In a study of 14,442 pediatric CAP patients, RSV was the most prevalent virus at 26.58%, with mixed infections increasing severe CAP risk by 17% (RR=1.17).
RSV is the predominant viral pathogen in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in Guangzhou, and mixed viral infections significantly increase the risk of severe disease.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children is a major public health issue due to its morbidity and economic impact, primarily caused by viral pathogens, highlighting the need to understand their prevalence and patterns for effective management and strategies. This study analyzed 14,442 pediatric CAP patients in Guangzhou from 2023 to 2024 to evaluate viral prevalence, demographics, and seasonal trends, and their association with disease severity to elucidate their impact on children's health outcomes. Our analysis found 5,610 positive viral cases, with a 38.85% positivity rate; RSV was the most common at 26.58%, followed by ADV (18.42%) and RHV (15.67%). Infection rates for ADV and RHV rose in 2024. Children aged 0-3 made up 68.2% of cases, with severe CAP mainly affecting males (62.4%) and infants (57.3%). RSV peaked in winter, while ADV and RHV peaked in spring. The study highlights the dynamic viral epidemiology in pediatric CAP, emphasizing RSV's threat and emerging risks from RHV and ADV, advocating for better diagnostics and targeted vaccinations for vulnerable groups to improve clinical management and reduce the misuse of antibiotics. • 1Significant gender disparity was observed with males comprising 62.18% of severe CAP cases and suggesting region-specific biological vulnerabilities. • 2 A novel Q2 seasonal peak (32.06% of severe admissions) was identified, contrasting with winter patterns in temperate zones and reflecting subtropical viral surge dynamics. • 3Mixed virus infections increased severe CAP risk by 17% (RR=1.17), explaining previous contradictions regarding rhinovirus severity through demonstrated synergistic effects. • 4Despite recent therapeutic advances, implementation faces substantial barriers including cold-chain requirements and frontline training gaps, highlighting the need for integrated surveillance systems.
Xu et al. (Sun,) reported a other. In a study of 14,442 pediatric CAP patients, RSV was the most prevalent virus at 26.58%, with mixed infections increasing severe CAP risk by 17% (RR=1.17).