Parainfluenza virus as a cause of acute respiratory infection in hospitalized children.

Background: Human parainfluenza viruses account for a significant proportion of lower respiratory tract infections in children.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Human parainfluenza viruses as a cause of acute respiratory infection and to compare clinical data for this infection against those of the human respiratory syncytial virus.

Methods: A prospective study in children younger than five years with acute respiratory infection was conducted.