Takeaway
- The severity of respiratory syncytial virus associated acute lower respiratory infections (RSV-ALRIs) was higher in children aged <5 years with RSV with underlying CHD, especially haemodynamically significant underlying congenital heart disease (CHD) compared with those without CHD.
Why this matters
- RSV is the most common viral pathogen associated with ALRIs with significant childhood morbidity and mortality.
- This study identifies an unmet requirement for preventive strategies to reduce the high risk of morbidity and mortality associated with RSV infection in those with underlying CHD
Study design
- Meta-analysis included 18 studies that reported data on hospitalisation of children aged <5 years with RSV-ALRI with or without underlying CHD.
- Funding: supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking.
Key results
- The risk for severe RSV-ALRI (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-2.8), the rate of hospitalisation (incidence rate ratio, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.1), and the case-fatality ratio (risk ratio [RR], 16.5; 95% CI, 13.7-19.8) was higher among children with underlying CHD vs those without CHD.
- Compared with children without CHD, children with underlying CHD had a higher risk for:
- admission to the intensive care unit (RR, 3.9; 95% CI, 3.4-4.5),
- need for supplemental oxygen therapy (RR, 3.4; 95% CI, 0.5-21.1) and mechanical ventilation (RR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.1-8.0).
Limitations
- Heterogeneity among included studies.
- No standard case definition of RSV-ALRI, underlying or haemodynamically significant underlying CHD.
References
References
