Palivizumab prophylaxis is recommended for which population during RSV season?

Palivizumab prophylaxis is recommended for which population during RSV season?

• A. All newborns
• B. Term infants
• C. Infants with congenital heart disease only
• D. Infants born before 29 weeks gestation during RSV season

Answer: (D)

Palivizumab is used as targeted RSV prevention for infants at highest risk of severe disease during RSV season. The strongest, guideline-supported group is infants born very preterm, because their lungs are underdeveloped and they have the greatest vulnerability to RSV hospitalization. Giving monthly palivizumab during RSV season markedly reduces hospitalization risk in these infants, making them the population most clearly appropriate for prophylaxis. All newborns aren’t routinely protected this way because the risk-benefit balance isn’t favorable for low-risk, term infants. Infants with congenital heart disease can qualify in some scenarios (particularly if the disease is significant), but among the choices, the group with the clearest, most widely supported indication during RSV season is those born before 29 weeks gestation.

Palivizumab is used as targeted RSV prevention for infants at highest risk of severe disease during RSV season. The strongest, guideline-supported group is infants born very preterm, because their lungs are underdeveloped and they have the greatest vulnerability to RSV hospitalization. Giving monthly palivizumab during RSV season markedly reduces hospitalization risk in these infants, making them the population most clearly appropriate for prophylaxis.

All newborns aren’t routinely protected this way because the risk-benefit balance isn’t favorable for low-risk, term infants. Infants with congenital heart disease can qualify in some scenarios (particularly if the disease is significant), but among the choices, the group with the clearest, most widely supported indication during RSV season is those born before 29 weeks gestation.