Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to comparatively investigate the effects of five common viral agents causing respiratory infections—influenza virus (IFV), human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), human rhinovirus (hRV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and human bocavirus (hBoV)—on laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes in children without underlying chronic diseases.

Material and Methods: A total of 983 children aged one month to eighteen years who presented to Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024 were retrospectively evaluated. Only children hospitalized with a single detected viral agent were included in the study. Clinical data and laboratory parameters were analyzed based on the identified viral pathogens.

Results: Among the 983 patients included, 62% were male. The most commonly detected viral agent was IFV, followed by hBoV, hRSV, hRV, and hMPV. In IFV infections, elevated levels of AST and ALT were observed. Significant elevations in partial pressure of PCO₂ and HCO₃ were detected in hRSV infections. In hBoV infections, inflammatory markers such as CRP, WBC, and NLR reached the highest levels. Furthermore, decreases in pH and increases in PCO₂ were significantly associated with intubation and intensive care admissions.

Conclusion: The distinct biomarker profiles exhibited by different viral agents may aid in guiding the clinical decision-making process. In particular, early assessment of biomarkers such as LDH, pH, PCO₂, and CRP at the time of hospital admission can be valuable for predicting disease severity and determining the need for intensive care in the clinical management of pediatric viral infections.

Keywords: Human bocavirus, Human metapneumovirus, Human respiratory syncytial virus, Human rhinovirus, Influenza virus, Lower respiratory tract infections

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1.
Kalaycı F, Çelebier K. Differential laboratory findings of common respiratory viruses in hospitalized children: a retrospective study. Turk J Pediatr Dis [Internet]. 2025 May 14 [cited 2025 May 24];19(3):130-6. Available from: https://turkjpediatrdis.org/article/view/1090