# Respiratory Syncytial Virus Positivity Rate and Clinical Characteristics Amongst Children Under 5 Years of Age at the Emergency and Outpatient Settings in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study examines RSV infection rates and symptoms in young children in Jordan's emergency and outpatient settings.

## Contribution

It provides new data on RSV positivity and associated clinical features in non-hospitalized children in Jordan.

## Key findings

- RSV positivity rate was 40.2% among children under five with respiratory symptoms.
- RSV-B was the dominant subtype, accounting for 81.5% of RSV cases.
- RSV-positive children showed significantly higher rates of wheezing and dyspnea.

## Abstract

Background: Acute viral respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity among young children, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being the leading pathogen. In Jordan and globally, most RSV research has focused on hospitalized patients, while data from emergency departments (EDs) and outpatient settings remain limited. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two major Jordanian hospitals between November 2022 and March 2023. Children under five years of age presenting to EDs or outpatient clinics with symptoms of acute respiratory infection were enrolled. Nasopharyngeal specimens were tested for RSV, and subtypes (RSV-A and RSV-B) were identified using multiplex RT-PCR. Results: Of 229 enrolled children, 92 (40.2%) tested positive for RSV, with RSV-B accounting for 81.5% of positive cases. RSV positivity was higher in ED presentations than in outpatient clinics (46% vs. 35%). Wheezing (72.8% vs. 39.4%, p < 0.001) and dyspnea (33.7% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.001) were significantly more frequent among RSV-positive patients. Independent predictors of RSV positivity included non-referred outpatient visits (OR = 15.26), non-referred ED visits (OR = 42.93), younger age, and prior systemic steroid use. Conclusions: RSV poses a substantial burden in outpatient and ED settings. Identified demographic and clinical predictors may help target high-risk groups for future preventive interventions.