Predicting Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Healthy Infants

Four risk factors were identified; infants with all four had a 32% chance of RSV lower respiratory tract infection during the first year of life.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants. An estimated 44% of infants in the U.S. receive medical treatment for such infections before age 1 year, and most of them are treated as outpatients; nonetheless, previous studies of risk factors have focused on hospitalized premature infants. A new study from the Netherlands stands out because it involved normal, healthy, full-term infants.

The infants were prospectively enrolled after birth, between January 2006 and December 2008. Parents completed questionnaires at ages 1 month and 1 year and recorded respiratory symptoms in a daily log. At the start of every respiratory infection, they obtained a nose/throat swab sample and sent i…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Predicting Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Healthy Infants

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Reviewing Author