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Key Points

A groundbreaking study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that healthy, full-term babies face significant RSV risks during their first three months. Researchers analyzed data from 2.3 million children, discovering that 12% of RSV-infected children experience severe illness requiring intensive care. Factors like winter birth, having young siblings, and low birth weight dramatically increase infection severity. Encouragingly, preventive treatments and vaccines are now available to protect vulnerable infants.

Key Points: RSV Risks Shock Healthy Babies Study Reveals

  • RSV infects 1.7% of children with severe complications
  • Winter births increase RSV risk threefold
  • Siblings aged 0-3 elevate infection probability
  • Small birth weight linked to higher RSV severity
2 min read

Even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV: Study

New research exposes surprising RSV dangers for full-term infants, highlighting critical health risks in first three months of life.

"When shaping treatment strategies, it is important to take into account that even healthy infants can be severely affected by RSV - Giulia Dallagiacoma, Karolinska Institutet"

New Delhi, Sep 10

Even healthy, full‐term babies are at significant risk of intensive care or prolonged hospitalisation from serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections -- especially during the first three months of life, according to a study.

RSV is a common cause of respiratory infections in young children. Each year, RSV causes an estimated 3.6 million RSV-associated hospitalisations and approximately 100,000 RSV-attributable deaths in children under the age of five.

It is well-known that premature babies and children with chronic diseases are at increased risk of developing severe illness when infected with RSV. But it has not been entirely clear how common severe disease is among previously healthy children.

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analysed data from over 2.3 million children born in Sweden between 2001 and 2022 to find out who is at greatest risk of suffering serious complications or dying from an RSV infection.

The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, showed that the largest group among the children who needed intensive care or were hospitalised for a long period of time were under three months of age, previously healthy, and born at full term.

"When shaping treatment strategies, it is important to take into account that even healthy infants can be severely affected by RSV," said Giulia Dallagiacoma, a physician and doctoral student at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.

A total of 1.7 per cent of the children in the study were diagnosed with RSV infection. Among those, just under 12 per cent (4,621 children) had a severe course of illness.

The researchers also identified several factors that were linked to an increased risk of needing intensive care or dying.

Children who were born in the winter, or had siblings aged 0-3 years or a twin, had approximately a threefold increased risk, while children who were small at birth had an almost fourfold increased risk.

Children with underlying medical conditions had more than a fourfold increased risk of severe illness or death.

"The good news is that there is now preventive treatment that can be given to newborns, and a vaccine that can be given to pregnant women," Dallagiacoma added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As a new father, this study is eye-opening. We need more awareness about RSV in India. Many parents don't even know what RSV is until their child gets it. The government should include this in vaccination awareness programs.
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Sarah B
The part about winter-born babies having higher risk makes sense. In North India, pollution peaks in winter months which probably makes respiratory infections worse. We need better air quality along with medical interventions.
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Arjun K
Good that preventive treatments and vaccines are available now. But will they be affordable and accessible in India? Most middle-class families struggle with healthcare costs. Hope the government makes this a priority.
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Meera T
As a pediatrician in Mumbai, I see RSV cases every winter. Parents should watch for rapid breathing, poor feeding, and lethargy in infants. Early detection can prevent serious complications. Don't ignore cough and cold in newborns!
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David E
The statistic about 100,000 deaths globally is alarming. In India with our population density and healthcare challenges, RSV could be causing more damage than we realize. Need better surveillance and reporting systems.

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