Evaluation of hematological and inflammatory parameters in acute respiratory tract infections

Respiratory infections constitute a prevalent and significant health concern during childhood, standing out as one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in the population. For diagnostic purposes, various methods such as the patient's medical history, physical examination, blood tests (complete blood count, biochemistry parameters, inflammation markers, blood cultures), radiological examinations, and microbiological tests targeting the causative agent (rapid antigen tests, respiratory tract PCR panels) can be employed. This study focuses on the examination of 418 pediatric patients admitted to Yeditepe University Hospitals between 27/10/2022-27/10/2023, who were hospitalized due to acute respiratory tract infection. After certain criteria were applied to exclude specific cases, the remaining 245 patients underwent prospective evaluation. Patient categorization was based on age groups, including those under 1 year old (1-12 months), 1-2 years old, 2-6 years old, 6-10 years old, and over 10 years old. The study assessed presentation symptoms, age-related differences, inflammatory markers, and complete blood count analyses. Antigen tests (Adenovirus, RSV, Influenza A/B, SARS COV 2) and respiratory PCR tests (Adenovirus, Bocavirus, Human Coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, Metapneumovirus, Influenza A/B, Parainfluenza type 1,2, 3,4, RSV, Rhinovirus, SARS COV 2, Bordetella pertussis, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae) were meticulously evaluated. The merits and demerits of these tests were scrutinized concerning patients' age groups, emphasizing the primary use of antigen tests in examinations related to respiratory tract infections. The method is believed to hold superiority in hospitalized patients based on inflammation markers (WBC, CRP) and radiological examinations. The respiratory panel's multifactorial screening simplifies the adjustment of patient treatment. The multi-factor screening of the respiratory panel method facilitates the regulation of patient treatment. It will be easier for clinicians to apply the Respiratory PCR panel method in the presence of two of the 5 criteria that 'being under 2 years of age, duration of fever over 5 days, observation of vital destabilization (desaturation or tachypnea), length of stay exceeding 72 hours, and lack of adequate response to the treatment'.