Background: Studies comparing the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis to other viruses are inconclusive. Our study aimed to compare the severity of bronchiolitis according to the virus.
Methods: Data were collected from 1152 infants under one year of age admitted to Children's hospital for Wales, over the winter months of 2014-2020. The cohort was divided based on the virus detected: RSV, RSV with another virus, or other virus. Using t tests and Fisher exact statistical test, the groups were compared based on length of hospital stay, admissions PICU/HDU, intubations, and need of nasogastric (NG) nutritional support.
Results: Fifty-six percent throat swabs were RSV positive, 15% had RSV with another virus, and 29% had only another virus. Children positive for RSV had statistically longer hospital admissions and were more likely to need NG nutrition; however, there was no difference between number of PICU/HDU admissions or intubations. The RSV group and RSV with another virus group had no statistical differences.
Keywords: epidemiology; infectious diseases; paediatrics; public health.
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