The Clinical Respiratory Journal (Mar 2024)

Clinical comparison of HMPV and RSV infections in hospitalised Malaysian children: A propensity score matched study

  • David Chun‐Ern Ng,
  • Chuin‐Hen Liew,
  • Kah Kee Tan,
  • Elida Hanan binti Awang,
  • Farah Nuruliayana binti Ahmad Nazri,
  • Asuwani K. Tamil Maran,
  • Vishnu Arvindran a/l Chandra Mohan,
  • Durairaaj Ramachandran,
  • Michelle Chok,
  • Cheah Hooi Teh,
  • Airena Mohamad Nor,
  • Suhaila bt Baharuddin,
  • Erwin Jiayuan Khoo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/crj.13747
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 3
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Introduction Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are significant contributors to the burden of acute respiratory infections in children, but data on hMPV from Southeast Asia are limited despite its potential for serious disease. This study aimed to compare the clinical presentation, resource utilisation and outcomes between hMPV and RSV infections in hospitalised Malaysian children. Methods This retrospective, observational study included children aged ≤12 years old hospitalised with hMPV or RSV, confirmed via direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) methods, between 1 July to 30 October 2022 at Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban, Malaysia. Demographic, clinical presentation, resource utilisation and outcome data were analysed. Propensity score matching was used to balance cohorts based on key demographic and clinical characteristics. Results This study included 192 patients, comprising 112 with hMPV and 80 with RSV. hMPV patients were older (median age 20.5 vs. 9.4 months, p < 0.001) and had a higher incidence of comorbidities (24.1% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.003). Fever was more common in the hMPV group (97.3% vs. 73.8%, p < 0.001), but the other clinical manifestations were similar. Postmatching analysis showed higher corticosteroid use in the hMPV group (p = 0.01). No significant differences were observed in the use of other resources, PICU admissions, duration of hospitalisation or mortality rates between both groups. Conclusion hMPV and RSV infections in children share similar clinical manifestations and outcomes, with hMPV affecting older children and showing higher corticosteroid usage. These findings emphasise the need for equal clinical vigilance for both hMPV and RSV in paediatric respiratory infections.

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