Bronchiolitis: Difference between revisions

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== Clinically Relevant Anatomy  ==
== Clinically Relevant Anatomy  ==


Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchiole bronchioles], the smallest air passages of the lungs, in which air passes through the nose or mouth to the alveoli of the lungs where gas exchange takes place.[[Image:Lung anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]  
Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchiole bronchioles], the smallest air passages of the lungs, in which air passes through the nose or mouth to the alveoli of the lungs where gas exchange takes place.[[Image:Lung anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
 
== Epidemiology ==
Bronchiolitis typically affects infants and children under 2 years old<ref name=":0">Bronchiolitis. nhs.uk. [cited 13 April 2020]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bronchiolitis/</ref> but it can also affect people of any age. It also have a seasonal predilection, with more infections during the winter.<ref name=":0" />
 
== Etiology ==
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by the ''Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)''. Other pathogens can also cause bronchiolitis such as rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus or human bocavirus.


== Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process  ==
== Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process  ==
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Bronchiolitis is a major cause of illness and hospitalization in infants and children younger than two years. Symptoms include:  
Bronchiolitis is a major cause of illness and hospitalization in infants and children younger than two years. Symptoms include:  


*Fever
*Dry cough
*Persistently increased respiratory effort (tachypnea, nasal flaring, intercostal or suprasternal retractions, accessory muscle use, grunting)  
*Persistently increased respiratory effort (tachypnea, nasal flaring, intercostal or suprasternal retractions, accessory muscle use, grunting)  
*Hypoxemia  
*Hypoxemia  

Revision as of 04:43, 13 April 2020

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest air passages of the lungs, in which air passes through the nose or mouth to the alveoli of the lungs where gas exchange takes place.

Lung anatomy.jpg

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

Bronchiolitis typically affects infants and children under 2 years old[1] but it can also affect people of any age. It also have a seasonal predilection, with more infections during the winter.[1]

Etiology[edit | edit source]

Bronchiolitis is usually caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Other pathogens can also cause bronchiolitis such as rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus or human bocavirus.

Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process[edit | edit source]

Bronchiolitis typically occurs with primary infection or reinfection with a viral pathogen, but occasionally is caused by bacteria (eg, Mycoplasma pneumoniae). In young children, the clinical syndrome of bronchiolitis may overlap with recurrent virus-induced wheezing and acute viral-triggered asthma.

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

Bronchiolitis is a major cause of illness and hospitalization in infants and children younger than two years. Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Persistently increased respiratory effort (tachypnea, nasal flaring, intercostal or suprasternal retractions, accessory muscle use, grunting)
  • Hypoxemia
  • Apnea
  • Acute respiratory failure

Management / Interventions[edit | edit source]

  • Hydration
  • Respiratory support
  • Nasal suctioning
  • Supplemental oxygen

The following are interventions that may be used, but not as a routine intervention:

  • Trial of inhaled bronchodilator
  • Nebulized hypertonic saline
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Chest physiotherapy

Key Evidence[edit | edit source]

In the Cochrane review titled "Chest physiotherapy for acute bronchiolitis in children younger than two years of age", it was concluded that none of the chest physiotheray techniques (vibrations, percussions, slow passive expiratory techniques or forced expiratory techniques) have demonstrated a reduction in the severity of disease. Hence, these tecniques cannot be used as standard clinical practice for hospitalised patients with severe bronchiolitis.[2]

A state-of-art review suggests avoiding repeated airway clearance in infants and children with acute pulmonary disease.[3]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bronchiolitis. nhs.uk. [cited 13 April 2020]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bronchiolitis/
  2. Roqué i Figuls M, Giné-Garriga M, Granados Rugeles C, Perrotta C, Vilaró J. Chest physiotherapy for acute bronchiolitis in paediatric patients between 0 and 24 months old. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD004873. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004873.pub5.
  3. Morrow BM. Airway clearance therapy in acute paediatric respiratory illness: A state-of-the-art review. South African Journal of Physiotherapy. 2019 Jun 25;75(1):12.