Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
08:04

Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation

Published on: July 9, 2014

16.2K

Utilization and efficacy of palivizumab for children with Down syndrome

Takeshi Kimura1, Masato Takeuchi1, Koji Kawakami1

  • 1Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|January 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Palivizumab prophylaxis in children with Down syndrome (DS) significantly reduced respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations. This study analyzed Japanese health insurance data to assess palivizumab

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Immunoprophylaxis
  • Genetic Syndromes

Background:

  • Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody used for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention in high-risk infants.
  • Japan expanded palivizumab eligibility for children with Down syndrome (DS) in 2013, irrespective of other risk factors.
  • Evidence supporting universal palivizumab use in DS populations remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prescription patterns of palivizumab in children with DS in Japan.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of palivizumab in reducing RSV-related hospitalizations among children with DS.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Japanese health insurance claims data (JMDC) from 2007-2015.
  • Inclusion of children aged ≤24 months with DS at the start of the RSV season.
  • Comparison of RSV-related admission risks between children receiving palivizumab prophylaxis and those not, using mixed-effects logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Palivizumab use increased significantly after the 2013 program expansion, particularly in children with DS but without additional risk factors (0% to 73%).
  • Overall, RSV-related hospitalization occurred in 4.2% of children with prophylaxis versus 6.0% without.
  • Multivariate analysis indicated that palivizumab was associated with a reduced risk of RSV-related hospitalization (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18-0.92, P=0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Palivizumab use is now widespread among children with DS in Japan.
  • Palivizumab prophylaxis demonstrated an association with decreased RSV-related hospitalizations in this population.
  • Further research is needed to determine optimal, risk-tailored versus universal, prophylaxis strategies for children with DS.
Abstract

Keywords:
Down syndromechildinfantpalivizumabrespiratory syncytial virus

More Related Videos

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay09:14

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay

Published on: January 26, 2019

11.4K
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

8.2K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
198
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
165
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
3.0K
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
1.8K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
151
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic...
407