Palivizumab and RSV prevention

Editor,—The letters from Drs Deshpande and Nicholl, in relation to the Impact-RSV study and the UK guidance for the use of palivizumab in the prevention of serious RSV infections, raise interesting questions that need to be addressed. I believe Dr Deshpande “has got it wrong” in that he fails to realise that the primary objective of the IMpact study was to investigate whether palivizumab reduced RSV hospitalisations in high risk infants. It was never intended that this study would address the severity of RSV infections, the need for paediatric intensive care, the need for mechanical ventilation, or a reduction in death rate. It is unreasonable to suggest that because the study didn't show these then it is not valid. To show such benefits would require a totally different protocol, the numbers of patients being such that the study could never have been undertaken. To reiterate the findings of the IMpact study, there was a 55% reduction in hospital admission rate for RSV proven disease—a significant result, however one wishes to interpret it. Those high risk patients admitted with RSV infection spent fewer days in hospital, had less need for oxygen treatment, and had lower respiratory infection clinical scores if they received palivizumab. The study was designed in association with and with the approval of the licensing authorities to grant a marketing licence for the medication. It was not designed to provide economic data on the cost effectiveness of the product. Both Deshpande and Nicholl fail to realise that if they want this information then different studies are needed. Does anyone know the lifelong cost of RSV disease in infancy? What is the relationship between RSV hospitalisation in the first year of life, recurrent wheezing in childhood, or indeed the possible development of chronic obstructive pulmonary …