Article in Japanese

The risk factors of serious human metapneumovirus infections diagnosed by using a rapid-diagnosis kit

Yu KATATA, Akimune KAGA, Saeko SUZUKI, Yoko MATSUBARA, Tomoyuki ISHIDA, Satoru KUMAKI, Setsuko KITAOKA

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections among young children. In this study, the risk factors of serious hMPV infection were analyzed in 39 hospitalized children diagnosed with this disease by using a rapid-diagnosis kit in the National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center. The factors associated with an increased risk of serious respiratory tract infections were the history of prematurity with a low birth weight and that of asthma. These risk factors should be evaluated early in the clinical course, and the rapid-diagnosis kit for hMPV would play an important role in the clinical management of respiratory tract infections among young children.

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Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center

Key words
Received	February 6, 2014
Accepted	November 11, 2014

26 (4)：459─464,2015