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The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
located on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/125/2/342
outcomes for bronchiolitis across different settings has led to Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and cDepartments of
evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Ongoing investigation con- Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Rochester School of
Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
tinues to expand this body of evidence. Authors of recent surveillance
KEY WORDS
studies have defined the presence of coinfections with multiple viruses
bronchiolitis, respiratory syncytial virus
in some cases of bronchiolitis. Underlying comorbidities and young
ABBREVIATIONS
age remain the most important predictors for severe bronchiolitis. RSV—respiratory syncytial virus
Pulse oximetry plays an important role in driving use of health care AAP—American Academy of Pediatrics
resources. Evidence-based reviews have suggested a limited role for HMPV— human metapneumovirus
ED— emergency department
diagnostic laboratory or radiographic tests in typical cases of bronchi-
www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2009-2092
olitis. Several large, recent trials have revealed a lack of efficacy for
routine use of either bronchodilators or corticosteroids for treatment doi:10.1542/peds.2009-2092
of bronchiolitis. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential future role Accepted for publication Nov 5, 2009
for a combination of these therapies and other novel treatments such Address correspondence to Joseph J. Zorc, MD, MSCE, Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Emergency Medicine, Main
as nebulized hypertonic saline. Pediatrics 2010;125:342–349
AS01, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
19104-4399. E-mail: zorc@email.chop.edu
PEDIATRICS (ISSN Numbers: Print, 0031-4005; Online, 1098-4275).
Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr Hall has received grant support
and consulting fees from MedImmune, Inc; Dr Zorc has indicated
he has no financial relationships relevant to this article to
disclose.
Bronchiolitis is a disorder of the lower the variability in the clinical evidence changing clinical signs that confound
respiratory tract that occurs most derived from published studies. In the an accurate assessment of the sever-
commonly in young children and is United Kingdom, the term tends to be ity of illness. A “ball-valve” mechanism
caused by infection with seasonal vi- used more specifically. The authors of can result in trapping of air distal to
ruses such as respiratory syncytial vi- University of Nottingham study derived obstructed areas, with subsequent ab-
rus (RSV). Bronchiolitis is the leading a consensus definition of “a seasonal sorption, atelectasis, and a mismatch
cause of infant hospitalization in the viral illness characterized by fever, na- of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion
United States and has been associated sal discharge, and dry, wheezy cough. that may lead to hypoxemia. Atelecta-
with increasing morbidity rates and On examination there are fine inspira- sis may be accelerated by the lack of
cost over recent decades.1–3 Multiple tory crackles and/or high-pitched expi- collateral channels in young children
studies have documented variation in ratory wheeze.”9 In North America, and potentially by the administration
diagnostic testing, treatment, hospital- bronchiolitis commonly is applied of high concentrations of supplemen-
ization rates, and length of hospital more broadly but is linked to the spe- tal oxygen, which is absorbed more
stay for bronchiolitis, suggesting a cific finding of wheeze. The AAP guide- rapidly than room air. Smooth-muscle
lack of consensus and an opportunity line defined bronchiolitis as “a constel- constriction seems to have little role in
to improve care for this common dis- lation of clinical symptoms and signs the pathologic process, which may ex-
order.4–6 Recognition of this need led to including a viral upper respiratory plain the limited benefit of bronchodi-
a clinical practice guideline7 published prodrome followed by increased respi- lators observed in clinical studies.
by the American Academy of Pediatrics ratory effort and wheezing in children The number of viruses recognized to
(AAP) and other organizations in 2006 less than 2 years of age.”7 The distinc- cause bronchiolitis has markedly ex-
based on a review of the scientific evi- tion is important, because recurrent panded with the availability of sensi-
dence funded by the Agency for Health- wheezing among older children is of- tive diagnostic tests that use mo-
care Research and Quality.8 ten triggered by viruses that are typi- lecular amplification techniques. RSV
Bronchiolitis is an active area of re- cally limited to the upper respiratory continues to account for 50% to 80% of
search, and many important studies tract, such as rhinoviruses (see dis- cases.11 Other causes include the para-
have advanced the understanding of cussion below). Researchers have of- influenza viruses, primarily parainflu-
this disorder in the past few years. In ten attempted to focus the population enza virus type 3, influenza, and human
this review we focus on new develop- of children with bronchiolitis by limit- metapneumovirus (HMPV).12–14 HMPV
ments in the scientific evidence that ing inclusion to infants younger than has been estimated to account for 3%
relate to the pathophysiology, epidemi- 12 months with a first-time episode of to 19% of bronchiolitis cases.15,16 The
ology, diagnosis, and management of wheezing, although even then hetero- clinical courses of RSV and HMPV seem
bronchiolitis. Because the AAP guide- geneity in the population may persist. to be similar; most children are in-
line recently summarized the previous Recognizing the pathologic picture fected during annual widespread win-
body of research, we highlight subse- that occurs in the airways of children tertime epidemics, with a subset devel-
quently available information relevant with bronchiolitis is important in un- oping bronchiolitis.12,17,18
to those recommendations. The pre- derstanding the clinical manifesta- Molecular diagnostic techniques have
vention and potential long-term effects tions and developing rational manage- also revealed that young children with
