Baseline predictors of hospital length of stay in children with
respiratory syncytial virus infection: A retrospective analysis of three
prospective observational studies
Abstract
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of
hospitalisation in infants and children. This study aimed to identify
common patient characteristics and baseline predictors of hospital
length of stay (LOS) among infants diagnosed with RSV infection.
Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of data from three separate
prospective observational paediatric studies in Belgium, Japan, and New
Zealand. Hospitalised children ≤5 years of age with a
laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of RSV infection and an onset of symptoms
≤5 days prior to hospitalisation were considered for inclusion. We
collected demographic and clinical information and the hospital LOS for
each patient. LOS was assessed by age, presence of comorbidity, presence
of prematurity, duration of symptoms and by country. Results: Overall,
181 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of patients
(84%; 152/181) were otherwise healthy; only 16% (29/181) had
comorbidity. Median hospital LOS was longer in Belgium and Japan than in
New Zealand (5, 7, and 3 days, respectively). Presence of comorbidity
prolonged hospital stay, with the effect on hospital LOS varying by
country. Age, duration of symptoms prior to hospitalisation, and
premature birth were not predictive of hospital LOS. Conclusion: In this
cohort of children ≤5 years old hospitalised for RSV infection, medical
practice varied greatly between countries. Although overall, comorbidity
was associated with longer LOS, while other predictive factors were of
little value in estimating LOS.