biostudies-literatureChoi JSYonsei University College of MedicineTechnology Innovation Program of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE, Korea)130https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12846629biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) significantly disrupted the epidemiology of pediatric respiratory viruses. This study compared infection patterns among 3658 hospitalized children in South Korea during the pandemic (2020-2022) and the post-emergency phase (2023-2024), following the relaxation of mandatory NPIs. Of 4419 eligible tests, the most frequently detected viruses overall were rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/HEV) (27.9%), influenza (14.5%), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 11.9%). The post-emergency phase was marked by a dramatic surge in influenza virus (IFV), which surged dramatically (5.5% → 28.2%), and a more than two-fold increase in adenovirus (ADV) (5.7% → 12.5%) (<i>p</i> < 0.001). (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conversely, parainfluenza virVirusesChanging Trends of Respiratory Viruses in Hospitalized Children During and After the COVID-19 Emergency Phase in Yongin, South Korea (2020-22 vs. 2023-24).PMC12846629200181116-2024-00992025-32-0027Kim HChoi KMKim MJChoi JSSeol EGLee JHfalseChanging Trends of Respiratory Viruses in Hospitalized Children During and After the COVID-19 Emergency Phase in Yongin, South Korea (2020-22 vs. 2023-24).The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) significantly disrupted the epidemiology of pediatric respiratory viruses. This study compared infection patterns among 3658 hospitalized children in South Korea during the pandemic (2020-2022) and the post-emergency phase (2023-2024), following the relaxation of mandatory NPIs. Of 4419 eligible tests, the most frequently detected viruses overall were rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/HEV) (27.9%), influenza (14.5%), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 11.9%). The post-emergency phase was marked by a dramatic surge in influenza virus (IFV), which surged dramatically (5.5% → 28.2%), and a more than two-fold increase in adenovirus (ADV) (5.7% → 12.5%) (<i>p</i> < 0.001). (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Conversely, parainfluenza vir2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-10T03:14:30.065Z2026-06-10T03:11:11.155ZS-EPMC128466294160089110.3390/v18010130