Age-Dependent Clinical Characteristics of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Young Hospitalized Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Figures & data

Video Abstract

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Figure 1 Subject screening, enrolment and research flow chart.

Table 1 Patient Characteristics and Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Age Group	Total n=130	1–6 mo(Group 1) n=56	7–12 mo(Group 2) n=26	13–24 mo(Group 3) n=18	Over24 mo(Group 4) n=30
Median month age (IQR)	9 (3–22.2)	3 (2–4)	9 (8–11)	20 (15–22)	38 (31.5–45)
Male sex. n (%)	80 (61.5)	33 (58.9)	16 (61.5)	13 (72.2)	18 (60)
Radiological evidence: Pneumonia n (%)	78 (60)	32 (57.1)	16 (61.5)	12 (66.6)	18 (60)
WBC count (10^9/L)	8.62±3.41	8.96±2.78	9.47±4.01	8.74±4.189	7.18±3.16
CRP(mg/L)	1.48 (0.5–5.02)	2.63 (0.5–5.36)	0.87 (0.5–4.3)	0.79 (0.5–3.84)	2.11 (0.58–7.38)
ICU admission	1 (0.7)	0	0	0	1(3.3)
HFNC	2 (1.4)	2 (3.6)	0	0	0
LOS	4.55± 1.92	4.05± 1.63	4.84± 2.27	5.06± 2.24	4.93± 1.74
Symptoms
Fever n (%)	86 (66)	21 (38)	19 (73)	18 (100)	29 (97)
Cough n (%)	130 (100)	56 (100)	26 (100)	18 (100)	30 (100)
Wheezing n (%)	94 (72.3)	48 (85.7)	20 (76.9)	10 (55.5)	16 (53.3)
Signs
Tachypnoea n (%)	46 (35.3)	28 (50)	11 (42.3)	1 (5.5)	6 (20)
Hypoxia n (%)	35 (26.9)	23 (41)	6 (23)	1 (5.5)	5 (16.6)
Intercostal retractions n (%)	30 (23)	19 (33.9)	6 (23)	1 (5.5)	4 (13.3)
Crackling n (%)	70 (53.8)	35 (62.5)	11 (42.3)	10 (55.5)	14 (46.6)

Notes: Categorical data are in n (%), continuous data are shown in mean ± SD, median [IQR].

Abbreviations: IQR, Interquartile range; WBC, White Blood Cells; CRP, C-reactive protein; mo, months; ICU, Intensive care unit; LOS, length of hospital stay; HFNC, high flow oxygen via nasal cannulae.

Figure 2 Proportions of patients who developed fever in each age group are shown in (A), and proportions of patients who developed the highest temperature of ≥ 38.5°C in each age group are shown in (B). P-values by Fisher’s exact between the age-group 1–6 months and other age groups are shown above the bars, patients of 1–6 months old less frequently experienced fever and the highest body temperature of ≥ 38.5°C compared with other age groups. ** P <0.01, **** P <0.0001.

Figure 3 Proportions of patients who developed wheezing in each age group. P-values found using by Fisher’s exact test indicating differences between children in 1–6 months old and other age groups are shown above the bars. Patients patients of 1–6 months old experienced wheezing more frequently than those over 12 months old. **** P <0.0001.

Figure 4 Proportions of patients who developed tachypnoea, hypoxia, and intercostal retractions in each age group are shown in 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively. P-values found using Fisher’s exact test indicating differences between children in 1–6 months old and other age groups are shown above the bars. Patients in 1–6 months old experienced tachypnoea, hypoxia, and intercostal retractions more frequently than children over 12 months old.* P <0.05, ** P <0.01, *** P < 0.001.

Figure 5 Age-dependent clinical characteristics trend was shown, fever responses were enhanced with advancing age among children under 24 months old, and wheezing, tachypnoea, hypoxia, intercostal retractions were reduced with advancing age among children under 24 months old.

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