Little is known about the role of certain viruses, such as parainfluenza virus type 4 (HPIV-4) in the etiology of respiratory infections. The objective of this study is to present preliminary data on respiratory infections associated with HPIV-4 in children living in the city of Fortaleza capital of the state of Ceara, Brazil. A set of 846 samples of nasopharyngeal aspirates collected during four years from children with acute respiratory infections were submitted to direct immunofluorescence for the detection of HPIV-4. Fifteen HPIV-4 were detected. Cases of the upper respiratory infections, bronchiolitis and pneumonia were associated to this virus. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of HPIV-4 infections.