RESPIRATORY VIRUSES IN CHILDREN ATTENDING A MAJOR REFERRAL CENTER IN SAUDI-ARABIA

Viral respiratory infections are common causes of illness in infants a nd children. Examination of clinical specimens submitted for diagnosis during a 3-year period (August 1993-July 1996) at King Faisal Special ist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH & RC) in Riyadh revealed a wide spectrum of diseases associated with the isolation of five respirator y viruses. Severity of disease ranged from mild upper respiratory illn ess to threatening lower respiratory illnesses including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Of the 256 isolates, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) accounted for 73 (28.5%), adenoviruses for 70 (27.3%), influenza viru ses for 61 (23.8%), enteroviruses for 39 (15.2%) and para-influenza fo r 13 (2.3%). Viruses were found more frequently in children attending emergency or paediatric wards than in outpatients. RSV appears in Nove mber and the seasonal peak occurs during January and February. Influen za activity begins in September and peaks in November and December. Pa ra-influenza type I emerges in winter and para-influenza type III foll ows the influenza epidemic and may be detected sporadically in summer. The other viruses (enteroviruses, adenoviruses) were isolated through out the year.