Bronchiolitis

Question 1

What is bronchiolitis?

Answer 1

Viral infection of bronchioles

Question 2

What ages does bronchiolitis affect?

Answer 2

< 2 years

Question 3

What organism causes bronchiolitis?

Answer 3

RSV = respiratory syncytial virus

Question 4

What is the pathophysiology of bronchiolitis?

Answer 4

Viral infection

• proliferation of goblet cells
• increased mucus
• inflammation
• bronchiolar constriction
• submucosal oedema

Question 5

What are risk factors for bronchiolitis?

Answer 5

Breast fed < 2 months
Smoke exposure
Siblings at nursery/school
Premature CLD

Question 6

What are the features of bronchiolitis?

Answer 6

Low grade fever
Nasal congestion 
Rhinorrhea
Cough 
Feeding difficulty 
Tachypnoea
Inspiratory crackels
Expiratory wheeze

Question 7

What investifations can be done for suspected bronchiolitis?

Answer 7

Nasopharyngeal aspirate

CXR - if uncertain

Question 8

How is bronchiolitis managed?

Answer 8

Supportive treatment

Question 9

What are indications for hospitalisation with bronchiolitis?

Answer 9

Apnoea
Respiratory distress
Cyanosis 
Sats <92%
Poor fluid intake <50%
RR >60