RSV prevention in newborns may significantly reduce childhood asthma risk, study finds - Video

Early infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing childhood asthma, especially in those with inherited allergy or asthma predispositions.

This finding from Belgian researchers at VIB and Ghent University (UGent), working with Danish partners, was published recently in Science Immunology and highlights the potential of RSV prevention to reduce asthma rates significantly later in life.

Childhood asthma affects up to 15% of children in Europe and exacts a heavy toll on health and families. The study combined Danish nationwide health registry data from all children and their parents with controlled lab experiments to reveal how early RSV infections and genetic allergy risks interact.

Infants hospitalized with severe RSV in their first months were more likely to develop immune responses that overreact to allergens like house dust mites—an effect amplified when asthma or allergies run in the family due to allergen-specific antibodies transferred from parents to newborns.

Experimental models showed that preventing RSV infection in newborns stopped this harmful immune programming and prevented asthma development altogether. This suggests wider benefits of RSV prevention beyond merely avoiding hospitalization, potentially improving long-term respiratory health for many children.

Currently, maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy and passive immunization with long-acting antibodies for newborns are being introduced in several countries. However, uptake varies, and these new results underscore the urgent need to increase access and acceptance of these preventative measures.

Experts emphasize combining scientific, policy, and clinical efforts to leverage RSV prevention as a powerful tool against asthma, particularly for children with genetic allergy risks.

In conclusion, this comprehensive research clarifies how early-life RSV infection shapes immune responses toward asthma, especially when paired with inherited risks. Protecting newborns from RSV offers a promising avenue to reduce asthma’s burden on children, families, and healthcare systems worldwide.

REFERENCE: Elisabeth De Leeuw, Josefine F. Justesen, Cédric Bosteels, Nincy Debeuf, Manon Vanheerswynghels, Leander Jonckheere, Caroline De Wolf, Alysia Wayenberg, Karel F.A. Van Damme, Stijn Vanhee, Manon Lesage, Kim Deswarte, Sam Dupont, Morten Dahl, Hamida Hammad, Bart N. Lambrecht. Maternal allergy and neonatal RSV infection synergize via FcR-mediated allergen uptake to promote the development of asthma in early life. Science Immunology, 2025; 10 (113) DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adz4626