title: The influence of birth weight amongst 33-35 weeks gestational age (wGA) infants on the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisation: a pooled analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between birth weight and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisation during the first year of life in 33°-356weeks' gestational age (wGA) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pooled analysis of data (n = 1218) from Spain, Germany, France and Italy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RSV hospitalised infants overall had a significantly higher birth weight than non-hospitalised infants (2.24 versus 2.14 kg; p < 0.001) for both males (2.25 versus 2.18 kg; p = 0.049) and females (2.22 versus 2.11 kg, p = 0.007). The effect was significant only in 34 wGA infants (33 wGA: hospitalised 1.95 kg versus non-hospitalised 1.95 kg, p = 0.976; 34 wGA: 2.26 versus 2.14 kg, p = 0.007; 35 wGA: 2.37 versus 2.29 kg, p = 0.070), particularly female 34 wGA infants (female: 2.24 versus 2.08 kg, p = 0.019; male: 2.27 versus 2.20, p = 0.191). Birth weight was shown to be an independent risk factor for RSV hospitalisation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 33-35 wGA infants, a higher birth weight appeared independently associated with an increased risk of RSV hospitalisation.
authors.affiliation: a Neonatology Service, Hospital Clinic.Institut d'Investigacios Biomediques August Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Carbonell-Estrany
authors.affiliation: b Strategen Limited , Herriard , Park Estate, Herriard, Basingstoke, UK.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fullarton
authors.affiliation: c Former Employee of AbbVie , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Gooch
authors.affiliation: d Department of Neonatology , Centre d'Etudes Périnatales de l'Océan Indien and CIC-EC, University Hospital, GHSR , Reunion , France.
authors.forename: Jean-Bernard
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gouyon
authors.affiliation: e Paediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Hospital of Imola , Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanari
authors.affiliation: b Strategen Limited , Herriard , Park Estate, Herriard, Basingstoke, UK.
authors.forename: Barry S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Rodgers-Gray
authors.affiliation: f Department of Paediatrics , Queen Alexandra Hospital , Portsmouth , UK , and.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thwaites
authors.affiliation: c Former Employee of AbbVie , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Pamela G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Vo
authors.affiliation: g Department of Paediatric Infectiology and Immunology , University Children's Hospital, University of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Liese
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Bronchiolitis; lower respiratory tract infection; moderate preterm; prematurity; risk factors