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RSV-related pediatric hospitalizations in Canada more than doubled in 2022-2023 compared to pre-pandemic average

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RSV Hospitalizations Surged in 2022-2023 Season, Study Finds

Key Findings

A new study reveals RSV-related hospitalizations at Canadian pediatric hospitals more than doubled in the 2022-2023 season compared to pre-pandemic averages.

  • 5,362 RSV-related hospitalizations were recorded at 13 Canadian pediatric hospitals in 2022-2023
  • Annual average of 2,517 in the 2017-2019 pre-pandemic period
  • The peak arrived earlier and was higher than in previous seasons, with variation by province

Infants Under 6 Months Hit Hardest

Infants under 6 months accounted for over 40% of all hospitalizations and more than 60% of intensive care admissions, according to the study published in CMAJ.

Dr. Jesse Papenburg, co-lead author, emphasized: "The greatest burden remained among infants under 6 months, who accounted for more than 60% of intensive care admissions."

Understanding the Rise

Over 75% of pediatric RSV hospitalizations occur in otherwise healthy children. RSV is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Aariana Lopes, first author, explained that the lifting of public health measures delayed normal RSV exposure, leading many children to contract their first infection after age two.

Prevention and Next Steps

Dr. Papenburg encouraged families to use available preventive measures, including:

  • Monoclonal antibodies
  • Maternal vaccination

"Families should be encouraged to use available preventive measures," Dr. Papenburg stated, noting these tools can help protect the most vulnerable infants.