Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and Apnea Risk As Criteria for Hospitalization in Full Term Healthy Infants

Abstract

Introduction: Apnea is recognized as a serious and potentially life-threatening complication associated with Respiratory Syncope Virus (RSV). The literature reports a wide range of apnea rates for infants with comorbid factors. Prematurity and young chronological age have been historically associated with the risk of apnea in hospitalized infants. Few studies have specifically examined the risk of apnea in healthy infants presenting to the emergency department.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of infants diagnosed with RSV using a PCR assay. Patients were divided into "mild" and "severe" cohorts based on symptoms at presentation. This study occurred in the NYU Langone Long Island (NYULI) pediatric emergency department (ED), a midsize academic hospital in the Northeast United States. The study included infants <6 months of age, born full term without comorbid conditions such as chronic lung or cardiac conditions, seen in NYULI ED over three consecutive RSV seasons (2017-2020). The primary outcome was the risk of apneic events. Secondary outcomes included hospital admission, ICU admission, length of stay, and supplemental oxygen support.

Results: The risk of apnea was <2%, regardless of disease severity. There were no significant differences in demographics between mild and severe disease. Cohorts differed significantly in the number of hospitalizations (41 milds vs. 132 severe), ICU admissions (2 milds vs. 27 severe), need for oxygen support (17 milds vs. 92 severe), hospital readmissions (2 milds vs. 42 severe), and length of stay (2 days milds vs. 3 days severe).

Conclusions: Apnea does not pose a significant risk for healthy full-term infants with RSV disease of any severity. The decision to admit this population to the hospital should be based on clinical presentation and not solely on the perceived risk of apnea.