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Background <p>Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under five years of age and is a significant factor in hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of pediatricians, including pediatric specialists and pediatric residents, towards RSV infection and both locally available (palivizumab) and newly emerging global prophylaxis options (nirsevimab and maternal vaccination).</p> Methods <p>For this cross-sectional survey study, data were collected via an online survey of 216 pediatricians (including 76 pediatric specialists and 140 pediatric residents) between June 2024 and October 2024.</p> Results <p>Almost all participants (97.7%) were aware that RSV prophylaxis should be administered to children in high-risk groups to reduce the impact of RSV infection on hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. However, only 78.7% of the participants were aware of vaccination and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for RSV prophylaxis. A total of 165 (76.4%) participants recommended prophylaxis specifically for high-risk infants. Awareness regarding maternal vaccination was also evaluated. In contrast, those who did not vaccinate were mostly unaware of the disease’s frequency and cost and believed that breast milk alone was sufficient to prevent it. Approximately 55% of pediatricians believed that RSV prophylaxis was not being implemented effectively. Approximately 83% of the participants said they would opt for it if they had a child and believed that RSV prophylaxis could effectively impact many people, thereby reducing the infection burden. A total of 113 participants (52.3%) believed that mAbs should be administered to all infants. Notably, pediatric specialists demonstrated significantly higher awareness of prophylaxis methods than pediatric residents (<i>p</i> = 0.004), alongside variations in clinical symptoms and transmission routes.</p> Conclusion <p>Our findings suggest that improving pediatricians’ knowledge of RSV diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis is essential for optimizing preventive strategies.</p>

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Awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of pediatricians towards respiratory syncytial virus and current and emerging prophylactic strategies: a cross-sectional survey study from a tertiary care hospital in Turkey

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月25日

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  • Naci Yılmaz,
  • Aslınur Özkaya Parlakay,
  • Metin Yigit,
  • Kaan Celebier,
  • Furkan Kalaycı,
  • Orkun Tolunay

摘要

Background

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under five years of age and is a significant factor in hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of pediatricians, including pediatric specialists and pediatric residents, towards RSV infection and both locally available (palivizumab) and newly emerging global prophylaxis options (nirsevimab and maternal vaccination).

Methods

For this cross-sectional survey study, data were collected via an online survey of 216 pediatricians (including 76 pediatric specialists and 140 pediatric residents) between June 2024 and October 2024.

Results

Almost all participants (97.7%) were aware that RSV prophylaxis should be administered to children in high-risk groups to reduce the impact of RSV infection on hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. However, only 78.7% of the participants were aware of vaccination and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for RSV prophylaxis. A total of 165 (76.4%) participants recommended prophylaxis specifically for high-risk infants. Awareness regarding maternal vaccination was also evaluated. In contrast, those who did not vaccinate were mostly unaware of the disease’s frequency and cost and believed that breast milk alone was sufficient to prevent it. Approximately 55% of pediatricians believed that RSV prophylaxis was not being implemented effectively. Approximately 83% of the participants said they would opt for it if they had a child and believed that RSV prophylaxis could effectively impact many people, thereby reducing the infection burden. A total of 113 participants (52.3%) believed that mAbs should be administered to all infants. Notably, pediatric specialists demonstrated significantly higher awareness of prophylaxis methods than pediatric residents (p = 0.004), alongside variations in clinical symptoms and transmission routes.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that improving pediatricians’ knowledge of RSV diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis is essential for optimizing preventive strategies.