Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, and influenza virus infections are leading causes of severe illness in children. We compared population-based pediatric hospitalization rates for illness associated with these viruses using the Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET). Methods Children 18 years hospitalized with RSV, COVID-19, and influenza during October 2022–September 2024 were identified in RESP-NET, which includes patients with positive screening or clinician-directed laboratory test for each virus ≤14 days prior to or during hospitalization at 300 U.S. hospitals. We calculated hospitalization rates by age group and surveillance period, and incidence rate ratios. Results During 2022–2024, 15,843/17,353 (91%) hospitalizations with RSV, 4137/6041 (68%) with COVID-19, and 2822/5863 (48%) with influenza occurred in 5 year-olds (Table); this age group had the highest hospitalization rates (Figure). Among 0–5 month-olds, RSV hospitalization rates during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 were 18.0 (15.3–21.5) and 12.4 (10.5–14.9) times higher than respective influenza rates; COVID-19 rates were 4.3 (3.4–5.1) and 3.4 (2.8–4.2) times higher. Among 6–59 month-olds, RSV hospitalization rates were 5.4 (5.0–5.9) and 4.3 (3.9–4.7) times higher; COVID-19 rates did not differ statistically from influenza rates. Among 5–11 year-olds, RSV hospitalization rates were 0.5 (0.4–0.6) times influenza rates in 2023–2024, but not statistically different in 2022–2023; COVID-19 hospitalization rates were 0.4 (0.4–0.5) and 0.3 (0.2–0.3) times influenza rates in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 respectively. Among 12–17 year-olds, RSV hospitalization rates were 0.3 (0.2–0.4) and 0.3 (0.3–0.4) times influenza rates during 2022-2023 and 2022–2024; COVID-19 rates were 1.3 (1.1–1.5) times influenza rates in 2022-2023 but not statistically different in 2022–2024. Conclusion RSV accounted for the highest hospitalization rates among infants and young children. Among children 5–17 years, hospitalization rates were lower than among those 5 years and differences in rates between viruses were less pronounced. These findings can help identify age groups at highest risk of hospitalization for each virus and can help guide prevention and treatment strategies. Disclosures Melissa Sutton, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emerging Infections Program: Grant/Research Support
Shakya et al. (2026) studied this question.