Children, parents and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Palermo, Italy: prevention is primary.

A study was conducted to describe the characteristics of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection cases occurring in the season 2006-7 in Palermo, Italy, and to evaluate the parents' knowledge and behaviours concerning prevention and control of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). All children aged between 0 and 2 years, admitted for a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) between October 2006 and May 2007, were enrolled in the study. Data were collected about demographic and household characteristics. Furthermore, their parents were asked to compile a structured questionnaire on transmission, prevention and management of ARIs in children. A total of 198 children with a diagnosis of LRTI were enrolled. Ninety-eight (62.0%) of 157 were positive for RSV. Parents were generally aware of transmission of ARIs through sneezing and/or coughing, but less through contaminated objects or hands. Nationality, age and education level of parents and also the age of the patients proved to be associated with some self-reported knowledge and behaviours. Only 24 (12.3%) of the 195 respondents had received advice from GPs or paediatricians about good hygiene practices. It seems essential to implement public health interventions promoting behavioural changes aimed at the primary prevention of ARIs at the community level.

Epidemiological assessment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection in hospitalized infants, during the season 2005-2006 in Palermo, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in young children worldwide.We evaluate the epidemiological and clinical patterns of RSV infection in infants hospitalized for LRTI in in Palermo, South Italy, Sicily. METHODS: We collected the demographic details of infants hospitalized to G. Di Cristina Children's Hospital in Palermo for LRTI between November 2005 and May 2006. We also included all cases occurred in newborns hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Of Palermo. RESULTS: During the studied period, 335/705 hospitalized infants for LRTI were enrolled in the study. The trend of hospitalization started in late winter and lasting until May 2006 with an epidemic peak in spring. 178/335 infants tested for viral infection showed RSV disease. Three cases occurred in preterm newborns hospitalized from birth in NICU. The likelihood to be RSV+, rather than RSV negative (RSV-) was higher for infants < 6 months and lower for infants with history of breast feeding (P < 0.05). RSV infection was associated with a higher likelihood to be admitted to intensive care unit and to a longer hospitalization and oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION: The study shows that, in Sicily, RSV is an important cause of LRTI in infants. The seasonal distribution shows that both LRTI and RSV infections peak in late spring, in contrast to Northern Italy. Our data could help to define the regional appropriate start of prophylactic interventions.