The Impact of Human Parainfluenza Virus on Child Health: A Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to identify the clinical characteristics of Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) infections in children, evaluate morbidity and mortality rates, and investigate the impact of chronic diseases on the course of these infections. Material and Methods: The research was conducted retrospectively and cross-sectionally on children aged 0-18 who tested positive for HPIV in the respiratory viral panel at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Children’s Hospital between August 2019 and July 2023. Patients with multiple virus positivity were excluded from the study. Results: The study included 160 patients, of whom 61.2% were male and 38.8% were female. The most common presenting symptoms were cough (66.3%) and fever (52.5%). Of the patients, 41.2% were treated as inpatients, and 19.6% received care in the intensive care unit. The need for invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation was observed in 10% of the patients. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of lung infiltration and chronic disease with hypoxia (p < 0.001). Conclusion: While HPIV infections are generally mild, they can lead to significant morbidity and the need for intensive care in children with chronic diseases. These findings highlight the necessity for careful clinical evaluation and close monitoring of children with HPIV infections. The study’s results may contribute to the management and treatment strategies for HPIV infections in the pediatric population.

Keywords

• Child
• Parainfluenza Virus
• Pneumonia
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

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