Clinical Characteristics of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Full-Term Newborns without Risk Factors. |
Woo Sun Song, Byung Jin Song, Won Duck Kim |
Department of Pediatrics, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea. 0101turtle@gmail.com |
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Abstract |
PURPOSE This study evaluated the characteristics and symptoms of full-term newborns without risk factors who were diagnosed with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI). METHODS Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from 72 full-term newborns to 30 days of age who were diagnosed with ALRI from September 2011 to November 2013 and analyzed by multiplex real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Viruses were detected in 60 newborns (83.3%).
Single viruses were observed in 56 newborns (77.7%). The most commonly detected viral agent was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (63.8%), followed by parainfluenza virus (6.9%), rhinovirus A/B (4.1%), and human coronavirus (2.7%).
Clinical diagnoses of ALRI in newborns with a single virus included pneumonia (66.07%), bronchiolitis (30.43%), bronchitis (5.35 %), and croup (1.79%). There were no differences in epidemiological characteristics between RSV and other viruses. However, newborns diagnosed with RSV had prolonged hospitalizations and significantly increased respiratory rates. CONCLUSION Respiratory viruses, especially RSV, are pivotal causes of ALRI in newborns. Further, studies on RSV severity and vaccination are necessary to reduce hospitalization and mortality of full-term infants. |
Key Words:
Full term newborn; Acute lower respiratory tract infection; Multiplex RT-PCR; RSV |
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