Background
Studies comparing SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viral infections in
adults have been widely studied, however pediatric data is scarce. This
may be due to broad social distancing and school closure in pediatric
populations during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.(1)
Trenholme et al. from New Zealand demonstrated reduction in
hospitalization rates in infants < 2 years with lower
respiratory tract virus infections in 2020 compared to the 6 years prior
the exception of rhinovirus, remained stable.(1) Zhang et al. showed a
decline in influenza virus from 14.9% (March 2020) to 1.86% (April
2020).(2)
Studies show pediatric coinfection rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and
other respiratory pathogens (ORP) ranging from 13.2% to 51.4%. (2,3)
Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare SARS-CoV-2
infection and other respiratory tract virus infections in a pediatric
population assessing demographics, comorbidities, clinical features,
laboratory data and outcomes.