Acute Respiratory Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Isolation of Viruses and the Characteristics of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.
- Author:
Sun Hee PARK
1
;
Hye Jung CHO
;
So Yeon SHIM
;
Dong Woo SON
;
Byung Wook EUN
;
Yong Han SUN
;
Hann TCHAH
;
In Sang JEON
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Gil Hospital, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea. simso525@gilhospital.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Neonates;
Virus;
Respiratory infection
- MeSH:
Coinfection;
Crows;
Demography;
Dyspnea;
Humans;
Incidence;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Infant, Premature;
Intensive Care, Neonatal;
Mouth;
Oxygen;
Pneumonia;
Postnatal Care;
Prospective Studies;
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses;
Respiratory Tract Infections;
Rhinovirus;
Siblings;
Smoke;
Tobacco Products;
Viruses
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology
2009;16(2):182-189
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Recently, it is easy to find the causal virus of acute respiratory infections using multiplex RT-PCR. The aim of this study is to show the distribution of respiratory viruses and to define the characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections compared to other respiratory viral infections. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the NICU. The infants with acute respiratory infections were performed multiplex RT-PCR using nasal swabs. The demographics, initial symptoms, course of illness, and laboratory and imaging findings were recorded. The infants were divided into RSV and No RSV groups. RESULTS: Twenty-three infants (50%) were in the RSV group. Rhinovirus was the second most common virus. Coinfections with two viruses accounted for 6.5% of respiratory infections. The number of preterm infants, exposure to cigarette smoke and having siblings were not different between the two groups. Infections in the postnatal care center were more common in the RSV group than the No RSV group (60.9% vs. 21.7%, P=.007). Dyspnea (34.8% vs. 8.7%, P=.032) and pneumonia (73.9% vs. 43.5%, P=.036) were more common in the RSV group. The RSV group frequently needed oxygen (52.5% vs. 13.0%, P=.005) and received nothing by mouth (43.5% vs. 13.0%, P=.022). The incidence of right upper consolidation was higher in RSV group (56.5% vs. 8.7%, P=.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that other viruses than RSV can induce respiratory infections in neonates and young infants born prematurely. RSV infections have a more severe course of illness than other respiratory viruses. We have to be careful of prevention even for healthy neonates especially in crowed situations, such as the postnatal care center.
