742 Seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus hospital admissions in England. (17th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davidson, Craig; Hudson, Richard; Odedra, Heena; Reeves, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A238
• Page End: A239
• Publication Date: 2022-08-17
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and hospitalisations in children worldwide and has a substantial clinical and economic burden. 1 Underdiagnosis of RSV is a significant issue, so models have been developed to predict cases based on associated conditions such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and LRTIs. 2 RSV activity is typically seasonal, burdening healthcare services during the epidemics. 3 This research seeks to describe the seasonal aspect of RSV in England. Methods: Using Hospital Episode Statistics data of admissions at NHS hospitals in England 4 from April 2014 – March 2019, non-elective admissions associated with RSV, bronchiolitis, and LRTIs, were extracted by ICD10 diagnosis in any position for infants ≤1 year and compared to predicted estimates from the published literature. 2 Results: From 2014 to 2019, RSV-coded admissions increased from Week 40 (October); peaked at Week 47 to 51 (December); and decreased to baseline levels around Week 3 of the following year ( figure 1 ) Predicted RSV admissions numbers were higher than RSV-coded admissions and suggest a longer season than that estimated via RSV-coded admissions alone Bronchiolitis- and LRTI-coded admissions followed a similar seasonal pattern to RSV An unseasonal peak in cases in week 12 (March to April) was driven by an increase in 2015/16 and 2018/19 years only Conclusion: RSV epidemics are highly seasonal in England and last for 4 to 5 months. In the observed data, the winter peak varied little in timing or magnitude from 2014 to 2019. Recent RSV seasonality is expected to have been impacted by non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing to reduce the transmission of COVID-19; however, the extent of any impact is currently uncertain. The longer season observed using predicted RSV admissions highlights the importance of examining RSV-associated admissions and is most likely due to the underdiagnosis of RSV. Identifying seasonal patterns is important for future planning for the healthcare system, impacts policy decisions and budget considerations for resource allocation, and assists in planning implementation strategies for future interventions preventing RSV.