(BPT) - Parents of a newborn can all relate to the stress that comes with making sure their baby remains as healthy as possible. However, parents of premature infants may experience a greater challenge protecting their high-risk babies from seasonal illnesses, as premature infants are often born with underdeveloped lungs and fewer antibodies, making them susceptible to developing certain infections.^1,2

In the United States, more than a half million babies are born prematurely each year, and 15 million babies are born prematurely annually worldwide. Any baby born at or earlier than 35 weeks gestational age is considered premature.^1,3

Jennifer Degl, mother of a micropreemie born at 23 weeks, reasonably expected to encounter some health problems as her daughter, Joy, grew and became stronger from her initial weight of only 1 lb 4 oz.

“When Joy was born,” Jennifer explains, “she wasn’t even as long as a ruler, so you can imagine how tiny she was. What you really want as a parent after your child is born is to hold your baby, but because Joy needed special medical treatments, we couldn’t, which was really difficult for my family.”

Joy spent a combined total of four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and during this time Jennifer worked closely with Joy’s doctors to learn about the various risk factors of prematurity, including increased susceptibility to severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease.

RSV is a common, seasonal virus contracted by nearly 100 percent of infants by the age of 2 and typically circulates from November through March.^4,5 In many babies, the virus leads to a mild respiratory infection with symptoms similar to the common cold or flu, but in some high-risk infants it can develop into a much more serious infection. ⁵ RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for all infants during their first year of life, resulting in approximately 125,000 hospitalizations and, in some cases, even death.^6,7,8,9

“Our children’s pediatrician let us know that RSV spreads easily through human contact such as touching, kissing, sneezing and coughing, and can live on surfaces for several hours,” Jennifer explains.¹⁰ “Having three older, school-aged children, I was eager to learn preventive steps I could take to keep Joy healthy.”

Dr Paul Checchia, Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), Texas Children’s Hospital, notes that he see hundreds of cases of severe RSV disease in his CVICU each season. Dr Checchia explains that many parents are not familiar with the potential risk factors of premature birth or the fact that premature infants often have unique health needs.¹ In addition to prematurity, there are other conditions – certain lung and heart diseases – that put babies at increased risk of developing severe RSV disease and so Dr Checchia says that it’s important for all parents to speak with pediatricians about RSV, and if their child may be at high-risk.¹

“What’s important to know about RSV,” Dr Checchia says, “is that although we do our best to support babies who get RSV disease, there is no treatment, so the most important way to combat RSV is to prevent it.”

Symptoms of mild RSV disease can mimic the common cold, but parents should be on the look-out for symptoms that may signify severe RSV disease, and seek medical attention if they are exhibited.^4,11 These include: persistent coughing or wheezing; rapid, difficult or gasping breaths; blue color of the lips, mouth or fingernails; and a fever (a temperature greater than 100.4° F [rectal] in infants under 3 months of age). ^12,13

Since there is no specific treatment for RSV disease, prevention is critical. All parents should¹⁰:

• Understand the risk factors and ask your pediatrician if your child may be at increased risk
• Wash your hands as often as possible, along with toys, bedding, and clothes
• Avoid taking your baby to crowded areas during RSV season (eg, malls or grocery stores)
• Never let anyone smoke around your baby
• Steer clear of people who are sick or who have recently been sick

For more information about RSV, visit www.RSVProtection.com.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Premature Birth. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm. Accessed January 19, 2016.
2. Langston C, Kida K, Reed M, Thurlbeck WM. Human lung growth in late gestation and in the neonate. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984; 129:607-613.
3. March of Dimes, PMNCH, Save the Children, WHO. Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth. Eds CP Howson, MV Kinney, JE Lawn. World Health Organization. Geneva, 2012.
4. American Academy of Pediatrics. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Pickering LK, ed. 30th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2015.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infection and Incidence. http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/infection.html. Accessed January 19, 2016.
6. Leader S, Kohlhase K. Respiratory syncytial virus-coded pediatric hospitalizations, 1997 to 1999. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002; 21: 629-632.
7. Shay DK, Holman RC, Newman RD, Liu LL, Stout JW, Anderson LJ. Bronchiolitis-Associated Hospitalizations Among US Children, 1980-1996 JAMA. 1999; 282:1440-1446.
8. Stockman LJ, Curns AT, Anderson LJ, Fischer-Langley G. Respiratory Syncytial Virus-associated Hospitalizations Among Infants and Young Children in the United States, 1997-2006. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2012; 31:5-9.
9. Thompson WW, Shay DK, Weintraub E, et al. Mortality Associated With Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the United States. JAMA. 2003; 289:179-186.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Transmission and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html. Accessed January 19, 2016.
11. Glezen WP, Taber LH, Frank AL, Kasel JA. Risk of primary infection and reinfection with respiratory syncytial virus. Am J Dis Child. 1986; 140:543-546.
12. MedlinePlus. Medical Encyclopedia: Bronchiolitis. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000975.htm. Accessed January 19, 2016.
13. Merck. The Merck Manual Home Edition [Web site]. Fever. January 2007. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/symptoms-in-infants-and-children/fever-in-infants-and-children?qt=&sc=&alt=%5B7/8/2013%202:16:48%20PM%5D. Accessed January 19, 2016.

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