OVER half of healthy U.S. infants contract respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in their first year, according to a new study. Out of 1,680 infants studied, 25 required hospitalization due to severe infection. Among symptomatic infants, 44.1% developed lower respiratory tract infections, which can pose significant health risks.
This large, population-based study provides crucial benchmarks for assessing the impact of upcoming RSV interventions, including maternal vaccines and extended half-life monoclonal antibodies. The researchers actively monitored the infants using nasal samples and antibody tests, providing comprehensive data on RSV prevalence and disease severity.
The study also identified key risk factors for RSV infection, including birth month, the presence of siblings, daycare attendance, and socioeconomic factors. Infants born in June, for instance, had a higher likelihood of contracting RSV compared to those born in October. Children from higher-poverty neighborhoods and those covered by public insurance were also at greater risk.
Interestingly, secondhand smoke exposure and breastfeeding were not found to significantly influence RSV infection rates. However, these findings underline the importance of nonpharmacologic prevention methods, particularly for higher-risk infants.
No infant deaths occurred in the study, but the findings highlight the substantial burden RSV poses, even among healthy term infants. The data offers vital insights for pediatricians and public health officials as new preventive measures are rolled out. The results underscore the need to target RSV prevention efforts, especially among infants with elevated risk factors.
This research, conducted by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, lays the foundation for monitoring the effectiveness of upcoming RSV preventive strategies in the United States.
Reference: Cacho F et al. Respiratory syncytial virus prevalence and risk factors among healthy term infants, United States. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(10):2199-2202.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
