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Population-based Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations and In-hospital Mortality Rates Among
Gabriel Mata-Moreno1,2, Sofía Bernal-Silva1,2, Christian A García-Sepúlveda3
1From the Microbiology Department, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) significantly impacts hospital admissions and mortality in young children. Interventions are crucial to reduce respiratory syncytial virus-associated infant mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited population-based data exists on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza's impact on pediatric hospital admissions and mortality.
- Understanding these burdens is critical for public health planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza on hospital admissions and mortality in children under 5 years old.
- To calculate disease-specific admission and mortality rates in a defined population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective surveillance of RSV and influenza in children under 5 with acute respiratory infection (ARI) admitted to hospital.
- Calculation of admission and mortality rates per 1000 population for ARI, RSV, and influenza.
- Comparison of rates between preterm and term infants.
Main Results:
- RSV was detected in 31% of 790 children admitted with ARI; influenza in 5.9%.
- RSV-associated admission rates were 7.2 per 1000 children (<5 years) and 25.2 per 1000 infants (<1 year).
- RSV accounted for 4 of 6 deaths, with significantly higher mortality rates in preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major contributor to pediatric hospital admissions and mortality.
- Preterm infants face a disproportionately higher risk of severe outcomes from RSV.
- Active or passive immunization strategies are needed to reduce RSV-related infant mortality.
Background:
Population-based information regarding the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza on hospital admissions and mortality is scant for many countries.
Methods:
Prospective testing of RSV and influenza virus was undertaken in patients <5 years old admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infection (ARI) between July, 2014 and June, 2015, and mortality rates for children living in 3 municipalities in the state of San Luis Potosí were calculated.
Results:
During the 12-month study period, 790 children living in these municipalities were admitted with ARI. RSV was detected in 245 (31%) and influenza in 47 (5.9%). History of preterm birth was recorded for 112 children on admission. For children <5 years old, ARI-, RSV- and influenza-associated admission rates were 23.2, 7.2 and 1.4 (per 1000 population), respectively. The corresponding admission rates per 1000 infants <1 year old were 78, 25.2 and 4.4. Preterm infant admission rates were 2 times higher than those of term infants. Six children died; RSV was detected in 4 (66.6%) of the deceased, while no deaths were associated with influenza. ARI and RSV in-hospital mortality rates for children <5 years were 0.18 and 0.12 per 1000 population. ARI and RSV mortality rates in preterm infants were 7 and 14 times higher than in term infants, respectively.
Conclusions:
RSV was associated with both high admission and in-hospital mortality rates in children <5 years old. Specific interventions, such as active or passive immunization, to prevent RSV infections are required to reduce ARI-associated infant mortality.
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