Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza paediatric viral respiratory infections in southwest Saudi Arabia.

Background: There is a global consensus that respiratory tract infections are the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among children admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections. We also opted to identify the predictors of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission.

Clinical, laboratory, and chest radiographic characteristics of COVID-19 associated severe pediatric pneumonia. .

Objectives: To evaluate the demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory data, chest radiographs, and outcomes of pediatric patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: This retrospective study included 34 children who were diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia between August 2020 and July 2021. Severe pneumonia was defined as fever, respiratory distress (tachypnea, chest retractions, and hypoxia [oxygen saturation <90% in room air]), and obvious infiltrations on chest radiography.