Clinical profile of bronchiolitis in infants younger than 90 days in Saudi Arabia

Modified Tal Score as a Predictor of Outcome in Bronchiolitis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nepal

Introduction Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of respiratory distress and hospitalizations among infants and young children worldwide. Despite its prevalence, predicting the severity and outcomes of bronchiolitis remains challenging. Standardized criteria for severity assessment are essential for improving patient care and resource allocation. The modified Tal score is a reliable tool for assessing the severity of bronchiolitis. This study examines the relationship between the modified Tal score at presentation and key clinical outcomes in children with bronchiolitis. Methods This cross-sectional study classified children with bronchiolitis into mild, moderate, and severe groups using the modified Tal score at presentation. Patients were followed to record the length of hospital stay, duration of oxygen therapy, and the need for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or escalated care. Results Of the 121 children analyzed, the majority (71.9%) were aged three to 11 months, with a mean age of 9.09 months, and 73.6% were male. Oxygen supplementation was required by 60.3% of participants, 10.7% needed PICU admission, and 2.5% required escalated care. The mean duration of oxygen therapy was significantly longer in the severe group compared to the mild and moderate groups (p<0.001). Hospital stays also increased with severity (p<0.001). Linear regression showed that each unit increase in the modified Tal score resulted in a 0.746-day rise in hospital stay, a 10.19-hour increase in oxygen requirement, and a 0.35-day increase in PICU stay (all p<0.001). The score accounted for 66.1% of the variability in hospital stay, 63.0% in oxygen requirement, and 53.3% in PICU stay, but only 9.5% in escalated care. Conclusion A higher modified Tal score at admission was associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased oxygen requirement duration, and greater need for PICU admission in bronchiolitis. However, the modified Tal score was not a strong determinant of the requirement for escalated care.

Bronchiolitis in Infants; Five Years' Experience of a Teaching Hospital

Background

Bronchiolitis is a clinical syndrome affecting the lower respiratory tract of infants and toddlers <2 years old. Variability in clinical profile and response to therapy in children with Bronchiolitis calls for studying the different clinical aspects of local patient population.

Aim

The goal of our study is to determine the clinical presentation, past medical history, hospitalization course and prognosis in children below two years of age who have been hospitalized in King Fahad University Hospital over the last five years.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective chart review based on electronic health records of all Bronchiolitis-related hospitalization of infants and toddlers below two years of age, covering the period between January 1, 2015, to April 26, 2020.

Results

Out of a total of 446 children <2 years of age, 202 were female (45.4%), and 243 were male (54.6%). Although the length of hospital stay was almost equal between the sexes, there was a significant (p-value=0.01) increase in length of intensive care unit stay among females compared to males. Furthermore, there was a significant prolongation in the duration of ventilator usage among females (p value = 0.062). Out of fifty-five patients admitted to the ICU, 83.63% of them were 12 months of age and below.

Conclusion

Our results show a significant increase in length of ICU and ventilator use among females compared to males. It also shows that infants younger than 12 months account for most ICU admissions. These findings, among many others, may help pediatricians formulate a better diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.

Urinary Tract Infection in Children With Bronchiolitis: Is It Worth Testing Everyone?

Objective The current study aims to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and the need to perform urine analysis and cultures in children admitted with bronchiolitis in a large tertiary children's hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients 0-2 years of age who were admitted with bronchiolitis from November 2016 till April 2017. All charts were analyzed to identify the children investigated for UTI, and their results were then reviewed. Results There were 407 children admitted with bronchiolitis during the study period. Two-thirds of them were investigated for UTI. Only 2.6% of the patients tested positive for urine culture, and only 0.96% were found to have a true UTI. Conclusion The prevalence of UTI in children with bronchiolitis is too low to justify routine screening. Therefore, only children with a high risk of having UTI should be investigated.

Clinico demographic profiling of the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infected children admitted in tertiary care hospital in North India

Background:

Acute bronchiolitis is fatal disease involving lower respiratory tract of infants and children of paediatric age group. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is responsible for causing more than 70% hospital admissions of children aged less than 2 years thus making a necessity for accurate and timely diagnosis.

Aims:

The main aim of study was clinicodemographic correlation of RSV positive children presenting to our tertiary care hospital.

Setting and Design:

It is a retrospective study done between December to January 2018.

Materials and Methods:

Detection of RSV antigen from nasophyrangeal aspirates using Mouse Monoclonal anti RSV Antibody (by Novatetra) and Goat Anti Mouse Antibody conjugated with FITC as secondary antibody.

Results:

A total of 147 samples were received in the laboratory and 20 were tested as positive for RSV Antigen. Totally, 19/20 children were aged less than 1 year and with a male predominance. The most common symptom was cough and respiratory distress. Eight percent of the children showed wheezing and 18/20 required assisted ventilation. The clinical course in one child deteriorated leading to death of that patient.

Conclusions:

The timely diagnosis and management of RSV infected children is utmost needed to prevent morbidity and mortality. The premorbid conditions can assist to differentiate the viral from bacterial pneumonia and thus enable speedy recovery of the child.

Demographic, Clinical and Hematological Profile of Children with Bronchiolitis: A Comparative Study between Respiratory Synctial Virus [RSV] and [Non RSV] Groups

INTRODUCTION

Acute bronchiolitis is one of major disease affecting the lower airways in infants and children with Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) being most common causative organism accounting for 50%-80% of bronchiolitis cases.

AIM

To analyse the demographic characteristics, clinical features and haematological profile of children with Bronchiolitis. To compare the findings of demographic characteristics, clinical features and haematological profile between RSV and Non -RSV bronchiolitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective study, conducted in a teritiary care center for 1 year period from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015. The demographic characteristics, clinical features and haematological profile of children aged between 1 month to 3 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were noted in predesigned proforma, nasopharyngeal swab was sent for RSV analysis and then the findings of the parameters were compared between the two groups of RSV bronchiolitis and Non RSV bronchiolitis.

RESULTS

Among 80 cases with 40 in each group, children below the age of 1year were affected more in RSV group, with male preponderance. Among the clinical features except that 89.7% of RSV cases had wheeze that was statistically significant with no difference in other features. Investigations showed no much difference in both the groups. Percentage of Non RSV subjects who received nebulisation with bronchodilators, steroid and antibiotic therapy were higher than RSV subjects. The hospital stay was significantly higher in RSV cases and none of the study participants met with mortality.

CONCLUSION

Children with RSV bronchiolitis had prolonged hospital stay compared to Non RSV group. Need for nebulisation with bronchodilators, steroids and antibiotic therapy was more in Non RSV group.