PP30 SEVERITY OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) COMPARED WITH OTHER COMMON RESPIRATORY VIRUS INFECTIONS AMONG CHILDREN ADMITTED WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION(LRTI) DURING COVID-19 SOP RELAXATION IN MALAYSIA
Lui Sze Chiang, Fauziah Ripin @ Mat Nor, Maria Kamal, Fatimah Az Zaharah Suhaimi, Nur Izyani Abdul Halim, Lee Ching Hai, Thimesha Vigneswaran, Tan Boon Hai, Lim Yen Yin, Asiah Kassim
Hospital Tunku Azizah, Kuala Lumpur
Introduction
RSV is a common respiratory viral pathogen among children. COVID-19 SOP Relaxation started on 1st May 2022 in Malaysia.
Objective
To compare the severity of RSV infection versus other common respiratory viruses among children admitted for LRTI.
Methodology
Retrospective study of children who were admitted to the General Paediatric Wards, Hospital Tunku Azizah, between 1st May to 31st August 2022. Children under 5 years old who tested positive for respiratory viruses.
Results
A total of 3258 children were admitted, and 2330 (71.5%) had a respiratory diagnosis. Of the 272 children included, 157 (57.7%) were males, 132 (48.5%) were less than 1 year old, and 44 (16.2%) were born preterm. Median length of stay was 3 days, and 14 (5.1%) needed critical care. RSV was detected in 206 (75.7%) children. Other viral respiratory pathogens were influenza (29, 10.7%), human metapneumovirus (20, 7.4%), adenovirus (12, 4.4%) and parainfluenza virus (5, 1.8%). Comparing children with RSV and non-RSV infection, they are younger than a year old (82.6% versus 17.4%), premature (72.7% versus 27.3%), stayed longer than a week (71.4% versus 28%) and prone to critical care admission (85.7% versus 14.3%). Among children with RSV infection, those less than 1 year old stayed longer compared to those 2-5 years old, 11 (10.1%) and 4 (4.2%) respectively.
Conclusion
Prevention of RSV infection among children, especially preterm and young children, can reduce hospital admissions and critical care requirements.