of bronchiolitis, although active re- ment.10 The viral infection occurs bronchiolitis and other acute respira-
search areas, will not be reviewed. through the upper respiratory tract tory illnesses often are infected with
and spreads lower within a few days, more than 1 virus. Rates of coinfection
DEFINITION AND resulting in inflammation of the bron- have ranged from 10% to 30% in sam-
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY chiolar epithelium, with peribronchial ples of hospitalized children, most
Although the term “bronchiolitis” re- infiltration of white blood cell types, commonly with RSV and either HMPV
fers to inflammation of the bronchi- mostly mononuclear cells, and edema or rhinovirus.19 A recent large pro-
oles, these findings are rarely ob- of the submucosa and adventitia. spective study of children younger
served directly but inferred in a young Plugs of sloughed, necrotic epithelium than 5 years of age hospitalized with
child who presents with respiratory and fibrin in the airways cause partial RSV infection revealed a coinfection
distress in association with signs of a or total obstruction to airflow. The de- rate of 6%.3 Whether concomitant in-
viral infection. Definitions of bronchi- gree of obstruction may vary as these fection increases the severity of bron-
olitis vary and may account for some of areas are cleared, resulting in rapidly chiolitis is controversial. A 10-fold in-
sence of atelectasis adds little to the younger than 6 months of age who months of life with bronchiolitis and
assessment.41 were hospitalized for bronchiolitis re- fever, studies have evaluated prospec-
Pulse oximetry is among the measures vealed that apnea occurred in 19 tively the ability of a positive viral test
most strongly correlated with out- (2.7%).49 All of these apneic infants to predict a low likelihood for a bacte-
comes of bronchiolitis. In a recent mul- were identified by risk criteria includ- rial infection. Authors of 1 study docu-
ticenter prospective study, a pulse ing either (1) history of an apneic epi- mented a low but not insignificant rate
oximetry level of ⬍94% was associ- sode having already occurred or (2) of bacterial infection accompanying
ated with a more-than-fivefold in- young age, defined as less than 1 RSV infection, mostly in the urinary
crease in likelihood of hospitalization.40 month for term infants or a postcon- tract.54 Low rates of coinfections also
A cohort study conducted when oximetry ceptional age of ⬍48 weeks for prema- have been observed in recent studies
was not in routine use revealed that mild ture infants.49 only on the basis of the clinical diagno-
hypoxemia was correlated with a more sis of bronchiolitis.55 In a prospective
severe course, which likely reflects pul- DIAGNOSTIC TESTING pediatric office– based study of 218 fe-
monary ventilation-to-perfusion mis- The type and frequency of diagnostic brile infants younger than 3 months of
match.38 However, arbitrary thresholds tests used for bronchiolitis, such as vi- age with clinically diagnosed bronchi-
for oxygen therapy may also influence ral detection and radiographs, vary olitis, no serious bacterial infections
outcomes. A survey of emergency physi- markedly among clinicians.5 As stated were identified.56 These findings fur-
cians revealed that reducing the oxime- in the AAP guideline, results of ther support the idea that, for most
try level from 94% to 92% in a clinical evidence-based reviews have not sup- cases of bronchiolitis, the clinical diag-
vignette significantly increased the likeli- ported a role for any diagnostic tests nosis of bronchiolitis is sufficient, and
hood of recommending hospitalization.42 in the management of routine cases of viral testing adds little to routine
Furthermore, a substantial proportion bronchiolitis.7,50 In addition, studies of management.
of infants remain in the hospital to re- efforts to standardize care have dem- The use of chest radiography for diag-
ceive oxygen when other abnormalities onstrated substantial reductions in di- nosis and management of bronchioli-
have improved.43 A recent British study agnostic testing rates with potential tis has also varied widely and is not
revealed that the mean lag time for oxy- benefits on costs and outcomes.51,52 Re- recommended routinely by the AAP.7 A
gen saturation to normalize was 66 cent evidence further supports a lim- subsequent prospective study of chil-
hours after all other problems had re-
ited role for diagnostic testing in most dren aged 2 to 23 months who pre-
solved.44 Continuous oximetry may en-
cases of bronchiolitis. sented to the ED with bronchiolitis fur-
hance this situation, because it will de-
tect the characteristic transient dips in Rapid viral antigen tests have variable ther showed the low yield of routine
oxygenation associated with bronchioli- sensitivity and specificity depending radiography as well as a potential
tis. This evidence further supports the on the test and when they are used detrimental effect.57 Of 265 children
AAP recommendations that oxygen ther- during the respiratory season.53 Their with “simple” bronchiolitis (defined
apy be initiated judiciously when oxygen predictive value is generally good dur- as coryza, cough, and respiratory dis-
saturation levels fall below 90% and that ing the peak viral season but de- tress accompanying a first episode of
the intensity of monitoring oxygen satu- creases considerably at times of low wheeze in a child without underlying
ration levels be reduced as the infant im- prevalence. Because most viruses that illness), routine radiography identified
proves.7 Novel approaches, such as the cause bronchiolitis have similar clini- findings inconsistent with bronchioli-
use of home oxygen therapy, have been cal courses, the value of identifying the tis in only 2 cases, and in neither case
studied in some populations, and further specific agent varies according to the did the findings change acute manage-
research on oxygen use in bronchiolitis setting. In typical outpatient cases, re- ment. After reviewing the radiographs,
is needed.45,46 sults would likely have little impact on clinicians were more likely to treat
Apnea is a specific and important con- management. In the hospital setting, with antibiotics, although the findings
cern in the management of young in- however, specific viral testing has did not support treatment.
