Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117588

Sergio G. Golombek, MD, MPH, FAAP, Pediatrics/New York Medical College, The Regional Neonatal Center - Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, 914-493-8488, sergio_golombek@nymc.edu and Josephine Kelly, RN, Curative Health Services, 150 Motor Parkway, Hauppage, NY 11788-5145.

Background: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of LRTI in infancy. RSV hospitalization costs are substantial. Palivizumab prophylaxis has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for infants at-risk. The AAP recommends palivizumab prophylaxis for infants <2 yrs old with CLD, hemodynamically significant congenital heart lesions or other serious conditions that compromise pulmonary or immune functions. Objective: To describe the results of infants receiving their 2nd season of palivizumab RSV-prophylaxis Design: Prospective F/U of infants receiving RSV-prophylaxis, either at home or at the pediatricians' office during the 2003-04 season. Results: 582 patients were followed from 11/03 through 4/04, 394(68%) receiving their doses at home, and 188(32%) at the MD office. There were no differences between both groups: GA 30.5±4(31) wk, BW 1545±718(1446) gr. [mean±SD(median)].The distribution by GA was: <28wk=110 infants;28-31 wk= 169;32-35 wk=193;>35 wks=53;no GA available= 57. A total of 2321 injections were given (average=3.9/patient). The age at the beginning of the season was 403±153(343) days. Neither RSV cases nor RSV hospitalizations were reported in either population. No significant adverse effects were noted. Conclusions: Children receiving palivizumab prophylaxis for a second season tolerated the injections without problems and had no RSV hospitalizations. Several bigger premature infants received palivizumab prophylaxis during the season. Although the results are encouraging, more education seems to be necessary in our area regarding the appropriate indications for the 2nd season prophylaxis. Because health care budgets are limited, economic analyses are needed to optimize the allocation of resources in health care.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the infants at risk for RSV hospitalizations
• Understand RSV prophylaxis with palivizumab
• Analyze the results of an in-home program of palivizumab prophylaxis for RSV compared to administration in a physician's office

Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Treatment Adherence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF Dr Golombek has received research grant support, and is part of the Speakers' Bureau of MedImmune, Inc..