[Respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis among preterm infants--four seasons' experience]

Respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) is the main reason of hospitalizations due to respiratory tract infection in children within the first year of life. The course of infection is more severe in children from a risk group, which includes children who were born preterm, these with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), children with heart defects significantly influencing their hemodynamics, and immunocompromised children. Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody class IgG-1 used to prevent RSV infection.

To assess the results of treatment and to evaluate factors influencing the efficacy of RSV infection prophylaxis in preterm newborns.

The study included 55 preterm newborns (mean birth weight-970g, mean gestational age-27 weeks), who were given a dose of palmivizumab of 15mg per kg body weight every four weeks in autumn and winter from season 2004/ 2005 to season 2007/2008.

Ten children (18%) required hospitalization between the doses and within 28 days after the last dose of palmivizumab. Among these, 2 children (3.6%) were hospitalized because of very severe RSV infection. Eight children (16%) were hospitalized due to respiratory tract infection within 12 months after completing the prophylaxis; none of them was infected with RSV. The episodes of respiratory tract infection between the doses and within 28 days after the last dose occurred in 19 children (31%), and in 26 patients included in the follow-up (51%) within 12 months after completing the prophylaxis. The effect of treatment was most beneficial in preterm neonates with extremely low birth weight and in children who did not require respiratory medications at the moment of discharge from the neonatal unit.

RSV infection prophylaxis is of most benefit in children born with extremely low birth weight. In this group of children the prophylaxis should be considered both for children suffering from BPD and in children free of this disease.