Risk of Repeated Admissions for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in a Cohort of >10 000 Hospitalized Children

• Published in: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society 2021-04, Vol.10 (3), p.352-358
• Main Authors: Wong, Kerry, Robinson, Joan L, Hawkes, Michael T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2048-7207; 2048-7207
• DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piaa077

Abstract Background The objective was to describe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations in Alberta, Canada over a 13-year period with an emphasis on the incidence and risk factors for repeat hospitalizations attributable to new RSV infections. Methods This was a retrospective database analysis. The Alberta Health Services Discharge Abstract Database was searched for patients 30 days apart so presumably due to separate infections) compared with all other children with RSV admissions. Results During the study period, 10 212 children had 10 967 RSV admissions. The RSV hospitalization rate was 1.6%. A total of 666 children (6.5%) were readmitted for RSV at least once during the study period, of whom 433 (4.2%) were readmitted within 30 days of the initial hospital discharge. There were 36 children (0.35%) with 2 RSV admissions >30 days apart during the same RSV season. When compared to all other children with RSV admissions, they were more likely to have congenital heart disease or to have been diagnosed with RSV pneumonia (vs bronchiolitis or upper respiratory tract infection) during their initial hospitalization. Conclusions The RSV hospitalization rate in children