Adherence to the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics Palivizumab Prophylaxis Recommendations

INTRODUCTION This study aims to describe adherence rates to the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Disease guidance document recommending which patients should receive palivizumab for prophylaxis against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). METHODS A retrospective, single-center analysis of patients who received at least one dose of palivizumab between October 1, 2012, and March 1, 2017 was conducted. Data collected included demographics, medical history, palivizumab administration regimens, and incidence of RSV infection. RESULTS Data were collected on 457 patients who received palivizumab over five RSV seasons. Approximately half of the patients (45% and 55%, respectively) received palivizumab according to the AAP recommendations in place at the time (2012 or 2014 recommendations, respectively). One percent of patients had a breakthrough RSV infection after receiving at least one dose of palivizumab. There was no significant difference in the number of breakthrough infections before and after the 2014 recommendations were released (3 vs. 2). CONCLUSIONS Approximately half of the patients received prophylaxis in accordance with the 2014 AAP recommendations and infrequently suffered from a breakthrough RSV infection.