Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Showed That Asymptomatic Viral Respiratory Infections Were Common Among Children Who Underwent Surgery.

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated asymptomatic viral respiratory tract infections in children who had undergone surgery and their impact on postoperative outcomes.

Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed and Scopus databases, from their inception to 24 May 2024, to identify papers published in English on the subject. A meta-analysis was also carried out.

Results: Five studies with 2055 participants from the USA, Brazil, the Netherlands and China met the inclusion criteria. They were published from 2019 to 2023: three were prospective observational studies and two were retrospective cohort studies. Asymptomatic viral respiratory tract infections were detected in 17% of the participants. In one study, asymptomatic viral respiratory tract infections were associated with an increased risk of respiratory complications, and they were associated with an increased risk of mortality in another study. The pooled odds ratios had wide 95% confidence intervals and showed no statistically significant associations with respiratory complications, reintubation or mortality. The meta-analysis was limited by the low number and heterogeneity of the studies.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that asymptomatic viral respiratory tract infections were common among surgical paediatric patients. The associations between asymptomatic viral infections and postoperative complications were not conclusive, due to wide confidence intervals.

Trial registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: CRD42023412102.