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Săsăran MO, Muntean CV, Stoica AB, Schwesig C, Văsieșiu AM, Pleșca AD, Mărginean CO. Clinical and Paraclinical Peculiarities of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Infections in Children: A Comparative Study. Life (Basel) 2025; 15:784. [PMID: 40430211 PMCID: PMC12113390 DOI: 10.3390/life15050784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2025] [Revised: 05/01/2025] [Accepted: 05/11/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 and influenza can present with similar clinical pictures in children, with symptoms and paraclinical particularities which might aid in the differentiation of the two entities and which can be suggestive of various complications. The present study aims to identify clinical and paraclinical differences between pediatric SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infection and to assess the utility of hematological parameters for prediction of their related complications. METHODS In this study, 266 children were retrospectively enrolled, divided into two groups: 129 children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 137 children infected with influenza. In each case, particular symptoms were recorded, as well as hospitalization duration, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission or O2 supplementation requirement. Parameters of the hemoleucogram and biochemistry parameters were also collected for comparative assessment. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 infections were more commonly associated with digestive symptoms, whereas influenza infections implied longer hospital stays and higher likelihood of PICU admission necessity. Monocytes and lymphocyte/monocyte ratios (LMRs) were significantly higher in the SARS-CoV-2 group (p < 0.01, p = 0.02). Several hematological parameters, such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios, correlated with hospitalization duration in SARS-CoV-2 and influenza B infections (p < 0.01, p = 0.01), whereas LMR was predictive of respiratory distress (p = 0.02) in the same study groups. CONCLUSIONS According to the study, monocyte levels and LMR can aid in the distinction of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infections and LMR and NLR can be used particularly as predictors of complicated course of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Oana Săsăran
- Department of Pediatrics 3, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Carmen Viorica Muntean
- Department of Pediatrics 1, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.B.S.); (C.O.M.)
| | - Andreea Bianca Stoica
- Department of Pediatrics 1, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.B.S.); (C.O.M.)
| | - Carmen Schwesig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Weser-Egge Clinic-St. Josef Hospital Bad Driburg, Elmarstrasse No. 38, 33014 Bad Driburg, Germany;
- Faculty of Medicine in English, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Anca Meda Văsieșiu
- Department of Infectious Disease, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Anca Doina Pleșca
- Department of Pediatrics, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Boulevard Eroii Sanitari No. 8, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Cristina Oana Mărginean
- Department of Pediatrics 1, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.B.S.); (C.O.M.)
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