A Review of Recent Cluster of Hospitalization-related Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Post-COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of viral respiratory illnesses in children, typically presenting during the winter. The sudden increase in RSV patients admitted to Rustaq Hospital in Oman between October and December 2023 was investigated to determine the factors associated and recommend countermeasures. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from the Al Shifa system. Bivariate and multivariate analysis to determine the association between predictors and severity was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23.0. Results: Eighty-seven RSV-positive patients were hospitalized; the median age was 2 (1–5) months. Men comprised 52% of the cases, children aged <4 months represented 62% of the cases, 20% of the patients were aged 4–7 months, and 13.8% were aged ≥12 months. Among these patients, 93% presented with shortness of breath, 93% had a cough, and 77% had a fever. Preterm babies represented 26% of the cases, of which 52% and 26% were on non-invasive ventilation and intubation, respectively. Patients aged <4 months (adjusted odds ratio = 35.84, P = 0.02) versus those aged >12 months and a high level of C-reactive protein (adjusted odds ratio = 0.480, P = 0.02) compared to a normal level associated with higher risk of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. There is no comparable RSV data from the same hospital or Oman. Conclusions: Severe RSV infection was frequently observed among younger infants who have a high C-reactive protein. Younger children will benefit from RSV vaccination and treatment with monoclonal antibodies that may reduce the severity of RSV infection.