Effect of monoclonal antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus in preterm children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia according to follow-up

Aim. To assess the effect and safety of palivizumab to prevent the bronchopulmonary dysplasia complications in preterm children according to follow-up.

Methods. The study included 48 very preterm infants (birth weight ranged from 732-1640 g) with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, who were divided into two groups. The main group included children who received passive immunization by palivizumab (31 children), the comparison group included un-immunized children (17 patients). The diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in children at 28 days of postnatal life has been set according to clinical and radiological data. After being discharged from the department of pathology of newborn, children were followed-up for 12 months in the center of preterm children follow-up. Average age of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 4.2±1.3 months at passive immunization initiation. The drug was administered by intramuscular injection at a dose of 15 mg/kg once monthly.

Results. Lower respiratory tract infections were observed in 6 (19.3%) patients from the first group, including 4 cases of obstructive bronchitis and 2 cases of pneumonia. These patients received incomplete course of immunization. In children who did not receive specific prophylaxis, respiratory infections were registered in 7 (41.2%) patients, with 2 cases accompanied by severe respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. No adverse effects were identified while palivizumab treatment.

Conclusion. Palivizumab is currently the only effective drug to prevent the severe respiratory syncytial virus infection; good safety of the drug makes it possible to reconsider the contraindication of its use in high-risk children with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.