RSV: Immunoprophylaxis and non-invasive respiratory support in ex-preterms: A northern UK perspective

Recent guidance has suggested that immunoprophylaxis with monoclonal antibody against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should be extended to ex-preterm infants who are moderate-to-late-preterm and discharged home during the RSV season. Noninvasive respiratory support (NIV) for infants with bronchiolitis is becoming widespread with little supporting evidence for efficacy over nonpressure support methods. We used multicentre prospective audit and service evaluation to evaluate whether extension of current practice in line with the guidance would provide a clinical or cost benefit, and whether NIV provides any benefits in the ex-preterm population. The prevalence of bronchiolitic illness requiring admission in our population was similar to other studies (2.5%). We found that the majority of ex-preterm infants with RSV positive bronchiolitis who required NIV did not meet the extended criteria for immunisation. Our data suggest that extending RSV prophylaxis as recommended would be unlikely to reduce numbers of infants requiring respiratory support for RSV. NIV use has been widely adopted (9% of 'bronchiolitic' admissions) in our region but the data do not support it as a useful adjunct for ex-preterms with RSV positive illness requiring respiratory support: it does not appear to reduce the need for subsequent formal ventilation. Our study does not support a case for change to more widespread, protocol driven immunisation for RSV. Further research is needed in a randomised, controlled setting to examine the use of NIV in bronchiolitis in a wider context.