Respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk infants.

Abstract

infants like preterm infants this chapter represents important data for optimal guidance of this cost-intense prophylaxis. One of the leading experts world-wide on risk factors associated with severe RSV infection requiring hospitalization, Eric Simoes from Denver, USA, as the senior author together with authors from the Austrian RSV Study Group, report on patient groups at high risk for severe RSV disease, host-related factors increasing the severity of RSV disease and risk factors for the acquisition of the virus. At least Eric Simoes presents a short overview of risk scores that might be useful for the identification of late preterm infants at highest risk for severe RSV infection requiring palivizumab prophylaxis. A special population of high risk for severe RSV disease comprises the group of infants with neuromuscular impairment that is reported by Simon from the German RSV Study Group. The last chapter represents an overview of actual treatment strategies for mild and severe RSV LRTI done by the Austrian pulmonologist Ernst Eber. This Supplement of the Journal aims to put forward actual insights into the burden of RSV disease in young infants and children for both clinical and basic science researchers. REFERENCES