A Clinical Study of Adenoviral Respiratory Infection in Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Adenoviral respiratory infection can develop a life threatening condition similar to severe bacterial pneumonia. Despite adequate intensive care, this infection progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome and causes permanent lung damage in some patients. In this study, we analyzed clinical features and long-term follow-up clinical data of this infection in children. METHODS: Forty-seven cases of inpatients were diagnosed as adenoviral respiratory tract infection by viral culture of nasal aspirates or histopathological diagnosis at Samsung Medical Center during the period from February 1995 to July 1998. We reviewed medical records retrospectively. RESULTS: During this study, 1301 cases of acute respiratory tract infection were investigated, of which 47 cases were confirmed as adenoviral infection. Age ranged from 2 months to 6 years. Initial symptoms were productive cough(100%), fever(91%), dyspnea(62%), diarrhea(40%), and conjunctival injection(30%). Thirty-nine cases(83%) were pneumonia and 7 cases(15%) were bronchiolitis. The radiologic findings were pneumonic consolidation(60%), effusion(36%), infiltration(19 %), and atelectasis(13%). Five cases developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and 3 cases expired. In 31 cases of recovered patient, follow-up evaluation was done at a minimum of 3 months(mean duration 9.9+/-9.3 months). Under the follow-up evaluation, 13 patients(42%) showed physical and radiologic findings that consisted with bronchiolitis obliterans or bronchiectasis. CONCLUSION: Because of severe clinical manifestations and pulmonary complications, early diagnosis, adequate management, and long-term follow-up are needed for adenoviral respiratory tract infection.