Infect Chemother.  2024 Mar;56(1):83-87. 10.3947/ic.2023.0076.

Clinical Characteristics and Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Korean Children during the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Period

• Kim YE
• Kang D
• Park JS
• Choi EH
• Yun KW

• KMID: 2554980
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2023.0076

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and risk factors for severe RSV disease among Korean children in 2022/2023. A total of 235 children were identified, and 84.3% were hospitalized. Patients under 3 months and 2 years of age accounted for 20.9% and 54.5%, respectively. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 40.9% of children and bronchiolitis in 23.8%. Respiratory support and intensive care were required in 43.4% and 7.7% of patients, respectively. Haemophilus influenzae nasopharyngeal colonization and the presence of underlying disease showed a significant correlation with severity indicators. The clinical impact of RSV infection was high on infants and toddlers, even those having no underlying disease or not being indicated for palivizumab.

Keyword

Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory tract infections; Children