Ribavirin treatment was used for PICU patients younger
than 6 years of age who had RSV LRTI and least one of the
following: (1) high-risk for RSV infection, including immunocompromised
patients, prematurity, or patients with
CHD, BPD, or a malignancy being treated with chemotherapy;
(2) severe respiratory distress (PaO2 65 mmHg or
SaO2 90%); and (3) requiring ventilator support. Ribavirin
(20 mg/mL) was given via continuous aerosol administration
for 12e18 hours daily for 3 days. However, ribavirin became
unavailable in Taiwan from February 2009.