Características clínico-etiológicas de pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis. Ciudad de Santa Fe, Argentina

Introducción: La bronquiolitis constituye una de las principales causas de Infecciones Respiratorias Agudas Bajas en Pediatría, y es responsable de una proporción significativa de hospitalizaciones en lactantes, fundamentalmente, en menores de 1 año. Su diagnóstico es clínico, caracterizado por síntomas y signos de amplio grado de gravedad. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-etiológicas de casos de bronquiolitis en menores de 1 año, internados en un hospital de niños de la ciudad de Santa Fe, durante un periodo de un año. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal. Se analizaron datos demográficos, clínicos y de laboratorio de fichas médicas de vigilancia epidemiológica. Las técnicas diagnósticas usadas según el agente viral fueron RT-PCR en tiempo real, PCR-punto final e Inmunofluorescencia Indirecta. Resultados: Sobre un total de 108 casos, 90,7% tuvo de 1 a 6 meses de edad. La mediana de internación fue de 5 días, y el nacimiento prematuro fue la condición médica previa más frecuente. Un 78,7% (85) tuvo diagnóstico viral positivo, siendo Rinovirus (hRV) y Virus Sincicial Respiratorio (VSR) los agentes más prevalentes, tanto en infección única como en coinfección. El tiempo de oxigenoterapia fue mayor en los pacientes más graves (p<0,001). El 32,4% (35) recibió alguna medicación que fue, en mayor frecuencia, antibiótico. Se encontró asociación positiva y significativa entre la edad menor de 3 meses y una hospitalización mayor a 5 días (OR=2,5; IC: 1,1-5,8; p=0,02); y entre un diagnóstico VSR positivo y un cuadro grave (OR: 7,7; IC: 1,95-39,6; p<0,001). Conclusión: Las características y condiciones médicas consideradas por la literatura como factores de riesgo para el padecimiento y la gravedad de una IRAB, fueron halladas con mayor frecuencia en la población de estudio. El hRV y el VRS fueron los agentes de mayor rescate viral, encontrándose una asociación positiva entre la infección por VSR y la gravedad del cuadro.

Introduction: Bronchiolitis is one of the main causes of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in pediatrics, and is responsible for a significant proportion of hospitalizations in infants, mainly in children under 1 year of age. Its diagnosis is clinical. The disease is characterized by a wide variety and degree of signs and symptoms. Objective: To describe the clinical-etiological characteristics of cases of bronchiolitis in children under 1 year of age, admitted to a children's hospital in the city of Santa Fe, over a period of one year. Materials and Methods: This was an observational and cross-sectional study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data from epidemiological surveillance medical records were analyzed. The diagnostic techniques used, based on the viral agent, were real-time RT-PCR, end-point PCR and Indirect Immunofluorescence. Results: Out of a total of 108 cases, 90.7% were between 1 and 6 months old. The median hospital stay was 5 days, and premature birth was the most common prior medical condition. 78.7% (85) had a positive viral diagnosis, with Rhinovirus (hRV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) being the most prevalent agents, both in single infection and coinfection. Oxygen therapy time was longer in the most seriously ill patients (p<0.001). 32.4% (35) received some medication, which was, most frequently, antibiotics. A positive and significant association was found between age less than 3 months and hospitalization longer than 5 days (OR=2.5; CI: 1.1-5.8; p=0.02); and between a positive RSV diagnosis and a severe condition (OR: 7.7; CI: 1.95-39.6; p<0.001). Conclusions: The characteristics and medical conditions considered by the literature as risk factors for the morbidity and severity of a lower respiratory tract infection were found more frequently in the study population. hRV and RSV were the most commonly-detected viral agents. We found a positive association between RSV infection and the severity of the condition.

Usefulness of lung ultrasound in the evaluation of children with lower respiratory tract infection in the emergency room / Utilidad de ecografía pulmonar en la valoración de niños con infección respiratoria baja en urgencias

Abstract Background: Lung ultrasound is a bedside tool that allows the evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal involvement in pediatric patients through the lung ultrasound score (LUS). We aimed to evaluate a group of patients under 3 years of age with lower respiratory tract infections using LUS at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora. Methods: We included patients younger than 3 years admitted to the emergency department with lower respiratory tract infections. A lung ultrasound was performed within the first 24 h of admission to the emergency department and evaluated using LUS. We analyzed age, sex, etiology of infection, days of stay, use of mechanical ventilation, Downes scale, failure of mechanical ventilation on admission, and mortality. Descriptive analysis was performed with frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables and medians and interquartile intervals for quantitative variables. Differences in the distribution of LUS variables were evaluated with the Fishers´ exact test and Student´s t-test. Results: We included a total of 19 patients with lower respiratory tract infections, 73.7% with bronchiolitis. Fifty percent of the cases scored 7 on the LUS, 91.7% were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and 53.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: The use of LUS in lower respiratory tract infections can predict the need for PICU admission, the use of invasive ventilatory support, and prolonged hospital stay.

