Albuterol Use in Children Hospitalized with Human Metapneumovirus Respiratory Infection.

Lindsey Rasmussen ,Jennifer Schuette,Michael C Spaeder

doi:10.1155/2016/7021943

Lindsey Rasmussen , Jennifer Schuette + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7021943

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Abstract

Introduction. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus from the same subfamily as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and causes similar acute lower respiratory tract infection. Albuterol in the setting of acute RSV infection is controversial and has not yet been studied in HMPV. We sought to determine the frequency of albuterol use in HMPV infection and the association between albuterol administration and patient outcomes. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study identifying all patients hospitalized in a tertiary care children's hospital with laboratory-confirmed HMPV infection between January 2010 and December 2010. Results. There were 207 patients included in the study; 57% had a chronic medical condition. The median hospital length of stay was 3 days. Only 31% of patients in the study had a documented wheezing history, while 69% of patients received at least one albuterol treatment. There was no difference in length of stay between patients who received albuterol and those who did not. Conclusion. There is a high frequency of albuterol use in children hospitalized with HMPV infection. As with RSV, evidence may not support routine use of bronchodilators in patients with acute HMPV respiratory infection. Research involving additional patient outcomes and illness severity indicators would be useful in future studies.

Highlights

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus from the same subfamily as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and causes similar acute lower respiratory tract infection
We observed a high frequency of bronchodilator use in hospitalized children in our study
Clinicians may be likely to perceive some improvement in symptomatology following albuterol

Summary

Introduction

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus from the same subfamily as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and causes similar acute lower respiratory tract infection. There is a high frequency of albuterol use in children hospitalized with HMPV infection. As with RSV, evidence may not support routine use of bronchodilators in patients with acute HMPV respiratory infection. Viral respiratory infections are a leading cause of illness and hospitalization in infants and children worldwide. In 2009 in the United States, more than 300,000 children were hospitalized as a result of infectious respiratory illness [1]. Children with chronic medical conditions have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from these viral respiratory infections [2,3,4,5,6,7]. In children less than five years of age, rates of hospitalization are similar between HMPV, parainfluenza, and seasonal influenza [12]

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