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Published on: December 10, 2013

Effect of prematurity on respiratory syncytial virus hospital resource use and outcomes

Susan D Horn1, Randall J Smout

  • 1Institute for Clinical Outcomes Research, International Severity Information Systems, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102-1282, USA. shorn@isiscor.com

The Journal of Pediatrics
|November 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Gestational age (GA) impacts hospital resource use for infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Infants born between 33 to 35 weeks GA experienced worse outcomes and higher resource utilization compared to other premature infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of infant hospitalization.
  • Gestational age (GA) is a critical factor in neonatal development and health outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of GA on RSV outcomes is crucial for resource allocation and clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent association between gestational age (GA) and hospital resource utilization and outcomes in infants hospitalized for RSV.
  • To identify specific GA ranges associated with increased healthcare needs and adverse events.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 304 infants (≤1 year) hospitalized with RSV (bronchiolitis or pneumonia).
  • Data collected from nine children's hospitals between April 1995 and September 1996.
  • Resource use (ICU admission, intubation, length of stay) analyzed, controlling for illness severity using the Comprehensive Severity Index.

Main Results:

  • Infants born at 33 to 35 weeks GA showed significantly higher rates of intubation and longer ICU and hospital stays compared to infants ≤32 weeks GA.
  • Multiple regression analyses confirmed that the 33 to 35 weeks GA group had the highest resource use.
  • Infants 36 weeks GA had outcomes comparable to term infants (≥37 weeks GA).

Conclusions:

  • Infants born between 33 to 35 weeks GA face significantly increased risks for severe outcomes and higher resource utilization when hospitalized for RSV.
  • Prematurity up to 35 weeks GA is a significant risk factor for severe RSV-related hospitalizations.
  • Gestational age of 36 weeks or higher is associated with outcomes similar to those of term infants.
Abstract

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