Resumen Introducción: El ultrasonido pulmonar es una herramienta a pie de cama que permite evaluar la afectación del parénquima pulmonar en pacientes pediátricos por medio de la escala de LUS (lung ultrasound score, por sus siglas en inglés). El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar a niños menores de 3 años con infección respiratoria baja mediante la escala de LUS, en el Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes menores de 3 años que ingresaron al Servicio de Urgencias con infección respiratoria baja. Se realizó ecografía pulmonar en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso a urgencias y se evaluó mediante la escala de LUS. Se analizó, edad, sexo, etiología de la infección, días de estancia, uso de terapia ventilatoria, escala de Downes, fracaso a la terapia ventilatoria de ingreso y mortalidad. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo por medio de frecuencia y porcentaje para las variables cualitativas y para las cuantitativas con mediana e intervalo intercuartil. Las diferencias en la distribución de las variables por la escala de LUS con la prueba exacta de Fisher y la t de Student. Resultados: Se identificaron 19 pacientes con infección pulmonar aguda, de los cuales el 73.7% presentó bronquiolitis. El 50% de los casos obtuvo 7 puntos de la escala de LUS, el 91.7% ingresó a UCIP y el 53.8% requirió ventilación mecánica asistida. Conclusiones: El uso de la escala LUS en infección respiratoria baja puede predecir la necesidad de ingreso a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, así como la utilización de soporte ventilatorio invasivo y una estancia hospitalaria prolongada.

Bronquiolitis obliterante postinfecciosa en niños: serie de casos en un hospital pediátrico de Perú / Postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children: case series at a pediatric hospital in Peru

Resumen Introducción: La bronquiolitis obliterante postinfecciosa es una enfermedad pulmonar poco frecuente; existen limitados reportes en Sudamérica. Caso clínico: En esta serie se reportan 10 pacientes con esta enfermedad diagnosticados en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño-Breña (Lima-Perú). La mediana de edad al diagnóstico fue de 19 meses. Todos los pacientes presentaron el antecedente de infección respiratoria aguda grave. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron tos, dificultad respiratoria, sibilancias e hipoxemia; el patrón de atenuación en mosaico fue la característica más frecuente en la tomografía. Todos tenían serología positiva para adenovirus. Se administró tratamiento con pulsos de metilprednisolona, azitromicina, hidroxicloroquina y corticoides inhalados. Ningún paciente falleció durante el seguimiento. Conclusiones: En los niños previamente sanos con antecedente de infección respiratoria aguda grave y sintomatología obstructivo bronquial persistente se debe considerar el diagnóstico de bronquiolitis obliterante postinfecciosa. Este es el primer reporte en Perú con un régimen terapéutico adaptado a nuestra institución.

Abstract Background: Postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare lung disease; there are limited reports in South America. Case report: We report 10 patients with this disease diagnosed at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño-Breña (Lima-Peru). The median age at diagnosis was 19 months and all patients had a history of severe acute respiratory infection. The most frequent symptoms were cough, respiratory distress, wheezing, and hypoxemia. The mosaic attenuation pattern was the most frequent on the tomography. All the patients had positive serology for adenovirus. The treatment received was methylprednisolone pulses, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine, and inhaled corticosteroids. No patient died during the follow-up. Conclusions: In previously healthy children with a history of severe acute respiratory infection and persistent bronchial obstructive symptoms, the diagnosis of postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans should be considered. This is the first report in Peru with a therapeutic regimen adapted to our institution.

Evaluation of respiratory bronchiolitis nodules with maximum intensity projection images

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Respiratory bronchiolitis is a disease associated with heavy smoking. Computed tomography in this disease often shows symmetrical and bilaterally ill-defined circumscribed centriacinar micronodular involvement in the upper-middle lobes. The maximum intensity projection method is a kind of image processing method and provides a better evaluation of nodules and vascular structures. Our study aimed to show whether maximum intensity projection images increase the diagnostic accuracy in the detection of micronodules in respiratory bronchiolitis. METHODS: Two radiologists with different experiences (first reader: 10-year radiologist with cardiothoracic radiology experience and second reader: nonspecific radiologist with 2 years of experience) reviewed images of patients whose respiratory bronchiolitis diagnosis was supported by clinical findings. The evaluation was done independently of each other. Both conventional computed tomography images and maximum intensity projection images of the same patients were examined. The detection rates on conventional computed tomography and maximum intensity projection images were then compared. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were evaluated, of whom 48 were men and 5 were women. The first reader detected centriacinar nodules in 42 (79.2%) patients on conventional computed tomography and centriacinar nodules in all 53 (100%) patients on maximum intensity projection images. The second reader detected centriacinar nodules in 12 (22.6%) patients on conventional computed tomography images and in 48 (90.6%) patients on maximum intensity projection images. For the less experienced reader, the detection rate of micronodules in respiratory bronchiolitis in maximum intensity projection images increased statistically significantly (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Maximum intensity projection images in respiratory bronchiolitis increase the detectability of micronodules independently of the experience of the radiologist.

