OBJECTIVES Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization in young children, but there are little data on RSV infections in early childhood in the community. We conducted a prospective population-based birth-cohort study to determine the rates and characteristics of RSV infections in young children. METHODS We followed 923 children for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) from birth to age 24 months with daily diaries and study clinic visits. Nasal swab samples were obtained at the onset of ARIs and analyzed for RSV by RT-PCR and antigen tests. The rates of RSV infections and associated outcomes were estimated. RESULTS RSV was detected in 289 (6%) of 4728 ARIs with a nasal sample. The mean estimated annual rate of RSV infections was 37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 35-38) per 100 children at age 0-24 months. For RSV-associated outcomes, the estimated annual rates per 100 children were 34 (95% CI, 32-37) physician visits, 16 (95% CI, 15-17) antibiotic treatments, 12 (95% CI, 11-13) acute otitis media, and 6 (95% CI, 4-7) wheezing illnesses. The prevalence of RSV was 0.6% in asymptomatic children. CONCLUSIONS RSV infections impose a high burden of disease in healthy young children in the community.

中文翻译：

---

社区0-24个月龄儿童的呼吸道合胞病毒感染。

目的呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）是幼儿住院的主要原因，但是社区中关于RSV感染的数据很少。我们进行了一项基于人群的前瞻性出生队列研究，以确定幼儿中RSV感染的发生率和特征。方法我们追踪了923名从出生到24个月大的急性呼吸道感染（ARI）患儿，并每天进行日记和研究诊所就诊。在ARI发作时获得鼻拭子样品，并通过RT-PCR和抗原测试分析RSV。估计RSV感染率和相关结局。结果在鼻样品中的4728例ARI中有289例（6％）检测到RSV。0至24个月大时，每100名儿童的RSV感染的年均估计感染率为37（95％置信区间[CI]为35-38）。对于与RSV相关的结局，每100名儿童的估计年发病率为34（95％CI，15-17）医师就诊，16（95％CI，15-17）抗生素治疗，12（95％CI，11-13）。急性中耳炎和6种（95％CI，4-7）喘息性疾病。无症状儿童的RSV患病率为0.6％。结论RSV感染给社区中健康的幼儿带来了很大的疾病负担。