Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2022.63.343
The burden of viral lower respiratory tract infections during the neonatal period: sixyear experience at a tertiary referral hospital
Sandra Cerar
; Department of Neonatology, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Rok Kučan
; Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Darja Paro-Panjan
; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Gregor Nosan
orcid.org/0000-0002-7306-6719
; Department of Neonatology, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Aim To identify the epidemiological and clinical features of
acute viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused
by respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses, and to determine the risk factors for the severe disease
among neonates.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of neonates aged up to 44 postconceptional weeks who were
hospitalized at a tertiary referral hospital due to confirmed
viral LRTI between January 2015 and December 2020.
Results Of 228 neonates with viral LRTI, one-third were
born prematurely. A seasonal distribution of LRTIs from
December to March was noticed, peaking in February. Forty-two percent of neonates were treated in the neonatal
intensive care unit. One third of these presented with complications and needed mechanical ventilation. The most
detected viruses were respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus. Prematurity was identified as a risk factor for worse
clinical course and more complications, while rhinovirus
infection was associated with an increased risk of apnea.
Conclusions The burden of respiratory syncytial virus LRTI
in the neonatal period is high, although other respiratory
viruses can also cause a severe respiratory disease. In preterm infants, rhinovirus infection presents an important
risk factor for a severe course of LRTI with complications.
Infection with two respiratory viruses leads to a more severe clinical course
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
306600
URI
Publication date:
25.8.2022.
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