Epidemiology of Bronchiolitis in Hospitalized Infants at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: Bronchiolitis is the commonest lower respiratory tract infection, found worldwide in children < 2 years of age. Over sixty percent of cases are caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The disease is known to have significant morbidity, mortality and health care costs. Its seasonal variability, manifestations and complications vary between countries. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Methods: Retrospective observational chart review was made of an unselected cohort of infants ≤ 2 years admitted to the pediatric department of Tawam hospital over a 3-year period and discharged with the diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Epidemiological data and risk factors were analyzed. Results: RSV was the commonest pathogen (51%). Hospitalizations occurred year-round but increased significantly in December and January. The patients’ median age was 5.8 months with a male predominance (male:female ratio of 1.5:1.0). The mean age at admission was 6.6 months and presentation occurred, on average, 2.9 days after the onset of the symptoms. The majority (94%) had respiratory distress on presentation. Chest x-ray was performed in 80% of the patients. Most children received bronchodilator therapy and oxygen therapy was administered to 42%. The mean duration of hospital stay was 3 days. Conclusion: Bronchiolitis remains a common reason for hospital admission and carries significant morbidity. RSV is the primarily responsible virus for hospital admissions and morbidity. A better understanding of the burden of bronchiolitis in our setting would enable better planning and use of hospital resources to minimize its short and long-term sequelae.

Establishment and validation of a prediction model for apnea on bronchiolitis

“…Acute bronchiolitis is an acute respiratory infectious disease mainly caused by viral infection, posing a significant global health burden, especially in high-risk infants and young children ( 13 ). Apnea, a critical complication of bronchiolitis, can pose a life-threatening risk, especially in infants under 6 weeks old, where it may manifest as the sole clinical symptom without other typical features of bronchiolitis ( 14 , 15 ). The results of this study demonstrate that the incidence of apnea in hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis is 8.6%, which is consistent with the previously reported incidence of 1.2%–28.8% ( 3 , 6 , 7 , 15 , 16 ).…”

Development and external validation of a simple nomogram for predicting apnea in children hospitalized with bronchiolitis

“…Apnea is a potentially life-threatening complication of bronchiolitis. In younger children, especially infants younger than six weeks, apnea may be the only visible sign, sometimes in the absence of other clinical features of bronchiolitis ( 9 , 20 ). Recently, several studies have reported predictors of apnea in patients with bronchiolitis ( 5 , 7 , 8 ).…”

The role of gene polymorphism of some immune response molecules in the development of acute virus-induced bronchiolitis

“…Наиболее частым этиологическим агентом острого бронхиолита в 60-80% случаев является респираторно-синцитиальный вирус (РСВ). Около 75% всех случаев острого бронхиолита приходится на детей первого года жизни, 95% -на детей первых 2 лет жизни, при этом пик заболевших наблюдается среди детей в возрасте 2-8 месяцев [2][3][4].…”