Epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Infection and Analysis of Risk Factors in Severe Infections from 1995 to 2004 / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the one of the leading causes of hospitalization of infants in the worldwide. In particular, children younger than 6 weeks of age prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital heart disease, neuromuscular disease, or immunosuppressive states are likely to have severe RSV infection. This study aims to review the epidemiologic characteristics of RSV infection and to examine the relationship of risk factors for severe disease courses and length of hospital stay. METHODS: A total of 294 patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections by RSV who were hospitalized in Samsung Medical Center from December 1995 to June 2004 were enrolled in this study. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RSV was detected with rapid RSV antigen test or viral culture of nasopharyngeal aspirates. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1.7 1. Children under 2 years old made up 86 percent; bronchiolitis and pneumonia patients made up 90 percent. Outbreaks of RSV occurred in September through February. One or more risk factor for severe RSV infection were present in 40 percent. The group with risk factors had longer length of hospital stay (P< 0.05), were more likely to be admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and required oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation (P< 0.05) compared to the groups without risk factors. CONCLUSION: Infants and children with high risk factors are likely to develop severe RSV infection. Early detection and proper management is necessary in Korea, especially in fall and winter.