Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children and contributes substantially to pediatric emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. In Türkiye, nationally representative prospective data describing the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and resource utilization of RSV-positive children presenting to pediatric EDs remain limited. This multicenter prospective observational study aims to characterize demographic and clinical features of RSV-positive children under 5 years of age presenting to participating pediatric EDs across two consecutive RSV seasons, and to quantify key healthcare utilization outcomes, including ED observation duration, hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
Age <5 years at presentation
Presentation during RSV season (2025-2026 )
RSV infection confirmed from a nasopharyngeal sample by rapid antigen test or PCR according to site capacity
Presentation to a participating pediatric ED with at least one of the following clinical diagnoses: upper respiratory tract infection, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, apnea, seizure/convulsion, or myocarditis
Parent or legal guardian declines consent
The study population consists of children aged \<5 years presenting to participating pediatric emergency departments in Türkiye during consecutive RSV season (2025-2026 ) who have respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection confirmed from a nasopharyngeal specimen using rapid antigen testing and/or PCR according to local site capacity and standard clinical practice. Eligible participants include RSV-positive children evaluated for compatible clinical diagnoses at presentation (e.g., upper respiratory tract infection, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, apnea, seizure/convulsion, or myocarditis). Enrollment requires written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian; children are excluded only if consent is declined. Clinical management is not assigned by the protocol and follows routine care; participants are observed for outcomes during the index emergency department encounter and, when applicable, through the index hospitalization.
Cohort
Prospective
Not listed
Hospitalization rate
Proportion of children with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection presenting to participating pediatric EDs who are hospitalized from the index ED encounter. "Hospitalized" is defined as admission from the ED to an inpatient unit (ward) or intensive care unit (ICU) immediately following ED evaluation; children discharged home are classified as not hospitalized.
ICU admission rate among hospitalized RSV-positive children
Proportion of hospitalized children with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection who require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) at any time during the index hospitalization. ICU admission is defined as transfer from the ED or inpatient ward to an ICU for higher-level monitoring and/or organ support.
Need for respiratory support among RSV-positive children
Proportion of RSV-positive children who receive any respiratory support documented in the medical record, including supplemental oxygen (any delivery method) and/or noninvasive ventilation (e.g., HFNC/CPAP/BiPAP per local practice) and/or invasive mechanical ventilation.
ED length of stay (ED observation duration) among RSV-positive children
Time from ED arrival/registration (or triage time, per site practice) to ED disposition, defined as discharge home or departure from the ED for inpatient admission. Duration will be reported in hours.
Occurrence of RSV-associated complications during the index visit
Presence of pre-specified complications documented during the index ED visit and/or hospitalization (e.g., apnea requiring intervention, seizure/convulsion, myocarditis, suspected bacterial co-infection, or other clinically documented complications).
Diagnostic evaluations performed during the index visit
Proportion of participants who undergo any diagnostic evaluation during the index visit as documented in the medical record and recorded in the study database. Diagnostic evaluations include, but are not limited to, chest radiography and laboratory testing performed in accordance with the standard of care.
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