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Viral respiratory diseases place a heavy burden on the healthcare system, with children making up a significant portion of related hospitalizations. While comorbidities increase the risk of complications and poor outcomes, many hospitalized children lack clear risk factors. As new vaccines for respiratory viral diseases emerge, this study examined pediatric respiratory hospitalizations, focusing on viral etiology, complication rates, and the impact of comorbidities to guide future policy. Data were analyzed from eight pre-COVID influenza seasons (2011/2012-2018/2019) involving patients under 18 years hospitalized with respiratory complaints across 4-10 hospitals in Valencia, Spain. Respiratory specimens were tested for eight viral targets using multiplex real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Demographics, clinical outcomes, discharge diagnoses, and laboratory results were examined. Among the hospitalized children, 26% had at least one comorbidity. These children had higher rates of pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, and pneumothorax, and were twice as likely to require ICU admission, though mechanical ventilation and length of stay were similar to those without comorbidities. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common virus detected (23.1%), followed by rhinovirus/enterovirus (9.5%) and influenza (7.2%). Viral codetection decreased with age, occurring in 4.6% of cases. Comorbidities increase the risk of complications in pediatric respiratory illnesses, however, healthcare utilization is driven largely by otherwise healthy children. Pediatric viral vaccines could reduce this burden and should be further evaluated.

The biosensor, named "virusmeter" in this study, integrates quartz crystal microbalance technology with an immune-functionalized chip to distinguish between symptomatic patients with respiratory diseases and healthy individuals by analyzing exhaled air samples. Renowned for its compact design, rapidity, and noninvasive nature, this device yields results within a 5-min timeframe. Evaluated under controlled conditions with 54 hospitalized symptomatic COVID-19 patients and 128 control subjects, the biosensor demonstrated good overall sensitivity (98.15%, 95% CI 90.1-100.0) and specificity (96.87%, 95% CI 92.2-99.1). This proof-of-concept presents an innovative approach with significant potential for leveraging piezoelectric sensors to diagnose respiratory diseases., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The monoclonal antibody nirsevimab was at least 70% effective in preventing hospitalisations in infants with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Spain (Oct 2023-Jan 2024), where a universal immunisation programme began late September (coverage range: 79-99%). High protection was confirmed by two methodological designs (screening and test-negative) in a multicentre active surveillance in nine hospitals in three regions. No protection against RSV-negative LRTI-hospitalisations was shown. These interim results could guide public-health decision-making.