Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41640273›Full record

SynthesisInfluenza and other respiratory viruses2026

The Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children With Acute Otitis Media: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sebastien Kenmoe, Marshall Dozier, Jingyi Liang, Ruth Jenkins, Harish Nair

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sebastien KenmoeCentre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5536-080X
Marshall DozierLibrary & University Collections, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Jingyi LiangCentre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Ruth JenkinsLibrary & University Collections, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Harish NairCentre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9432-9100

Funding

Merck 101907
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcute otitis media (AOM) affects over 709 million individuals globally each year, more than half of whom are children < 5 years. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading viral cause of pediatric respiratory illness. We aimed to estimate the burden of RSV in children < 5 years with AOM

methodsWe performed a systematic review of studies reporting RSV identified through laboratory testing in children < 5 years with AOM. We searched eight databases from January 1, 1996, to May 9, 2025. We extracted data on RSV proportion in AOM and on co-detection of bacterial pathogens. We reported pooled proportions using random-effects meta-analysis.

resultsWe included 27 studies encompassing 8342 children with AOM. The pooled proportion of RSV in children with AOM was 16.9% (95% CI 11.0-23.8, I

conclusionRSV is a common contributor to AOM in children < 5 years. Our findings indicate that RSV-associated AOM often involves concurrent bacterial detection. These results highlight the potential impact of recently introduced passive RSV immunization, such as maternal immunization and long-acting monoclonal antibody, in reducing AOM incidence and its complications. Preventing RSV in early childhood could lower the overall burden of AOM and decrease the need for antibiotics.

Indexed as

Otitis MediaRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsAcute DiseaseChild, PreschoolCoinfectionHumansInfantRespiratory Syncytial Virus, Humanacute otitis mediadisease burdenrespiratory syncytial virus

Identifiers

PMID41640273
PMCPMC12873495

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.