title: Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review publications about the main features of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans and its history, etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, histological findings, clinical presentation, complementary tests, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-systematic review of MEDLINE and LILACS databases and selection of 66 most relevant studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans there is an insult to respiratory epithelial cells, and its clinical severity is associated with the degree of lesion and inflammation. Diagnosis is made according to clinical signs and symptoms, by exclusion of main differential diagnoses and with the aid of complementary tests. High resolution CT, particularly images obtained during inspiration and expiration, provide information for the evaluation of the small airways. Pulmonary function tests show fixed airway obstructions and marked decrease of FEF25-75%. Treatment has not been definitely established, and corticoids have been administered as pulse therapy or by inhalation of high doses of steroids. However, data about its efficacy are scarce in the literature. Long-term prognosis is variable, and there might be either clinical improvement or deterioration into respiratory insufficiency and death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans is a disease with a high morbidity rate; it should be treated by a multidisciplinary team, and patients should be followed up for a long period of time.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália Silva
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Champs
authors.forename: Laura M L B F
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lasmar
authors.forename: Paulo A M
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Camargos
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marguet
authors.forename: Gilberto Bueno
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Helena Teresinha
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Mocelin
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications