Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nirsevimab in Reducing Pediatric RSV Hospitalizations in Spain

Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization in infants. Nirsevimab has demonstrated to be a promising tool for preventing severe RSV disease. Although clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Nirsevimab in preventing severe RSV disease, evide...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Jimeno Ruiz, Sara, Peláez Laderas, Adrián, Labourt, Agustín, Acuña, Florencia Mercedes, Linares, Lucía, Llana Martín, Isabel, Calle Gómez, Ángeles, Natalini Martínez, Silvina
Format: article
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Camilo José Cela (UCJC)
Repository:Depósito Digital e-UCJC
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ucjc.edu:20.500.12020/1394
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/10/1160
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12020/1394
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12101160
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Ciencias Biomédicas
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Nirsevimab
Pediatric Respiratory Care
RSV-related Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Healthcare Burden Reduction
Description
Summary:Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization in infants. Nirsevimab has demonstrated to be a promising tool for preventing severe RSV disease. Although clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Nirsevimab in preventing severe RSV disease, evidence regarding its performance in real-world clinical settings is still limited due to its recent introduction. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by evaluating the impact of Nirsevimab in a cohort of infants and determining its effectiveness in reducing the burden of RSV disease. Methods: A retrospective study of RSV hospitalizations was conducted in children under six months of age, between 1 October and 31 March, across four seasons: pre-COVID (2018–2019), COVID (2019–2020), post-COVID pre-Nirsevimab (2022–2023), and Nirsevimab season (2023–2024). Results: Nirsevimab demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing RSV-related hospitalizations in infants under six months of age. During the 2023/2024 season, following the introduction of Nirsevimab, there was a substantial reduction in RSV-related lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) hospitalizations. Among infants under 3 months of age, hospitalizations decreased by 79.3% (IRR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.12–0.34). In infants aged 3 to 6 months, there was a 66.9% reduction (IRR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15–0.64). Additionally, Nirsevimab decreased the severity of RSV cases with LRTI who required the support of equipment for sanitary use, further reducing overall healthcare burden. Conclusions: These results underscore Nirsevimab’s vital role in preventing severe RSV infections and hospitalizations, especially among the most vulnerable infants, positioning it as a critical advancement in pediatric respiratory care.