Clinical and epidemiological characterization of bronchiolitis in pediatric patients. "Héroes del Baire" General Teaching Hospital, Isle of Youth.

Abstract

Acute Bronchiolitis (AB) is an uncomplicated acute lower respiratory infection, common in pediatric patients between the ages of 2 months and 2 years, but with a high incidence around 6 months of age; This is mainly caused by infection of the terminal bronchi by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), although there are other etiological agents responsible for it, but in lesser incidence, the disease can sometimes evolve into severe, especially if there are important risk factors, these can determine the sociodemographic variables, and evaluate the most frequent clinical manifestations, the most frequent risk factors in the study population, as well as describe the months of greatest morbidity by health areas. A descriptive, prospective, and longitudinal study was carried out on pediatric patients admitted with a clinical diagnosis of Acute Bronchiolitis to the respiratory ward of the "Héroes del Baire" General Teaching Hospital, from January to December 2022. The predominant population was male and the age ranged from 2 months to 6 months. Respiratory distress, polypnea, chest tightness, cough, and serous rhinorrhea were the most frequent clinical manifestations. In the health area belonging to Polyclinic #2, these were the most frequently associated with HHB. Risk factors for AB include age under 6 months, lack of breastfeeding, smoking among parents and/or guardians, and low socioeconomic status. Acute bronchiolitis (AB) is a health problem that must be adequately addressed by medical personnel.