Respiratory syncytial virus-associated hospitalizations in pre-mature infants in Lima, Peru

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Premature infants are at increased risk for severe respiratory infections.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization in young children.
• Data on RSV incidence in low-birth-weight infants in Lima, Peru, is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations in infants with a birth weight ≤ 1,500 g in Lima, Peru.
• To assess the rate of RSV-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study conducted in four hospitals in Lima, Peru.
• Enrolled 222 infants with birth weight ≤ 1,500 g, followed from hospital discharge up to 1 year of age.
• Monitored respiratory infections, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations, specifically identifying RSV cases.

Main Results:

• The incidence of all respiratory infections was 5.7 episodes/child-years.
• The incidence of RSV respiratory infections requiring emergency room management was 103.9 per 1,000 child-years.
• The incidence of RSV hospitalizations was 116.2 per 1,000 child-years, significantly higher in infants with birth weight < 1,000 g (244.9) compared to those 1,000-1,500 g (88.9).

Conclusions:

• The incidence of RSV respiratory infections requiring emergency management or hospitalization is high among premature infants in Lima.
• Low birth weight (< 1,000 g) is associated with a substantially higher risk of RSV hospitalization.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted RSV prevention and management strategies for high-risk infants in this region.