Twenty-five to 50% of healthy infants born at term are infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the first year of life. Now, analyzing data from more than 24,000 patients, scientists have discovered evidence that infection with RSV early in infancy may significantly increase the risk of developing childhood asthma, particularly for children with one or both parents who have asthma or allergy.
In addition to their findings from analysis of patient data, the researchers also utilized a mouse model and determined how an early viral infection can magnify the impact of inherited allergy risk. Furthermore, results of their mouse study suggest that protecting newborns against RSV could substantially reduce asthma cases later in life. Currently, vaccines are available in more than 40 countries, although the researchers noted their usage is inconsistent. However, they believe the vaccines can provide the opportunity to prevent RSV in human infants while reducing the risk of childhood asthma.