Bronchiolitis
Specialized care for infants and young children with bronchiolitis. Our pediatric pulmonology team provides comprehensive treatment.
Understanding Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a common lung infection in young children and infants, causing inflammation in the small airways. It is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants under 1 year, with RSV being the most common cause.
Most cases are mild and can be managed at home, but severe cases may require hospitalization. Early recognition is crucial for preventing complications.
Did You Know? RSV affects nearly all children by age 2, but only 1-3% require hospitalization.
Common Causes
🦠 Viral Causes
- RSV: Most common (50-80%)
- Rhinovirus: Second most common
- Human Metapneumovirus
- Influenza A and B
- Adenovirus
⚠️ Risk Factors
- Prematurity (born before 37 weeks)
- Age under 3 months
- Congenital heart disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Daycare attendance
- Tobacco smoke exposure
Symptoms
Symptoms develop over several days, starting like a common cold:
🤧 Early Symptoms
- Runny nose
- Mild cough
- Low-grade fever
- Decreased appetite
Progressive Symptoms
- Rapid breathing
- Wheezing
- Nasal flaring
- Chest retractions
When to Seek Emergency Care
🚨 Seek immediate care if your child:
- Has difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast
- Shows chest retractions (sucking in of ribs)
- Turns blue around lips or fingernails
- Has pauses in breathing (apnea)
- Is too tired to eat or drink
- Has not had a wet diaper in 8+ hours
Diagnosis
- Clinical Examination: Listening for wheezing and crackles
- Oxygen Monitoring: Pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels
- RSV/Nasal Swab: Rapid antigen test for RSV
- Chest X-ray: To rule out pneumonia
Severity Assessment
Mild
Normal feeding, O2 >95%
Home care
Moderate
Feeding difficulty, O2 90-95%
Observation
Severe
Poor feeding, O2 <90%
Hospitalization
Treatment Options
🏠 Home Care (Mild Cases)
Supportive Care
- Frequent small feedings
- Cool-mist humidifier
- Saline drops & bulb suction
- Monitor for worsening symptoms
What to Avoid
- ❌ OTC cough/cold medicines
- ❌ Aspirin
- ❌ Antibiotics (unless bacterial)
- ❌ Smoke exposure
🏥 Hospital Care (Moderate-Severe)
Respiratory Support
- Oxygen Therapy
- Nasal Suctioning
- High-Flow Nasal Cannula
- CPAP for severe cases
Medical Management
- IV Fluids for dehydration
- Nebulized Hypertonic Saline
- Ribavirin for severe RSV
🛡️ Prevention
RSV Prophylaxis
- Palivizumab for high-risk infants
- Premature infants (<29 weeks)
- Chronic lung disease
- Congenital heart disease
General Prevention
- Hand washing
- Breastfeeding
- Avoid sick individuals
- Avoid tobacco smoke
Recovery
Typical Timeline
Cough may persist for 2-4 weeks after other symptoms resolve.
Long-term Outlook
Most children recover completely. Some may develop recurrent wheezing or asthma later.
Why Choose Our Pediatric Center?
Specialized care for children's respiratory conditions
Pediatric Specialists
Board-certified pediatric pulmonologists
Child-Friendly Facility
Dedicated pediatric wing
RSV Prevention
Palivizumab for high-risk infants
Family-Centered Care
Parent education and support
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Emergency Contact
+91 813-044-8904
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