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Macronutrients during pregnancy and life-threatening respiratory syncytial virus infections in children

F Martín Ferolla1, Diego R Hijano, Patricio L Acosta

  • 1Fundación INFANT, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|March 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe illness and death in infants globally, particularly in developing nations. Pregnant mothers’ high-carbohydrate diets are linked to life-threatening RSV infections in their infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant hospitalization and mortality worldwide.
  • Developing countries bear a disproportionate burden of severe RSV cases, with unclear risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the burden of life-threatening and fatal RSV infections in infants.
  • To identify risk factors for severe RSV disease, with a focus on maternal dietary habits during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study was conducted in Argentina, enrolling 56,560 children under 2 years during the RSV season.
  • Children with respiratory symptoms and oxygen saturation ≤93% were included.

Main Results:

  • RSV infected 61.6% of 1,293 children with respiratory infections; 106 experienced life-threatening disease.
  • The annual RSV-attributable mortality rate was 0.7 per 1,000 infants.
  • High carbohydrate intake during pregnancy was dose-dependently associated with life-threatening RSV disease.

Conclusions:

  • Life-threatening and fatal RSV infections represent a significant public health challenge for infants in the developing world.
  • Maternal diets high in carbohydrates during pregnancy are associated with severe RSV outcomes in infants.
Abstract

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