The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2003
Impact of severe disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus in children living in developed countries.
Among industrialized nations, the rate of rehospitalization in the United States for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is approximately 30 per 1000, exceptions being noted for American Indians and Alaskan natives, two ethnic groups who tend toward higher rates of RSV hospitalization. In distinction Japan reports an admission rate of 60 per 1000 for RSV disease. Yet Japan ranks considerably lower than many of its western counterparts in premature births. ⋯ Of those hospitalized during the 2 years of the study, 18 and 25%, respectively, were admitted to the intensive care unit. With the exception of higher rates of family allergy, multiple deliveries and a lower rate of neonatal morbidity, prognostic variables for high risk of hospital admission in the year 2000 compared with those of the 1999 sample. Findings from this comprehensive, prospective study served as the basis for the development of standards for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection by the Spanish Society of Neonatology.