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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Pneumococcus | Research

The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on community non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections in preschool children

Authors: Bianca Klee, Sophie Diexer, Johannes Horn, Susan Langer, Marie Wende, Diego Ortiz, Agata Bielecka, Till Strowig, Rafael Mikolajczyk, Cornelia Gottschick

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions during the pandemic were mainly studied for severe outcomes. Among children, most of the burden of respiratory infections is related to infections which are not medically attended. The perspective on infections in the community setting is necessary to understand the effects of the pandemic on non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Methods

In the unique prospective LoewenKIDS cohort study, we compared the true monthly incidence of self-reported acute respiratory infections (ARI) in about 350 participants (aged 3–4 years old) between October 2019 to March 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and October 2020 to March 2021 (pandemic period). Parents reported children’s symptoms using a diary. Parents were asked to take a nasal swab of their child during all respiratory symptoms. We analysed 718 swabs using Multiplex PCR for 25 common respiratory viruses and bacteria.

Results

During the pre-pandemic period, on average 44.6% (95% CI: 39.5–49.8%) of children acquired at least one ARI per month compared to 19.9% (95% CI: 11.1–28.7%) during the pandemic period (Incidence Rate Ratio = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.41–0.54). The detection of influenza virus decreased absolute by 96%, respiratory syncytial virus by 65%, metapneumovirus by 95%, parainfluenza virus by 100%, human enterovirus by 96% and human bocavirus by 70% when comparing the pre-pandemic to the pandemic period. However, rhinoviruses were nearly unaffected by NPI. Co-detection (detection of more than one virus in a single symptomatic swab) was common in the pre-pandemic period (222 of 390 samples with viral detection; 56.9%) and substantially less common during the pandemic period (46 of 216 samples; 21.3%).

Conclusion

Non-pharmaceutical interventions strongly reduced the incidence of all respiratory infections in preschool children but did not affect rhinovirus.

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Title: The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on community non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections in preschool children
Authors: Bianca Klee
Sophie Diexer
Johannes Horn
Susan Langer
Marie Wende
Diego Ortiz
Agata Bielecka
Till Strowig
Rafael Mikolajczyk
Cornelia Gottschick
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Pneumococcus
SARS-CoV-2
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-04686-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on community non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections in preschool children

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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