PEDIATRIC BRONCHIOLITIS

Course overview

BRONCHIOLITIS IS INFLAMMATION OF THE BRONCHIOLES USUALLY CAUSED BY AN ACUTE VIRAL ILLNESS. IT IS THE MOST COMMON LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE. RESPIRATORY DISTRESS IMPEDES APPROPRIATE ORAL INTAKE RESULTING IN FREQUENT CLINICIAN VISITS AND ADMISSIONS TO THE HOSPITAL BRONCHIOLITIS HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR HOSPITALIZATION OF CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS ACTIVITY ILLUSTRATES THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF BRONCHIOLITIS AND REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.