BACKGROUND: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the major causes of mortality and morbidity in children and lead to hospitalization in developing countries. However, little is known about the epidemiology and seasonality of respiratory viruses in the pediatric population in Wuxi, East China.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all patients 14 years of age and below who presented with signs and symptoms of RTIs between January 2010 and December 2016. During this period, a total of 2160 children treated in Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital were involved in our study. The clinical and sociodemographic data were recorded to describe the frequency and seasonality. Respiratory specimens were tested by multiplex real-time PCR assays for virus identification.

RESULTS: More than 30% (35.19%, 760 samples) of the specimens showed evidence of infection with viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (368 samples), influenza virus A (114 samples), influenza virus B (115 samples), parainfluenza virus I (29 samples), parainfluenza virus II (39 samples), parainfluenza virus III (13 samples), and adenovirus (82 samples); 48.99% of the children infected with viruses were under 12 months of age. Viruses were detected throughout all the year, with a peak in winter.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that RSV is the most important cause of RTIs in our region during winter. Our data provide a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology and seasonality of virus, which may help to reduce the use of antibiotics and implement an effective approach for prevention, control, and treatment of RTIs, especially during its peak season.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Pediatrics, Respiratory Tract Infections