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Human respiratory syncytial virus risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Bassel Almarie M.D.[2]

Risk factors

Risk factors

Patient Groups at High Risk for Severe RSV Disease:[1]

  • Prematurity
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Neuromuscular Impairment
  • Immunodeficiency
  • Immunosuppression
  • Down Syndrome
  • Age < 6 months at the beginning of the RSV season
  • Multiple birth
  • Male sex
  • Low socio-economic status and parental education
  • Crowded living conditions/siblings
  • Maternal smoking and indoor smoke pollution
  • Malnutrition/small for gestational age
  • Family history of atopy of asthma
  • Low cord serum antibody titers
  • Living at altitude

Risk Factors for Acquisition of RSV:[1]

  • Birth before or during RSV season
  • Day care attendance/older siblings in school or day-care
  • Lack of breastfeeding
References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sommer C, Resch B, Simões EA (2011). “Risk factors for severe respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection”. Open Microbiol J. 5: 144–54. doi:10.2174/1874285801105010144. PMC 3258650. PMID 22262987.

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