Strategies for reducing the burden of respiratory syncytial virus in high-risk infants

Respiratory syncytial viral infections cause considerable childhood morbidity, and in some countries significant mortality, especially in infants with pre-existing conditions such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and congenital heart disease. Currently, there is no active vaccine and attempts to prevent and ameliorate the effects of infection are focused on passive immunization by human monoclonal antibodies. This review focuses on the clinical sequelae of respiratory syncytial viral infections in high-risk patients and discusses the effects of public health measures and passive immunization on medical and socioeconomic outcomes.