Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Confirmed Hospitalizations on Caregivers of US Preterm Infants

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of respiratory syncytial virus–confirmed hospitalizations (RSVH) on caregivers of high-risk preterm infants. Caregivers for infants born at 29 to 35 weeks’ gestational age and hospitalized for confirmed RSV disease responded to measures of self-rated and perceived infant stress (1-7; 7 = very stressful), perceived infant health (0-100; 100 = best imaginable health), and productivity impairment. Data were collected at hospital discharge through 1 month post-discharge. Caregiver responses indicated high stress levels, poor health, and productivity loss were reported at discharge; however, steady improvements were seen through 1 month post-discharge: caregiver-rated stress (from 6 to 2), infant stress (5 to 1), caregiver-perceived infant health (64 to 84), and productivity loss (mothers: 91% to 31%; fathers: 81% to 18%). Qualitative results indicated emotional impact, family routine disruption, financial concerns, and medical concerns persisted at 1 month post-discharge. This study found the caregiver burden of RSVH persists at least 1 month beyond discharge.

IFI27 may predict and evaluate the severity of respiratory syncytial virus infection in preterm infants

“…The inclusion criteria for the RSV infection group were as follows (1): born at GA < 37 weeks (2); hospitalization due to RSV infection in the first year of life (3); no major congenital anomalies (4); no complex cardiac anomalies (5); no chromosomal abnormalities (6); no major immune deficiency. The inclusion criteria for the control group were as follows [ 1 ]: born at GA < 37 weeks [ 2 ]; hospitalization due to various diseases but excepted RSV infection (jaundice, diarrhea for instance); (3)–(6) were the same as listed in criteria for RSV infection group. This study was approved by the hospital ethics committee and written informed consents were obtained from the parents or guardians of all patients.…”

“…The 50 RSV infected infants were further divided into two subgroups (low-expression group and high-expression group) by the median mRNA level of IFI27. Four categories of patients’ clinical information were reviewed and compared [ 1 ]: GA, birth weight (BW) and gender [ 2 ]; age and body weight at first admission due to RSV infection [ 3 ]; respiratory support including non-invasive ventilation and MV [ 4 ]; the frequency of hospitalization and the cumulative length of hospital stay due to RSV infection. Severe RSV infection of those in-patients was defined as refractory hypoxemia that no response to the oxygen therapy, significant acidosis (an arterial pH < 7.2), and MV required.…”

“…Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a major cause of neonatal lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and is also a leading cause of hospital visits within the first year of life globally [ 1 , 2 ]. Studies revealed that neonates especially preterm infants with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks are genetically predisposed to developing severe RSV related LRTIs [ 3 – 5 ].…”

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease: Immunoprophylaxis Policy Review and Public Health Concerns in Preterm and Young Infants

“…The study reported that caregiver stress was substantial during and after hospitalization and persisted for up to 2 months postdischarge (Leidy et al, 2005). In a secondary analysis of SENTINEL1 data, Pokrzywinski et al (2019) examined the self-rated caregiver stress associated with RSV hospitalization of infants 29 to 35 wGA aged <1 year. The study reported that caregiver stress persisted for at least 1 month following discharge and was accompanied by considerable loss of work productivity, financial impacts, anxiety, and strain on family routines and relationships (Pokrzywinski et al, 2019).…”

“…In a secondary analysis of SENTINEL1 data, Pokrzywinski et al (2019) examined the self-rated caregiver stress associated with RSV hospitalization of infants 29 to 35 wGA aged <1 year. The study reported that caregiver stress persisted for at least 1 month following discharge and was accompanied by considerable loss of work productivity, financial impacts, anxiety, and strain on family routines and relationships (Pokrzywinski et al, 2019). These data emphasize the indirect costs associated with RSV hospitalization, which should not be trivialized.…”