Acute bronchiolitis: a three year study

N Z Med J. 1989 Oct 11;102(877):528-9.

Abstract

Over the period 1986-88, 261 infants and children, with a mean age of six months, were admitted to Christchurch Hospital with acute bronchiolitis. There was a marked seasonal pattern, with peak admission periods occurring during winter and spring. Two hundred and two children (77%) had a nasopharyngeal aspirate performed for respiratory virus identification. Respiratory syncitial virus was identified in 113 (56%) of those who had viral studies performed. Using a score of severity, 150 (57%) of the children had a mild disease, 47 (18%) moderate, while 64 (25%) had a severe or very severe illness. The median stay in hospital was two days. No deaths occurred during the study period, although six infants required assisted ventilation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Bronchiolitis / epidemiology*
  • Bronchiolitis, Viral / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • New Zealand / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / isolation & purification
  • Respirovirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seasons
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors