Navi Mumbai: A team headed by Dr. Sandeep Sawant, consultant, and Head of the Pediatric Department; Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai successfully treated a two-year-old boy with Bocavirus infection.

Ayaan Agarwal (name changed) *, was admitted at Medicover Hospital in the paediatric intensive care unit in an emergency. He had severe breathing difficulties (oxygen saturation of 88%).  The timely intervention by the doctors saved his life.

Dr. Sandeep Sawant, consultant and Head of the Pediatric Department, Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai said, “He had severe respiratory distress. His oxygen saturation dropped to 85 %.  We immediately started high-flow oxygen, steroids, nebulization, and symptomatic treatment. The Child was admitted with acute severe respiratory distress in a short time. Therefore, his samples were sent for further testing, which turned out to be positive for Bocavirus infection.”

Dr. Narjohan Meshram, Head of the Pediatric Intensive Care Department, Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai said, “The first case of bocavirus was found in 2005. For the last few months, we have seen a few cases of bocavirus infection in Navi Mumbai also. Though it is a rare viral infection, it can lead to severe morbidity and mortality if not recognized early.”

Bocavirus has many types like Type 1, Type 2, and Type 4. Type 1 virus is mainly associated with an upper and lower respiratory infection.

The boy we treated was infected mostly with the Type 1 virus, because Type 2 and 4 are related to gastrointestinal infection with symptoms of loose motion, abdominal pain, etc.  This virus mainly infects children below three years. The symptoms of this virus are the same as other influenza-like viruses (cough, cold, and lower or upper respiratory tract infections). So, therefore, it is challenging to identify the virus very early.

Dr. Swapnil Patil, Associate Consultant Pediatrician, and Neonatologist, Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai said, “Bocavirus can be diagnosed with the PCR test of nasopharyngeal, stool, and blood samples. As this test is very costly, we do not do the test routinely. We prefer to check the samples in a child who presents with acute onset severe respiratory distress. So, therefore we as a physician should be aware of this viral infection and seek necessary investigation for the same so that treatment can be started accordingly. The prevalence of HBoV ranges between 1.5 to 19.3 %. This virus has been detected throughout the whole year, with peak seasons varying from year to year and from study to study. However, It has been detected mostly in autumn and winter months.”

Dr. Narjohan Meshram said that there is no specific drug or treatment available for this bocavirus infection and the patient should be given symptomatic and supportive treatment.

History narrated by parents (Father Vishal Agrawal- name changed): when we came to the hospital my child was very breathless and a team of doctors at Medicover Hospital, Navi Mumbai admitted him and started the necessary treatment. We were very horrified to see our baby in severe respiratory distress, pain, and inconsolable crying. We were very thankful to the doctors for their prompt diagnosis and treatment. Now the child has recovered completely.