[Benefits of home-based administration of palivizumab in high-risk groups].

Abstract

Palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), currently is indicated in groups at higher risk of developing severe RSV disease, such as extreme premature infants and patients with hemodynamically significant heart disease. In Chile, this strategy is guaranteed by Law 20850 (Ricarte Soto Law). Nevertheless, barriers to its administration included the need to transfer these labile patients and exposure to other users, with the risk of contagion in waiting rooms.

Objective: to describe the impact of the palivizumab administration strategy in a home care program for high-risk patients.

Patients and method: retrospective, descriptive, observational cohort study of patients born before 32 weeks of gestation or weighing less than 1500 grams, who received palivizumab between January 2019 and December 2021 at the Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río.

Results: 272 patients were included (median gestational age: 30 weeks). The percentage of doses administered at home was 35.9% (2019) and 37.2% (2021). Each dose of 2020 following the administration in Neonatology, was administered at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The median interval between doses was as recommended. Adherence was over 90%. The unadjusted incidence of RSV infection was 5.7% (2019), 0% (2020), and 0.9% (2021).

Conclusions: palivizumab administration was adequate and timely; home indication was associated with high adherence rates and an administration interval between doses in line with current recommendations.