Prophylaxis with palivizumab against respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants with congenital heart disease -: who should receive it?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the leading cause of infection of the lower respiratory tract in infants, and is also the leading cause of hospitalization during the first year of life. In this issue of Acta Paediatrica, Meberg and Bru report on the incidence and estimated costs of hospitalizations for RSV infections in children with congenital heart disease from a specified region in Norway. Conclusion: Incidence figures of hospitalization due to RSV infection in this high-risk group of infants were similar to the results from several other reports. The cost-benefit analysis of prophylaxis against RSV infection in infants with congenital heart disease, using the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, should also take into account potential savings attributable to such prophylaxis.