Hospitalisation of late preterm infants due to lower respiratory tract infections in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia: incidence, disease severity, and risk factors

Abstract

Background.By two years of age, almost all children experience at least one episode of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, the most common viral cause of hospitalisation due to lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). We present data on LRTI hospitalisations (with a special focus on RSV), the course of illness, and LRTI hospitalisation risk factors in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.Materials and methods.The analysed data were part of a large multinational study conducted in 23 countries (PONI). LRTI-related hospitalisations were observed during one RSV season for late premature infants (born between 33 weeks and 0 days and 35 weeks and 6 days of gestation) ≤6 months of age, who did not receive RSV prophylaxis. The potential risk factors and demographics were recorded at study enrolment and at the end of the RSV season. The primary endpoint was hospitalisation due to RSV LRTI; the secondary endpoints included severity, the course and the outcome of LRTI hospitalisations.Results.Out of the 291 infants enrolled in three Baltic states, 19 were hospitalised due to LRTI (6.5%). RSV testing was performed for 14 hospitalised infants; five infants had a positive test for RSV (1.7%). The majority of the hospitalised infants (94.7%) had mild or moderate respiratory illness. Male sex, O2 dependency after birth, younger maternal age, and furred pets at home were significantly associated with an increased risk for LRTI hospitalisation.Conclusions.During one RSV season, the incidence of LRTI hospitalisations among late preterm infants was 6.5% and the incidence of RSV LRTI hospitalisations was 1.7%.

Evaluation of respiratory complications in a cohort of preterm infants who did not receive palivizumab monoclonal antibodies

“…In contrast with the findings of the present study, a significant association between hospitalization caused by lower respiratory tract disease, male gender, maternal age lower than 25 years, and dependence on oxygen after birth was found ( 21 ) . A prospective cohort study ( 22 ) showed similar average maternal age; however, variables such as maternal age and level of education and existence of siblings with acute respiratory infection showed no association with hospitalization, similar to what was found in the present study.…”

“…Babies with GA from 33 to 34 weeks showed a hospitalization rate twice as high as that observed for newborns with GA superior to 35 weeks. A study in Eastern Europe ( 21 ) showed that, within the virus season, the incidence of hospitalizations of late preterm infants caused by lower respiratory tract diseases was 6.5%, whereas the number for lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV was 1.7%.…”

Avaliação das intercorrências respiratórias em coorte de prematuros não contemplados com o anticorpo monoclonal palivizumabe

“…Das variáveis maternas, em contraste com os achados desse estudo, investigação (21) encontrou associação significativa entre hospitalização por DTRI e sexo masculino, idade materna menor que 25 anos e dependência de oxigênio após nascimento. Em uma coorte prospectiva (22) , a média de idade materna foi semelhante; contudo, variáveis como idade e escolaridade maternas e presença de irmãos com IRA não apresentaram associação e ratificam os resultados aqui apresentados.…”

“…Bebês com IG de 33 a 34 semanas, ao nascer, demonstraram duas vezes mais internações que bebês com IG superior a 35 semanas (5) . Estudo (21) no leste europeu revelou que, dentro do período sazonal do vírus, a incidência de hospitalizações de prematuros tardios em razão de DTRI foi de 6,5% e para DTRI em razão do VSR foi de 1,7%.…”