Rsv infection in children aged up to 2 years

Abstract

Objective. Respiratorysyncytialvirus(RSV) isconsideredto bethemost importantcause ofacuterespiratoryillnessin children. The aim of our paper was to establish the frequency and characteristics of RSV infection in infants with wheezing. Method. We examined a group of 104 infants, diagnosed with wheezing. The concentration of RSV-specific IgG was determined in the serum samples by using ELISA method. Results. We found 24.0% of RSV seropositivechildren in our studygroup, with 12.9% in the first and 47% of RSV IgGserpositive children in the second year of life. Wheezing, as a symptom, was in most cases (61.5%) associated with the diagnosis of bronchitis, whereas in 29.8% of the examined children, it was jointly manifested with two or more other diagnoses. In children diagnosed with bronchitis, the frequency of RSV IgGseropositivity was 20.3%. In those children who had wheezing jointly manifested with two or more diagnoses, the frequency of RSV IgGseropositivity was 32.3%. The greatest percentage of RSV seropositivity (i.e. 40%) was detected in those children who had wheezing and three or more jointly manifested diagnoses. In the group of children who hadhad one episode of wheezing, the frequency of RSV IgGseropositivity was 19.6%, whereas in the group of children with relapsing wheezing (i.e. 4 or more than 4) it was 40.0%. The number of RSV infections wasgreater in female infants in the first year of life and in infants coming from urban environments. Breastfeeding was not found to be a significant factor in prevention of this viral infection. Conclusion. The results of our investigations point to the need of a more effective diagnosis of respiratory infections of viral etiology and further study of local environment- specific risk factors. By knowing them better, we could be able to decrease acute RSV morbidity and chronic consequences of this infection.