Epidemiological and clinical features of neonatal parainfluenza virus infection: a retrospective study.

Abstract

Background: Parainfluenza virus (PIV) is an important pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) in children, and its pathogenicity is second only to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The purpose of this study was to explore the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, and related risk factors of PIV infection in hospitalized newborns, and to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Methods: The cases admitted to Children's Hospital of Soochow University from 2016 to 2023 due to LRIs were included in this retrospective study. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected and four common respiratory viruses (Mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza B virus, RSV, and adenovirus), including PIV, were detected by direct immunofluorescence. To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and related risk factors of PIV infection.

Results: PIV infection rate was 2.39% (159/6,662) in hospitalized newborns. Among those infected with PIV, 24 cases (15.1%) were mixed infections, with RSV being the most common co-infection (45.8%, 11/24). The infection rate of PIV was highest in 4-week-old newborns (3.31%, 82/2,474). PIV infection exhibited seasonality, peaking from November to January. Compared to the RSV infection group, newborns in the PIV infection group had a significantly higher incidence of fever (P<0.05), milk rejection (P<0.05), increased white blood cell count (P<0.05), increased C-reactive protein (P<0.05), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.05), increased creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) (P<0.05), and abnormal chest X-ray (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that low birth weight and potential diseases (congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Down syndrome) were significant risk factors for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (P<0.05).

Conclusions: PIV is an important pathogen of LRI in hospitalized newborns. Neonates infected with PIV are more likely to have severe manifestations. Low birth weight and potential diseases are the risk factors of PIV infection leading to severe disease.