Bronchiolitis

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CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

Airway inflammation and obstruction of the lower respiratory tract and is caused almost exclusively by viral infection in children younger than 2 years.

CLINICAL FEATURESSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Preceding history of nasal discharge
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tachypnoea
• Wheezing
• Signs of respiratory distress (intercostal recessions, head bobbing, grunting)
• Apnoea
• Hypoxaemia

TREATMENT

SUPPORTIVE

• Give oxygen
• Ensure adequate hydration,
• Use NGT if poor feeding or IV fluids if severe respiratory distress
• Nasal suctioning to clear secretions
• Antipyretics
• Consider CPAP if severe respiratory distress
• Do not give antibiotics
• Bronchodilators e.g., Salbutamol have no benefit in bronchiolitis

COMPLICATIONS

• Pneumothorax
• Respiratory failure