Burden of RSV-associated ALRI in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral cause of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI) with significant childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among those with underlying diseases such as congenital heart disease (CHD). Estimates reporting RSV-ALRI severity in children with CHD are lacking, thus warranting the need to summarize the available data.

Objectives: The aim of the current project was to identify relevant studies, to summarize the findings, and to conduct a meta-analysis of available data on RSV-associated ALRI hospitalizations in children under five years of age with underlying CHD compared to those without.

Methods: Two authors conducted a systematic search of existing relevant literature. The populations of interest were hospitalized children less than five years old with RSV-associated ALRI and CHD (CHDRSV) and the comparison group was cases of RSV-associated ALRI hospitalizations without CHD (non-CHDRSV). We summarized the data and conducted a random effects meta-analysis for outcomes reported by two or more studies using median, mean difference, risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR), and incidence rate ratio (IRR).