Children with RSV Infection Who Sought Medical Care Had High Prevalence of Family History of Atopy

RATIONALE: Understanding the association of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and atopy may have important clinical implications. METHODS: Children who were hospitalized or seen in the outpatient clinic from October 2003 through October 2004 were enrolled in the CDC-funded New Vaccine Surveillance Network. Enrolled children had culture or PCR-confirmed RSV infection. Mothers who agreed to be contacted were telephoned and invited to participate. Maternal interview included a family history of atopy (allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, urticaria) and was obtained using the International Study of Allergies and Asthma in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 75 eligible RSV positive children, 39 (52%) mothers agreed to be contacted by telephone and 22 (56%) questionnaires were completed. Nine of the 22 (41%) patients were hospitalized, and the others were seen in the outpatient setting. Twenty-one of the 22 (95.5%) RSV-positive children seen in the inpatient or outpatient settings had a family history of atopy. Of these, 95% had a family history of allergic rhinitis and 67% of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Young children with RSV infection who required medical care and whose mothers participated in the study demonstrated a very high prevalence of family history of atopy. The results of this study are limited by the low participation rate. Further studies are needed to determine the strength of association between family history of atopy and severity of illness. As children with family history of atopy may be at increased risk to develop severe symptoms with RSV infection, they may be candidates for preventive or treatment strategies.