RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) associated hospitalisation in children age ≤5 years: A scoping review of literature from 2009-2021
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00593-2021
DO 10.1183/23120541.00593-2021
A1 Michael Noble
A1 Rabia Ali Khan
A1 Brodie Walker
A1 Emma Bennett
A1 Nick Gent
YR 2022
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/early/2022/03/24/23120541.00593-2021.abstract
AB Introduction Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in many countries, a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisations was reported, surpassing yearly trends pre-pandemic. The changes to RSV epidemiology may have unforeseen effects on healthcare systems and populations globally, adding to the burden generated during the pandemic and placing increased demand on resources. Here we aim to identify recent global trends of RSV hospitalisation amongst children aged ≤5 years, to help inform policy makers in the planning of preventative interventions.Methods We conducted a scoping review of published literature between January 2009 and May 2021. Using keywords “Hospital admissions, Respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, Bronchiolitis, Children” we located studies using Medline, EMCARE, CINAHL and HMIC. Studies were eligible if they reported on trends/data for RSV hospitalisation amongst children aged ≤5 years. The articles were reviewed by two independent reviewers.Findings We assessed 3310 abstracts, reviewed 70 studies and included 56 studies in the final review. Findings were categorised into themes. The review highlighted that, although RSV incidence has been steadily increasing since 2009, the number of reported RSV hospitalisations decreased during lockdown. The highest numbers of hospitalisations were reported in children <1 years of age, particularly 0–2-month-old infants. Globally, RSV hospitalisations tend to peak in the winter months, however, since COVID-19 restrictions have eased, countries are reporting incidence peaks at different times, in contrast to the trends of previous years.Conclusion With greater physical interactions due to the relaxation of COVID-19 restriction measures, RSV-related hospitalisations can be seen to increase amongst children aged ≤5 years, possibly surpassing the numbers reported in previous RSV seasons.FootnotesThis manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the ERJ Open Research. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJOR online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.Conflict of interest: The authors have nothing to disclose.