Introduction: We performed a retrospective study to evaluate demographics, clinical course, outcome, and radiological findings of children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.
Methods: Four hundred patients admitted between October 2013 and May 2016 were enrolled. Clinical and radiographic trends were evaluated for association with severity of RSV presentation. Severity was defined as hospitalization >2 days, pediatric intensive care unit admission, or need for mechanical ventilation.
Results: Common clinical findings included fever (78.5%), coughing (97%), rhinorrhea/congestion (93%), and hypoxia (44.8%). Hypoxia was seen in 64.7% of the severe group compared with 32.0% in the nonsevere group ( P < .001). Airspace opacification was seen in 49.2% of chest X-rays of the severe group compared with 26.4% in the nonsevere group ( P < .001).
Conclusion: Higher incidence of hypoxia or airspace opacification on chest X-ray may be predictors of poorer outcomes for patients with RSV infection.
Keywords: RSV; clinical findings; radiographic findings.