Effects of aerosol therapy with budesonide suspension combined with compound ipratropium bromide on partial pressure of carbon dioxide and tumor necrosis factor α in children with bronchiolitis / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the effects of aerosol therapy with budesonide suspension combined with compound ipratropium bromide on partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in children with bronchiolitis. Methods:A total of 124 children with bronchiolitis admitted to Gujiao Central Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in this study. These children were randomly divided into two groups using the coin-tossing method. The control group ( n = 62) was treated with routine symptomatic treatment, and the study group ( n = 62) was treated with aerosol therapy of budesonide suspension combined with compound ipratropium bromide based on routine symptomatic treatment. The time at which clinical symptoms disappear, clinical efficacy, inflammatory reaction, and blood gas index were determined in each group. Results:After treatment, the time at which asthma, cough, pulmonary rales, and fever in the study group were (2.28 ± 0.71) days, (3.30 ± 0.82) days, (5.25 ± 1.03) days, and (19.01 ± 2.65) hours, respectively, which were significantly shorter than (2.71 ± 0.89) days, (3.81 ± 0.98) days, (5.72 ± 1.37) days, and (20.76 ± 3.12) hours in the control group ( t = 2.97, 3.14, 2.15, 3.36, all P < 0.05). Total response rate and PaO 2 in the study group were 91.94% and (83.94 ± 4.02) mmHg, respectively, which were significantly higher than 77.42% and (81.25 ± 5.53) mmHg in the control group ( χ2 = 5.03, t = 3.09, both P < 0.05). Interleukin-18, interleukin-33, TNF-α, and PaCO 2 in the study group were (141.03 ± 34.69) ng/L, (143.87 ± 38.43) ng/L, (75.49 ± 18.43) ng/L, and (41.85 ± 3.31) mmHg, respectively, which were significantly lower than (158.64 ± 47.92) ng/L, (162.75 ± 50.32) ng/L, (83.22 ± 21.75) ng/L, and (43.58 ± 4.46) mmHg in the control group ( t = -2.34, -2.34, -3.23, -2.45, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Aerosol therapy with budesonide suspension combined with compound ipratropium bromide based on routine symptomatic treatment is more effective on bronchiolitis than routine symptomatic treatment alone. The combined therapy can effectively decrease PaCO 2 and TNF-α levels.

Establishment and validation of a model for predicting recurrent wheezing in children with bronchiolitis / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of recurrent wheezing in children with bronchiolitis and to construct a predictive model.Methods:Prospective research methods was used. One hundred and eighty children with bronchiolitis who were treated in Hefei Eighth People's Hospital from February 2017 to February 2019 were selected as the study subjects, and the included children were separated into a modeling group (126 cases) and a validation group (54 cases) according to 7∶3. The children were followed up for 3 years, and then the modeling group was divided into wheezing group (48 cases) and no wheezing group (78 cases) according to whether the children had recurrent wheezing. The Hosmer-Lemeshow fitting curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were drawn to evaluate the validity and accuracy of the constructed prediction model.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that artificial feeding ( OR = 8.838, 95% CI 2.601 to 30.027), family history of allergies ( OR = 6.709, 95% CI 1.825 to 24.665), underlying diseases ( OR = 8.114, 95% CI 1.638 to 40.184), and higher IgE level ( OR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.012 to 1.029) were the independent risk factors for recurrent wheezing in children with bronchiolitis ( P<0.05). The area under the curve of the modeling group was 0.917 (95% CI 0.855 to 0.959), and the sensitivity and specificity were 83.33% and 85.90%, respectively; the area under the curve of the validation group was 0.911 (95% CI 0.847 to 0.954), and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.58% and 79.49%, respectively. Conclusions:Artificial feeding, family history of allergies, underlying diseases, and higher IgE level are the independent risk factors for recurrent wheezing in children with bronchiolitis. The constructed prediction model has good accuracy and validity, and can be used as an effective tool for clinical prediction of recurrent wheezing in children with bronchiolitis.

Reporte de caso: hemoptisis masiva como manifestación clínica de un síndrome de Swyer-James-Mac Leod / Case report: massive hemoptysis as a clinical manifestation of Swyer-James-Mac Leod syndrome

El síndrome de Swyer-James-Mac Leod es una entidad poco frecuente adquirida en la infancia, generalmente tras una infección pulmonar moderada a grave de tipo bronquiolitis o neumonía, generalmente virales. Ocasionalmente se tiene el antecedente de infecciones repetidas de este tipo. Consiste en el desarrollo de enfisema hipoplásico pulmonar unilateral, que puede a veces relacionarse con bronquiectasias ipsilaterales o bilaterales, obstrucción fija al flujo aéreo y puede también asociarse a reducción del flujo sanguíneo del pulmón hipoplásico, de manera focal o difusa, con o sin tortuosidad de la vascularización proximal y a veces con una compensación del pulmón contralateral, en forma de sobredistensión e hiperflujo vascular relativo. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 79 años de edad con antecedentes de infecciones tipo bronquiolitis virales repetidas en la infancia, obstrucción fija grave al flujo aéreo y hemoptisis masiva secundaria a una infección por Pseudomonas aeruginosa sensible a la terapia antibiótica habitual.

Swyer-James-Mac Leod syndrome is a rare condition acquired in childhood, usually after a moderate to severe lung infection such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, usually viral. Occasionally there is a history of repeated infections of this type. It consists of the development of unilateral pulmonary hypoplastic emphysema, which can sometimes be related to ipsilateral or bilateral bronchiectasis, fixed airflow obstruction, and may also be associated with reduced blood flow in the hypoplastic lung, with or without tortuosity of the proximal vascular supply and sometimes with compensation from the contralateral lung, in the form of overdistension and relative vascular hyperflow. We present the case of a 79-year-old man with a history of recurrent viral bronchiolitis-type infections in childhood, severe fixed airflow obstruction, and massive hemoptysis secondary to a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection sensitive to usual antibiotic therapy.

