Bronchiolitis

Question 1

What is Bronchiolitis?

Answer 1

a condition characterised by acute bronchiolar inflammation

Question 2

Main cause of bronchiolitis

Answer 2

RSV

Question 3

Most common age it presents at?

Answer 3

1. 90% of cases < 1 year

2. Most common 3 - 6 months

Question 4

4 Main symptoms of bronchiolitis

Answer 4

coryzal symptoms (including mild fever) precede:

1. dry cough
2. increasing breathlessness
3. wheezing, fine inspiratory crackles (not always present)
4. Subcostal/intercostal recession

Question 5

Investigations

Answer 5

nasopharyngeal secretions

Question 6

Management of Bronchiolitis

Answer 6

1. humidified oxygen is given via a head box and is typically recommended if the oxygen saturations are persistently < 92%
2. nasogastric feeding may be need if children cannot take enough fluid/feed by mouth

suction is sometimes used for excessive upper airway secretions