Ribavirin for Severe RSV Infection

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Abstract
The article by Smith and colleagues (July 4 issue)1 on their trial of ribavirin in infants receiving mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has a major problem in study design that many readers may not appreciate. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, it is imperative that the control therapy not have adverse effects. In this study, however, the water "placebo" used was probably detrimental as compared with standard mechanical ventilation with humidified air and oxygen.