Epidemiology and clinical presentation of parainfluenza type 4 in children: A 3-year comparative study to parainfluenza types 1-3

Abstract

Background. Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are among the most common causes of respiratory tract infections in children. Little is known about the epidemiology and clinical presentation of HPIV type 4.Methods. A retrospective chart review and comparison of patients positive for HPIV types 1-4 by multiplex polymerase chain reaction between 2009 and 2012 at Children's Hospital Colorado was performed. Patients who had only direct fluorescent antibody testing performed or concurrent viral infections were excluded.Results. Of 11 533 samples, 752 (6.5%) were positive for HPIV. After exclusion criteria, 316 samples were included in the study. HPIV-4 had year-round prevalence with biennial peaks in odd-numbered years. HPIV-4 and HPIV-3 had similar clinical presentations. 50.8% and 51.5% of patients with HPIV-3-4 had hypoxia compared to 20.3% and 33.3% of patients with HPIV-1-2 (P