Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infection in neonatal units in the United Kingdom

Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2004 Feb;93(444):23-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2004.tb03044.x.

Abstract

Nosocomial Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections are frequently reported and tend to be more severe, because of comorbidity, such reports, however, are frequently from a single centre. The incidence and outcomes of nosocomial Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection in UK neonatal units over a five year period were estimated by interrogating the Capse Health Care Knowledge Systems database, which contains anonymised details of 55% of UK hospital admissions. A total of 79,642 admissions commenced on the infants' date of birth and contained an ICD-10 code for low birth weight or immaturity. Thirty-seven of the 79,642 admissions also contained a Respiratory Syncytial Virus code. Two (5.4%) with Respiratory Syncytial Virus and 2,736 (3.4%) without Respiratory Syncytial Virus died. Survivors with Respiratory Syncytial Virus codes experienced significantly increased length of stay. In the extreme immaturity sub-group the length of stay was 117.5 days with Respiratory Syncytial Virus and 51.3 days without Respiratory Syncytial Virus (p = 0.0002). In the low birth weight or other preterm sub-group the length of stay with Respiratory Syncytial Virus was 69.2 and without Respiratory Syncytial Virus 14.7 days (p < 0.0001). The observed low rate for nosocomial Respiratory Syncytial Virus (0.46/1000 admissions) should be regarded as a minimum. The increased length of stay in infants with Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection emphasises that units should have guidelines to prevent and deal with Respiratory Syncytial Virus outbreaks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Length of Stay
  • Morbidity
  • Palivizumab
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / mortality
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / prevention & control
  • Survival Rate
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Palivizumab