Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Human Metapneumovirus Infections in Hospitalized Children in Two Consecutive Postpandemic Years.

We assessed human metapneumovirus infections in children hospitalized between 2011 and 2023 and compared the strongest pre- and postpandemic seasons. After the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed offseason cases and loss of the alternating pattern of the human metapneumovirus season magnitude. Incidence rate ratio of 0- to 11-month-old versus 12- to 23-month-old children was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.0-4.8) before and 1.3 (95% CI: 0.6-2.9) after the pandemic.
Competing Interests: R.S., V.M., I.K., and C.A. have no conflicts of interest to disclose. P.L. reports grants from Vertex and OM Pharma paid to the institution; personal payments or honoraria from Vertex, Vifor and OM Pharma; all outside the submitted work. P.A. reports honoraria from Sanofi paid to the institution outside the submitted work.
(Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)