Clinical characteristics of acute lower respiratory tract infection caused by Omicron, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus a in children in Chengdu: a retrospective study.

Mingjia Chen, Lei Zhang, Hao Dong, Shuai Hu

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Article in Italian journal of pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

Ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution versus ambroxol hydrochloride injection for pediatric lower respiratory tract infection with mucoid sputum: a multicenter, non-randomized observational study in China.Translational pediatrics · 2026
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Mingjia Chen *Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.1617 Riyue Avenue, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611731, China. mingjiachen1988@163.com.

Lei Zhang *Department of Pediatric, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.1617 Riyue Avenue, 611731, Chengdu, China.

Hao DongDepartment of Pediatric, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.1617 Riyue Avenue, 611731, Chengdu, China.

Shuai HuDepartment of Pediatric, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.1617 Riyue Avenue, 611731, Chengdu, China.

Funding

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study investigated the differences in clinical features of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children caused by suspected Omicron, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza virus A (Flu A).

methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 241 hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infections due to suspected Omicron, RSV, or Flu A at Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital from December 9, 2022 to August 1, 2023. Differences in age, sex, clinical characteristics, laboratory results, imaging findings, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) results between the three viral infections were analyzed.

resultsPatients infected with suspected Omicron were predominantly infants and toddlers; in contrast, those infected with Flu A were mostly preschool children. Fever was most common in Flu A-infected patients, followed by RSV-infected and Omicron-infected patients. Inspiratory crackles in the lungs were most frequently observed in suspected Omicron-infected patients, whereas wheezing was more common in RSV-infected patients. No wheezing was observed in the lungs of any suspected Omicron-infected patients. Patients with both suspected Omicron and RSV infections had longer hospital stays. Notably, Flu A infection significantly decreased white blood cell count and increased neutrophil percentage (Neu%) compared with the other two infections. Furthermore, patients with suspected Omicron infection exhibited a pronounced reduction in Neu%; however, the decrease in lymphocyte percentage (Lym%) was considerable in all groups, with the Flu A-infected group showing the greatest decline. C-reactive protein levels were markedly higher in the RSV- and Flu A-infected groups. Liver function was significantly affected in suspected Omicron-infected patients, who were also more likely to have Mycoplasma pneumoniae or bacterial infections. Pulmonary consolidation was more common in suspected Omicron-infected patients, and they had the highest positive rate of FENO.

conclusionsThe clinical manifestations of suspected Omicron infection in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections are similar to those of Flu A and RSV infections. However, these infections exhibit more severe liver function damage, lung consolidation, and airway inflammation. Paying attention to respiratory tract infections caused by the suspected Omicron virus in children is imperative to ensure timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Promoting child vaccination remains crucial for safeguarding susceptible populations and protecting children's health.

Indexed as

Influenza, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsRespiratory Tract InfectionsAcute DiseaseChildChild, PreschoolChinaFemaleHumansInfantInfluenza A virusMaleRetrospective StudiesAcute lower respiratory tract infectionInfluenza virusOmicronRespiratory syncytial virus

Identifiers

PMID41174794

DOI10.1186/s13052-025-02132-2

PMCPMC12577164

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND

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