Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated hospitalisations in children up to 6 years of age in Italy: a systematic review

Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated hospitalisations in children up to 6 years of age in Italy: a systematic review

Authors

  • Angela Bechini Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Cristina Salvati Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Benedetta Bonito Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Marco Del Riccio Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Enrica Stancanelli Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Mario Bruschi Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Giulia Ionita Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Johanna Iamarino Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Davide Bentivegna Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Primo Buscemi Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Giulia Ciardi Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Claudia Cosma Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Lorenzo Stacchini Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Sonia Paoli Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Cristiana Conticello Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Manjola Bega Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Annamaria Schirripa Medical Specialisation School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Lorenzo Bertizzolo Sanofi, Lyon, France
  • Barbara Muzii Sanofi, Milan, Italy
  • Maria Vittoria Azzi Sanofi, Milan, Italy
  • Salvatore Parisi Sanofi, Milan, Italy
  • Francesca Trippi Sanofi, Milan, Italy
  • Paolo Bonanni Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Sara Boccalini Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Keywords:

Respiratory infections, RSV, infants, paediatric population, inpatients, Hospital Discharge Records (HDRs), severe respiratory disease, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, LRTI

Abstract

Introduction. Respiratory syncytial virus is a leading cause of respiratory hospitalisations in infants. This systematic review (registration number: CRD42021248309) aims to synthesise the available evidence on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-related hospitalisations among children aged 0 to 6 years in Italy.
Methods. The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and International HTA, covering the period from January 2000 to July 2022, with a focus on studies that reported information on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-associated hospitalisation in children aged 0-6 years in Italy.
Results. Eight articles were included after screening 20,845 records. These retrospective studies reported that most hospitalisations were among those <1 year (71.5%-88.8%), infants aged <1 year were also at higher risk of hospitalisation in intensive care unit. Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections typically peaked December-February, with an atypical early start in August 2021. Subtype analysis showed alternating prevalence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-A and Respiratory Syncytial Virus-B across different seasons. Coinfections were not uncommon (1.1%-37.4%), with rhinovirus and bocavirus being the most frequent.
Conclusions. All infants at their first Respiratory Syncytial Virus season showed an increased risk of severe infection and hospitalisation, regardless of the gestational age at birth, compared to older participants. This systematic review will enrich the understanding about Respiratory Syncytial Virus disease and help support decisions regarding prevention efforts in Italy.

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Published

2025-04-30

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 2 (2025)

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Original research

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Copyright (c) 2025 Angela Bechini, Cristina Salvati, Benedetta Bonito, Marco Del Riccio, Enrica Stancanelli, Mario Bruschi, Giulia Ionita, Johanna Iamarino, Davide Bentivegna, Primo Buscemi, Giulia Ciardi, Claudia Cosma, Lorenzo Stacchini, Sonia Paoli, Cristiana Conticello, Manjola Bega, Annamaria Schirripa, Lorenzo Bertizzolo, Barbara Muzii, Maria Vittoria Azzi, Salvatore Parisi, Francesca Trippi, Paolo Bonanni, Sara Boccalini (Author)

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How to Cite

1.
Bechini A, Salvati C, Bonito B, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus associated hospitalisations in children up to 6 years of age in Italy: a systematic review. Ann Ig. 2025;37(2):241-254. doi:10.7416/ai.2024.2664