For children younger than 5 years, having any viral codetection or rhinovirus\/enterovirus codetection significantly linked to severe illness<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) — For children younger than 5 years hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), respiratory virus coinfections may increase illness severity, according to a study published online Jan. 18 in Pediatrics<\/em>.<\/p>\n Nickolas T. Agathis, M.D., M.P.H., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues identified 4,372 children hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection during March 2020 to February 2022. Demographics, clinical features, and outcomes were compared for those with and without codetections on any non-SARS-CoV-2 virus testing.<\/p>\n Overall, 62 percent of the 4,372 children hospitalized had non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory virus testing, and of these children, 21 percent had a codetection. The researchers found that those with codetection were more likely to be younger than 5 years of age, receive increased oxygen support, or have intensive care unit admission. For children aged younger than 5 years, significant associations with severe illness were seen for those having any viral codetection (adjusted odds ratios, 2.1 and 1.9 for those aged younger than 2 years and 2 to 4 years, respectively) or rhinovirus\/enterovirus codetection (adjusted odds ratio, 2.4 for both those aged younger than 2 years and 2 to 4 years). Respiratory syncytial virus codetections were also significantly associated with severe illness among children younger than 2 years (adjusted odds ratio, 1.9). For children aged 5 years or older, no significant associations were seen.<\/p>\n “Young children who are hospitalized for COVID-19 may benefit from additional viral respiratory pathogen testing, especially when circulation of other pathogens is high,” the authors write. “Identification of codetections can help inform clinical and public health practice.”<\/p>\n One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n