Respiratory syncytial virus and ribavirin therapy: winter 1987-spring 1988. A report of 74 cases treated at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska.

Seventy-four pediatric cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus lower respiratory tract infection were treated at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska between September 1, 1987 and April 30, 1988. These patients are described with illustrative case reports. Twenty-one patients were treated with Ribavirin and these patients are further analyzed as a special interest group. A disproportionate number of the Ribavirin treated group were Alaskan Natives. In the discussion we address concerns of possible toxicity of Ribavirin and current recommendations for patient selection for treatment with Ribavirin.