Incidence of RSV-related lower respiratory infections among children under five years in Mosul city
Keywords:
Lower respiratory tract infections, Children, Mosul, Iraq, Risk factors, Seasonality, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RSVAbstract
Worldwide, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major contributor to lower respiratory tract infections in young children. Finding the incidence rate of RSV-related lower respiratory infections in children under five in Mosul, Iraq, as well as evaluating risk variables, clinical signs, and seasonal distribution patterns were the objectives of this study. The study was cross-sectional and took place between October 2024 and March 2025, including 160 kids under five who showed up at Mosul's pediatric facilities with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections. The immunofluorescence assay was used to analyze nasopharyngeal swabs for RSV. Parents and guardians were given structured questionnaires to complete in order to gather information about their demographics, medical histories, clinical symptoms, and any risk factors. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis, and chi-square testing were used to examine the data. 40.6% (65/160) of children with lower respiratory tract illnesses tested positive for RSV overall. Children under 6 months had the highest incidence (53.8%), followed by those aged 6 to 12 months (24.6%). With a high frequency of 69.2% of all cases in December and January, RSV infections showed a distinct seasonal trend. Prematurity (OR=2.8, 95% CI: 1.4-5.6, p=0.003), household smoking (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.2-4.5, p=0.014), and daycare attendance (OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.0-3.7, p=0.049) were also significant risk variables. RSV positive patients were required to be hospitalized for 32.3%, the average of 4.2 ± 1.8 days. The three most widespread symptoms were fever (72.3%), whey (76.9%) and cough (95.4%). Reducing the incidence of RSV infections in Mosul City is recommended using RSV monitoring systems, preventive strategies for high -risk newborns, public health learning campaigns on RSV transfer and evaluation of RSV immunoproploxis for receptive groups.
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