J Korean Med Sci.  1999 Aug;14(4):405-411. 10.3346/jkms.1999.14.4.405.

Clinical characteristics of acute viral lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalized children in Seoul, 1996-1998

• Ahn KM
• Chung SH
• Chung EH
• Koh YJ
• Nam SY
• Kim JH
• Son JA
• Park JY
• Lee NY
• Lee SI

• KMID: 1731314
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.1999.14.4.405

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the etiologic agents, age distribution, clinical manifestations and seasonal occurrence of acute viral lower respiratory tract infections in children. We confirmed viral etiologies using nasopharyngeal aspirates in 237 patients of the ages of 15 years or younger who were hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) from March 1996 to February 1998 at Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The overall isolation rate was 22.1%. The viral pathogens identified were adenovirus (12.7%), influenza virus type A (21.1%), -type B (13.9%), parainfluenza virus type 1 (13.5%), -type 2 (1.3%), -type 3 (16.0%) and respiratory syncytial virus (21.5%). The occurrence of ALRIs was highest in the first year of life, although parainfluenza virus type 1 infection occurred predominantly in the second year of life and influenza virus caused illnesses in all age groups. The specific viruses are frequently associated with specific clinical syndromes of ALRI. The respiratory agents and associated syndromes frequently have characteristic seasonal patterns. This study will help us to estimate the etiologic agents of ALRI, and establish a program for the prevention and treatment. An annual nationwide survey is necessary to understand the viral epidemiology associated with respiratory illnesses in Korea.

Keyword

Viruses; Respiratory tract infections; Croup; Bronchitis; Bronchiolitis; Pneumonia; Child

MeSH Terms

Acute Disease
Adenoviridae Infections/epidemiology
Adolescence
Age Distribution
Animal
Bronchitis/virology
Bronchitis/epidemiology
Cell Line
Child
Child, Hospitalized/statistics & numerical data
Child, Preschool
Croup/epidemiology
Female
Human
Infant
Influenza/epidemiology
Influenza A Virus, Human
Influenza B Virus
Kidney/cytology
Korea/epidemiology
Liver/cytology
Male
Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human
Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human
Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human
Paramyxovirus Infections/epidemiology
Pneumonia, Viral/virology*
Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology*
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
Respiratory Tract Infections/virology*
Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology*
Seasons