A Case of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus with Malignant Thymoma and Obliterated Bronchiolitis / 罕见病研究

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare and life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease characterized by severe mucosal erosions and polymorphous cutaneous eruptions associated with lymphoproliferative neoplasmas. Castleman's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, thymoma, follicular dendritic cell sarcoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are the commonly associated neoplasmas in PNP, whereas malignant thymoma is rare. The prognosis of PNP is poor due to severe infections during immunosuppressive treatment, underlying malignancies and bronchiolitis obliterans mediated by autoimmunity. A 58-year-old woman who experienced recurrent oral erosive ulcer for 3 years, systemic erythema for 10 months, and dyspnea for 3 months was diagnosed with PNP with malignant thymoma and obliterated bronchiolitis by clinical, radiological, histopathological, and immunological examinations. She died of respiratory failure 3 weeks after resection of the malignant thymoma.

Application of early respiratory training program based on 4E model in children with bronchiolitis obliterans / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore application effect of early respiratory training schemes based on 4E mode (Engage, Educate, Execute, Evaluate) in children with bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) and provide evidence for the clinical implementation of early respiratory rehabilitation in children with BO.Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study. The children with BO who were admitted to 2 wards of the Department of Respiratory Medicine of Hunan Children's Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2021 were selected as the research objects. They were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 23 cases in each group. The control group received routine treatment, nursing and rehabilitation guidance. The experimental group established a multidisciplinary team based on the control group, and used the early respiratory training program based on the 4E model to implement intervention. The clinical symptom severity scale was used to evaluate the improvement of the clinical symptoms of the children within 24 hours of being diagnosed as BO, the day of discharge, and 1 and 3 months after discharge for re-examination, and the hospitalization time of the children and the incidence of adverse events related to respiratory training were counted by using medical records and questionnaires.Results:The clinical symptom severity scores of the experimental group within 24 hours of admission diagnosis and the day of discharge were (20.00 ± 2.51) and (11.30 ± 2.46)points respectively, while those of the control group were (20.57 ± 2.21) and (11.70 ± 2.42) points respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( t=0.81, 0.54, both P>0.05). The clinical symptom severity scores of the experimental group were(10.52 ± 2.31) and (8.55 ± 1.06) points, lower than (12.32 ± 1.39) and (12.45 ± 2.19) points of the control group when they returned to the hospital for re-examination 1 and 3 months after discharge, with a statistically significant difference ( t=3.14, 7.25, both P<0.05). The experimental group was hospitalized for (11.78 ± 1.17) days, which was showter than (13.74 ± 1.63) days in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.68, P<0.05). No respiratory training-related adverse events occurred in both groups of children during hospitalization. During home respiratory training after discharge, 1 and 2 respiratory training-related adverse events occurred in the experimental group 1 and 3 months after discharge, respectively, compared with 6 and 9 in the control group. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.64, 5.94, both P<0.05). Conclusions:Early respiratory training solutions based on the 4E mode can improve the clinical symptoms of BO children, shorten the hospitalization time, reduce the number of adverse events related to respiratory training, and promote the recovery of children.

A multicenter clinical study of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalization of children with bronchiolitis / 国际儿科学杂志

Objective:In order to explore the impact of corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)on the hospitalization of children with bronchiolitis and to improve clinicians′ understanding of the characteristics of bronchiolitis during the COVID-19 epidemic.Methods:This was a multicenter clinical study, and the data have been collected from 23 children′s medical centers in China.All the clinical data were retrospectively collected from children with bronchiolitis who were hospitalized at each study center from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.The results included gender, age at hospitalization, length of stay, respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) test results, severity rating, ICU treatment, and the total number of children hospitalized with respiratory tract infection during the same period.The clinical data of children with bronchiolitis in 2019 before COVID-19 epidemic and in 2020、2021 during COVID-19 epidemic were statistically analyzed and compared.Results:According to a summary of data provided by 23 children′s medical centers, there were 4 909 cases of bronchiolitis in 2019, 2 654 cases in 2020, and 3 500 cases in 2021.Compared with 2019, the number of bronchiolitis cases decreased by 45.94% in 2020 and 28.70% in 2021.In 2019, 2020 and 2021, there were no significant differences in gender ratio, age, and duration of hospitalization.Compared with 2019, the ratio of bronchiolitis to the total number of hospitalizations for respiratory tract infection decreased significantly in 2020 and 2021( χ2=12.762, P<0.05; χ2=84.845, P<0.05).The proportion of moderate to severe bronchiolitis cases in both 2020 and 2021 was lower than that in 2019, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.054, P<0.05; χ2=8.109, P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of bronchiolitis cases requiring ICU treatment between 2019, 2020, and 2021 ( χ2=1.914, P>0.05).In 2019, a total of 52.60%(2 582/4 909) of children with bronchiolitis underwent RSV pathogen testing, and among them, there were 708 cases with RSV positive, accounting for 28.00%.In 2020, 54.14%(1 437/2 654) of children with bronchiolitis underwent RSV pathogen testing, and there were 403 cases with RSV positive, accounting for 28.04%.In 2021, 66.80%(2 238/3 500) of children with bronchiolitis underwent RSV pathogen testing, and there were 935 cases with RSV positive, accounting for 41.78%.Compared with 2019 and 2020, the RSV positive rate in 2021 showed a significant increase( χ2=99.673, P<0.05; χ2=71.292, P<0.05). Conclusion:During the COVID-19 epidemic, the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures reduced the hospitalization rate and severity of bronchiolitis, but did not reduce the positive rate of RSV detection.

