title: Indications to respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis in the 29-32 wGA group: is there still room for debating?
abstract: Guidelines on immunoprophylaxis for prevention of RSV infection recommend it in preterm babies born before 29 wGA; in babies affected by bronchopulmonary dysplasia or congenital heart defects; and in post-heart transplantation patients. On the contrary, immunoprophylaxis is not recommended in preterm babies born between 29 and 35 wGA. We evaluated the impact of RSV-related healthcare expenditures in infants in the first 3 years of life in Italy, Lombardy Region. In light of the collected data and considering the cost of a complete palivizumab prophylaxis, extending it to babies 29-32 wGA, aged less than 6 months, appears to be a cost-effective strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Castelvetro 32, Milan, 20154, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianvincenzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Castelvetro 32, Milan, 20154, Italy. valentina.fabiano@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fabiano
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007558:Italy; D000069455:Palivizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000069455:Palivizumab
keywords: Palivizumab; Preterm; Prophilaxys; Respiratory syncytial virus