Pediatric Lower Respiratory Tract Emergencies: Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia, and Asthma

Abstract

Respiratory illnesses account for a significant proportion of pediatric morbidity and mortality. Respiratory complaints are a common cause of emergency department visits and hospital admissions. They range from mild and self-limited to severe and rapidly progressive. This review discusses the pathophysiology, assessment, stabilization, and management of asthma, community-acquired pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. Given the prevalence of these conditions and the morbidity and mortality attributed to them, it is important for clinicians to be familiar with their presentations and up to date on evidence-based management recommendations. This review contains 7 figures, 25 tables and 80 references Keywords: antibiotics, asthma, bronchiolitis, community-acquired pneumonia, pediatric respiratory, pneumonia, respiratory emergency, respiratory illness, respiratory syncytial virus