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Updated: May 24, 2025
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
Recommendation for immune prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children
Ping-Ing Lee1, Yhu-Chering Huang2, Chih-Jung Chen2
1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
New guidelines recommend palivizumab for high-risk infants and nirsevimab for all infants under 12 months to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of hospitalization for young children with bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
- Nearly all children are infected with RSV before age two, with the highest incidence in infants under one year old.
- Monoclonal antibodies, palivizumab and nirsevimab, offer preventive strategies against RSV infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish expert recommendations for immune prophylaxis against RSV infection in children.
- To provide guidance on the use of palivizumab and nirsevimab for RSV prevention in Taiwan.
Main Methods:
- A committee of pediatric infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, and neonatal disease experts was convened.
- Collaboration with national research centers and pediatric associations facilitated the development of recommendations.
- Recommendations were based on existing medical evidence for RSV prevention strategies.
Main Results:
- Palivizumab is recommended for high-risk infants under one year, including those born prematurely (<33 weeks gestation), premature infants (<35 weeks gestation) with chronic lung disease, and infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Nirsevimab is recommended for all infants under 12 months of age.
- These recommendations represent expert consensus from Taiwan.
Conclusions:
- The guidelines provide comprehensive suggestions for RSV immune prophylaxis in children.
- These recommendations are intended to supplement, not replace, existing guidance.
- The guidelines are subject to future revisions based on emerging medical research.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen for young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Most infections occur below 1 year of age, and almost all children have been infected before 2 years of age. Monoclonal antibodies targeting RSV, such as palivizumab and nirsevimab, are accessible for preventing infection. A committee, consisting of experts in infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neonatal diseases in children, was assembled by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan. Collaborating with the Child Health Research Center at the National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan Pediatric Association, and Taiwan Society of Neonatology, the committee worked to formulate recommendations for immune prophylaxis against RSV infection in children. Palivizumab is recommended for the prevention of RSV infection in high-risk infants under 1 year old with one of the following (1) premature infants with a gestational age <33 weeks, (2) premature infants with a gestational age <35 weeks with chronic lung disease or (3) infants with hemodynamically significant CHD. Nirsevimab is recommended for the prevention of RSV infection in all infants <12 months. The recommendation is not intended as a sole source of guidance in the prevention of RSV infection in children. The provisions listed in this recommendation are comprehensive suggestions made by pediatric experts in Taiwan based on existing medical evidence. This recommendation should be subject to modification in light of additional medical research findings in the future, and these provisions should not be cited as a basis for dispute resolution.
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