Bronchiolitis: Study confirms the effectiveness of a means of a fundamental resources in Luxembourg
Beyfortus, treatment for immunization of babies against the main virus that causes bronchiolitis is very effective in preventing serious infections with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in infants. This is confirmed by a comprehensive study published on Friday.
The research work published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health provides the most comprehensive evaluation of this treatment so far, after earlier national studies have already demonstrated a reduction in hospitalization rates in infants.
Nirsevimab, according to the name of the active ingredient, is not a vaccine, but a preventive treatment.
Bronchiolitis, which causes breathing difficulties, especially in the first six months of life, is usually harmless, but can sometimes lead to emergency rooms and hospital stays.
Approved in Luxembourg since 2023
Beyfortus is part of a number of innovative treatment methods that aim to prevent or restrict the infection with the main virus that causes this disease. Nirsevimab, according to the name of the active ingredient, is not a vaccine, even if it is injected, but a preventive treatment that prevents the virus from infected the body.
After successful clinical tests, this monoclonal antibody – which was developed by Sanofi in partnership with the British company AstraZeneca – initially granted approval by the EU. This followed in Luxembourg a year later. In autumn 2023, nationwide immunization began in the Grand Duchy.
Nirsevimab reduces the risk of hospitalization due to infection with the most important bronchiolitis virus by an average of 83 percent. Photo: Shutterstock
According to the meta-analysis of 27 studies published on Friday, which was carried out in the RSV season 2023-2024 in five countries (France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, USA), the risk of hospital residence due to infection with the most important bronchiolitis virus is by an average of 83 percent, the inclusion of the intensive care unit by 81 percent and the cases of infections from the lower airways Children aged twelve months and disciples by 75 percent.
The immunization seemed to be more effective in preventing hospital admissions over three months (81 percent) than in infants of three months or younger (76 percent), according to the authors.
Meta -analysis only meaningful to a limited extent
However, the effectiveness of nirsevimab when reducing the hospital admissions due to bronchiolitis vary from country to country. In the United States, Nirsevimab’s effectiveness was 93 percent higher than in Spain (83 percent) and France (76 percent).
The invisible crisis after birth in focus
The researchers consider it possible that more infants were treated with high risk for serious infections in the United States, since this category was primarily treated in the Bronchiolitis season 2023-2024 due to the limited availability of Beyfortus. Further examinations would be required to check this hypothesis.
This meta -analysis has restrictions and give the authors. The studies taken into account were observation studies, which can lead to distortions due to the underlying health problems, the socio -economic status or regional differences when accessing health care.
