Objective Our aim in this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients afflicted with rhinovirus (RV) infections, compare their laboratory findings with a healthy population, determine the features of the clinical course of the illness in individuals with a chronic disease, and set out the risk factors involved in the need for mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods The study was conducted on 318 pediatric patients aged 0 to 18 years diagnosed with RV infection. Patients were divided into two main groups, those with and without a chronic disease. The group with chronic disease was divided into four subgroups. Children with RV were compared with a control group of 231 healthy children.

Results The most common symptoms and signs were wheeze (65.4%), cough (65.1%), and tachypnea (50.3%). Compared with the healthy population, RV-positive patients showed significant increases in their white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and platelet counts, and in their delta neutrophil index and C-reactive protein values (all p < 0.001). The most important risk factors in terms of the need for MV were elevated WBC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.404, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.059–1.862), chronic lung disease (CLD) (OR = 5.196, 95% CI: 2.296–11.762), reticular involvement (OR = 3.132, 95% CI: 1.259–7.793), and lobar involvement (OR = 10.575, 95% CI: 13.434–32.564).

Conclusion It is of vital importance that individuals with asthma and CLD are closely monitored and protected during RV seasonal periods as they are most at risk of severe infection, which can require high-flow nasal cannula and MV.

Received: 01 October 2023

Accepted: 25 March 2024

Article published online:
03 May 2024

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