Two cases of airway dysfunction related to diacetyl exposure / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational exposure to diacetyl can lead to bronchiolitis obliterans. In this paper, two patients with severe obstructive ventilation disorder who were exposed to diacetyl at a fragrance and flavours factory were analyzed. The clinical manifestations were cough and shortness of breath. One of them showed Mosaic shadows and uneven perfusion in both lungs on CT, while the other was normal. Field investigation found that 4 of the 8 workers in the factory were found to have obstructive ventilation disorder, and 2 had small airway dysfunction. This paper summarizes the diagnostic process of patients in order to improve the understanding of airway dysfunction caused by occupational exposure to diacetyl and promote the development of relevant standards.

Temporal-spatial analysis of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in Brazil: prediction of epidemic regions and periods for immunization against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus / Análise temporal-espacial de hospitalizações por bronquiolite no Brasil: previsão das regiões e períodos epidêmicos para imunização contra o vírus sincicial respiratório

Abstract Objective: Due to the high cost and short term of passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus, the main virus causing acute viral bronchiolitis, predicting epidemic regions and epidemic months is extremely important. The objective of this study is to identify both the month when the seasonal peak begins and Brazilian regions and states with the highest incidence of monthly hospitalizations due acute viral bronchiolitis. Methods: Based on data obtained from DATASUS, monthly hospitalization rates due acute viral bronchiolitis were calculated for every 10,000 live births to children under 12 months of age in all Brazilian states and the Federal District between 2000 and 2019. Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models were estimated to forecast monthly hospitalization rates in 2020. Results: A higher incidence of hospitalizations was found for male children, especially under six months of age. As for Brazilian regions, between 2000 and 2019, the South region registered the highest incidence of hospitalizations, followed by the Southeast, Midwest, North and Northeast regions, in this order. Considering the seasonal peak, the period between March and July 2020 comprised the highest expected hospitalization rates. Conclusions: Palivizumab is suggested to be started between February/March and June/July for most Brazilian states, with the exception of Rio Grande do Sul, which, in addition to presenting the highest rates of hospitalizations for acute viral bronchiolitis per 10,000 live births, has the longest seasonal peak between May and September.

RESUMO Objetivo: Em razão do alto custo e do curto prazo da imunização passiva contra o vírus sincicial respiratório, principal vírus causador de bronquiolite viral aguda, a previsão das regiões e meses epidêmicos é extremamente importante. Objetiva-se identificar o mês de início do pico sazonal e as regiões e Estados brasileiros de maior incidência de hospitalizações mensais por bronquiolite viral aguda. Métodos: Com dados obtidos no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil, foram calculadas as taxas mensais de hospitalizações por bronquiolite viral aguda a cada 10 mil nascidos vivos de crianças com idade inferior a 12 meses, em todos os Estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal, no período entre 2000 e 2019. Modelos sazonais autorregressivos integrados e de médias móveis foram estimados para a previsão das taxas mensais de hospitalizações em 2020. Resultados: Verificou-se maior incidência de hospitalizações em crianças do sexo masculino, principalmente naquelas com idade inferior a seis meses. Em relação às regiões brasileiras, entre 2000 e 2019, a Região Sul apresentou a maior incidência de hospitalizações, seguida pelas Regiões Sudeste, Centro-Oeste, Norte e Nordeste, respectivamente. Quanto ao pico sazonal, o período entre março e julho de 2020 compreende as maiores taxas de hospitalizações previstas. Conclusões: Sugere-se o início da administração do Palivizumab entre fevereiro/março e junho/julho para a maioria dos Estados brasileiros, com exceção do Rio Grande do Sul, que, além de apresentar as maiores taxas de hospitalizações por bronquiolite viral aguda a cada 10.000 nascidos vivos, possui o pico sazonal de maior duração entre maio e setembro.

Factores clínicos y socioeconómicos asociados a bronquiolitis severa en lactantes menores de 24 meses. Estudio de caso control

Introducción: En países en desarrollo, además de las comorbilidades, otros factores podrían aumentar el riesgo de enfermedad respiratoria severa. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar los factores de riesgo clínicos, sociodemográficos y ambientales asociados al ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) de lactantes menores de 24 meses con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis. Materiales y métodos Diseño: caso- control. Se incluyó a lactantes de 0 a 24 meses de edad con el diagnóstico de bronquiolitis severa que ingresaron a la UCIP y los controles fueron lactantes bronquiolitis leve a moderada, sin requerimiento de UCIP. Se excluyeron las historias clínicas incompletas e imposibilidad de comunicación con los padres. Variables: bajo peso de nacimiento, parto pretérmino y presencia de enfermedades de base (EB), nivel socioeconómico, lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los 6 meses de edad, exposición al humo ambiental y al tabaco. Los datos fueron analizados en SPSS V21. El comité de ética aprobó el estudio con consentimiento informado de los padres. Resultados : Fueron incluidos 220 pacientes. Caso control 1:1. En el análisis bivariado los casos se asoció la presencia de EB, bajo peso de nacimiento, prematuridad, bajo estrato socioeconómico y ausencia de LME hasta 6 meses En el análisis ajustado la bronquiolitis severa se asoció a presencia de EB, bajo estrato socioeconómico y ausencia de LME hasta los 6 meses. Conclusiones La bronquiolitis severa en lactantes menores de 24 meses, se asoció a la presencia de comorbilidades, falta de lactancia materna exclusiva y a la pertenencia a estratos socioeconómicos bajo.

