Overnutrition as a risk factor for more serious respiratory viral infections in children: A retrospective study in hospitalized patients

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in children worldwide. Obesity has been recognized as a risk factor for more serious viral respiratory infections, mainly in adults. ObjectiveTo study the relationship between overnutrition (obesity and overweight) and clinical severity in children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections of viral origin. MethodsOne hundred and forty-three clinical records of children between 2 and 18 years old hospitalized for acute respiratory infection at Clínica Dávila (2014–2018) were analyzed, recording the respiratory viruses detected at the time of hospitalization, weight, and height. Nutritional status was estimated using Z score or body mass index, according to age. ResultsEighty-tree3 children (58%) were positive for more than one respiratory virus. The main virus detected in monoinfection was adenovirus (9.8%), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (7.7%) and parainfluenza virus (7.7%). There were no deaths. Patients with obesity presented more days of hospitalization (P = .04), oxygen therapy (P = .03) and mechanical ventilation (P < .001), as well as a higher probability of requiring mechanical ventilation (P = .001) and of ICU admission (P = .003) compared with children with normal weight. Patients with overweight presented more days of mechanical ventilation (P < .001) than patients with normal weight. No significant differences were found between the presence of viral coinfection and nutritional status. ConclusionOvernutrition is associated with greater severity of viral respiratory infection in hospitalized children.