Epidemiology, clinical profiles, and outcomes of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants and children: A multicenter study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in children under 24 months of age. This multicenter study explored the demographics, seasonality, clinical features, and outcomes of children with RSV. Objectives To describe the epidemiology, seasonality, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of infants and children admitted with Respiratory Syncytial Virus bronchiolitis Methods An eight-center retrospective cohort study included children less than 24 months old who were admitted with RSV bronchiolitis between January 2018 and December 2021. Patients’ clinical features, respiratory support, management, and outcomes were collected. Results Of the 1585 children included, 1143 (72%) were less than 6-month-old. RSV peaked during the winter months of September to December in 2018 to 2019, but occurred earlier in 2021, with the easing of post-COVID-19 restrictions. The most common clinical features were cough (97.72%), tachypnea (76.15%), and fever (75.9%). Different types of respiratory support were needed, including high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in 141 (8.9%) children, Non-invasive ventilation in 341 (21.5%), and intubation in 144 (9.1%). A total of 844 (53.2%) children required admission to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or pediatric high-dependency unit (PHDU). The majority of children recovered uneventfully, while 19 patients died, resulting in a mortality rate of 1.2%. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort study focused specifically on RSV bronchiolitis in infants within the Middle East. The majority were younger than 6 months of age, and coughing, tachypnea, and fever were the most common symptoms. Seasonality differed between the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods. More than half of the cohort required admission to a PICU or PHDU. All patients who died had either prematurity or chronic comorbidities. Further studies are required to predict the risk factors for critical cases.
Authors: Saif S. Awlad Thani, Saif A. Al Abri, Mohammed A. Al Shafey, Hatem M. Al Rawahi, Aya H. Al Hamad, Hussein A. Al Mashaykhi, Muna Z. Al Shaqsi, Aida M. Al Balushi, Samiya H. Al Hashmi, Omaima M. Al Ismaili, Khalfan N. Al Abdali, Bishara S. Al Harrasi, Zienab K. Al Ghafri, Ammar S. Al Zadjali, Ahmed K. Al Kharusi, Ahmed S. Al Muqarshi, Mahmood S. Al Subhi, Ahmed A. Al Farsi, Zaid A. Al Hinai, Hanan R. Al Khatri, Abdul-Aziz N. Al Hinai, Hilal S. Al Hashami, Safa A. Al Habsi, Sumaiya H. Al Rashdi
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412822136