Study Finds Higher Hospitalization Rates for RSV than Omicron and Influenza in Children
A recent study conducted at Swedish emergency departments has revealed that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is causing significantly higher hospitalization rates in children compared to the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B.
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that hospitalization rates for RSV were 81.7%, while rates for omicron and influenza were 31.5% and 27.7%, respectively. These results were unexpected and indicate a major difference in hospitalization rates between RSV and the other two viruses across all age groups.
The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Pontus Hedberg from the Karolinska Institutet, expressed surprise at the findings. He noted that intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates were lowest for omicron, followed by influenza, and highest for RSV. However, the mortality rate within 30 days after admission was low, with two deaths associated with omicron and one with RSV.
The study also revealed that newborns and infants up to 1 year of age diagnosed with RSV had about 11 times greater odds of being hospitalized compared to those diagnosed with omicron. Similarly, children ages 2 to 4 years and youth ages 5 to 17 with RSV had higher odds of hospitalization than those with omicron.
Common conditions among the hospitalized children included asthma, congenital abnormalities, and perinatal conditions. Experts in the field have pointed out that the approximately 80% hospital admission rate for RSV reported in the study may vary across countries due to differences in healthcare system practices.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that RSV leads to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year among children under 5 years of age. Healthcare professionals stress the importance of preventing RSV, as well as educating the public about the importance of preventing influenza and COVID-19 in the pediatric population.
In response to the study’s findings, the FDA has recently approved the first maternal RSV vaccine to protect newborns from serious RSV infection. Additionally, the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab has been approved for vulnerable infants and children. However, there have been reports of supply shortages for nirsevimab, leaving many children at risk.
The study included a significant number of children diagnosed with omicron, influenza A/B, and RSV, and the researchers utilized multiplex PCR testing to reduce potential diagnostic bias. However, the study’s retrospective design and the possibility of underreporting respiratory support were acknowledged as limitations.
Overall, the study highlights the need for greater efforts in preventing and managing RSV infections in children, as well as ensuring adequate access to treatments and vaccines.
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