Burden of respiratory tract infections among paediatric in and out-patient units during 2010-11

J. Mazumdar, M. Chawla-Sarkar, K. Rajendran, A. Ganguly, U.K. Sarkar, S. Ghosh, M.D. Sarkar, S. Maulik

Division of Virology and Division of Data Management, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Beliaghata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. jaymaz28@gmail.com;

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• Respiratory Medicine

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory tract infections due to viral etiology were studied with an objective to identify and compare the pathogens between Hospital Indoor and Outdoor Units.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children below 12 years over a period of one year. The throat and nasal swabs were collected from both the Units and screened for viral infections by real time RT-PCR technique.

RESULTS: Out of 880 samples collected, 87% and 13% were from outdoor and indoor Department with total viral positivity rate of 30% and 25% respectively. Influenza B virus (IBV) (n=126, 16%) was more prevalent in Outdoor Unit, whereas respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (n=18, 16%) among indoor admitted cases. The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that both RSV and Influenza viruses were predominant in children of pre-school age groups < 5 years. In the year 2010-11, the prevalence of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was low. The pandemic influenza A virus (pH1N1/2009) accounted for 4% (n=29) and 0.8% (n=1) cases among Outdoor and Indoor Units respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The Outdoor Department outnumbered the Indoor Unit in terms of patient attendees and the rate of viral infections. An effective vaccination and continuous surveillance program is the need of the hour.

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