Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the European Union: estimation of RSV-associated hospitalizations in children under 5 years
Marco Del Riccio, Peter Spreeuwenberg, Richard Osei‐Yeboah, Caroline Klint Johannesen, Liliana Vázquez Fernández, Anne Teirlinck, Xin Wang, Terho Heikkinen, Mathieu Bangert, Saverio Caini, Harry Campbell, John Paget, the RESCEU Investigators, Harish Nair, Harry Campbell, Philippe Beutels, Louis Bont, Andrew J. Pollard, Peter Openshaw, Federico Martinón‐Torres, Terho Heikkinen, Adam Meijer, Thea Kølsen Fischer, Maarten van den Berge, Carlo Giaquinto, Michael E. Abram, Kena A. Swanson, Bishoy Rizkalla, Charlotte Vernhes, Scott Gallichan, Jeroen Aerssens, Veena Kumar, Eva Molero
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No overall estimate of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated hospitalizations in children aged under 5 years has been published for the European Union (EU). We aimed to estimate the RSV hospitalization burden in children aged under 5 years in EU countries and Norway, by age group. METHODS: We collated national RSV-associated hospitalization estimates calculated using linear regression models via the RESCEU project for Denmark, England, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, and Scotland, 2006-2018. Additional estimates were obtained from a systematic review. Using multiple imputation and nearest neighbor matching methods, we estimated overall RSV-associated hospitalizations and rates in the EU. RESULTS: Additional estimates for 2 countries (France and Spain) were found in the literature. In the EU, an average of 245 244 (95% confidence interval [CI], 224 688-265 799) yearly hospital admissions with a respiratory infection per year were associated with RSV in children aged under 5 years, with most cases occurring among children aged under 1 year (75%). Infants aged under 2 months represented the most affected group (71.6 per 1000 children; 95% CI, 66.6-76.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings will help support decisions regarding prevention efforts and represent an important benchmark to understand changes in the RSV burden following the introduction of RSV immunization programs in Europe.