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The clinical course of bronchiolitis associated with acute otitis media
G Shazberg1, S Revel-Vilk, D Shoseyov
1Department of Pediatrics, Bikur Cholim Hospital, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, 5 Strauss St, Jerusalem 91004, Israel. shazberg@md2.huji.ac.il
Insights
Acute otitis media (AOM) is common in bronchiolitis, but this study found no difference in illness severity or duration. Ear infections did not impact the clinical course of bronchiolitis in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) frequently co-infects with viral bronchiolitis in infants.
- Understanding the impact of AOM on bronchiolitis course is crucial for clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of acute otitis media (AOM) on the clinical progression of bronchiolitis.
- To compare the clinical outcomes of infants with bronchiolitis, with and without concurrent AOM.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 150 children under 24 months hospitalized with bronchiolitis.
- Clinical data (temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation) and laboratory tests (CBC, ESR, RSV) were collected.
- Children were monitored daily for AOM development, comparing those with and without ear infections.
Main Results:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) was diagnosed in 53% of bronchiolitis patients, typically within the first two days of hospitalization.
- No significant differences were observed in admission clinical or laboratory findings between children with and without AOM.
- Daily follow-up revealed no significant variations in clinical course based on the presence or absence of AOM.
Conclusions:
- The presence of acute otitis media (AOM) does not alter the clinical course or severity of bronchiolitis in young children.
- This prospective study suggests that co-infection with AOM does not significantly impact the hospitalization experience for bronchiolitis.
Background:
Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common bacterial co-infection of viral bronchiolitis.
Aims:
To evaluate the influence of AOM on the clinical course of bronchiolitis.
Subjects:
150 children younger than 24 months old, diagnosed with bronchiolitis, hospitalised between December 1997 and May 1999.
Methods:
Body temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and the need for oxygen supplementation were recorded on admission and daily throughout hospitalisation. Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and assay for respiratory syncytial virus were performed on admission. All children were examined daily for the appearance of AOM. The clinical course of children with bronchiolitis and AOM was compared to those without AOM.
Results:
AOM was diagnosed in 79/150 (53%) children with bronchiolitis. Most were diagnosed within the first two days of hospitalisation. No significant difference was found in the clinical and laboratory findings on admission and on daily follow up between children with and without AOM.
Conclusions:
This 2.5 year prospective study showed no difference in the course of bronchiolitis, whether an ear infection was present or not.