Introduction: In developing countries, in addition to comorbidities, other factors could increase the risk of severe respiratory disease. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical, sociodemographic, and environmental risk factors associated with admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of infants younger than 24 months with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Materials and methods: the study design was case-control. Infants from 0 to 24 months of age with a diagnosis of severe bronchiolitis who were admitted to the PICU were included, and the controls were infants with mild to moderate bronchiolitis, without PICU requirement. Cases with incomplete medical records and the inability to communicate with parents were excluded. Variables: low birth weight, preterm delivery and presence of underlying diseases (UD), socioeconomic level, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to 6 months of age, exposure to environmental smoke and tobacco. Data were analyzed in SPSS V21. The hospital ethics committee approved the study and parental informed consent was obtained. Results: 220 patients were included. Control case 1:1. In the bivariate analysis, the cases were associated with the presence of UD, low birth weight, prematurity, low socioeconomic status, and absence of EBF for up to 6 months. In the adjusted analysis, severe bronchiolitis was associated with the presence of UD, low socioeconomic status, and absence of EBF up to 6 months. Conclusions: Severe bronchiolitis in infants under 24 months of age was associated with the presence of comorbidities, lack of exclusive breastfeeding, and belonging to low socioeconomic strata.

Neonatos en las emergencias pediátricas. Estudio comparativo de las Bronquiolitis con otras patologías neonatales que requirieron hospitalización

Introducción: La bronquiolitis en una infección viral de las vías respiratoria y la causa más frecuente de hospitalización de los lactantes menores El objetivo del estudio fue comparar las características clínicas, socioeconómicas y la evolución de neonatos ingresados por bronquiolitis (BR), con aquellos que ingresaron por otras patologías. (0P) Material y método : estudio observacional descriptivo. Fueron incluidos neonatos con diagnóstico de BR y aquellos que ingresaron por OP Variables: edad postnatal, antecedentes sexo, motivo de ingreso, comorbilidades, ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) , días de hospitalización, estrato socioeconómico, presencia de atopia familiar y exposición ambiental al humo. Los datos fueron analizados en SPSS Resultados: ingresaron al estudio 75 neonatos con BR y 86 ingresados OP .El 45% de los neonatos con BR ingresaron por riesgo social, y el 38,4% de los neonatos con OP por sospecha de sepsis neonatal tardía.Los neonatos con BR tenían mayor edad postnatal; 21 días, vs 8,5 p=0,001, procedían de zonas urbanas en el 98,6% vs 79% p=0,001 y las madres tenían menor edad 23 años vs 25 años respectivamente p=0,01. Además, presentaron mayor frecuencia de exposición al humo ambiental. (p=0,01) y menor frecuencia de comorbilidades (p=0,03) Ningún paciente con BR ingreso a la UCIP vs 3,5% en el grupo de neonatos con OP. Conclusiones: Los neonatos con BR, tenían mayor edad, procedían de zonas urbanas, menor comorbilidades, sus madres eran más jóvenes y tenían mayor exposición al humo ambiental. La mayoría fueron cuadros leves de BR

Introduction : Bronchiolitis in a viral infection of the respiratory tract and the most frequent cause of hospitalization of young infants The objective of the study was to compare the clinical, socioeconomic characteristics and the evolution of neonates admitted for bronchiolitis (BR), with those admitted for other pathologies. (0P) Material and method : descriptive observational study. Neonates diagnosed with BR and those admitted for OP were included: Variables: postnatal age, sex, reason for admission, comorbidities, admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), days of hospitalization, socioeconomic stratum, presence of familial atopy and environmental exposure to smoke. Data were analyzed in SPSS. Results: 75 infants with BR and 86 admitted OP entered the study. 45% of infants with BR were admitted for social risk, and 38.4% of infants with OP due to suspected late neonatal sepsis. Neonates with BR had higher postnatal age; 21 days, vs 8.5 p=0.001, came from urban areas in 98.6% vs. 79% p=0.001 and mothers were younger, 23 years vs. 25 years respectively p=0.01. In addition, they presented a higher frequency of exposure to environmental smoke. (p=0.01) and lower frequency of comorbidities (p=0.03) No patient with BR admission to the PICU vs 3.5% in the group of neonates with OP. Conclusions: Neonates with BR were older, came from urban areas, had fewer comorbidities, their mothers were younger, and they had greater exposure to environmental smoke. Most cases were mild BR.

