The severity of acute bronchiolitis in infants was associated with quality of life nine months later.

AIM: Acute bronchiolitis in infancy increases the risk of later asthma and reduced health-related quality of life (QoL). We aimed to see whether the severity of acute bronchiolitis in the first year of life was associated with QoL nine months later. METHODS: The parents of 209 of 404 of children hospitalised for acute bronchiolitis in eight paediatric departments in south-east Norway at a mean four months of age (range 0-12 months) completed the Infant/Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire sent by mail nine months after the acute illness. Disease severity was measured by length of stay and the need for supportive treatment. Interactions with gender, inclusion age, prematurity, maternal ethnicity and maternal education were examined. RESULTS: Reduced QoL in four domains was associated with increased length of stay and need for ventilatory support. Physical abilities and general health were associated with both severity markers, whereas bodily pain and discomfort and change in health were associated with length of stay. Ventilatory support was more negatively associated with QoL than atopic eczema and also associated with reduced parental emotions and parental time. CONCLUSION: The severity of acute bronchiolitis in infants was associated with reduced QoL nine months later.

Análise dos sintomas, sinais clínicos e suporte de oxigênio em pacientes com bronquiolite antes e após fisioterapia respiratória durante a internação hospitalar / Analysis of symptoms, clinical signs and oxygen support in patients with bronchiolitis before and after chest physiotherapy during hospitalization

OBJETIVO:Avaliar os efeitos da fisioterapia em pacientes pediátricos, internados com bronquiolite. MÉTODOS:O estudo incluiu 29 pacientes menores de um ano, com diagnóstico médico de bronquiolite aguda, sem cardiopatia congênita não corrigida, neuropatia, doença pulmonar de base ou que necessitassem de suporte ventilatório, no período de março a julho de 2009. Foi avaliada, por meio de questionário, a opinião dos pais ou responsáveis acerca das condições clínicas do paciente antes e após a primeira sessão de fisioterapia. Foram realizadas manobras de desobstrução brônquica, como drenagem postural, tapotagem, vibração, aceleração de fluxo expiratório e aspiração nasotraqueal. A avaliação foi realizada diariamente por meio de exame físico antes do atendimento fisioterapêutico e 15 a 45 minutos após, seguindo uma ficha específica. Os desfechos analisados foram: modificações do suporte de oxigênio, sinais clínicos (ausculta pulmonar, presença de tiragens, oxigenação e classificação da gravidade pelo escore de Downes) e sintomas (inapetência, hipoatividade, dificuldade para dormir, obstrução nasal e tosse constante). RESULTADOS:Dos 29 pacientes avaliados, houve melhora significativa nos seguintes sinais e sintomas: ausculta pulmonar com ruídos adventícios (p<0,001), estertores subcrepitantes (p=0,017) e sibilos (p=0,010), tiragens de modo geral (p<0,001), tiragem intercostal (p<0,001) e classificação da gravidade pelo escore de Downes (p<0,001). Também foi observada melhora significativa em todos os aspectos avaliados no questionário (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: A fisioterapia respiratória promoveu uma melhora significante em curto prazo das condições clínicas dos pacientes com bronquiolite aguda.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of chest physiotherapy in hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis. METHODS: The study included 29 patients younger than one year, diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis, without uncorrected congenital heart disease, neuropathy, lung pathology or need of mechanical ventilation, from March to July 2009. The opinion of the parents or guardians was evaluated using a questionnaire about the clinical condition of the patient before and after the first session of chest physiotherapy. Airway clearance techniques, such as postural drainage, manual percussion, vibration, acceleration of expiratory flow and tracheal suction were applied. The evaluation was performed daily by physical examination prior to physiotherapy and 15 to 45 minutes later, following a specific form. The outcomes observed were: changes of oxygen support, clinical signs (pulmonary auscultation, presence of retractions, oxygenation and severity classification by Downes score) and symptoms (difficulty in sleeping and in feeding, decreased activities, nasal obstruction and constant cough). RESULTS: Among the 29 patients evaluated, a significant improvement was noticed in the following signs and symptoms: pulmonary auscultation with adventitious sounds - general (p<0.001), rales (p=0.017) and wheezes (p=0.010); retractions - general (p<0.001) and intercostal retraction (p<0.001); severity of Downes Score (p<0.001). A significant improvement was also noted in all aspects evaluated in the questionnaire (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chest physiotherapy lead to a significant short term improvement in infants with bronchiolitis.

