RSV infection a significant burden on children in Korea

The disease burden respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection puts on young children is substantial, especially among infants, according to a South Korea study.

Researchers conducted this nationwide, population-based retrospective cohort study using national health insurance claims data from 2007 to 2019. They identified RSV patients using relevant ICD-10, and calculated the incidence, hospitalization, and outpatient visit rates. Risk factors for hospitalization were identified via logistic regression analysis.

In total, 185,823 RSV patients were identified, with an annual incidence of 286.0 to 822.9 per 100,000 children under 5 years of age. Less than half (44.7 percent) of these children required hospitalization, with infants under 6 months having the highest risk of hospitalization, longer hospital stays, and higher medical costs.

The independent risk factors for hospitalization included younger age, comorbidities, and metropolitan residence. Moreover, infants aged 6‒11 months comprised the largest proportions of inpatient (48.2 percent) and outpatient (33.6 precent) cases, as well as the highest number of admissions to the intensive care unit.

“High hospitalization rates underscore the need for targeted public health preventive interventions, enhanced surveillance and improved access to timely medical care, to mitigate RSV’s impact and improve child health outcomes,” the researchers said.

“RSV is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children globally,” they noted.