Point-of-Care Thoracic Ultrasound in Children with Bronchiolitis

Objective To characterize thoracic (lung and diaphragm) ultrasound fndings in children<2 y with bronchiolitis, evaluate correlation between lung ultrasound severity score (USS) and bronchiolitis severity score (BSS), and study the interobserver agreement of USS between study pediatrician and radiologist. Methods In this prospective observational study, thoracic ultrasound was performed on children with bronchiolitis by the study pediatrician and USS score was assigned. A radiologist blinded to all clinical information, performed an independent thoracic ultrasound. Demographics, clinical course, and other relevant details were recorded. Results Fifty-three children were enrolled; 29/53 patients (54.7%) were classifed as mild bronchiolitis and 24/53 (45.2%) had moderate bronchiolitis as per clinical score; 13.2% (7/53) patients had both anterior and posterior subpleural consolidation and went on to require higher respiratory support either in the form of continuous positive airway pressure in 71.4% (5/7), oxygen for>24 h in 14.2% (1/7), or heated humidifed high-fow nasal cannula in 14.2% (1/7). These results were statistically signifcant (p<0.001). A statistically signifcant correlation was found between the USS and type and duration of respiratory support (p value 0.002) and with the mean duration of hospital stay (p value<0.001). There was signifcant correlation between the BSS and USS (p<0.001). There was a very good agreement between the ultrasound fndings of study pediatrician and radiologist (kappa 0.83). Conclusion The fndings of lung ultrasound (LUS) are not specifc for bronchiolitis. However, LUS can be used as a good prognostic tool in patients with bronchiolitis.

Bronquiolitis obliterante y SARS-CoV-2: el inicio de una asociación

La infección por SARS-CoV-2 en la población pediátrica gene-ralmente se manifiesta con síntomas leves; sin embargo, en pacientes con co-morbilidades puede haber compromiso pulmonar grave. Se presenta el caso de un lactante de tres meses de edad con una infección por SARS-CoV-2, con sintomatología respiratoria persistente por 8 semanas después de la infección inicial, con RPC persistentemente positiva, requiriendo varias hospitalizaciones, oxígeno suplementario y ventilación mecánica invasiva. Se encontraron hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos compatibles con una bronquiolitis obliterante asociada a la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Hubo una adecuada respuesta clínica, después del inicio de tratamiento de primera línea para bronquiolitis obliterante, y una evolución favorable durante el seguimiento hasta la fecha, evidenciando la importancia de tener en cuenta esta asociación en la práctica clínica.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pediatric population usually manifests with mild symptoms; however, in patients with comorbidities, there may be a severe pulmonary compromise. We present the case of a 3-month-old patient with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, with persistent respiratory symptoms up to 8 weeks after the initial infection, with a persistently positive PCR test, requiring several hospitalizations, supplemental oxygen, and even invasive mechanical ventilation. Clinical and radiological manifestations were found consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. An adequate clinical response was documented after starting first-line treatment for bronchiolitis obliterans with satisfactory evolution during follow-up to date, evidencing the importance of considering this association in clinical practice.

Factores asociados al uso de antibioticoterapia en niños menores de 2 años previamente sanos hospitalizados por bronquiolitis

Objetivo: Perfilar las características de los pacientes y los factores que llevan a la prescripción de antibióticos, en todos los niños menores de 2 años previamente sanos internados con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis, durante un periodo de 12 meses en el hospital pediátrico especializado. Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo de las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los niños previamente sanos menores de dos años hospitalizados con el diagnóstico de bronquiolitis, del 01 de enero al 31 de diciembre del año 2018 en el Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera" de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social de Costa Rica, con un análisis comparativo entre los factores asociados con la utilización o no de antibióticos durante su hospitalización. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 261 niños previamente sanos hospitalizados con bronquiolitis, con una edad promedio de 7.3 meses y predomino del sexo masculino (n=160, 61.3%). El 24.5% presentó exposición a fumado pasivo. Un 66.1% de los pacientes no tuvieron antecedente de sibilancias previas al internamiento y un 52.2% con el antecedente familiar de asma bronquial. Se registró que el 17.2% (n=45) recibió antibióticos durante su hospitalización. Los factores asociados con la prescripción de los antibióticos fueron la presencia de opacidades pulmonares (p=0.001, OR: 32.2) e infiltrados bronconeumónicos (p=0.002, OR:2.72) en la radiografía de tórax, la escalada a terapia con cánula de alto flujo (p<0.001, OR: 4.43) y la ventilación mecánica asistida (p=0.001, OR: 7.17). Conclusión: Los dos factores que llevan al médico a prescribir antibióticos al paciente sano con BQL son el deterioro del patrón respiratorio que lleva a la necesidad de intubar y ventilar y la presencia de opacidades pulmonares e infiltrados bronconeumónicos.

Aim: Identify the patient characteristics and the factors related to the prescription of antibiotics, in all previously healthy children under 2 years of age hospitalized with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, during a period of 12 months in a pediatric hospital. Methods: descriptive observational study of the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of previously healthy children under two years of age hospitalized with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, from January 1 to December 31, 2018 at the National Children's Hospital "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera" of the Costa Rican Social Security, with a comparative analysis between the factors associated with the use or not of antibiotics during hospitalization. Results: A total of 261 previously healthy children hospitalized with bronchiolitis were included, with a mean age of 7.3 months and a predominance of males (n=160, 61.3%). 24.5% presented exposure to passive smoking. 66.1% of the patients had no history of wheezing prior to hospitalization and 52.2% had a family history of bronchial asthma. It was recorded that 17.2% (n=45) received antibiotics during their hospitalization. Factors associated with the prescription of antibiotics were the presence of pulmonary opacities (p=0.001, OR: 32.2) and bronchopneumonic infiltrates (p=0.002, OR: 2.72) on chest radiography, escalation to high-pressure cannula therapy flow (p<0.001, OR: 4.43) and assisted mechanical ventilation (p=0.001, OR: 7.17). Conclusion: two factors that lead the physician to prescribe antibiotics in the healthy patient with bronchiolitis, the deterioration of the respiratory pattern that lead to intubation and ventilate the healthy patient with BQL and the presence of radiologic pulmonary opacities and bronchopneumonic infiltrates.

