Palivizumab prophylaxis during respiratory syncytial virus outbreak in the neonatal intensive care unit.

We read with great interest the papers on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis in preterm infants by Öncel et al.1 and the seasonal variations of RSV infections in Turkey by the Turkish Neonatal Society2. Öncel et al.1 suggested that, although administration of palivizumab did not have any cost benefit, a reduction in hospitalization rates in association with palivizumab treatment was observed in infants born at ≤286/7 weeks of gestation. The Turkish Neonatal Society showed two consecutive RSV seasons in Turkey, with the first seasonal peak in January and the second in March. We would like to share our experience regarding two RSV outbreaks in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).