Distribution of Viral Respiratory Pathogens During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Center Pediatric Study from Turkey.

Objective: To evaluate the distribution and characteristics of respiratory viral pathogens and to assess the epidemiological data, clinical features, and prognoses of infected children in a pediatric emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: Between September 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, patients aged between 0 and 18 years arrived at the pediatric emergency department and were tested by nasopharyngeal/tracheal specimen polymerase chain reaction for both SARS-CoV-2 and other viral respiratory pathogens. Demographics, symptoms, laboratory and radiologic investigations, respiratory viruses detected by PCR, presence of co-infection and co-infecting viruses, need for respiratory support, hospitalization, length of hospital stay, and prognosis were recorded.