not-yet-known
not-yet-known
not-yet-known
unknown
Southern Austria Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) INpatient
Investigation (ARNI study)
Abstract
Objective: RSV bronchiolitis is a leading cause of
hospitalization in infants and young children. We aimed to document the
economic burden and epidemiology of RSV over seven seasons in Southern
Austria. Patients and Methods: All RSV-associated hospitalized
(PCR-proven) children ≤5 years of age between October 01, 2015, and
April 30, 2022, were collected retrospectively. Demographic and
epidemiologic data, along with hospitalization costs (direct and
indirect), were calculated. Results: Among 976 children
hospitalized due to RSV infection, 87% were healthy term infants, and
79% were under 12 months old. Prematurity (13%) and pre-existing
conditions (11%) significantly impacted older children - 59% of cases
in the 2 nd compared to the 1 st
year of live. RSV-related hospital costs were approximately € 2.0
millions per year (of a total of 60 millions per year). RSV accounted
for 19% of hospitalizations due to acute respiratory illness (ARI) in
children ≤ 5 years, 37% of all ARI <6 months, 28% of all ARI
<12, and 6.3% of all-cause hospitalizations <12 months
of age, respectively. Conclusions: Every 5 th
hospitalization due to respiratory illness in children ≤5 years of age
was associated with RSV, representing 7.9% of all hospitalizations and
3.3% of all paediatric hospitalization costs.