AUTHOR=Ng David Chun-Ern , Tan Kah Kee , TING Grace Sieng Sing , Ling Chin , Fadzilah Nur Fadzreena Binti , TAN Shir Fong , Subramaniam Thayasheri , Zailanalhuddin Nur Emylia Binti , LIM Hui Yi , Baharuddin Suhaila Binti , LEE Yee Lean , Mohamad Nor Airena , Khoo Erwin Jiayuan TITLE=Comparison of Severe Viral Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses Among Malaysian Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics VOLUME=10 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.865099 DOI=10.3389/fped.2022.865099 ISSN=2296-2360 ABSTRACT=Objectives

We described the etiology of severe pneumonia in children during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and compared the clinical features of severe SARS-CoV-2 to other respiratory viruses.

Methods

This retrospective study included all children aged 12 years and below hospitalized with severe pneumonia in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, between 1 April 2021 and 31 October 2021. We extracted demographic and clinical data and used logistic regression to examine risk factors associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 or other viral pneumonia.

Results

A total of 111 children were included. The median age was 15 months. Human rhinovirus/enterovirus, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus were the most common etiology of severe pneumonia. Codetection of >1 viral pathogen was present in 14 (12.6%) patients. Children with severe COVID-19 presented early in the course of illness and had lower rates of pediatric intensive care admission. The presence of sick contact with an adult was a predictor for SARS-CoV-2, whereas adventitious breath sounds were predictive of other respiratory viruses.

Conclusions

The etiology of severe pneumonia in children evolved with the epidemic curve of COVID-19 and school closures. Children with severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 experienced a milder clinical course when compared to other respiratory viruses.