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Modelling respiratory syncytial virus age-specific risk of hospitalisation in term and preterm infantsRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children worldwide. The highest incidence of severe disease is in the first 6 months of life, with infants born preterm at greatest risk for severe RSV infections.
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RSV responsible for one out of every 50 childhood deaths worldwideThe urgency for a world-first respiratory syncytial virus vaccine is at an all-time high.
Research
Preoperative preparation of children with upper respiratory tract infection: a focussed narrative reviewThis review summarises the current evidence for the perioperative preparation in children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), including COVID-19 infection. URTI, including COVID-19 infection, are common and frequent in children who present for elective surgery. Children with URTI are at increased risk of perioperative respiratory adverse events.
Research
Factors Predicting Secondary Respiratory Morbidity Following Early-Life Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections: Population-Based Cohort StudyThe association between early-life respiratory syncytial virus infections and later respiratory morbidity is well established. However, there is limited evidence on factors that influence this risk. We examined sociodemographic and perinatal factors associated with later childhood respiratory morbidity requiring secondary care following exposure to a laboratory-confirmed RSV episode in the first 2 years.
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Prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in Aboriginal children: A whole population studyThe burden of bronchiectasis is disproportionately high in Aboriginal adults, with early mortality. Bronchiectasis precursors, that is, protracted bacterial bronchitis and chronic suppurative lung disease, often commence in early childhood.
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Immunogenicity, otitis media, hearing impairment, and nasopharyngeal carriage 6-months after 13-valent or ten-valent booster pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, stratified by mixed priming schedules: PREVIX_COMBO and PREVIX_BOOST randomised controlled trialsAustralian First Nations children are at very high risk of early, recurrent, and persistent bacterial otitis media and respiratory tract infection. With the PREVIX randomised controlled trials, we aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of novel pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) schedules.
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Cord-blood respiratory syncytial virus antibodies and respiratory health in first 5 years of lifeTo determine the potential longer-term effects of maternal antenatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination, we examined the association between cord-blood RSV-neutralizing antibodies (RSV-NA) and RSV infections in the first 2 years of life, RSV-NA at 3 years, and respiratory health to age 5 years.
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Characterising the epidemiology of RSV in Australian children through record linkage: clinical burden, outcomes and risk factorsHannah Peter Moore Richmond OAM BSc (Hons) GradDipClinEpi PhD MBBS MRCP(UK) FRACP Head, Infectious Diseases Research Head, Vaccine Trials Group 08
Research
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Strain Evolution and Mutations in Western Australia in the Context of Nirsevimab ProphylaxisNirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody used to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants and high-risk children. During the 2024 RSV season in Western Australia, 21 922 doses were administered to infants entering their first season and 1221 doses to at-risk children. In this context, the selection and spread of escape variants are a potential concern. This study aimed to investigate nirsevimab binding site mutations using clinical and wastewater data.
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RSV vaccine for pregnant women provides protection for babies: studyA world-first study has found a new vaccine against potentially deadly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is safe and effective for use in pregnant women, to help protect their babies.