Late Preterm Infants and Risk for RSV

In Brief Late preterm infants, born between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation, are physiologically immature and at risk for a variety of complications including infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infection that spreads to the lower respiratory tract results in hospitalization of these high-risk infants, where nurses provide nursing care focusing on suctioning, maintaining fluid balance, temperature control, and oxygenation. This article describes the risk and incidence of RSV infection in late preterm infants and the necessary subsequent hospital, home, and clinic care. Prevention, including prophylaxis with palivizumab therapy, as well as clinical practice guidelines for medical care are described, as well as resources where current guidelines can be accessed. More attention has been focused on late preterm infants during the past several years. Their special health risk for RSV is highlighted in this article.