fants with bronchiolitis, especially been used as part of successful Although the diagnosis of most cases
those with RSV. The incidence of this interventions to reduce nosocomial of bronchiolitis is clinically evident and
complication may be much lower than infection.48,49 does not require diagnostic testing,
previous reports have suggested.47,48 A For the specific clinical scenario of an the differential diagnosis is broad and
retrospective study of 691 infants infant presenting during the first few always warrants consideration (see
FIGURE 1
Cochrane collaboration systematic review of studies that assessed the difference in rate of improvement after 2-agonist bronchodilators or placebo
among children with bronchiolitis. (Reproduced with permission from Gadomski AM, Bhasale AL. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(3):CD001266.)
TABLE 3 Summary of Recent Evidence for Therapies Used for Bronchiolitis Among other therapies explored for
Therapy Summary Recommendation potential use in bronchiolitis is the leu-
Bronchodilators No improvement in duration of illness No routine use kotriene receptor antagonist, monte-
or hospitalization58,59
May improve short-term clinical Use only after proven benefit in a trial
lukast, which did not seem beneficial
scores in a subset of children58 of therapy, if chosen as an option in resolution of symptoms.67,68 Nebu-
Corticosteroids No improvement in duration of illness No routine use lized hypertonic saline has been asso-
or hospitalization7,63
Leukotriene receptor No improvement in duration of Not recommended
ciated in recent randomized trials and
antagonists illness67,75 in a Cochrane meta-analysis with im-
Nebulized hypertonic May reduce length of inpatient None provement in clinical score and dura-
saline hospitalization70
tion of hospitalization.69,70 Other thera-
pies such as helium/oxygen, nasal
sion below).62 Two doses of nebulized firmed this finding by using a regimen continuous positive airway pressure,
epinephrine did not reduce the num- of 6 days of dexamethasone and also and surfactant are being assessed for
ber of hospitalizations when com- revealed no improvement in disease use in critically ill patients.71–73
pared with placebo. Overall, the avail- course.62 It is interesting to note that in
able current evidence continues to this factorial design study, the group CONCLUSIONS
support the AAP recommendation of those who received dexamethasone
Bronchiolitis continues to be an active
against the routine use of bronchodila- combined with 2 doses of nebulized
area of investigation across the spec-
tors for bronchiolitis.7 A monitored epinephrine had a lower admission
trum from genetic mechanisms to
trial of a bronchodilator can be consid- rate over 7 days compared with those
ered as an option, but it should be con- population-based research. Surveil-
who were on placebo (17.1% vs 26.4%).
tinued only after a documented benefi- lance studies continue to identify new
The study authors did not anticipate
cial response (Table 3). causes of bronchiolitis and explore the
this potential interaction in the design,
role of viral coinfections. Research on
Corticosteroid administration for the and after adjustment for multiple com-
prediction of the course of illness has
treatment of bronchiolitis also has parisons the difference did not reach
statistical significance (P ⫽ .07). Inter- revealed comorbidities as important
been controversial. The studies re-
viewed in the AAP guideline revealed that pretation of this result awaits further risk factors and specific physical or di-
corticosteroid administration was not investigation before it can be imple- agnostic test findings as less predic-
associated with significant reductions in mented in routine practice. Synergy tive of outcomes for most bronchiolitis
clinical scores, hospitalization rates, or between adrenergic agents and corti- cases. The use of pulse oximetry has
length of hospitalization.7 Several large costeroids has been well described in likely contributed to longer hospital-
studies subsequently expanded these asthma and has been observed in izations and greater use of health
data. A multicenter trial from the Pediat- other small studies of bronchioli- care resources, suggesting that the
ric Emergency Care Applied Research tis.64–66 If confirmed, the moderate ef- standard of care for oxygen therapy
Network, which enrolled 600 previously fect (11 infants needing to be treated requires better definition. Recent
healthy infants with a first episode of for 1 not to be admitted) could, never- multicenter research on therapy for
bronchiolitis, showed that a single oral theless, represent a potentially impor- bronchiolitis supports previous AAP
dose of dexamethasone resulted in no tant relative reduction in the number recommendations against the routine
significant improvement compared with of hospitalizations for this common use of bronchodilators or corticoste-
placebo in the rates of hospitalization or disorder. Future studies may evaluate roids. Further investigation is needed
clinical scores.63 whether a larger effect may be present to explore the combination of these
The Pediatric Emergency Research among a subgroup of infants and as- therapies and other interventions,
Canada study, mentioned above, con- sess other dose combinations. such as nebulized hypertonic saline.
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