[Epidemiology, clinical features and medical interventions in children hospitalized for bronchiolitis].

objectivesTo describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatments prescribed in children with bronchiolitis admitted to our hospital. MATERIAL AND

methodsObservational, descriptive and prospective study of children younger than 18 months, admitted to Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca of Murcia (Spain), with the diagnosis of bronchiolitis, during the season of maximum incidence (December 2008-April 2009).

resultsA total of 235 infants were admitted, of whom 78.7% of them were aged 5 months or less. We found a positive correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked by their mothers during pregnancy and the number of hospitalization and oxygen therapy days. Children whose mothers were smokers at the time of their admission needed a greater number of oxygen therapy days. Also infants who were not breastfed needed oxygen therapy during more days. Just under one quarter (23.8%) of them had underlying diseases, with prematurity being the most frequent and a risk factor for the ongoing of oxygen therapy and hospital stay. The use of diagnostic tests, bronchodilators, corticosteroids and antibiotics was high. The onset of high temperature was associated with an increased use of antibiotics in outside and inside the hospital setting. An abnormal chest X-ray or a raised C-reactive protein was associated with a higher use of antibiotics. Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) was the main aetiological agent, followed by Rhinovirus, Bocavirus, Adenovirus and Metapneumovirus

conclusionsThe majority of hospital admissions due to bronchiolitis took place during the first months of life. Infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy had a worse clinical outcome. Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines in our area, the use of diagnostic tests and pharmacological treatment was high.