Respiratory Syncytial Viral Infections Among Hospitalized Youth With Sickle Cell Disease

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) imposes substantial risk to all infants, but its impact on youth with SCD (Y‐SCD) is underexplored. With newer, highly effective RSV monoclonal antibodies (RSV‐mAb), research is needed to inform their use in Y‐SCD. This single‐center study of Y‐SCD aged 0–21 years identified 667 hospitalizations that included RSV testing. Of these, 5% were positive for RSV, and 68% occurred in Y‐SCD beyond their first RSV season. Intensive care, positive pressure ventilation, and transfusion were required in 21%, 32%, and 21% of hospitalizations, respectively. Findings indicate that multicenter studies are warranted to determine if RSV‐mAbs improve outcomes in Y‐SCD.