Sorubarajan T, Sorubarajan S. Clinical presentation and management of enterovirus and parechovirus infection in children: A single-centre study in regional Australia.
Aust J Rural Health 2024. [PMID:
39031324 DOI:
10.1111/ajr.13160]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyse the clinical presentation caused by enterovirus (EV) and/or human parechovirus (HPeV) infection in children, as well as the management of such cases admitted to a regional hospital in Australia.
METHODS
Retrospective study reviewing medical records.
SETTING
Single hospital in regional Australia.
PARTICIPANTS
All children under 18 years admitted over the 5-year period beginning from 1 January 2017 with confirmed EV and/or HPeV infection. Cases with clinically insignificant EV/HPeV isolation were excluded.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Data collected included demographic data, signs and symptoms present, specimens of EV/HPeV isolation, co-occurring pathogens, peak C-reactive protein (CRP), antibiotic therapy, discharge diagnosis and follow-up after discharge.
RESULTS
Overall, 27 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 81.5% of the patients were ≤3 months of age with a median of 2 months (interquartile range 1-3); 74.1% were males. The most common clinical features were a fever ≥38°C and irritability/lethargy/high-pitched cry. 29.6% of the patients had co-occurring pathogens detected, and a CRP ≤10 mg/L was observed in 77.8% of cases. All but two children were treated with antibiotics while awaiting polymerase chain reaction results. The most common discharge diagnosis was meningitis. In all, 74.1% of the children attended follow-up appointments.
CONCLUSIONS
EV and HPeV should be considered as a possible aetiology of fever and irritability/lethargy/high-pitched cry in children under 3 months.
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