Bronchiolitis

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Hi there!

You’re looking at a short reference article from Explain Medicine (one of four distinct learning formats available in Clinical Odyssey). Try it out, and have fun improving your clinical skills.

Pediatrics

Last updated on:
July 23^rd, 2021

Pediatrics

Last updated on:
July 23^rd, 2021

Hi there!

You’re looking at a short reference article from Explain Medicine (one of four distinct learning formats available in Clinical Odyssey). Try it out, and have fun improving your clinical skills.

Clinicals - History

Fact	Explanation
Introduction	Bronchiolitis is a viral lower respiratory tract infection characterized by obstruction of the small airways. Respiratory syncytial virus is responsible for most cases, but influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus can cause a similar clinical picture. Coinfection with multiple viruses can occur.
Fever	Fever is a nonspecific, early sign.
Cough	While nonspecific, cough is a common symptom in bronchiolitis.
Rhinorrhea	While nonspecific, rhinorrhea is a common finding in bronchiolitis, especially early on.
Difficulty feeding	Respiratory distress, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion may adversely affect feeding.
Respiratory distress	Signs of respiratory distress may occur after the prodrome. There may be increased respiratory rate and visible retractions, nasal flaring, and/or grunting.
Apnea	There appears to be a relationship between a bronchiolitis diagnosis and apneic episodes. There does not appear to be an association with sudden unexplained infant death.
Death	The death rate from bronchiolitis is low and falling, but this can occur due to respiratory failure.
Risk factor: winter season	In temperate climates, bronchiolitis is more prevalent during the winter months. There is less of a seasonal preponderance in tropical climates, and suspicion for the disease should be present year-round. Much of this is related to the seasonal prevalence of the most common pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Risk factor: young age	Viral bronchiolitis is more common in children under 2 years of age—especially during the first year of life.
Risk factor: prematurity	Premature infants are at higher risk for hospitalization due to bronchiolitis.
Risk factor: pre-existing chronic disease	Infants with chronic heart or lung disease or immunodeficiency may be at higher risk for severe bronchiolitis.

Introduction

Bronchiolitis is a viral lower respiratory tract infection characterized by obstruction of the small airways. Respiratory syncytial virus is responsible for most cases, but influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus can cause a similar clinical picture. Coinfection with multiple viruses can occur.

Fever

Fever is a nonspecific, early sign.

Cough

While nonspecific, cough is a common symptom in bronchiolitis.

Rhinorrhea

While nonspecific, rhinorrhea is a common finding in bronchiolitis, especially early on.

Difficulty feeding

Respiratory distress, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion may adversely affect feeding.

Respiratory distress

Signs of respiratory distress may occur after the prodrome. There may be increased respiratory rate and visible retractions, nasal flaring, and/or grunting.

Apnea

There appears to be a relationship between a bronchiolitis diagnosis and apneic episodes. There does not appear to be an association with sudden unexplained infant death.

Death

The death rate from bronchiolitis is low and falling, but this can occur due to respiratory failure.

Risk factor: winter season

In temperate climates, bronchiolitis is more prevalent during the winter months. There is less of a seasonal preponderance in tropical climates, and suspicion for the disease should be present year-round.

Much of this is related to the seasonal prevalence of the most common pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Risk factor: young age

Viral bronchiolitis is more common in children under 2 years of age—especially during the first year of life.

Risk factor: prematurity

Premature infants are at higher risk for hospitalization due to bronchiolitis.

Risk factor: pre-existing chronic disease

Infants with chronic heart or lung disease or immunodeficiency may be at higher risk for severe bronchiolitis.

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