Incidence Of Hospitalization of Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in children.

Study design: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Place and duration: This study was conducted at Teaching Hospital Turbat/Mekran Medical College Turbat Pakistan from June 2020 to June 2021.

Methodology: The medical records of 1825 children presented with acute bronchiolitis below the age of two years were gathered and studied for the type of infection, hospitalization rate, mortality, and severity of the disease.

Result: Out of 1825 children, a total of 1168 (64%) were detected with RSV infection. The rate of hospitalization was 60/1000. Mortality was seen in 13 (0.71%) of the patients. The incidence of bronchiolitis positive for RSV was more in November, December, January, February, and March. The duration of hospital stay for RSV-positive patients was longer than the negative ones. There was a higher risk of ICU admission in them. The main risk of ICU admission in premature babies was congenital heart disease, atelectasis, and less than 32 weeks gestational age. In such patients, palivizumab reduced the need for hospitalization, the need of oxygen, and need of mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion: The bronchiolitis caused by RSV is more severe in terms of hospital stay, the need for ICU, and mortality rate as compared to those who had RSV negative bronchiolitis.