Children with Chronic Health Issues at Greater Risk for Severe RSV Outcomes: Research
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Synopsis
A recent study reveals that young children with chronic conditions are at a significantly higher risk for hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) compared to healthy children, emphasizing the need for targeted immunization.
Key Takeaways
- Children with chronic conditions are hospitalized for RSV at twice the rate of healthy children.
- Premature infants and those with multi-organ issues are at the greatest risk.
- Immunization is recommended even if the mother is vaccinated.
- Children with chronic conditions require longer hospital stays and more intensive care.
- Research results will be presented at a major pediatric conference.
New Delhi, April 25 (NationPress) Young children with chronic health conditions face a higher likelihood of being hospitalized due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) compared to their healthy counterparts, as revealed in a recent study published on Friday.
The research, conducted by experts at the University of British Columbia in Canada, indicates that toddlers suffering from chronic conditions are hospitalized for RSV at twice the frequency of healthy toddlers.
The greatest risk was observed in children born extremely prematurely (under 28 weeks of gestation) or in those with conditions affecting multiple organ systems, including the lungs, heart, or digestive tract.
Researchers strongly advise that children with these particular health issues receive RSV immunization during their first season to enhance protection, regardless of whether their mothers were vaccinated.
Current guidelines recommend that expectant mothers should be vaccinated prior to delivery to transfer antibodies.
“Our findings indicate that numerous children with chronic conditions need seasonal RSV immunization beyond the protection provided by maternal vaccination. This broadens the existing definitions of high-risk groups to include other children with chronic health issues who could likewise gain from RSV immunization, up to two years of age,” explained Marina Vineta Paramo, a graduate student at the Faculty of Medicine.
“The study highlights the critical need for children with chronic conditions to receive RSV immunization during their second season, and in their first season even if their mother was vaccinated,” Paramo emphasized.
The analysis involved data from 431,937 infants born in British Columbia, Canada, from 2013 to 2023, including 25,452 infants with chronic health conditions.
Approximately 4,567 children experienced 4,593 hospitalizations during their first and second RSV seasons.
Children with chronic medical issues had notably longer stays in hospitals and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and required increased mechanical ventilation.
During the second RSV season, children with chronic medical problems exhibited higher hospitalization rates than in their first season, particularly when their conditions impacted the respiratory, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal systems, involved congenital anomalies, or affected multiple body systems, such as Down syndrome.
This research will be presented at the Paediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 meeting, scheduled for April 24-28 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
