Respiratory syncytial virus infections in children 0–24 months of age in the community

• Published in: The Journal of infection 2020-01, Vol.80 (1), p.69-75
• Main Authors: Toivonen, Laura, Karppinen, Sinikka, Schuez-Havupalo, Linnea, Teros-Jaakkola, Tamara, Mertsola, Jussi, Waris, Matti, Peltola, Ville
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Cohort Studies; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Prospective Studies; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Respiratory tract infection; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; STEPS Study
• ISSN: 0163-4453; 1532-2742
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2019.09.002

•RSV was detected in 6% of all acute respiratory infections at 0–24 months of age.•The estimated annual rate of RSV infections was 37 per 100 children at age 0–24 months.•RSV infections associated with 34 physician visits and 16 antibiotic treatments per 100 children annually.•RSV infections cause a high disease burden in young children in the community. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization in young children, but there are little data on RSV infections in early childhood in the community. We conducted a prospective population-based birth-cohort study to determine the rates and characteristics of RSV infections in young children. We followed 923 children for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) from birth to age 24 months with daily diaries and study clinic visits. Nasal swab samples were obtained at the onset of ARIs and analyzed for RSV by RT-PCR and antigen tests. The rates of RSV infections and associated outcomes were estimated. RSV was detected in 289 (6%) of 4728 ARIs with a nasal sample. The mean estimated annual rate of RSV infections was 37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 35–38) per 100 children at age 0–24 months. For RSV-associated outcomes, the estimated annual rates per 100 children were 34 (95% CI, 32–37) physician visits, 16 (95% CI, 15–17) antibiotic treatments, 12 (95% CI, 11–13) acute otitis media, and 6 (95% CI, 4–7) wheezing illnesses. The prevalence of RSV was 0.6% in asymptomatic children. RSV infections impose a high burden of disease in healthy young children in the community.