Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2007 Mar;17(1):56-62.

Effects of Early and Low-Dose Ribavirin Therapy on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Previously Healthy Infants

• Koh JY
• Kim DW
• Lee HS
• Kim BE
• Kim CK
• Chey MJ
• Kim SW
• Shin BM
• Kim SJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: we performed this study to determine whether early and low dose ribavirin therapy for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in previously healthy infants may reduce the duration of hospital stay.
METHODS
Thirty-four Previously healthy infants with RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled in this study. Early in the course of illness, less than 5 days, aerosol ribavirin was administered at a low, single-dose (3 g/150 mL/day) and then we assessed the duration of hospital stays for 16 infants treated with ribavirin (ribavirin group) and 18 infants who received conservative treatment (control group).
RESULTS
The baseline characteristics of each group were not significantly different with respect to gestational age, birth weight, age, sex, weight, and height. On admission, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the respiratory rate and body temperature. Duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the ribavirin group (4.4+/-0.3 days) as compared to the control group (5.5+/-0.3 days) (P=0.02).
CONCLUSION
Early and low-dose ribavirin therapy for RSV bronchiolitis in previously healthy infants may decrease duration of hospital stay.

Keyword

Ribavirin; Respiratory syncytial virus; Bronchiolitis

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Body Temperature
Bronchiolitis*
Gestational Age
Hospitalization
Humans
Infant*
Length of Stay
Respiratory Rate
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses*
Ribavirin*
Ribavirin