2353. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Preterm Infants: Epidemiology, Clinical Pattern, and Risk Factors in a Pediatric Hospital in Argentina

Abstract

Background. RSV is the main agent that causes Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection(ALRI) in children. Preterm infants(PT) have a higher risk of hospitalization and complications associated with RSV infection. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiology, clinical pattern and risk factors associated to RSV infection in PT infants. Methods. Prospective, Cross-sectional study of patients admitted for ALRI, 2000-2017. Virological diagnosis was made by fuorescent antibody assay of nasopharyngeal aspirates or RT-PCR. We compared epidemiological and clinical features, complications and lethality between full term(FT) and PT infants. Logistic regression was performed to establish lethality risk factors in PT. Results. A total of 15,451 patients included, 13,033 were tested and 45% (5,831) had positive samples; RSV was predominant (81.3%, 4,738) all through the study period showing a seasonal epidemic pattern (May-July); 14% (655) were PT. Congenital cardiopathy OR = 3.41(1.12-10.3), P = 0.003 and perinatal respiratory history OR = 3.1(1.6-6.1), P < 0.001 were the independent predictors for VSR lethality in P T. Conclusion. RSV showed an epidemic pattern (May-July) and affected PT with certain comorbidities, with more severe disease, more complications during hospital-ization and higher lethality than FT. RSV lethality in PT was more associated with congenital cardiopathy and perinatal respiratory history.