Bronchiolitis

Definition/Description

An acute viral infection causing coryza, cough and wheeze. The average age of a child with bronchiolitis is 3-6 months, but it can occur in a child from the first week of life up to 2 years of age.

Red Flag Symptoms

Risk factors for severe bronchiolitis include:

  • Chronic lung disease
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Age under 3 months
  • Premature birth (especially under 32 weeks)
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Immunodeficiency syndromes
  • Smoking increases severity of the illness

Management of bronchiolitis is purely symptomatic i.e. feeding support, suction as required, oxygen and close monitoring if associated co-morbidities.

There is NO evidence for any of the following treatments:

  • Chest physiotherapy on children who do not have an underlying chest problem
  • Antibiotics
  • Hypertonic saline
  • Nebulised adrenaline
  • Salbutamol
  • Montelukast
  • Ipratropium
  • Systemic or inhaled corticosteroids

Guidelines on Management

Bronchioloits pathway

Referral Criteria/Information

No Referral/Information Listed

Additional Resources & Reference

Bronchiolitis Information leaflet

Bronchiolitis - Information for Families Leaflet

Bronchiolitis - Advice Sheet

Associated Policies

There are no associated policies.

Specialties

There are no associated specialties.

Places covered by

  • East Riding
  • Hull

Hospital Trusts

  • Hull University Teaching Hospitals
Author:
Date created: 31/07/2025, 14:41
Last modified: 31/07/2025, 14:41
Date of review: 29/07/2025