Does the Use of Multiplex PCR Contribute to the Management of Paediatric Emergency Physicians in <2-Year-old Children with Acute Respiratory Infections?

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect respiratory viruses in pediatric emergency departments, but its indications and interpretation of results must still be clear. In the present study, we examined effect detecting a viral agent with multiplex PCR on patient management. Infants toddlers, aged between 1-24 months, who presented department tract infection complaints underwent multiplex-PCR 1 January 2014 28 February 2020 were included study. Patients at least one detected considered as study group, patients without detection control group. The same design was implemented only for chronic diseases. A total 1106 recruited [median age: 6.7 months (range: 2.9-13.0 months)]. Seven hundred eighty-nine group 317 There no significant differences groups hospital admissions (study group: 271 admissions; 89 p=0.055), length stay duration [mean ± standard deviation: 3.09±7.87 days group) 2.6±7.79 (control group); p=0.045], or antibiotic use [234 77 p=0.078]. When these variables those diseases, there difference again. Although an ideal method high sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, limits clinical application need clarified. We did not observe treatment agents.