Clinical burden of severe respiratory syncytial virus infection during the first 2 years of life in children born between 2000 and 2011 in Scotland

National data from Scotland (all births from 2000 to 2011) were used to estimate the burden associated with respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation (RSVH) during the first 2 years of life. RSVHs were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes. Of 623,770 children, 13,362 (2.1%) had ≥ 1 RSVH by 2 years, with the overall rate being 27.2/1000 (16,946 total RSVHs). Median age at first RSVH was 137 days (interquartile range [IQR] 62–264), with 84.3% of admissions occurring by 1 year. Median length of stay was 2 (IQR 1–4) days and intensive care unit (ICU) admission was required by 4.3% (727) for a median 5 (IQR 2–8) days. RSVHs accounted for 6.9% (5089/73,525) of ICU bed days and 6.2% (64,395/1,033,121) of overall bed days (5370/year). RSVHs represented 8.5% (14,243/168,205) of all admissions between October and March and 14.2% (8470/59,535) between December and January. RSVH incidence ranged from 1.7 to 2.5%/year over the study period. Preterms (RSVH incidence 5.2%), and those with congenital heart disease (10.5%), congenital lung disease (11.2%), Down syndrome (14.8%), cerebral palsy (15.5%), cystic fibrosis (12.6%), and neuromuscular disorders (17.0%) were at increased risk of RSVH. Conclusions: RSV causes a substantial burden on Scottish paediatric services during the winter months.