Bronchiolitis clinics and medical treatment

Minerva Pediatr. 2018 Dec;70(6):600-611. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4946.18.05334-3. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Abstract

Bronchiolitis is the most common acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and the first cause of hospitalization in this age group. Despite it has been studied for over 70 years, its management remains controversial and nowadays the treatment is only supportive. Pediatricians should be well acquainted with the clinical course of the disease. In particular, they should know that the severity of respiratory symptoms peaks between days 3-7 of the disease and dehydration is a key sign to consider for the management. In this review, we will discuss the most controversial points in the management of bronchiolitis according to six evidence-based guidelines, six clinical practice guidelines and five consensus-based reviews.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchiolitis / epidemiology*
  • Bronchiolitis / physiopathology
  • Bronchiolitis / therapy
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Severity of Illness Index