[Clinical analysis of 5 cases of pediatric respiratory viral sepsis]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric respiratory viral sepsis and to improve clinicians' awareness of this disorder. Methods: Case series study. The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 5 children with respiratory viral sepsis treated at Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming children's hospital between March 2023 and January 2026, analyzing their clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment courses, and outcomes. Results: Among the 5 cases of respiratory viral sepsis, there were 2 males and 3 females, and the ages were 3 years and 8 months, 4 years, 4 years and 7 months, 5 years and 2 months, and 8 years and 10 months respectively. All 5 cases had fever, 3 cases had cough, 2 cases had breathing difficulties and 1 each case of skin mottling, thrombocytopenia, and convulsions and consciousness disorder. Laboratory tests showed that the white blood cell count was (2.06-11.86)×10⁹/L, platelet count (26-262)×10⁹/L, C-reactive protein 0.62-68.15 mg/L, procalcitonin 0.09-0.35 μg/L and interleukin-6 0.50-19.64 ng/L. Pathogen examination showed 3 cases of influenza A virus infection, 1 case of adenovirus infection, and 1 case of adenovirus combined with parainfluenza virus infection. All 5 patients recovered and were discharged after comprehensive treatment including antiviral therapy, respiratory support, and immunomodulation, with a hospital stay of 8-59 d. Conclusions: Respiratory viral infections can cause multiple organ dysfunction in children and meet the diagnostic criteria for sepsis. Greater clinical attention should be paid to the diagnosis, recognition, and management of viral sepsis in children.