Fewer Infants in Hospital After Virus Treatment

Two studies have shown that treatment with a humanized monoclonal antibody (palivizumab) significantly lowers the rate of hospitalization of high-risk infants due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study was published in the November 9 issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

The rate of hospitalization of high-risk children not treated with the antibody has ranged from 3.5-45%. A new study shows that among patients treated with the antibody, the rate was reduced to 2.4%. Another study of outcomes data on 1,839 high-risk infants shows that only 42 children (2.3%) prophylaxed with the antibody were hospitalized with an RSV infection. About two-thirds of all infants are infected with RSV during the first year of life. Children born prematurely or with chronic lung disease are at highest risk of severe disease and hospitalization.

The monoclonal antibody (Synagis) is administered by intramuscular injection once per month during anticipated periods of increased RSV prevalence. It was developed by MedImmune, Inc. (Gaithersburg, MD, USA). "In these outcomes studies, we have shown



that the rate of hospitalization among all patients receiving Synagis was reduced to 2.4%,” said Alan H. Cohen, M.D., a pediatric pulmonologist based in Atlanta (GA, USA).



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