Table 1.
Summary of patients’ characteristics by group
| Characteristics | Intervention | Control |
| n=203 | n=197 | |
| Age (months) | ||
| Mean (SD) | 8.4 (6.3) | 7.4 (5.9) |
| Median (IQR) | 7 (2.8–12.6) | 6.6 (2.3–10.8) |
| Pneumonia, n (%) | 123 (60.6) | 106 (53.8) |
| Bronchiolitis, n (%) | 80 (39.4) | 91 (46.2) |
| Gender, n (%) | ||
| Male | 108 (53.2) | 122 (61.9) |
| Female | 95 (46.8) | 75 (38.1) |
| Ethnicity, n (%) | ||
| Pasifika | 136 (67) | 111 (56.4) |
| Māori | 43 (21.2) | 60 (30.5) |
| European | 16 (7.9) | 21 (10.7) |
| Other | 8 (3.9) | 5 (2.5) |
| Weight on arrival at hospital (ED) (kg) | ||
| Mean (SD) | 8.35 (2.6) | 8.14 (2.8) |
| Median (IQR) | 8.64 (6.2–10.1) | 8.5 (5.6–10.2) |
| Weight at enrolment (Z-score) | ||
| Mean (SD) | 0.91 (1.02) | 0.96 (1.02) |
| Median (IQR) | 0.93 (0.32–1.55) | 0.96 (0.36–1.57) |
| Duration of admission (in days) | ||
| Mean (SD) | 4.1 (2.8) | 3.9 (3.5) |
| Median (IQR) | 3 (2–5) | 3 (2–4) |
| Admitted ≥5 days, n (%) | 12 (5.9) | 3 (1.5) |
| Oxygen ≥36 hours, n (%) | 54 (26.6) | 63 (31.9) |
| Admitted to ITU/CPAP, n (%) | 17 (8.4) | 26 (13.2) |
| June/July/August (winter months) | 122 (60.1) | 118 (59.9) |
| Positive PCR* on nasopharyngeal aspirate, n (%) | 186 (91.6) | 190 (96.4) |
| More than one virus, n (%) | 87 (42.8) | 63 (32) |
| RSV, n (%) | 106 (52.2) | 107 (54.3) |
| Positive bacterial culture, n (%) | 7 (3.5) | 8 (4.1) |
| Previous admission with respiratory illness (presentation to EC), n (%) | 79 (38.9) | 63 (31.9) |
| Overcrowding index | ||
| Mean (SD) | 0.56 (0.26) | 0.57 (0.33) |
| Median (IQR) | 0.50 (0.33–0.71) | 0.50 (0.33 to 0.67) |
| Number of children in household, n (%) | ||
| 1 | 25 (12.3) | 26 (13.2) |
| 2 | 45 (22.2) | 50 (25.4) |
| 3 | 46 (22.7) | 48 (24.4) |
| 4 | 32 (15.8) | 29 (14.7) |
| ≥5 | 55 (27.1) | 44 (22.3) |
| Number of children under 5 years in household, n (%) | ||
| 1 | 58 (28.6) | 60 (30.5) |
| 2 | 84 (41.4) | 83 (42.1) |
| 3 | 41 (20.2) | 38 (19.3) |
| ≥4 | 18 (8.9) | 16 (8.1) |
| Breastfeeding, n (%) | 176 (86.7) | 176 (89.3) |
| Pregnancy smoke exposure, n (%) | 63 (31) | 62 (31.5) |
| Household smoke exposure, n (%) | 113 (55.9) | 117 (59.7) |
| Immunisations, n (%) | ||
| Yes | 141 (69.5) | 135 (68.5) |
| Too young | 24 (11.8) | 33 (16.8) |
| IF no, due for next immunisations/nil | 36 (17.7) | 27 (13.7) |
| Family history asthma (first degree), n (%) | 132 (65) | 130 (66) |
| NZ dep index | ||
| Mean (SD) | 8.9 (1.9) | 9.2 (1.5) |
| Median (IQR) | 10 (9–10) | 10 (9–10) |
*Automated multiplex PCR using AusDiagnostics Resp 12 Panel, which detects respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, parainfluenza types 1–2, adenovirus and picornavirus (detecting both rhinovirus and enterovirus).36
CPAP, continous positive airway pressure; ED, emergency department; ITU, intensive care unit; NZ dep, New Zealand deprivation score; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.