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Acute and long-term effects of infection by the respiratory syncytial virus in children with congenital cardiac malformations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2005

Timothy F. Feltes
Affiliation:
Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Ohio State University and The Heart Center at Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
Jessie R. Groothuis
Affiliation:
Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
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Abstract

All newborn infants have limited pulmonary reserve compared with older children. This puts them at increased risk of respiratory complications, such as those associated with infection by the respiratory syncytial virus. Young children with congenital cardiac disease are particularly likely to suffer severe disease related to infection by the virus. In these children, the extreme vulnerability of the lung to pulmonary oedema is compounded by the additional burden caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.

In addition to the well-documented acute pulmonary effects of infection with the respiratory syncytial virus, there may also be consequent long-term respiratory morbidity. Clinical studies have shown that infection by the virus in infancy is associated with a higher risk of developing subsequent bronchial obstructive disease. Much debate surrounds the mechanisms underlying this association. It is thought that a combined immunological and neurogenic response mechanism is likely. Prevention of severe respiratory disease in infants and young children with congenital heart disease due to infection by the virus may, therefore, offer both immediate and long-term benefits. Indeed, an increasing body of evidence supports this hypothesis, indicating a clinical rationale for prophylaxis against the virus in infancy, in order to reduce the chance of developing reactive airways disease and asthma in later life.

Information

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press
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Figure 1

Potential aetiology of pulmonary oedema in respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) infection.29 Adapted, with permission, from Carpenter TC, Stenmark KR. Predisposition of infants with chronic lung disease to respiratory syncytial virus-induced respiratory failure: a vascular hypothesis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2004; 23 (1 Suppl): S33–S40.

Figure 2

The occurrence of current asthma and “any wheezing” in 47 children hospitalised with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infancy, compared with that in 93 matched controls, at 1 year, 3 years and 7.5 years of age.43,44 “Current” is defined as being during the preceding year. *p 0.003; **p < 0.001; ***p < 0.0001; [dagger]p < 0.004 Reproduced, with permission, from Sigurs N, Bjarnason R, Sigurbergsson F, Kjellman B. Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy is an important risk factor for asthma and allergy at age 7. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 161: 1501–1507.

Figure 3

The effect of palivizumab on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced neurogenic inflammation in rats.55 ***p < 0.001. Reproduced, with permission, from Piedimonte G, King KA, Holmgren NL, Bertrand PJ, Rodriguez MM, Hirsch RL. A humanized monoclonal antibody against respiratory syncytial virus (palivizumab) inhibits RSV-induced neurogenic-mediated inflammation in rat airways. Pediatr Res 2000; 47: 351–356.