Pediatr Emerg Med J.  2023 Jul;10(3):94-98. 10.22470/pemj.2023.00710.

Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the rate of respiratory viruses other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

• Yoon HJ
• Jo YM

• KMID: 2543576
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22470/pemj.2023.00710

Abstract

Purpose
We aimed to evaluate the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the transmission of respiratory viruses other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among children during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Methods
We analyzed the clinical and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings using electronic medical records of children (< 18 years) with fever or respiratory symptoms who were hospitalized via the emergency department of Wonkwang University Hospital (Iksan, Korea), from March 2018 through December 2021. The children were divided into before and after groups based on the hospitalization date relative to February 2020, starting point of the implementation of NPIs. PCR was performed using nasopharyngeal swab samples. Between the 2 groups, we compared age, sex, length of hospital stay, and PCR findings.
Results
The before and after groups consisted of 3,160 and 989, respectively, showing a 68.7% decrease in the number of children undergoing PCRs after the implantation of NPIs. The after group showed higher median values of the age and length of hospital stay than the before group (Ps < 0.001). A 76.9% decrease was noted in the number of children having PCR positivities (from 1,101 [34.8%] to 254 [25.7%]; P < 0.001). Among detected viruses, an increase in the proportion was noted only in human bocavirus (from 81 [2.6%] to 54 [5.5%]; P < 0.001). In contrast, significant decreases in the proportions were found in adenovirus, enterovirus, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial viruses A and B, human coronaviruses (229E, NL63, and OC43) and human metapneumovirus.
Conclusion
NPIs may be effective in reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among children during the pandemic.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Pediatrics; Physical Distancing; SARS-CoV-2; Viruses

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Flowchart for the selection of the study population. PCR: polymerase chain reaction, ED: emergency department.

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  Fig. 2. Monthly trends of PCR findings before (A) and after (B) the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. The before group showed 4 peaks: May 2018, December 2018, April 2019, and December 2019 (A). In contrast, the after group showed a sharp decrease in the number of detected viruses with only 1 peak (October 2021). PCR: polymerase chain reaction.

Reference

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