Analysis of predictors of response to high-flow oxygen nasal cannula therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit / Análisis de factores predictores de respuesta a la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos

Abstract Background: Bronchiolitis is one of the most frequent reasons for admission to pediatric intensive care units. Medical treatment is primarily supportive. The usefulness of high-flow oxygen (HFO) nasal cannula in these patients has been described. This study evaluated the clinical and analytical variables of patients admitted to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for initiation or continuation of HFO for respiratory distress and to identify any variable that may be a predictor of success or failure of this technique. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study that included infants aged < 24 months admitted to our PICU due to bronchiolitis between January 2015 and March 2019 for HFO. Results: We analyzed the characteristics between responders (n = 112) and non-responders (n = 37). No statistically significant differences were observed between groups regarding sex, age, weight, comorbidities, nasopharyngeal aspirate result, hours of evolution, and respiratory and heart rate. However, a pCO2 ≥ 75 mmHg (p = 0.043) and a SCORE of bronchiolitis severity (p = 0.032) were predictors of HFNC failure. Conclusions: The pCO2 level and SCORE of bronchiolitis severity are predictors of this respiratory support modality.

Resumen Introducción: La bronquiolitis es uno de los motivos más frecuentes de ingreso en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP); el tratamiento médico es básicamente de soporte. Se ha descrito la utilidad de la oxigenoterapia de alto flujo (OAF) en estos pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar algunas variables clínicas y analíticas de los pacientes que ingresan en nuestra UCIP para inicio o continuación de OAF ante cuadros de dificultad respiratoria e identificar cualquier variable que pueda ser factor predictor del éxito o fracaso de esta técnica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional, incluyendo lactantes menores de 24 meses ingresados en la UCIP entre enero de 2015 y marzo de 2019 para OAF ante cuadros de bronquiolitis. Resultados: Se analizaron las características entre el grupo de respondedores (n = 112) y no respondedores (n = 37). No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto al sexo, edad, peso, comorbilidades, resultado del aspirado naso-faríngeo, horas de evolución, frecuencia respiratoria, frecuencia cardiaca entre ambos grupos. Sin embargo, una pCO2 ≥75 mmHg (p = 0.043) y un SCORE de gravedad de la bronquiolitis mayor (p = 0.032) fueron factores predictores de fracaso de la OAF. Conclusiones: El nivel de pCO2 y el SCORE de gravedad de la bronquiolitis son factores predictores de esta modalidad de soporte respiratorio.

Rhinoviruses as critical agents in severe bronchiolitis in infants

Abstract Objectives: To detect RSV or other thirteen respiratory viruses as possible causer agent of bronchiolitis in infants. Method: This is an epidemiological analytical study, conducted using a nasopharyngeal aspirate of 173 hospitalized children younger than two years old with severe bronchiolitis in three hospitals in the Campinas Metropolitan Region (CMR) during 2013-14. The data was statically evaluated by Pearson's chi-squared test with statistical significance of 0.05 and 95% confidence level. Results: As expected, the most prevalent viruses detected were RSV A and B in 47% and 16% of the samples, respectively. However, almost a third of severe bronchiolitis cases there were no detection of RSV, and the viruses more commonly detected were rhinoviruses, which were identified in almost a quarter of all positive samples for at least a viral agent. Conclusions: Although nothing could be concluded from the disease severity and clinicalepidemiological data, the present study's results indicate that severe bronchiolitis is not always related to RSV infections in children younger than two years old, and the rhinoviruses were more prevalent in these cases. These findings reinforce the need to carry out a

The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Bronchiolitis (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection) Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic has changed the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection which accounts for most bronchiolitis and viral pneumonias in infants. This systematic review and meta‑analysis aimed to quantitatively assess the effect of the COVID‑19 pandemic on RSV‑associated bronchiolitis among hospitalized infants. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022314000) and was designed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑analyses guidelines updated in May 2020. The meta‑analysis component was modified appropriately to synthesize the pooled proportion of infants having RSV‑associated bronchiolitis before the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2019 and during the pandemic with 95% confidence interval (CI). We identified and screened 189 articles and systematically reviewed 50 full texts. Eight qualified studies from Europe and China, including 109,186 symptomatic cases of bronchiolitis before the pandemic in 2019 and 61,982 cases in 2020–2021 were pooled by random‑effects meta‑analysis. The quantitative analysis included laboratory‑confirmed RSV infection in 7691 infants with bronchiolitis reported before the pandemic in 2019. Meanwhile, during the pandemic, 4964 bronchiolitis cases were associated with RSV infection. The pooled proportion of RSV‑associated bronchiolitis cases before the pandemic in 2019 was 16.74% (95% CI 11.73, 22.43%, 95% prediction interval 0.032, 34.16). The pooled proportion of confirmed RSV cases during the pandemic in 2020/2021 was 19.20% (95% CI 12.01, 27.59%, 95% prediction interval 0.046, 42.35). There was an increase in RSV activity after the relaxation of stringent public health measures during the COVID‑19 pandemic.