CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FEATURES OF ACUTE BRONCHIOLITIS IN CHILDREN AGED FROM 2 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS

Abstract

Objectives and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study in 90 children aged from 2 months to 2 years old with acute bronchiolitis admitted to the Pediatric Departement, Hue Central Hospital from April 2010 to March 2011 was conducted to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of RSV and non-RSV acute bronchiolitis, and to evaluate the correlation between RDAI (Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument) and the clinical and laboratory features. Results: The rate of RSV bronchiolitis was 23.33%. Most of patients were under 12 month of age. The most common symptoms were cough (100%), clear rhinorrhea (> 85%) and wheezing (> 78%). Fever was less common (< 70%). The most common signs were tachypnea (> 84%), wheezes (> 90%), retractions (> 78%), rhonchus (> 78%), reduced breath sound (> 61%). Coarse crackles were less common (< 35%). RDAI score correlated negatively with ages (r= -0.595; p <0.01); correlated positively with respiratory rate (r = 0.92; p < 0.01). Mean RDAI score in children with reduced breath sound was significantly higher than in ones with normal breath sound (9.22 ± 4.36 vs. 7.37 ± 4.15; p < 0.05). Mean RDAI score in children with hyperinflation on CXR was significantly higher than in ones with no hyperinflation on CXR (10.29 ± 3.97 vs. 6.66 ± 3.91; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Differentiation between RSV bronchiolitis and non-RSV bronchiolitis is not necessary and not useful. The severity of acute bronchiolitis can be assessed by age, respiratory rate, breath sound, and sign of hyperinflation on CXR. Keywords: acute bronchiolitis, RDAI, children. Key words: Acute bronchiolitis, RDAI, children