Disease burden of respiratory syncytial virus-associated lower respiratory tract infection in Chinese children under one year of age: an analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database
10.3760/cma.j.cn113903-20250825-00459
- VernacularTitle:中国1岁以下儿童RSV相关下呼吸道感染的疾病负担：基于全球疾病负担2021数据库
- Author:
Wen JIN
1
;
Ying XU
1
;
Zhaokui ZHU
1
;
Li HUANG
1
;
Lijuan QIAN
1
Author Information
1. 东南大学附属中大医院儿科，南京 210009
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Respiratory syncytial virus;
Lower respiratory tract infection;
Child;
Global Burden of Disease
- From:
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine
2025;28(12):1042-1051
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the disease burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)- associated lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in Chinese children under one year of age from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database ( https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/), we calculated deaths, mortality, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), disability- adjusted life years (DALYs), DALY rates, and age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR) to assess the disease burden of RSV-associated LRTI in Chinese children under one year of age. Joinpoint regression modeling was employed to analyze temporal trends in disease burden in China from 1990 to 2021, with stratification by time, age, and sex. Comparisons were made with global and high socio-demographic index (SDI) regions. Results:In 2021, there were 324 deaths (95% UI: 179-539) from RSV-LRTI in Chinese infants under one year of age, with a mortality rate of 2.82 per 100 000 (95% UI: 1.55-4.69), ASMR of 0.10 per 100 000 (95% UI: 0.06-0.16), DALYs of 29 131.28 years (95% UI: 16 050.27-48 398.30), DALY rate of 253.56 per 100 000 (95% UI: 139.70-421.26), and ASDR of 6.70 per 100 000 (95% UI: 3.72-11.12). All metrics were lower than global levels but significantly higher than high-SDI regions. From 1990 to 2021, substantial reductions were observed in deaths, mortality rates, DALYs, and DALY rates of RSV-LRTI among children under one year of age in China, globally, and in high-SDI regions. China achieved ASMR and ASDR reductions of－95.91% (95% CI:－97.75% to－92.96%) and－96.70% (95% CI:－98.19% to－94.33%), comparable to high-SDI regions but exceeding global averages. Joinpoint analysis showed average annual percentage changes (AAPC) in ASMR of－9.80% (95% CI:－10.45% to－9.14%) for China,－5.38% (95% CI:－5.83% to－4.91%) globally, and－7.13% (95% CI:－9.07% to－5.14%) for high-SDI regions (all P<0.001). The AAPC for ASDR were－10.41% (95% CI:－11.01% to－9.79%),－5.40% (95% CI:－5.82% to－4.97%), and－7.09% (95% CI:－9.70% to－4.41%) for China, the global average, and high-SDI regions, respectively, with the most pronounced decline occurring between 2019 and 2021 (ASMR decreased by 53.33%, 45.81%, and 61.31%, while ASDR declined by 52.50%, 44.54%, and 58.88% in China, globally, and in high-SDI regions, respectively). In 2021, both China and high-SDI regions exhibited declining mortality and DALY rates for RSV-LRTI with increasing age among children under one year, while neonates younger than 28 days consistently demonstrated the highest burden metrics. The rate of decline was comparable between China and high-SDI regions, with both exceeding the global average. Furthermore, from 1990 to 2021, male infants under one year of age in China, globally, and in high-SDI regions consistently showed higher overall trends in deaths, mortality rates, DALY, and DALY rates for RSV-LRTI compared to female infants. Conclusions:Although China's RSV-LRTI disease burden in infants under one year remains lower than global levels but higher than high-SDI regions, the country achieved reduction rates comparable to high-SDI regions, exceeding global averages. RSV-LRTI continue to pose significant health threats to neonates and male infants, necessitating age-specific and sex-specific prevention strategies.
