The Management of Adenovirus Infection in the Children’s Hospital from Galati

Adenoviruses represents one of the primary pathogens responsible for children hospitalization. The aim of this study was to analize the incidence, clinical and laboratory characteristics in pediatric patients infected with adenovirus. It was conducted a retrospective study on a number of 117 patients, ages between 0-16 years, having clinical signs of gastroenteritis, admitted to the Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children “Sf. Ioan” from Galati, between January and November 2022. The clinical history, socio-demographic characteristics, physical examination findings and laboratory investigations were recorded. Stool samples were collected from children on presentation to the hospital before starting therapy. From the total of 1602 patients investigated for adenovirus infection, 117 were positive (7%). The season with the most cases recorded was autumn (11.13%). The most affected age group was 1-3 years (45,29%). Admission symptoms were diverse, vomiting (34%) and diarrheal stools (26%) being the most commonly seen in positive patients. Laboratory tests revealed an elevated CRP (46,15%), leukocytosis (17,09 %) and hydroelectrolytic imbalances: low sodium (36,75%) and an elevated potassium (6,83%). In 35% of cases, coinfections were found. Adenoviruses detection rate is correlated to season and age, in our study being risen mostly in autumn and in pediatric patients between 1 to 3 years. The predominant symptoms at admission were digestive. Our study reveales that adenoviruses can be one of the main causes for viral gastrointestinal infections in children. The management of adenovirus infection focuses on the treatment of dehydration, diet, probiotics and symptomatic drugs, although the use of anti-emetics can be indicated in some cases.