1. Bronchiolitis Definition: First episode of wheezing in infants <12 months age.
2. Acute infectious syndrome in infants caused by viral LRTI.
3. Characterized by inflammation, edema and necrosis of epithelial cells lining small airways, the result of which is increased mucus production.
4. Symptoms: rhinitis, cough, tachypnea, accessory muscle use, wheeze, crackles. As mucous can move within airways, signs/symptoms are known to vary within minutes to hours.
5. Most common pathogen: Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) >> Human Rhinovirus > other viruses.
6. Occurs typically: December to March in North America.
7. In the first year of life:
   • 90% of infants infected with RSV.
   • 20% seek outpatient medical attention for bronchiolitis.
   • 2% – 3% are hospitalized (even fewer require critical care).

1. Is there a recommended decision aid?
   1. • No clinically validated decision aid yet exists.
   2. If so, what is it and how do you use it?
      • N/A
   3. If no decision aid, what investigative process do you recommend?
      • Bronchiolitis is a clinical diagnosis. No workup is advised.
   4. Important limitations or pitfalls of testing/interpretation of test results.
      • The vast majority of patients presenting with bronchiolitis will have mild/moderate disease severity.
      • Children with risk factors for severe disease (immunodeficiency, history of premature birth <32 weeks GA, age <48 weeks post conception, underlying cardiopulmonary disease) or those who are very unwell (RR >70, oxygen saturation <90% on room air, marked work of breathing, lethargy) deserve investigation and a trial of treatment.
   5. Table summarizing recommended investigations for bronchiolitis, per 2014 Bronchiolitis Clinical Practice Guideline. Note: Column 3 is supported by expert opinion, rather than by evidence, but is reasonable for the small subset of children presenting with severe illness.

How to differentiate bronchiolitis from asthma?

1. 1. ≥2 wheezing episodes occurring <1 year of age should raise the suspicion of asthma and prompt consideration of a referral to a specialist for evaluation.
   2. The best way to distinguish bronchiolitis from asthma in the ED, is probably by the response to a trial of salbutamol metered-dose inhaler.
   3. How to do a trial of salbutamol MDI:
      • Calculate PRAM score.
      • Administer salbutamol via MDI with aerochamber, according to Provincial ED Asthma algorithm.
      • Assess for clinical response in 15 minutes.
      • If demonstrated improvement in oxygen saturation, work of breathing, the patient should be diagnosed with ASTHMA.
      • Note: a patient can suffer from bronchiolitis and asthma simultaneously.
      • Terms such as bronchospasm, reactive airways disease, wheezy bronchitis and happy wheezer should be abandoned.

Nuance:

• • Airways in children:
    • <6 months old lack B-agonist receptors, so salbutamol should never be trialed.
    • >9 months old have developed B-agonist receptors, so salbutamol should be trialed.
    • Between 6-9 months of age, it is reasonable to perform a trial of bronchodilators in a patient with risk factors for asthma.

Table summarizing recommended treatments for bronchiolitis, per 2014 Bronchiolitis Clinical Practice Guideline. Antipyretics + nasal suction + oral/NG tube rehydration are often sufficient treatment.

1. Oxygen saturation <90% awake or asleep.
2. Inadequate feeding / hydration.
3. Marked work of breathing / lethargy.
4. Caregiver not able to care for child at home / not able to return to ED for reassessment.

Oxygen saturation <90% despite 2 L/kg/min of 100% oxygen via nasal cannula.

Refer to criteria for hospital admission.

• Oxygen saturation >90% room air, awake and asleep.
• Adequate feeding / hydration.
• Mild/moderate work of breathing.
• Caregiver able to monitor symptoms and return for reassessment if concerned about deterioration.
• Discharge instructions and considerations:
  1. Acetaminophen 15 mg/kg q6h + ibuprofen 10 mg/kg q6-8h.
  2. Nasal suction.
  3. Monitor feeding / hydration.
  4. Return to ED if fever >5 days, inadequate feeding / hydration, lethargy.

1. Patient Discharge Sheet https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/heal/heal-handout-cough-wheeze.pdf

   
   

1. Clinical Practice Guideline: The Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Bronchiolitis. pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2014-2742. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-2742.

   
   

2. Diagnosis and management of asthma in preschoolers: A Canadian Thoracic Society and Canadian Paediatric Society Position Paper. Paediatric Child Health Vol 20 No 7 October 2015.

   
   

3. Cody Meissner, M.D. Viral Bronchiolitis in Children. N Engl J Med 2016;374:62-72.DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1413456.

   
   

4. Diagnosis and Management of Bronchiolitis Subcommittee on Diagnosis and Management of Bronchiolitis. PEDIATRICS Volume 118, Number 4, October 2006.

   
   

5. BCGuidelines.ca: Asthma in Children – Diagnosis and Management (2015).