The burden of viral lower respiratory tract infections during the neonatal period: six-year experience at a tertiary referral hospital

AIM: To identify the epidemiological and clinical features of acute viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses, and to determine the risk factors for the severe disease among neonates. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of neonates aged up to 44 postconceptional weeks who were hospitalized at a tertiary referral hospital due to confirmed viral LRTI between January 2015 and December 2020. RESULTS: Of 228 neonates with viral LRTI, one-third were born prematurely. A seasonal distribution of LRTIs from December to March was noticed, peaking in February. Forty-two percent of neonates were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit. One third of these presented with complications and needed mechanical ventilation. The most detected viruses were respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus. Prematurity was identified as a risk factor for worse clinical course and more complications, while rhinovirus infection was associated with an increased risk of apnea. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of respiratory syncytial virus LRTI in the neonatal period is high, although other respiratory viruses can also cause a severe respiratory disease. In preterm infants, rhinovirus infection presents an important risk factor for a severe course of LRTI with complications. Infection with two respiratory viruses leads to a more severe clinical course.