Role of antibody and the use of respiratory syncytial virus immunoglobulin in the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease in preterm infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the only viral respiratory pathogen that produces an annual epidemic of respiratory illness. Infants with cardiac disease or infants born prematurely with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. A recently developed RSV immunoglobulin (RSVIG) was studied to determine safety and efficacy in prevention of severe RSV disease in such children who are high risk for severe RSV illness. Results from this prospective, blinded trial involving 249 children (102 with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, 87 with congenital heart disease and 60 who were born prematurely) indicate that high dose RSVIG reduced the incidence and severity of RSV lower respiratory tract infection. It is a safe and effective means of RSV prophylaxis in selected high risk children.