Effectiveness of palivizumab immunoprophylaxis in preterm infants against respiratory syncytial virus disease in Qatar

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to document the hospitalization rate due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and compliance with palivizumab use in preterm infants receiving palivizumab immunoprophylaxis during 2009-2012 RSV seasons. Design: This is a descriptive single-center cohort study. Infants who were <= 35-week gestational age were eligible for enrollment if they received the first palivizumab dose between November 1 and March 31 (2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012). Primary endpoint was defined as RSV hospitalization of duration 24 hours or longer. Results: The cumulative RSV hospitalization rate in the registry (2009-2012) was 1.9%. The compliance rate was 85.7%. It showed steady increase across the 3 successive RSV seasons, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 (57.7% vs 92.6%, 94.2%, respectively, p<0.05). The RSV hospitalization rate decreased from 3.7% for 2009-2010 to 1.3% for 2010-2011 and 1.7% for 2011-2012 RSV seasons. No deaths and no side effects linked to palivizumab injections were reported for any subjects enrolled. Conclusion: Our study provides national data regarding characteristics, compliance rate, and hospitalization outcomes for preterm infants receiving palivizumab in Qatar. Our data is consistent with the previously reported efficacy and safety profile of palivizumab.