Nirsevimab : A boon for children suffering from RSV-associated RTIs

Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal

January 30, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM

Respiratory infections, Monoclonal antibodies

Respiratory Syncytial Virus is one of the most common causes of respiratory tract infections in the first two years after birth.
Recently, a monoclonal antibody named Beyfortus (nirsevimab) was approved for use among infants for protection against RSV.
A study found that the antibody was protective and reduced the need for hospitalization following RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections.
In the study, 8058 infants were randomized into the control (4021) and intervention (4037) groups.
The intervention group received one single IM injection of the monoclonal antibody.
The findings from the study were as follows:

The antibody was effective (75.7%) in preventing very severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections.
Severe RSV-associated LRTI was found in 0.1% of the infants receiving the intervention and 0.5% among the infants belonging to the control group.

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