Arzu ATEŞ, Mert KAMARA, Soner Sertan KARA
Forbes Tıp Dergisi - 2026;7(1):84-89
Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants and young children. This study evaluated clinical and laboratory factors associated with prolonged hospitalization in pediatric RSV infection. Methods: This retrospective study included children under 18 years of age who were hospitalized with LRTI and had confirmed RSV infection at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital between 2023 and 2025. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from hospital records. Patients were divided into two groups according to length of stay (LOS): <=2 days and >2 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using the backward stepwise method. Results: A total of 185 RSV-infected children were analyzed. The median age was 2 months, and 51.9% were male. Patients with LOS >2 days had significantly higher rates of pediatric intensive care (PICU) admission, non-invasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and secondary bacterial infections. Laboratory findings in the prolonged-stay group showed higher lymphocyte counts and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels but lower mean platelet volume (MPV) levels. No mortality was observed. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, PICU stay was associated with an approximately 12-fold increased risk of hospitalization lasting longer than 2 days. Conclusion: Hospitalization longer than 2 days was associated with a more severe clinical course. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, PICU stay was the main factor associated with hospitalization lasting longer than 2 days. Lymphocyte count, MPV, and BUN may provide supportive clinical information; however, their independent prognostic value remains uncertain.
