Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations in Children &amp;lt;5 Years: 2016–2022

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic disrupted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasonality resulting in early, atypical RSV seasons in 2021 and 2022, with an intense 2022 peak overwhelming many pediatric healthcare facilities.

METHODS

We conducted prospective surveillance for acute respiratory illness during 2016–2022 at 7 pediatric hospitals. We interviewed parents, reviewed medical records, and tested respiratory specimens for RSV and other respiratory viruses. We estimated annual RSV-associated hospitalization rates in children aged <5 years and compared hospitalization rates and characteristics of RSV-positive hospitalized children over 4 prepandemic seasons (2016–2020) to those hospitalized in 2021 or 2022.

RESULTS

There was no difference in median age or age distribution between prepandemic and 2021 seasons. Median age of children hospitalized with RSV was higher in 2022 (9.6 months vs 6.0 months, P < .001). RSV-associated hospitalization rates were higher in 2021 and 2022 than the prepandemic average across age groups. Comparing 2021 to 2022, RSV-associated hospitalization rates were similar among children <2 years of age; however, children aged 24 to 59 months had significantly higher rates of RSV-associated hospitalization in 2022 (rate ratio 1.68 [95% confidence interval 1.37–2.00]). More RSV-positive hospitalized children received supplemental oxygen and there were more respiratory virus codetections in 2022 than in prepandemic seasons (P < .001 and P = .003, respectively), but there was no difference in the proportion hypoxemic, mechanically ventilated, or admitted to intensive care.

CONCLUSIONS

The atypical 2021 and 2022 RSV seasons resulted in higher hospitalization rates with similar disease severity to prepandemic seasons.

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Most cited references 10

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The burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in young children.

Caroline Hall, Geoffrey A Weinberg, Marika K. Iwane … (2009)

The primary role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in causing infant hospitalizations is well recognized, but the total burden of RSV infection among young children remains poorly defined. We conducted prospective, population-based surveillance of acute respiratory infections among children under 5 years of age in three U.S. counties. We enrolled hospitalized children from 2000 through 2004 and children presenting as outpatients in emergency departments and pediatric offices from 2002 through 2004. RSV was detected by culture and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Clinical information was obtained from parents and medical records. We calculated population-based rates of hospitalization associated with RSV infection and estimated the rates of RSV-associated outpatient visits. Among 5067 children enrolled in the study, 919 (18%) had RSV infections. Overall, RSV was associated with 20% of hospitalizations, 18% of emergency department visits, and 15% of office visits for acute respiratory infections from November through April. Average annual hospitalization rates were 17 per 1000 children under 6 months of age and 3 per 1000 children under 5 years of age. Most of the children had no coexisting illnesses. Only prematurity and a young age were independent risk factors for hospitalization. Estimated rates of RSV-associated office visits among children under 5 years of age were three times those in emergency departments. Outpatients had moderately severe RSV-associated illness, but few of the illnesses (3%) were diagnosed as being caused by RSV. RSV infection is associated with substantial morbidity in U.S. children in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Most children with RSV infection were previously healthy, suggesting that control strategies targeting only high-risk children will have a limited effect on the total disease burden of RSV infection. 2009 Massachusetts Medical Society

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Mortality associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States.

William W Thompson, David Shay (2003)

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Statistical methods used to estimate deaths in the United States attributable to influenza have not accounted for RSV circulation. To develop a statistical model using national mortality and viral surveillance data to estimate annual influenza- and RSV-associated deaths in the United States, by age group, virus, and influenza type and subtype. Age-specific Poisson regression models using national viral surveillance data for the 1976-1977 through 1998-1999 seasons were used to estimate influenza-associated deaths. Influenza- and RSV-associated deaths were simultaneously estimated for the 1990-1991 through 1998-1999 seasons. Attributable deaths for 3 categories: underlying pneumonia and influenza, underlying respiratory and circulatory, and all causes. Annual estimates of influenza-associated deaths increased significantly between the 1976-1977 and 1998-1999 seasons for all 3 death categories (P<.001 for each category). For the 1990-1991 through 1998-1999 seasons, the greatest mean numbers of deaths were associated with influenza A(H3N2) viruses, followed by RSV, influenza B, and influenza A(H1N1). Influenza viruses and RSV, respectively, were associated with annual means (SD) of 8097 (3084) and 2707 (196) underlying pneumonia and influenza deaths, 36 155 (11 055) and 11 321 (668) underlying respiratory and circulatory deaths, and 51 203 (15 081) and 17 358 (1086) all-cause deaths. For underlying respiratory and circulatory deaths, 90% of influenza- and 78% of RSV-associated deaths occurred among persons aged 65 years or older. Influenza was associated with more deaths than RSV in all age groups except for children younger than 1 year. On average, influenza was associated with 3 times as many deaths as RSV. Mortality associated with both influenza and RSV circulation disproportionately affects elderly persons. Influenza deaths have increased substantially in the last 2 decades, in part because of aging of the population, underscoring the need for better prevention measures, including more effective vaccines and vaccination programs for elderly persons.

