Paediatrics Search
Paediatrics Paediatrics
bronchiolitis
BRONCHIOLITIS
Bronchiolitis is a clinical diagnosis preceding upper respiratory illness and/or rhinorrhea.
Signs of respiratory illness which may include wheezing, retractions, oxygen desaturation, color change, nasal flaring.
There is also presence of apnea especially in premature or low birthweight infants, signs of dehydration and exposure to persons with viral upper respiratory infections.
Symptoms are usually worst on the 3rd-5th day of illness and then improve gradually.

Patient Education

  • Educate parents on the basic pathophysiology and expected clinical course of bronchiolitis
  • Educate parents on proper suctioning and airway maintenance techniques
    • Other respiratory care therapies eg chest physiotherapy, cool mist therapy and aerosol therapy are generally not helpful and therefore are not recommended
    • Deep and improper suctioning has been associated with longer hospital stay
  • Provide information on signs of progressing disease which would necessitate calling health care providers:
    • Increase in respiratory rate (RR) and accessory muscle use for respiration
    • Worsening general appearance
    • Inability to maintain an acceptable hydration status
  • Propping up the patient at an angle of 10-30° may ease breathing difficulty
  • Inform parents that symptoms of bronchiolitis (ie cough) usually resolves within 3 weeks from diagnosis
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS JPOG - Malaysia digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Early-life exposures affect BP in children
5 days ago
Blood pressure (BP) in children is influenced by early-life exposure to several chemicals, built environment and meteorological factors, suggests a study.
Oral steroids safe, effective for treating croup in children
Jairia Dela Cruz, 06 Sep 2019
Low-dose dexamethasone and prednisolone are equally effective in the treatment of croup in children, according to data from the Topdog* trial.
Sensorimotor tract biomarkers, brain injury predict cerebral palsy in preemies
5 days ago
Early brain injury and at least one sensorimotor immaturity precede cerebral palsy (CP) in very preterm infants and may be considered as reliable predictors, a recent study has found.
Shortened parenteral antibiotic therapy no less effective than long course for bacteraemic UTI
Jairia Dela Cruz, 04 Sep 2019
Parenteral antibiotic therapy duration for bacteraemic urinary tract infection (UTI) in young infants may be safely shortened, according to a recent study showing that recurrence and readmission or emergency department revisitation rates are comparable between a ≤7-day and a longer therapy course.