Abstract
RSV infection appears to be uncommon in the first 4 weeks of life. If this is due to host immunity, environment or atypical illness is unknown. Nursery outbreaks have been described, but have mostly involved infants aged <1 month. During a community RSV outbreak, nosocomial RSV infection was prospectively studied in our special care nursery to examine possible transmission to and infection in infants <1 month old. Viral cultures were obtained q3d on all neonates and staff who were examined daily without knowledge of viral results. Of 82 neonates, 23(29%)shed RSV for a mean 9d. Median age was 15d (range 6-77d); 20 were ≥lmo. Signs tended to be atypical and nonspecific in younger infants <3 wks(14) vs. those >3 wks(9) who had more typical respiratory signs. Four (17%) died while shedding RSV, 3 unexpectedly, 2 after discharge. Of 53 staff, 18(34%) contacted RSV and 83% were symptomatic. Infants in rooms with no infected babies, and in all types of beds, got RSV. These findings suggest RSV readily infects neonates, and staff may play a role in its spread. RSV infection in neonates may be missed due to atypical presentation, but may contribute to the morbidity and unexpected mortality in premature and other infants in special care nurseries. The reason for atypical illness in younger infants is unknown, but may be related to maternal antibody or other host immune factors.
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Hall, C., Kopelman, A. & Douglas, R. 356 NEONATAL RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRAL(RSV) INFECTIONS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 423 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00361
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00361