Viral etiology and outcome of severe lower respiratory tract infections among critically ill children admitted to the PICU

• Published in: Medicina intensiva 2021-11, Vol.45 (8), p.447-458
• Main Authors: Duyu, M., Karakaya, Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute lower respiratory tract infections; Children; Etiología viral; Infecciones agudas del tracto respiratorio inferior; Mechanical ventilation; Niños; Pediatric intensive care unit; Unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos; Ventilación mecánica; Viral etiology
• ISSN: 0210-5691; 2173-5727; 1578-6749
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medin.2020.04.023

To determine the viral etiology of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), their clinical significance and prognosis among critically ill children. A prospective descriptive study was carried out. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 115 patients hospitalized in the PICU were evaluated for inclusion in the study. Children with underlying comorbidities and those who did not require mechanical ventilation were excluded. Demographic, clinical, laboratory test and radiographic data were recorded. A total of 63 patients were eligible for the study. The most common diagnosis was bronchiolitis (57.1%). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequent causal virus (36.5%). The most common complication was acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (28.6%). Multiple viral infection was identified in 20.6% of the patients, the most common in this subgroup being rhinovirus. Patients with bocavirus infection had a higher likelihood of needing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) at presentation. Children who died were likely to be