This study aimed to increase the data on characteristics and predictors of pediatric hMPV infection severity. Children admitted with ARI symptoms between 2021 and 2025 and diagnosed with hMPV by molecular testing were included. Seventy-eight children were included, of whom 48.7% were female. Most admissions occurred during winter and spring (92.3%). The median age was 14.9 months (IQR, 7.5-54.7), and 84.6% were younger than 5 years. At least one underlying comorbidity was present in 41% of patients, most commonly chronic lung disease. Major symptoms were cough (83.1%), rhinorrhea (61%), fever (59.2%), and stridor (41.6%), and tachypnea/dyspnea was observed in 31.2%. Median leukocyte count was 10,020/mm³ (IQR, 6,200-13,860), and median C-reactive protein level was 7.5 mg/dL (IQR, 1.1-26). Infiltration on chest radiographic (58.7%) were predominantly reticulonodular. About half of the patients (55.1%) required hospitalization; 21.8% needed respiratory support, and 6.4% were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The need for respiratory support was significantly higher in children with comorbidities (p = 0.025), mortality was 2.6%. HMPV is a significant cause of ARIs in small children, particularly during winter and spring. Underlying comorbidities are associated with increased disease severity.
Demir et al. (Thu,) studied this question.