Effects of Early and Low-Dose Ribavirin Therapy on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Previously Healthy Infants / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: we performed this study to determine whether early and low dose ribavirin therapy for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in previously healthy infants may reduce the duration of hospital stay. METHODS: Thirty-four Previously healthy infants with RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled in this study. Early in the course of illness, less than 5 days, aerosol ribavirin was administered at a low, single-dose (3 g/150 mL/day) and then we assessed the duration of hospital stays for 16 infants treated with ribavirin (ribavirin group) and 18 infants who received conservative treatment (control group). RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of each group were not significantly different with respect to gestational age, birth weight, age, sex, weight, and height. On admission, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the respiratory rate and body temperature. Duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the ribavirin group (4.4+/-0.3 days) as compared to the control group (5.5+/-0.3 days) (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Early and low-dose ribavirin therapy for RSV bronchiolitis in previously healthy infants may decrease duration of hospital stay.