There has been an increase in the number of children who require intensive care after an infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a type of seasonal common cold virus, in Pune.

RSV primarily affects children below five years of age and does not have a specific treatment. Pediatric intensivist Sumant Patil from Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital said that last year, there were hardly any patients of RSV infection at their pediatric ICU. Even in 2019, they did not have as many cases as this year. Besides dengue, they have started seeing children with RSV infection in the ICU from the last week of July and the cases are peaking now.

Chief pediatrician and neonatologist at Surya Mother and Child Care Superspeciality Hospital, Sachin Shah, stated that since the month of July, they have seen around 50 admissions every month to the pediatric ICU due to respiratory infections. Some have tested positive for RSV.

Outbreaks of respiratory infections commonly occur during monsoon. However, the awareness is higher this year, said Shah, on account of increased testing facilities. PCR-based diagnostic modalities can be performed to diagnose influenza viruses and RSV.

Jitendra Oswal, deputy medical director of Bharati Medical College and Hospital, said that they see 7-10 cases every day and nearly 25% of these children with RSV need PICU care.

RSV leads to inflammation of the respiratory system, excessive mucoid secretions that clog the airways, resulting in inadequate oxygenation, breathing problems, and prolonged cough. The kids have exhaustion and weakness as their feeding is reduced. Their breathing becomes abnormal and fast, which weakens them further and they need ICU care.

Children who develop severe infection with RSV need prolonged respiratory support as oxygen therapy and high flow nasal cannula or CPAP support.

Source: ET Healthworld