title: Respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and correlation with meteorological factors and air pollutants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important cause of severe respiratory infections in infants with seasonal epidemics. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, air pollution) could influence RSV epidemics through their effects on virus activity and diffusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study on a paediatric population who referred to our Paediatric Emergency Unit in order to analyze the correlation between weekly incidence of RSV positive cases during winter season in Bologna and meteorological factors and air pollutants concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a significant correlation between the incidence of RSV infections and the mean minimum temperature registered during the same week and the previous weeks.The weekly number of RSV positive cases was also correlated to the mean PM10 concentration of the week before.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RSV epidemic trend in Bologna (Italy) is related to the mean minimum temperature, and the mean PM10 concentration.
authors: Neonatology -S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, Bologna, Italy. silviavandini@gmail.com
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Vandini
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Corvaglia
authors: Rosina
authors: R
authors: Alessandroni
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Aquilano
authors: Concetta
authors: C
authors: Marsico
authors: Marica
authors: M
authors: Spinelli
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Lanari
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Faldella
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter