Premium
Respiratory syncytial virus infection and immunoprophylaxis for selected high‐risk children in Central Australia
Author(s) -
Bolisetty Srinivas,
Wheaton Gavin,
Chang Anne B.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2005.00715.x
Subject(s) - bronchiolitis , medicine , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , palivizumab , etiology , epidemiology , population , retrospective cohort study , respiratory tract infections , respiratory system , virus , virology , environmental health , physics , optics
Background: There are limited data on the epidemiology and viral aetiology of bronchiolitis in Central Australia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis in an Australian population.Objective: To (i) determine the incidence and the viral aetiology of bronchiolitis hospitalisations and (ii) report on the usage of RSV immunoprophylaxis in selected high‐risk infants and children in Central Australia.Methodology: A retrospective review was performed of all hospital separations for bronchiolitis for a three‐year period, 1998–2000. Respiratory viruses in the nasopharyngeal aspirates were identified from the cases in the year 2000. A combined retrospective chart review and prospective follow up study was undertaken of all the infants and children who received RSV immunoprophylaxis at the Alice Springs Hospital, Central Australia.Results: Incidence of bronchiolitis hospitalisation in infants for 1998, 1999 and 2000 were 176, 200 and 180 per 1000, respectively. Nine high‐risk children had RSV immunoprophylaxis on a total of 46 occasions and there were two mild RSV‐related illnesses in them. None had severe lower respiratory tract illness.Conclusion: The incidence of bronchiolitis in Central Australia is extremely high. The usage of RSV immunoprophylaxis may be justified in selected high‐risk children living in high endemic areas.