Respiratory syncytial virus infections in Curacao

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To collect epidemiological data on the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Curacao and to assess a possible relation to seasons. DESIGN AND METHODS: All children aged 0 to 24 months admitted to the paediatric ward of St. Elisabeth Hospital in Curacao with acute lower respiratory tract illness (tachypnoea, dyspnoea with wheezing, crepitations or cough), from October 1998, to October 1999, were enrolled. Excluded from the study were patients whose respiratory symptoms were caused by a foreign body, congenital malformation of heart, lung or thorax. RESULTS: Forty-four children fulfilled the study criteria; 20 (47 percent) were RSV positive for parainfluenza virus. Almost half (48 percent) of the total population was ex-premature. The majority of the RSV infections occurred during the two rainy periods and >50 percent (n=34) of all children had acute otitis media. The frequency of otitis media, positive RSV test and length of hospital stay was higher for the ex-prematures. Cyanosis was present in 2/10 (20 percent) of RSV positive and 2/23 (9 percent) of RSV negative cases. None of the patients required artificial ventilation and none died. CONCLUSION: RSV infection does occur in Curacao mostly during the rainy season. Ex-prematures seem to be especially at risk and otitis media is found in the majority of cases. In the light of the growing number surviving extreme prematurity, RSV prophylaxis needs to be considered.(Au)