It is a disease that inflames the airways of children under 2 years of age, causing acute respiratory distress. It is frequent but does not usually require hospital admission.
The cause is infectious, being the most frequent germ, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV); it can also be secondary to a bacterial infection.
It usually manifests with respiratory distress, dry cough and fever. Nasal congestion is frequent in the previous days.
The diagnosis is made by clinical history and physical examination.
It usually resolves without treatment in a few days. Proper oxygenation and hydration should be ensured; nasal lavage with physiological saline solution is recommended.
If the condition is severe, hospital admission is required. Oxygen support or even external respiratory assistance will be provided.
- Pedro A Piedra, MD. Bronchiolitis in infants and children: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate, Junio, 2016.
- Pedro A Piedra, MD. Bronchiolitis in infants and children: Treatment; outcome; and prevention. UpToDate, Junio, 2016.
- Bronchiolitis Guideline Team, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Bronchiolitis pediatric evidence-based care guidelines, 2010.
- Ralston SL. Clinical practice guideline: the diagnosis, management, and prevention of bronchiolitis. Pediatrics 2014; 134:e1474.
- Plint AC. Epinephrine and dexamethasone in children with bronchiolitis. N Engl J Med 2009; 360:2079.
