Abstract
Objective In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings
of noncoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral agents in newborn infants hospitalized
for lower respiratory tract infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods This prospective cross-sectional study conducted between 11 March 2020 and 31 July
2021 included neonates with lower respiratory tract infections admitted to the neonatal
intensive care unit of the Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital. Nasopharyngeal swab
samples were taken from all hospitalized patients for multiplex respiratory polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
PCR. The detection of respiratory viral pathogens was performed by multiplex real-time
PCR assay (Bosphore Respiratory Pathogens Panel Kit V4, Anatolia Geneworks, Turkey).
Infants with SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity were excluded from the study. Patients' data
were obtained from the electronic medical registry system. The non-COVID-19 viruses
of the cases were analyzed according to seasonal variation (in/off-season). The pulmonary
findings of the cases were classified as normal, infiltration, air bronchogram, and
reticulogranular appearance at the time of admission.
Results A total of 80 infants were included during the study period. A multiplex PCR test
was performed to identify viral agents affecting the lower respiratory tract of infants;
it was determined that 31% (25 out of 80) were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),
41% (33 out of 80) were rhinovirus (Rhino), and the remaining portion (28%, 22 out
of 80) were other viral agents (enterovirus, bocavirus, adenovirus, influenza, and
parainfluenza). Compared with Rhino and other viral agents, RSV was detected most
frequently in seasonal hospitalizations (p < 0.05). When chest radiography and laboratory findings were evaluated, the rate
of “infiltration” /“lymphopenia” was significantly associated with infants with RSV
lower respiratory tract infections (p < 0.05).
Conclusion During the pandemic period, RSV affected the prognosis in intensive care unit admissions
due to lower respiratory tract infection in newborns.
Keywords neonate - respiratory syncytial virus - lymphopenia - chest X-ray
