As virus season approaches, leading experts discuss how to protect premature infants against RSV, a potentially dangerous virus

What:
More than 300,000 premature infants are born prior to 36 weeks gestation each year in the United States, approximately one every 60 seconds. Underdeveloped lungs and weak immune systems leave these fragile patients susceptible to respiratory illnesses. During virus season, which begins in late October, these babies are at a higher risk of developing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that may be up to 10 times more deadly than influenza in children under 1 year of age.

RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection and viral death in children under 5 years of age.

RSV is leading cause of hospitalization of children under age 1.

Each year approximately 400 children under the age of 1 die from RSV ; in 2003-2004, 32 children under age 2 died from the flu.

Because RSV shares many symptoms with the common cold and influenza, it often goes un- or misdiagnosed, raising the risk of serious health complications. During this national media teleconference, experts from Children's Hospital Boston and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses will discuss:

Recent studies on the long-term impact of RSV on children's health

Signs/symptoms of and treatment for RSV

How to protect infants from RSV infection and promote long-term lung health

When:
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT
Please R.S.V.P. to contacts listed above to obtain the teleconference call-in number and password, and background materials.

Speakers:
1. Dr. Kenneth McIntosh
Infectious Disease Specialist, Children's Hospital Boston
Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

2. Dr. Anne Hansen
Neonatologist, NICU Medical Director, Children's Hospital Boston
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School

3. Angela Burd, R.N.C., C.C.N.S.
NICU Advanced Practice Nurse, National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) representative

4. Dr. John J. Labella, F.A.A.P.
Pediatrician, Children's Community Pediatrics, Cranberry Township, Pa.

5. Maureen Doolan Boyle
Executive Director, Mothers of Supertwins (MOST)

6. A mother of two children: a child who had RSV and a preemie who received RSV-prevention medication

Source: Eurekalert & others

Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 21 Feb 2009
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.

 

 

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