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SALT LAKE CITY — The season for Respiratory Syncytial Virus is just six weeks away, and many parents are petitioning for a drug that could prevent their baby from getting RSV.
An online petition calls for changes in American Academy of Pediatric guidelines to give more babies the drug. But one member of the Academy here in Utah, says there's more to the petition than concerned parents.
Some parents say all premature babies should get the drug. And medical professionals say scientific research supports the guidelines. The drug company is also in the middle of this debate.
Every new life is fragile, but that is particularly true for a premature baby. Stevie Padilla had premature triplets. Two of her sons passed away shortly after birth. Now two years old, Ryland survived, but has respiratory problems.
"Ryland got pneumonia while in the hospital," Padilla said.
He was given a drug called Synagis. Even with two doses, Ryland caught the virus and spent six days in the hospital. Currently, only babies like Ryland -the most at risk "preemies" born before 32 weeks- are eligible to receive Synagis, based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. But Padilla says those guidelines should change to give every preemie the drug.
"This should be something that most premature babies should be able to have at their fingertips," she said.
She has signed the online petition. But, Dr. Carrie Byington, who wrote the book on RSV guidelines for the Academy, says there's something else pushing the petition.
- A decreased interest in their surroundings
- Listlessness and sleepiness
- Cough
- Fever
- Fretfulness (irritability) and not sleeping well
- Poor feeding
- Apnea, where breathing stops for about 15 to 20 seconds
"Parents of premature infants are vulnerable because they fear for the health of their infant," Dr. Byington said. "They are vulnerable to pressures from commercial entities."
The company that makes the drug, Medimmune, is involved with the petition. Dr. Byington says the drug is very expensive, and the company would make millions if every preemie was given Synagis. But she says not every baby benefits from the drug, and mortality rates for RSV are actually dropping, under current guidelines.
"I am concerned that they are being used to generate sympathy," Dr. Byington said.
She says she knows parents want to protect their babies. But says the most reliable source of unbiased information will come from their pediatrician- not the maker of the drug.
Padilla, however, says she wants every parent to have the option.
The best way to prevent RSV is frequent hand-washing, staying away from other sick kids, and keeping your baby out of crowds.
The typical RSV season in Utah goes from December to March.
