Assessment of socio-clinical and laboratory profile and short-term outcome among acute bronchiolitis children between 1–24 months in a tertiary care hospital: A prospective descriptive study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/9g811v54Keywords:
antibiotics, bronchiolitis, laboratory profile, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), shortness of breathAbstract
Background:
Bronchiolitis is a clinical syndrome that primarily affects infants and young children.
Objectives:
To study the socio-clinical, laboratory profile, and short-term outcome among children with acute bronchiolitis between 1-24 months in a tertiary care hospital, and to analyze the identifiable risk factors for the severity of bronchiolitis.
Material & Methods:
A Prospective descriptive study was carried out in IMS & SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneshwar, India, from May 2023 to May 2024. All previously normal or healthy children aged 1-24 months with a first episode of wheeze suggestive of bronchiolitis as per AAP guidelines were included in the study.
Results:
A total of 171 cases were analyzed in our study, including 101 (59.1%) male and 70 (40.9%) female. Mean age was 6.78 months with a standard deviation of 4.66. Children less than 6 months accounted for 99 (57.9%) of cases. Bronchiolitis cases were increased in winter and early spring. Shortness of breath was present in 171 (100%) cases, followed by cough 108 (63.1%), fever 104 (60.8%), and poor feeding 92 (53.8%). Low birth weight, feeding pattern, indoor allergens, socioeconomic status, and passive smoking increase the severity of disease (P<0.05). Leukocytosis in 137 (80.1%) and raised CRP in 65 (38%) cases, with 04 (2.4%) cases having positive blood culture and sensitivity. 118 (68.8%) cases had positive chest X-rays. Nasopharyngeal swab was RSV positive in 84 (40.1%) cases. Among the treatments, 171 (100%) patients received hypertonic saline nebulization. Antibiotics were used in 69 (40.3%) and steroids in 47 (27.4%) cases. 26 (15.3%) cases were shifted to PICU.
Conclusion:
Bronchiolitis predominantly affected infants below six months and showed a higher incidence during winter months.
Recommendations:
Early identification of high-risk infants with bronchiolitis is essential to reduce disease severity and complications.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Amir Ali, Chandra Sekhar Patra, Sagar Parida, Dillip Dash, Shivangi Maheshwari, Ankita Chopdar, Dr. Mamata Devi Mohanty (Author)
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