Risk factors for severe respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants.

Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease is associated with unacceptable morbidity and mortality in children, especially in young children. Underlying conditions including prematurity with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital heart disease, immunosuppression or another underlying respiratory condition, such as cystic fibrosis, increase the risk of contracting and developing severe RSV disease. Environmental factors such as crowding, day-care attendance, and exposure to passive smoke can increase the risk of severe RSV disease. Children with severe RSV disease often require intensified medical care, including hospitalization, which places a burden on the child, the family, and the health care system. There are currently no effective curative treatments for severe RSV disease. Preventive measures, such as infection control and prophylaxis, appear to be the best options in the management of RSV disease in these high-risk patients.