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Trends in proportions of respiratory syncytial virus infections among reported respiratory tract infection cases in children aged 0 to 5 years in Western Pacific and Southeast Asia Regions: A systematic review and meta-analysis
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  • Young June Choe,
  • Sangshin Park,
  • Hyelan Lee,
  • Jung Yoon Park,
  • Hyun Jung Kim,
  • Lorenzo Bertizzolo,
  • Young Hwa Lee
Young June Choe
Korea University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Sangshin Park
University of Seoul
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Hyelan Lee
University of Seoul
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Jung Yoon Park
University of Seoul
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Hyun Jung Kim
Sanofi-Aventis Korea Co Ltd
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Lorenzo Bertizzolo
Sanofi Pasteur Inc
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Young Hwa Lee
Korea University
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Abstract

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children globally. This study aimed to incorporate new data to update estimates of RSV burden in children through 5 years of age in Western Pacific and Southeast Asia Regions. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the proportion of RSV among cases of respiratory tract infection (RTI) in children in Western Pacific and Southeast Asia Regions using random effects models. Studies were eligible if they met the following inclusion criteria: (1) observational studies such as cohort and cross-sectional studies; (2) studies on humans; (3) studies on patients with respiratory tract infection (RTI) or influenza-like illness (ILI); (4) studies reporting incidence or proportion of RSV infection among respiratory related illness; and (5) studies on children aged 5 years or less. Findings: A total of 4,403 studies were identified from an initial search. After screening titles, abstracts, and full-text review, a total of 173 studies that met predefined eligibility criteria were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of RSV infections among all ARTIs was 18.7% (95% CI: 16.0-21.5%), while the proportion of RSV infections among LRTIs was 28.7% (95% CI: 2.6-30.3) in children in Western Pacific and Southeast Asia Regions between 1970 and 2021. The proportion trend increased from 10.6% (95% CI: 2.90-22.2%) in the 1970s to 26.8% (95% CI: 22.0-31.9%) in the 1980s and 33.3% (95% CI :14.7-55.3%) in the 1990s. It then decreased to 25.0% (95% CI 22.8-27.3%) in the 2000s and 19.7% (95% CI 17.3-22.2%) in the 2010s. By country, Myanmar (50.0%; 95% CI, 47.5-52.4%) and New Zealand (45.3%; 95% CI, 37.2-56.4%) had the highest proportion during the overall time period, followed by Bhutan (45.2%; 95% CI, 36.4-54.3%), Lao PDR (41.0%; 95% CI, 36.2-46.0%), and Vietnam (36.0%; 95% CI, 19.3-53.6%). Interpretation: Substantial RSV-associated disease burden occurs in children in Western Pacific and Southeast Asia Regions. Our findings provide new and important evidence of the need for RSV prevention in Western Pacific and Southeast Asia countries. They could inform future preventive policy.
Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
08 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
11 Nov 20241st Revision Received