- Each infection is a deterioration of the child's general health, and this can affect the overall prognosis - said Maria Miszczak-Knecht, MD, a national consultant in the field of pediatric cardiology, at the Coalition for Premature Infant Foundation's conference on protecting children against RS virus. The pathogen attacking the lower respiratory tract is especially dangerous for premature babies, as well as those with congenital heart defects, neuromuscular disorders or cystic fibrosis.
Not only premature babies should have access to RS virus immunotherapy. Doctors are calling for the extension of the program
Published Oct. 6, 2022 11:04
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According to experts in the field of neonatology, pediatric cardiology and pediatric neurology, each child at risk should be protected against RS virus during the season of increased morbidity, i.e. from October to April. All children under two years of age have contact with the pathogen and it is responsible for 70% of infections during the first year of life. In children at risk, infection may put them at risk of stalling normal development, and in children waiting for cardiac surgery, even in immediate life-threatening conditions.
- At birth, premature babies are 10 times more likely to develop lower respiratory tract infections than full-term babies. The lung volume of premature babies born at 30 weeks of gestation is three times smaller and the lung area four times smaller than the volume and size of the full-term babies. If an infection caused by the RS virus overlaps it, the immature airways are additionally constricted by the secretion residing in them. Treatment of infections must usually take place in the intensive care unit, and the return of a premature baby to the hospital is always a step back in its development. It is worth doing everything possible to prevent re-hospitalization. A stay in a hospital is unnecessary stress not only for a baby, but also for its parents - emphasizes prof. dr hab. n. med. Maria Katarzyna Borszewska-Kornacka, president of the Coalition for Premature Baby Foundation.
- Children with congenital heart disease are more likely to get infections than their healthy peers. RS virus infections are especially dangerous in the first months of life, especially
in children waiting for cardiac surgery. RSV infection can delay cardiac surgery, and remember that for some children it is life-saving. Each infection worsens the child's general health, and this may affect the overall prognosis, says Maria Miszczak-Knecht, MD, a national consultant in the field of pediatric cardiology.
- Children with neuromuscular disorders undergo long-term and regular rehabilitation. Each infection means stopping exercise for a few, and sometimes even for several days. Lack of rehabilitation may stop the progress of treatment and deteriorate the health of these children and their physical fitness, adds Prof. hab. n. med. Ewa Emich-Widera, national consultant in the field of pediatric neurology.
In Poland, there is a drug program under which children who meet the criteria receive free immunoprophylaxis. These are children born before the 33rd week of pregnancy and those with a serious complication of prematurity, i.e. bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, this is not the only group of children that should be included in this program. Therefore, medical experts have developed recommendations regarding children who should be included in the prevention of RSV infections. According to them, prevention should extend to children with congenital heart disease, children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and children with cystic fibrosis.
