METABOLIC DISORDERS IN CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM ACUTE RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS: COMPLICATIONS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

OBJECTIVE: A significant research gap exists regarding the association between metabolic disorders and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) in children. This paper aims to investigate the ARVIs associated metabolic complications within the pediatric population. METHODS: The conducted review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. To ensure eligibility against defined inclusion criteria (children presenting with acute respiratory viral illness and concomitant metabolic dysfunction; publications spanning 2020 to 2025) and exclusion criteria (non-human studies; individuals over eighteen years of age), manual screening of full-text titles and abstracts was performed. Evaluation of risk of bias was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist, for the two study designs selected. RESULTS: Only two studies were finalized for inclusion based on general methodological techniques. The outcomes show that children with recurring ARVIs unveil strong metabolic alterations, characterized by eminent thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and tapered vitamin D levels. CONCLUSION: During the acute phase of viral respiratory infections, research investigation highlights a transient metabolic alteration that does not appear to affect long-term health outcomes. Notably, further exacerbating the infectious period among ARVI patients, metabolic dysfunction increased with age. A higher susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency and TSH elevation was observed in older children, showing an immuno-inflammatory pathways linkage, signifying that metabolic instability in children encourages respiratory infections severity. A critical gap was addressed through the scientific literature study, providing a foundation for future research. Conversely, the small sample size and geographic restrictions do not support specific changes to clinical practice yet.