[Use of palivizumab in the prevention of syncytial virus respiratory infection].
BACKGROUND
Monthly intramuscular Palivizumab (Synagis, MedImmune, Inc.) is effective in reducing the incidence of RSV-attributable hospitalization by 55% if compared with placebo and seems to be well tolerated.


METHODS
Our clinical experience in the use of palivizumab in RSV-prophylaxis is presented. During autumn-winter 1999-2000, a total of 8 newborns (gestational age between 28-34 weeks) in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) met the AAP recommendations for RSV-immunoprophylaxis. Palivizumab was monthly administered at a dosage of 15 mg/kg i.m. at discharge from the NICU and during the RSV season. Infants were followed up to 40 days from the last injection for adverse reactions and clinical data.


RESULTS
Among eligible newborns, two (28 and 29 weeks respectively) were affected by CLD and required medical therapy at discharge, 4 were born at 29-32 weeks and 2 (both of them born at 34 weeks) had additional risk factors of infection (crowded environment, passive smoking). During RSV season, none of the infants experienced RSV-hospitalization nor lower respiratory tract infection. Mild and transient adverse effects occurred in 2 cases out of 8 (induration in the site of injection and irritability).


CONCLUSIONS
In our series of patients, palivizumab resulted safe and effective.
Vagnarelli
F
F
Unità Operativa di Pediatria e Terapia Intensiva Neonatale Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia. vagnarelli.federica@asmn.re.it
Magnani
C
C
Vancini
A
A
Bonacini
G
G
Iori
A
A
Mariani
S
S
Attanasio
M
M
Banchini
G
G
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000069455:Palivizumab; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000069455:Palivizumab