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Respiratory syncytial virus infections in children in Montreal: a retrospective study
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory disease in hospitalized children, often diagnosed as bronchiolitis. This retrospective study highlights RSV
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen causing significant respiratory illness in children.
- Hospitalization is often required for severe cases of RSV infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized children with confirmed RSV infection.
- To understand the association between RSV and acute respiratory disease in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 77 hospitalized children diagnosed with RSV.
- Analysis of patient demographics, admission diagnoses, presenting symptoms, radiological findings, and co-infections.
Main Results:
- RSV infection was associated with acute respiratory disease requiring hospitalization for approximately one week.
- Bronchiolitis was the most common admission diagnosis (56%); cough and difficulty breathing were prevalent symptoms.
- Pneumonia was the most frequent radiological diagnosis, and nearly half of patients had concurrent bacterial pathogens.
Conclusions:
- RSV is a significant cause of acute respiratory illness in hospitalized children, predominantly affecting infants.
- The study observed a seasonal pattern of RSV in Montreal, from late autumn to early spring.
- All children in the study recovered fully, indicating a generally favorable prognosis with appropriate care.
Abstract:
Seventy-seven hospitalized children from whom respiratory syncytial virus was subsequently isolated were studied in retrospect. This demonstrated the association of host invasion by this agent with an acute respiratory disease requiring hospitalization for approximately one week.Boys considerably outnumbered girls, the average age was 7.5 months, and in 56% the admission diagnosis was "bronchiolitis". Cough and difficulty in breathing were the most common presenting complaints and "pneumonia" the most common radiological diagnosis. Nearly half the patients also harboured accepted disease-causing bacterial pathogens. All the patients recovered and have remained well.The appearance of the virus in Montreal was seasonal, beginning in late autumn and terminating in early spring.