Abstract
A respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of respiratory tract infection in children under 5 years. However, RSV infection in the European Region of the World Health Organization has not been systematically reviewed. The aim was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with RSV in children under 5 years of age in European regions. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. CINAHL, Medline, LILACS, ProQuest, SciELO, and Scopus databases were consulted for studies published in the last 5 years, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. The search equation was “respiratory syncytial virus AND (newborn OR infant OR child) AND (prevalence OR risk factors)”. Studies reporting the prevalence of RSV were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. A total of 20 articles were included. The meta-analytic prevalence estimation of RSV, with a sample of n = 16,115 children, was 46% (95% CI 34–59%). The main risk factors were age, male gender, winter season, and environmental factors such as cold temperatures, higher relative humidity, high concentrations of benzene, exposure to tobacco, and living in urban areas. Robust age-specific estimates of RSV infection in healthy children should be promoted in order to determine the optimal age for immunization. In addition, it is necessary to analyse in greater depth the potentially predictive factors of RSV infection, to be included in prevention strategies.
Highlights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, affecting respiratory epithelial cells and presenting two subtypes, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and RSV B [1]
It is estimated that there are 33 million cases of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) per year associated with RSV in children under 5 years of age [3]
RSV is characterized by being seasonal, whose infection rate peaks in the cold season in temperate climates [6]
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, affecting respiratory epithelial cells and presenting two subtypes, RSV A (the most severe form of presentation) and RSV B [1]. It is one of the main causes of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI), in children under one year of age [2]. It is estimated that there are 33 million cases of ALRI per year associated with RSV in children under 5 years of age [3]. The consequences can be negative, especially in children with underlying diseases (prematurity, lung disease, congenital heart disease, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, or Down syndrome) [9,10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
