Review Article

Effectiveness of Palivizumab in Preventing RSV Hospitalization in High Risk Children: A Real-World Perspective

Table 3

Studies on association between palivizumab dosing and RSV-associated hospitalization.

Author, year, and locationStudy designTimelineStudy populationIntervention strategySample sizeDose of palivizumabRSV hospitalization rateConclusionQuality
of study

(17) Forgel et al., 2008, USA [44]Palivizumab outcome registry review2000–2004High risk infants and young children eligible for palivizumab Association between rates of RSV hospitalization and site of palivizumab administration 17,641 in clinic setting and 1226 in home setting 88% in home setting and 81% in clinic setting received the appropriate number of dosing Received palivizumab at home: 0.4% (5/1226) Received palivizumab in clinic: 1.2% (207/17,641)
()
Home administration of palivizumab may be preferred for high risk infants at risk of RSV hospitalizationLow

(18) Palivizumab Outcomes Registry Study Group, 2003, USA [34]Record review2000-2001All children eligible for palivizumab according to AAP guidelines [40]Received at least one dose of palivizumab2,0491,638 of 2,049 (80%) children were compliant with the scheduled dosing of palivizumab 
472 (23%) of 2,049 infants missed or had a delay in receiving an injection
RSV hospitalization slightly higher in noncompliant infants (3.4% versus 2.8%, ) 
Hospitalization rate significantly higher in infants who missed or delayed an injection (4.4% versus 2.4%)
()
Missed or delayed palivizumab injections may increase the incidence of hospitalizationLow

(19) Resch et al., 2006, Austria [43]Cohort study 2001–2003Premature infants of GA 29–32 weeks with and without BPDComparison between infants receiving adequate dosing of palivizumab and those receiving at least 1 dose of palivizumab238 children received palivizumab Mean number of injections/child 2.5 ± 1.6 Adequate prophylaxis: 3.3%
 Inadequate prophylaxis: 8.1%
()
Missed or delayed palivizumab injections may increase the incidence of hospitalization Low

(20) Chadha et al., 2012, USA [42]Cohort study 2005–2009 Premature infants < 32 week GA Relation between different dosing rate of palivizumab and hospital admission1965 infants0 doses: <29 week
GA = 42%,
29–31 week
GA = 39.8%
At least 1 dose: <29 week
GA = 58%,
29–31 week
GA = 60.2%
Full dose: <29 week
GA = 14.8%,
29–31 week
GA = 17.6%
Weak positive correlation between palivizumab dosing and hospital admissions

Spearman rho = 0.012
Overall reduced dosing of palivizumab and seasonal variation in severity of RSV disease may have affected the results Low

(21) Alexander et al., 2012, Australia [37]Cohort study 2005–2009 Infants with HS-CHDPatients who received palivizumab on ad hoc basis (2005–2007) versus patients who received it systematically (2008-2009)120 (3 in 2005–2007 and 117 between 2008 and 2009)2005–2007: mean 1-2/child
2008-2009: mean 4/child
2005–2007: 7–9 patients/year
2008–2009: 2-3 patients/year
()
Systematic administration of palivizumab reduced hospitalization ratesLow