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Mortality Associated With Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the US, 1999-2018

Chelsea Hansen, Sandra CHAVES, Clarisse Demont … (2022)

Question What was the excess mortality from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza in the US from 1999 to 2018? Findings This cross-sectional study estimates a mean of 6549 underlying respiratory deaths associated with RSV each year (range, 5035-7645) and estimates a mean of 10 171 underlying respiratory deaths associated with influenza per year (range, 393 to 23 176), with greater interannual variation for influenza than for RSV. The highest mortality for both viruses was among individuals aged 65 years or older; RSV mortality was 5-fold higher than influenza mortality among children younger than 1 year. Meaning This study suggests that, despite changes in epidemiology, endemic respiratory viruses continue to have a significant death toll in the US, especially among infants and elderly individuals. Importance Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mortality estimates have not been updated since 2009, and no study has assessed changes in influenza mortality after the 2009 pandemic. Updated burden estimates are needed to characterize long-term changes in the epidemiology of these viruses. Objective To evaluate excess mortality from RSV and influenza in the US from 1999 to 2018. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used data from 50.3 million US death certificates from 1999 to 2018 to create age-specific linear regression models and assess weekly mortality fluctuations above a seasonal baseline associated with RSV and influenza. Statistical analysis was performed for 1043 weeks from January 3, 1999, to December 29, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Excess mortality associated with RSV and influenza estimated from the difference between observed and expected underlying respiratory mortality each season. Results There were 50.3 million death certificates (50.1% women and 49.9% men; mean [SD] age at death, 72.7 [18.6] years) included in this analysis, 1.0% for children younger than 1 year and 73.4% for adults aged 65 years or older. A mean of 6549 (95% CI, 6140-6958) underlying respiratory deaths were associated with RSV annually, including 96 (95% CI, 92-99) deaths among children younger than 1 year. For influenza, there were 10 171 (95% CI, 9652-10 691) underlying respiratory deaths per year, with 23 deaths (95% CI, 19-27) among children younger than 1 year. The highest mean mortality rate per 100 000 population for both viruses was among adults aged 65 years or older at 14.7 (95% CI, 13.8-15.5) for RSV and 20.5 (95% CI, 19.4-21.5) for influenza. A lower proportion of influenza deaths occurred among those aged 65 years or older compared with earlier estimates (75.1% [95% CI, 67.4%-82.8%]). Influenza mortality was highest among those aged 65 years or older in seasons when A/H3N2 predominated (18 739 [95% CI, 16 616-21 336] deaths in 2017-2018) and among those aged 5 to 49 years when A/H1N1pdm2009 predominated (1683 [95% CI, 1583-1787] deaths in 2013-2014). Results were sensitive to the choice of mortality outcome and method, with the broadest outcome associated with annual means of 23 352 (95% CI, 21 814-24 891) excess deaths for RSV and 27 171 (95% CI, 25 142-29 199) for influenza. Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that RSV poses a greater risk than influenza to infants, while both are associated with substantial mortality among elderly individuals. Influenza has large interannual variability, affecting different age groups depending on the circulating virus. The emergence of the influenza A/H1N1pdm2009 pandemic virus in 2009 shifted mortality toward middle-aged adults, a trend still observed to date. This study’s estimates provide a benchmark to evaluate the mortality benefits associated with interventions against respiratory viruses, including new or improved immunization strategies. This cross-sectional study uses data from 50.3 million US death certificates to evaluate excess mortality from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza from 1999 to 2018.

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Journal

Title: Pediatrics

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

ISSN (Print): 0031-4005

ISSN (Electronic): 1098-4275

Publication date Created: July 01 2024

Publication date Created: June 06 2024

Publication date (Print): July 01 2024

Publication date (Electronic): June 06 2024

Volume: 154

Issue: 1

Article

DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-065623

SO-VID: ec8bccf3-f164-421c-b474-a42861cf712b

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations in Children <5 Years: 2016–2022

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

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Most cited references 10

The burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in young children.

Mortality associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States.

Mortality Associated With Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the US, 1999-2018

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