Respiratory Syncytial Virus Burden and Healthcare Utilization in United States Infants <1 Year of Age: Study of Nationally Representative Databases, 2011-2019

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalizations in United States infants aged <1 year, but research has focused on select populations. Methods National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample and National Emergency Department (ED) Sample data (2011-2019) were used to report RSV hospitalization (RSVH), bronchiolitis hospitalization (BH), and ED visit counts, percentage of total hospitalizations/visits, and rates per 1000 live births along with inpatient mortality, mechanical ventilation (MV), and total charges (2020 US dollars). Results Average annual RSVH and RSV ED visits were 56 927 (range, 43 845-66 155) and 131 999 (range, 89 809-177 680), respectively. RSVH rates remained constant over time (P = .5), whereas ED visit rates increased (P = .004). From 2011 through 2019, Medicaid infants had the highest average rates (RSVH: 22.3 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 21.5-23.1] per 1000; ED visits: 55.9 [95% CI, 52.4-59.4] per 1000) compared to infants with private or other/unknown insurance (RSVH: P < .0001; ED visits: P < .0001). From 2011 through 2019, for all races and ethnicities, Medicaid infants had higher average RSVH rates (up to 7 times) compared to infants with private or other/unknown insurance. RSVH mortality remained constant over time (P = .8), whereas MV use (2019: 13% of RSVH, P < .0001) and mean charge during hospitalization (2019: $21 513, P < .0001) increased. Bronchiolitis patterns were similar. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of ensuring access to RSV preventive measures for all infants.

Automated summary

This study highlights the importance of ensuring access to RSV preventive measures for all infants and reveals the rates and trends of RSV hospitalizations and emergency department visits among infants with different insurance types.