organ impairment, or death).

Main Results:

  • Out of 1048 infants tested, 96.1% were symptomatic, and 41.2% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
  • Systemic symptoms like apnea and drowsiness were common in all infants, irrespective of SARS-CoV-2 status.
  • Infants with SARS-CoV-2 were less likely to be hospitalized, require ICU admission, or experience severe outcomes compared to SARS-CoV-2-negative infants.

Conclusions:

  • While SARS-CoV-2 infections in the youngest infants can mimic other illnesses, they tend to present with milder clinical courses.
  • Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 is valuable for guiding clinical management decisions in infants presenting with respiratory symptoms.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

10.4K
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses03:53

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...