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Management of Infants Treated for Respiratory Viral Infections: A Finnish Retrospective Register‐Based Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Aims: Viral respiratory tract infections are common in all age groups, and they are responsible for a vast number of health care visits every year. Furthermore, the incidence of respiratory infections is the highest in children. We aimed to determine how infants presenting with fever and symptoms of respiratory infections were treated at Tampere University Hospital (Tays) and their responses to treatment. The secondary purpose was to describe the specific diagnosis behind the respiratory symptoms. Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics in Tays, Finland. Inclusion criteria were age < 1 year, fever, and symptoms of a respiratory infection. We documented from the electronic patient records the medication and other treatments the infants received during their hospital stays. For infants given the same medication multiple times, only the first dosing and response to that medication were documented. Results: The study included 119 episodes (117 infants), 50 (42%) of whom were hospitalized. Symptom-relieving medications, such as paracetamol, were used frequently, with generally good responses. Overall, 59% of the infants were administered antibiotics, the most common indication being otitis media. The most common primary or secondary diagnosis was bronchiolitis or bronchitis (43%). Conclusion: Nearly half of the infants needed hospitalization. Symptom-relieving medications, such as analgesics, were a key treatment choice, and the responses were generally good. Although the majority of the infants had a viral infection, antibiotics were used frequently, at least partially due to secondary bacterial infections.

Source: Health Science Reports

DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.71414

Authors: Sallamaria Länsisalo, Paula Heikkilä, Sauli Palmu

Institutions: Tampere University, University of Tampere, Tampere University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Respiratory viral infections research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,280