A surge in respiratory syncytial virus infection-related hospitalizations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study at pediatric emergency referral hospitals in Tokushima Prefecture.

ABSTRACT: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in implementation of social distancing and other public health measures to control the spread of infection and improve prevention, resulting in a decrease in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pediatric respiratory tract infection rates. However, there was a rapid and large re-emergence of RSV infection in Japan. Notably, we were faced with a difficult situation wherein there was a shortage of hospital beds. This study aimed to examine the epidemiological patterns of RSV-related hospitalizations among children before and after the COVID-19 pandemic onset at two pediatric emergency referral hospitals covering the entire Tokushima Prefecture. Data were extracted from electronic medical records of children hospitalized with RSV infect

SUBMITTER: Shichijo K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10237384 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature