Simon B. Drysdale

Lung function prior to viral lower respiratory tract infections in prematurely born infants

Objective Prematurely born infants who develop respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) have lung function abnormalities at follow-up. The aim of this study was to determine whether prematurely born infants who developed symptomatic RSV, or other viral LRTI(s), had poorer premorbid lung function than infants who did not develop LRTIs during the RSV season. Methods Lung function (functional residual capacity (FRC), compliance (Crs) and resistance (Rrs) of the respiratory system) was measured at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. After neonatal unit discharge, nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained whenever the infants had an LRTI, regardless of whether this was in the community or in hospital. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were examined for RSV A and B, rhinovirus, influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, human metapneumovirus and adenovirus. Results 159 infants with a median gestational age of 34 (range 23–36) weeks were prospectively followed. 73 infants developed LRTIs: 27 had at least one RSV LRTI and 31 had at least one other viral LRTI, but not an RSV LRTI. Overall, there were no significant differences in the FRC (p=0.54), Crs (p=0.11) or Rrs (p=0.12) results between those who developed an RSV or other viral LRTI and those who did not develop an LRTI. Infants with RSV or other viral LRTIs who were admitted to hospital compared with those who were not had higher Rrs results (p=0.033 and p=0.039, respectively). Conclusion Diminished premorbid lung function may predispose prematurely born infants to severe viral LRTIs in infancy.

Respiratory outcome of prematurely born infants following human rhinovirus A and C infections.

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and are associated with chronic respiratory morbidity. Our aim was to determine whether HRV species A or C were associated with chronic respiratory morbidity and increased health care utilisation in prematurely born infants. A number of 153 infants with a median gestational age of 34 (range 23–35) weeks were prospectively followed. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected whenever the infants had LRTIs regardless of hospitalisation status. Parents completed a respiratory diary card and health questionnaire about their infant when they were 11 and 12 months corrected age, respectively. The health-related cost of care during infancy was calculated from the medical records using the National Health Service (NHS) reference costing scheme and the British National Formulary for children. There were 32 infants that developed 40 HRV LRTIs; samples were available from 23 of the 32 infants for subtyping. Nine infants had HRV-A LRTIs, 13 HRV-C LRTIs, and one infant had a HRV-B LRTI. Exclusion of infants who also had RSV LRTIs revealed that the infants who had a HRV-C LRTI were more likely to wheeze (p < 0.0005) and use respiratory medications (p < 0.0005) and had more days of wheeze (p = 0.01) and used an inhaler (p = 0.02) than the no LRTI group. In addition, the respiratory cost of care was greater for the HRV-C LRTI than the no LRTI group (p < 0.0005). Conclusion: Our results suggest HRV-C is associated with chronic respiratory morbidity during infancy in prematurely born infants.

Rhinovirus infection and healthcare utilisation in prematurely born infants

Our aim was to determine whether rhinovirus (RV) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in prematurely born infants increase health-related cost of care during infancy. 153 infants born at <36 weeks of gestation were prospectively followed to 1 year. Cost of care was calculated from the National Health Service reference costing scheme and healthcare utilisation determined by examining hospital/general practitioner records. 20 infants developed RV LRTIs (RV group), 17 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) LRTIs (RSV group), 12 both RV and RSV LRTIs (RV/RSV group) and 74 had no LRTI (no LRTI group). Compared with the no LRTI group, the RV/RSV LRTI group had the greatest increase in adjusted mean cost (difference GBP 5769), followed by the RV LRTI group (difference GBP 278) and, finally, the RSV LRTI group (difference GBP 172) (p=0.045). The RV group had more outpatient (p<0.05) and respiratory-related general practitioner (p<0.05) attendances, more wheezed at follow-up (p<0.001) than the no LRTI group and more had respiratory-related outpatient attendances than the RSV LRTI group (p<0.05). We conclude that RV LRTIs were associated with increased health-related cost of care during infancy; our results suggest that the RV group compared with the RSV group suffered greater chronic respiratory morbidity. Rhinovirus LRTIs in prematurely born infants increases health-related cost of care during infancy http://ow.ly/mxyZH

Best practice in the prevention and management of paediatric respiratory syncytial virus infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is ubiquitous with almost all infants having been infected by 2 years of age and lifelong repeated infections common. It is the second largest cause of mortality, after malaria, in infants outside the neonatal period and causes up to 200,000 deaths per year worldwide. RSV results in clinical syndromes that include upper respiratory tract infections, otitis media, bronchiolitis (up to 80% of cases) and lower respiratory tract disease including pneumonia and exacerbations of asthma or viral-induced wheeze. For the purposes of this review we will focus on RSV bronchiolitis in infants in whom the greatest disease burden lies. For infants requiring hospital admission, the identification of the causative respiratory virus is used to direct cohorting or isolation and infection control procedures to minimize nosocomial transmission. Nosocomial RSV infections are associated with poorer clinical outcomes, including increased mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation and longer length of hospital stay. Numerous clinical guidelines for the management of infants with bronchiolitis have been published, although none are specific for RSV bronchiolitis. Ribavirin is the only licensed drug for the specific treatment of RSV infection but due to drug toxicity and minimal clinical benefit it has not been recommended for routine clinical use. There is currently no licensed vaccine to prevent RSV infection but passive immunoprophylaxis using a monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, reduces the risk of hospitalization due to RSV infection by 39–78% in various high-risk infants predisposed to developing severe RSV disease. The current management of RSV bronchiolitis is purely supportive, with feeding support and oxygen supplementation until the infant immune system mounts a response capable of controlling the disease. The development of a successful treatment or prophylactic agent has the potential to revolutionize the care and outcome for severe RSV infections in the world’s most vulnerable infants.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection and chronic respiratory morbidity – is there a functional or genetic predisposition?

A systematic literature review has been undertaken. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infancy is associated with chronic respiratory morbidity. Premorbid abnormal lung function may predispose to RVS LRTI in prematurely born infants.

The impact of the National Patient Safety Agency intravenous fluid alert on iatrogenic hyponatraemia in children.

In March 2007, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) issued an alert regarding intravenous fluid (IVF) prescription to hospitalised infants and children, to be implemented in UK hospitals by September 2007. Previously, the most commonly used IVF (0.18% saline/4% dextrose) has been associated with iatrogenic hyponatraemia, resulting in four deaths and one near miss since 2000. The alert recommended 0.45% (or 0.9%) saline/5% dextrose as maintenance IVF and banned 0.18% saline/4% dextrose. We audited practice and outcome in children receiving maintenance IVF in June 2007 (before guideline implementation) and June 2008 (after guideline implementation). In June 2007, 44 (30%) children were prescribed IVF, six received IVF not recommended by NPSA alert 22 and one became hyponatraemic. In June 2008, 56 (30%) children received IVF; one received IVF not recommended by NPSA alert 22 and became hyponatraemic. The median change in serum sodium levels for all children who received IVF not recommended by NPSA alert 22 [−5 (−15 to 0) mmol/l] was significantly greater than those who received IVF recommended by NPSA alert 22 [0 (−13 to +7) mmol/l, p = 0.002]. In addition, there was a significant (p = 0.04) reduction in the number of children who had electrolytes checked while on IVF after implementation of the guideline. Implementation of a new IVF guideline has been associated with less use of IVF not recommended by NPSA alert 22, resulting in less serum sodium level reduction. The only children who became hyponatraemic received IVF not recommended by NPSA alert 22. Despite the NPSA alert and guideline implementation, less children had electrolyte levels checked while receiving IVF.

Group B meningococcal vaccine science and policy

Capsular group B Neisseria meningitidis is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. A new vaccine (4CMenB) has recently been developed which was found to have an acceptable safety profile in clinical studies and to be immunogenic. This review examines the evidence supporting the licensure of the 4CMenB vaccine and discusses recommendations for its use.

Rhinovirus - not just the common cold.

Rhinoviruses (RV) are ubiquitous respiratory tract pathogens. They affect both the upper and lower respiratory tract and cause colds but have also been associated with wheezing, asthma exacerbations and pneumonia. New blood transcription profiling techniques of the host immune response are becoming available to characterise the pathogenesis of RV in humans. This review will outline the clinical impact of RVs in children.

Change in viral bronchiolitis management in primary care in the UK after the publication of NICE guideline

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in general practitioner (GP) management before and after the publication of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence bronchiolitis guideline. In March 2015 and May 2016, an electronic questionnaire was sent to GPs. It was completed by 1001 GPs in 2015 and 1009 in 2016. There were small but significant improvements in proportions of GPs using a guideline, measuring oxygen saturations and providing written guidance, and appropriate reductions in those prescribing medications. Thirty-five per cent had read the guideline and 25% changed their practice since guideline publication. There were modest but significant improvements in reported management by GPs after guideline publication.

RSV vaccine use--the missing data.

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most important cause of hospitalization in infants and is one of the leading global causes of infant mortality and as such its prevention through vaccination is a public health priority. While essential for the successful implementation of vaccine programs, there remains a paucity of data on the epidemiology of the virus in different settings and age groups and limited knowledge about virus transmission and the health-care costs of the disease. Such data are now needed to populate health economic models and to inform optimal approaches to disease control through vaccination.