Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, sa.Baskıda, ss.1-20, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background:
Human metapneumovirus is an important cause of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children. This study aimed to increase the data on predictors of pediatric hMPV infection severity.
Methods:
Children admitted with ARI symptoms between 2021 and 2025 and diagnosed with hMPV by PCR testing of nasopharyngeal samples were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features, as well as treatment and clinical outcomes, were retrospectively reviewed.
Results:
Seventy-eight children were included, of whom 48.7% were female. Most admissions occurred during winter and spring (92.3%). The median age was 14.9 months (IQR, 7.5–54.7), and 84.6% were younger than 5 years. At least one underlying comorbidity was present in 41% of patients, most commonly chronic lung disease. Major symptoms were cough (83.1%), rhinorrhea (61%), fever (59.2%), and stridor (41.6%), and tachypnea/dyspnea was observed in 31.2%. Median leukocyte count was 10,020/mm³ (IQR, 6,200–13,860), and median C-reactive protein level was 7.5 mg/dL (IQR, 1.1–26). Viral coinfection was detected in 29.5% and was not associated with disease severity. Infiltration on chest radiographic were present in 58.4%, predominantly reticulonodular. About half of the patients (53.9%) required hospitalization; 21.8% needed respiratory support, and 6.4% were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The need for respiratory support was significantly higher in children with comorbidities (p = 0.025). The median length of hospital stay was 7 days (IQR, 5–11), and mortality was 2.6%.
Conclusions:
Human metapneumovirus is a significant cause of ARIs in young children, particularly during winter and spring. Underlying comorbidities are associated with increased disease severity.