Economic and disease burden of RSV-associated hospitalizations in young children in France, from 2010 through 2018

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of infant and child hospitalizations. The study objective is to estimate the RSV-associated hospitalizations and economic burden in young children in France to inform future preventive strategies. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of RSV-associated hospitalizations data from the French Hospital database (PMSI-MCO) which covers the entire French population. All children aged < 5 years hospitalized with RSV ICD-10 codes (J210, J219, J45, J121, J205, R062) from 2010 to 2018, were included. Descriptive analyses were conducted by RSV seasons (Oct to March), by respiratory years (July to June) and per age groups. RESULTS: On average 45,225 RSV-associated hospitalizations (range: 43,715 – 54,616) per season was reported in France, 69% among children < 1 year old. This represents 28% of all-cause hospitalizations that occurred among children < 1 year old, and less than 10% of all-cause hospitalizations in older children. Number of RSV-associated hospitalizations were similar for infants born during (Oct-March) or outside (April–September) their first RSV season. The highest risk being reported for infants born from September through November. The associated hospitalization cost increased between 2010 - 11 and 2017–18, from €93.2 million to €124.1 million, respectively, and infants < 1 year old represented 80% of the economic burden. CONCLUSION: RSV is an important cause of child hospitalization in France. The burden on healthcare system is mainly driven by < 1 year olds, and preventive strategies should be implemented before the first RSV season. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06399-8.