European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
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Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2017
Efficacy of palivizumab prophylaxis on the frequency of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections in preterm infants: determination of the ideal target population for prophylaxis.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis in high-risk infants is an effective intervention for the prevention of severe disease. The aim of this study was to determine the ideal target preterm population that might benefit from palivizumab prophylaxis by establishing the main risk factors for acute RSV-related infections. Former premature infants born with a gestational age ≤37 weeks and ≤1 year of age at the beginning of the RSV season and admitted with respiratory infection were included. ⋯ All infants with a gestational age ≥29 weeks and without palivizumab prophylaxis developed RSV infection. Palivizumab prophylaxis should be implemented into guidelines to cover preterm infants with a gestational age >29 weeks. Palivizumab prophylaxis should also be considered in high-risk infants ≤6 months of age during the RSV season.