A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations in Children: A 10-Year Population-Based Analysis in Finland, 2008–2018




AuthorsUusitupa Erika, Waris Matti, Vuorinen Tytti, Heikkinen Terho

PublisherAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

Publication year2024

JournalPediatrics

Journal name in sourceInfluenza and Other Respiratory Viruses

Article numbere13268

Volume18

Issue3

eISSN1098-4275

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/irv.13268

Web address https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/irv.13268

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/387340435


Abstract

Background: The risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization is highest during the first months of life, but few studies have assessed the population-based rates of hospitalization in monthly age groups of infants.

Methods: We determined the average population-based rates of hospitalization with virologically confirmed RSV infections in children ≤15 years of age admitted during the 10-year period of 2008-2018. Testing for RSV was routine in all children hospitalized with respiratory infections, and all RSV-positive children admitted at any time during the study period were included in the analyses.

Results: The annual population-based rate of RSV hospitalization was highest in infants 1 month of age (52.0 per 1000 children; 95% CI, 45.2-59.7), followed by infants <1 month of age (34.8 per 1000; 95% CI, 29.2-41.1) and those 2 months of age (32.2 per 1000; 95% CI, 26.9-38.4). In cumulative age groups, the rate of hospitalization was 39.7 per 1000 (95% CI, 36.2-43.4) among infants <3 months of age, 26.8 per 1000 (95% CI, 24.8-29.0) in infants aged <6 months, and 15.8 per 1000 (95% CI, 14.7-17.0) in those <12 months of age.

Conclusion: In monthly age groups of infants, the incidence rates of virologically confirmed RSV hospitalization in all infants up to 3 months of age were substantially higher than those reported in earlier studies. These data may be important for improving the estimates of the cost-effectiveness of various interventions to reduce the burden of RSV in young infants.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 11:07