Frequency of RSV infections in preterm infants after monoclonal antibody prophylaxis

Abstract

The aim: to investigate the frequency of RSV infections in preterm infants with 33-35 gestational weeks after the use of monoclonal antibody prophylaxis

Methods: The study involved preterm born children (33-35 gestation weeks) 1 to 5 years old who received palivizumab for prophylaxis of respiratory infections caused by RSV. 108 patients met inclusion criteria and were hospitalized at the University Clinical Center Tuzla, Clinic for Children's Diseases, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period 26 September, 2013- 22 July, 2014. Detection of virus in serum of infected children was conducted at the Institute for Diagnostic, University Clinical Center Tuzla.

Results: During the time period of investigation there were 4095 live born infants, of which 6.7% (N 274) were preterm, of which 74.8% infants were between 33-35 weeks of gestation. Out of 205 preterm infants with gestational age 33-35 weeks, palivizumab immunoprophylaxis for RSV infections received 108 (52.6% ) infants. Out of a total of 108 preterm infants with gestational age 33-35 weeks who received palivizumab immunoprophylaxis, RSV infection developed in 7 infants (6.5%). All the children with the RSV infection had at least one comorbidity, and the diagnosis confirmed were bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic pulmonary disease and congenital heart anomalies.

Conlusion: Our data suggest that palivizumab prophylaxis to late preterm infants results in lower incidence of RSV infectiones in analised group of infants.