Viral Pathogen Association with Community Acquired Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children- Report from the State of Qatar

Background : Community acquired pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally, although the etiology of CAP varies by age, viruses remain the most etiologic agent and may lead to sever disease especially in children with co-morbidities. Data on community acquired pneumonia in children were found to be limited in Qatar.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine common virus associated with CAP in hospitalized children and to identify risk factor for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission.

Methods: A cross-sectional single institutional retrospective descriptive study was performed at Hamad Medical Corporation, the only tertiary and academic medical center in the State of Qatar. The study included children admitted with community-acquired pneumonia from Dec 2017-June 2018, details of demographic and respiratory viral as detected by molecular assays were analyzed

Results: Total of 59 hospitalized children with diagnose of CAP between 3 months-14 years were included,mean age at diagnosis 3 years.43 patients (73%)had positive PCR nasal swab,single virus isolated in 31case,multiple viruses in 12 cases. The most isolated virus was Rhinovirus(21%),Human Meta-pneumovirus(17%),Boca virus(15%),H1N1influenza virus(8%),Respiratory Syncytial Virus and corona viruses were the least common with(7%) each. Nearly 20/59(33%)of children admitted to PICU,15(25%) had positive viruses in which the most frequent were H1N1influnza and Rhinovirus with longer PICU stay (median 10 days). Common risk factor associated with PICU hospitalization;prematurity and bronchial asthma.

Conclusions: Our study revealed that Rhinovirus and HMP Virus were the most common causative agents in hospitalized children with CAP. This finding in contrasts with a previous report from WHO in which RSV was the most frequently isolated virus. H1N1influanza virus play a major role in PICU admission, we need to increase public and healthcare providers knowledge to annual vaccine.