Respiratory Viral Burden and Healthcare Utilization Among Pediatric Patients With Acute Respiratory Viral Infections in a Tertiary Care Center.

Authors

Shafiqa Alsharif

Published in

Health science reports. Volume 9. Issue 8. Pages e72900. Epub Aug 02, 2026.

Abstract

Respiratory viral infections, particularly Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza, are major causes of pediatric morbidity, hospitalization, and healthcare strain during winter seasons. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological burden of RSV and influenza in pediatric patients and assess associated healthcare resource utilization.
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 1428 patients of all ages, including a pediatric subgroup (0-14 years) who presented to an emergency department in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia between October 2024 and March 2025. Viral pathogens were detected using a rapid antigen test detecting SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, RSV, and adenovirus. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed to assess clinical trends and healthcare utilization.
A total of 1428 patients were tested, of whom 257 (18%) confirmed positive for respiratory viruses. The pediatric group (n = 158) had a mean age of 3.2 years and was largely composed of young children, with 48% under 2 years and 76% under 5. RSV (37%) and Influenza A (36%) predominated, followed by Influenza B (14%), SARS-CoV-2 (7.0%), and Adenovirus (5.1%). Peak positivity occurred in January (34% of detected cases) with continued detections into March (15%). Most children (60%) were discharged, while 31% required hospitalization; ICU admissions were infrequent. Oxygen therapy was required in 12% (n = 19), and antiviral therapy (oseltamivir) was administered in 7 patients. Advanced respiratory support included high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC; n = 11) and non-invasive ventilation (continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP] and bilevel positive airway pressure [BiPAP]; n = 12), highlighting substantial healthcare demands.
This study shows a substantial winter burden from RSV and influenza in young children, leading to high emergency visits, admissions, and respiratory support use. Increased medication demand highlights the need for proactive planning, resource allocation, and preventive strategies to manage seasonal healthcare pressures effectively.

PMID:
42548978
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 04 Aug 2026.

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