title: Approach to a child with lower airway obstruction and bronchiolitis.
abstract: Lower airway obstruction can occur at the level of trachea, bronchi or bronchioles. It is characterized clinically by wheeze and hyperinflated chest, apart from other signs of respiratory distress. Common causes include bronchiolitis, asthma, pneumonia, laryngotracheo-bronchitis, congenital malformations and foreign body inhalation. Bronchiolitis usually occurs in children aged 2 months to 2 years. It is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, and investigations have a very limited role. Humidified oxygen and supportive therapy are the mainstays of treatment. A trial of inhaled epinephrine or parenteral steroids may be considered for non-responders. It is usually associated with good outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
authors.forename: Sudhanshu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Sunit C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Singhi
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D012254:Ribavirin