Duration of illness in infants with bronchiolitis evaluated in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the duration of illness in infants with first-time bronchiolitis who present to an emergency department (ED) and assess the burden of the illness on caregivers and families. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of infants younger than 12 months who presented to a tertiary care children's hospital ED with a first episode of bronchiolitis. Subjects were excluded if they had a history of bronchodilator use or immunocompromise. Demographic and clinical data were collected in the ED. Outcomes data were collected by weekly telephone interviews for 4 weeks or until the subject was free of cough for 24 hours. RESULTS: Ninety-five infants were enrolled from November 2007 to March 2008. Median duration of symptoms was 15 days; 25% of the infants remained symptomatic after 21 days. Subjects with a history of eczema trended toward a longer median duration of symptoms when compared with those who did not (18 days [interquartile range (IQR): 15.5-24] and 15 days [IQR: 11-19], respectively; P = .055). Duration of symptoms did not significantly vary with regards to respiratory syncytial virus status or secondhand smoke exposure. Subjects missed a median of 2.5 days (IQR: 0.5-5.5) of day care, and caregivers missed a median of 2 days (IQR: 1-4) of work. Of these infants, 37.1% (95% confidence interval: 24.3-44.1) had a subsequent unscheduled medical visit. CONCLUSIONS: Infants seen in the ED for bronchiolitis have a prolonged disease course, with substantial burden to the family. Symptom duration may be influenced by a propensity toward atopy. Clinicians may use this information for counseling families.

Predictive factors of non invasive ventilation failure in critically ill children: a prospective epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of predictive factors for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) failure and determination of NIV characteristics. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in a University Hospital. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: A total of 116 episodes were included. Clinical data collected were respiratory rate (RR), heart rate and FiO(2) before NIV began. Same data and expiratory and support pressures were collected at 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. Conditions precipitating acute respiratory failure (ARF) were classified into two groups: type 1 (38 episodes) and type 2 (78 episodes). Ventilation-perfusion impairment was the main respiratory failure mechanism in type 1, and hypoventilation in type 2. Factors predicting NIV failure were determined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Most common admission diagnoses were pneumonia (81.6%) in type 1 and bronchiolitis (39.7%) and asthma (42.3%) in type 2. Complications secondary to NIV were detected in 23 episodes (20.2%). NIV success rate was 84.5% (68.4% in type 1 and 92.3% in type 2). Type 1 patients showed a higher risk of NIV failure compared to type 2 (OR 11.108; CI 95%, 2.578-47.863). A higher PRISM score (OR 1.138; CI 95%, 1.022-1.267), and a lower RR decrease at 1 h and at 6 h (OR 0.926; CI 95%, 0.860-0.997 and OR 0.911; CI 95%, 0.837-0.991, respectively) were also independently associated with NIV failure. CONCLUSIONS: NIV is a useful respiratory support technique in paediatric patients. Type 1 group classification, higher PRISM score, and lower RR decrease during NIV were independent risk factors for NIV failure.

Measurement system for gesture characterization during chest physiotherapy act on newborn babies suffering from bronchiolitis.

Despite the lack of studies, chest physiotherapy (CPT) is widely used for newborn babies suffering from bronchiolitis. The limited data regarding this technique is mainly due to the difficulties making in situ measurements during the act. In the presented study, original instrumented gloves were designed and realized to perform measurements on babies during the CPT act. Custom-designed associated electronics and software were specially developed to monitor and record the forces applied by the physiotherapist's hands on the infant's chest and their trajectories. A prospective study, with babies in real situation, validates the principle measurement. Measurements with the system was led on babies in a referent physiotherapist consulting room between January and March 2007. The results are being analyzed and typical phases of the CPT act are highlighted.

Recent trends in severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among US infants, 1997 to 2000.

OBJECTIVES: To provide current estimates of the incidence, associated risk factors, and costs of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among infants in the United States, defined as emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalization, and death. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data 1997 to 2000; National Hospital Discharge Survey data 1997 to 2000; Perinatal Mortality Linked Files 1998 to 1999. The Hospital Cost Utilization Inpatient Sample data 1997 to 2000 were used to estimate hospitalization costs, and the 2001 Medicare fee schedule was used to estimate ED visit costs. Census data were used for population estimates. Between 1997 and 2000, there were 718,008 ED visits by infants with lower respiratory infection diagnoses during the RSV season (22.8/1000), and 29% were admitted. Costs of ED visits were approximately 202 million US dollars. RSV bronchiolitis was the leading cause of infant hospitalization annually. Total hospital charges for RSV-coded primary diagnoses during the 4 years were more than 2.6 billion US dollars. An estimated 390 RSV-associated postneonatal deaths occurred in 1999. Low birth weight and prematurity significantly increased RSV-associated mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: RSV is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Severe RSV is highest among infants of black mothers and Medicaid-insured infants. Prematurity and low birth weight significantly increase RSV mortality rates.

Complications in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis or respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize complications among infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data from 684 infants with bronchiolitis or RSV pneumonia, < or =1 year old, admitted to 10 children's hospitals from April 1995 to September 1996. Outcomes included complication rates and effects on hospital and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs. RESULTS: Most infants (79%) had one or more complication, with serious complications in 24%. Even minor complications were associated with significantly longer PICU and hospital LOS and higher costs (P<.001). Respiratory complications were most frequent (60%), but infectious (41%), cardiovascular (9%), electrolyte imbalance (19%), and other complications (9%) were common. Complication rates were higher in former premature infants (87%), infants with congenital heart disease (93%), and infants with other congenital abnormalities (90%) relative to infants without risk factors (76%). Infants 33 to 35 weeks gestational age (GA) had the highest complication rates (93%), longer hospital LOS, and higher costs (P<.004) than other former premature infants. CONCLUSIONS: Complications were common in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis or RSV pneumonia and were associated with longer LOS and higher costs. Former premature infants and infants with congenital abnormalities are at significantly greater risk for complications. Broader use of RSV prevention should be considered for these higher-risk infants.

Morbidity and mortality after RSV-associated hospitalizations among premature Canadian infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections on subsequent health care resource utilization in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of data from 2415 preterm infants (32 to 35 weeks gestational age [GA]) hospitalized for proven or probable RSV and matched to 20,254 control infants. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age at the index admission was 7.7 (5.5) months; 46% of the infants were male. Mean (SD) subsequent health services, excluding the index event, for the RSV cohort and control infants, respectively, were hospitalization, 2.96 (2.81) versus 1.28 (1.42); special care unit visits, 0.67 (1.70) versus 0.40 (0.33); respiratory therapy visits, 0:31 (0.70) versus 0.13 (0.37); physician consults, 3.61 (4.54) versus 0.89 (1.12); in-hospital procedures, 1.05 (4.02) versus 0.81 (1.51); outpatient visits, 18.4 (10.58) versus 7.54 (4.31); and mean (SD) inpatient days, 14.71 (18.69) versus 5.04 (7.09). All differences were statistically significant (P<.001). Diagnoses for the RSV and control cohorts were respiratory conditions (64% versus 13%), fever (2.7% versus 0.7%), anorexia (2.2% versus 0.6%), lack of normal physiological development (2.8% versus 1.1%; P<.05), overall deaths (8.1% versus 1.6%; P<.001), and sudden death (6.1% versus 0.3%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: RSV hospitalization in healthy premature infants is associated with a significant increase in subsequent health care resource utilization and mortality. Results support prophylaxis of premature infants against RSV hospitalization.

Respiratory bronchiolitis associated with severe dyspnea, exertional hypoxemia, and clubbing.

Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RBILD) is a distinct clinicopathologic disease described almost exclusively in cigarette smokers.(1) (2) The disease usually presents with mild symptoms and is associated with a good prognosis. (2) Severe lung dysfunction has not been reported with RBILD, which is often confused clinically and radiographically with desquamative interstitial lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Two patients with RBILD who developed severe dyspnea, hypoxemia, and clubbing are described. Initially, IPF was diagnosed in both patients. The severity of symptoms was such that the first patient's room air saturation was 85% and the second patient had severe impairment of lung function, with FEV(1) of 39% and FVC of 40%. Advanced lung disease required supplemental home oxygen therapy in the first patient and referral for lung transplant evaluation in the second patient. After a detailed review of histology revealed a diagnosis of RBILD, both patients were encouraged to stop smoking; smoking cessation led to considerable improvement in symptoms and lung function tests. We conclude that advanced lung dysfunction occurs in some patients with RBILD and should not dissuade that diagnosis.

[The differentiated treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children]. / Differentsirovannoe lechenie obstruktivnogo bronkhita u detei.

Infants with bronchial obstruction (BO) received differentiated regimens of physiotherapy. Spastic BO was managed most successfully by a complex involving ultrasonic inhalation of broncholytics and sinusoidal modulated currents. In BO with a hypersecretory component the best results were achieved with combination of UHF electromagnetic field plus ultrasonic saline-alkaline inhalations given in 2 steps.