More studies need to be done of children with RSV Disease

Organised by the Ministry of Health, the congress took place at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi from February 3-6.

The congress was attended by delegates from Europe and the Middle East, and had guest speakers from Europe, the United States and the Middle East. The programme concentrated on various important aspects of perinatology, and main topics include maternal and foetal health, updates on perinatology and neonatology.

Dr. Uduman, Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases of Al Ain University and Tawam Hospital, gave a lecture on the incidence of Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) disease in the UAE.

"Respiratory Synctial Virus causes viral infections of the upper respiratory tract (like a cold)and the lower respiratory tract (like pneumonia). A RSV infection can range from very mild to life-threatening. Children with lung or heart disease and weak immune systems are at increased risk of developing severe infection and complications."

"Outbreaks of RSV are seasonal, and in the UAE, this is common from November to February. When younger infants contract the condition, it can be very serious, and 10% of such cases may need prolonged hospitalisation. This is particularly the case for babies born after less than 35 weeks of gestation."

"In fact, two-thirds of infants are infected with RSV during the first year of life and almost 100% have been infected by age two. It begins most frequently with fever, runny nose, cough, and sometimes wheezing. Children with severe disease may require oxygen therapy and sometimes mechanical ventilation."

"Unfortunately no vaccine has yet been developed, and in fact studies need to be done to identify the groups at high risk of contracting RSV. However Synagis (Palivizumab) is very useful for many infants, especially those born very prematurely. Synagis is a new antibody preparation that prevents hospitalisation among certain high-risk infants. For the preparation to be effective, it needs to be given to high risk infants monthly from before the start of the RSV season."

In addition to running a lecture and workshop on Synagis, Abbott Laboratories also organised a lecture on Survanta, a leading treatment to prevent and treat neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). A leading U.S. paediatrican, Professor F Moya also gave a talk on the use of exogenous surfactant in the neonatal period.

Survanta is used to prevent and treat RDS, and works by clearing up the lungs of prematurely born infants. It is preferably used as a prevention, in the first 15 minutes of birth, but can also be used in the 'rescue phase' to treat infants who have been diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome.

Abbott Laboratories markets Synagis and Survanta. The company has been developing products to meet the needs of children for more than 40 years. From preventing iron-deficiency anaemia in infants and providing nutritional alternatives for babies with feeding problems, to helping young patients fight off respiratory infections; the list of Abbott's scientific advancements in paediatrics are impressive.