Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Severe bronchiolitis in children

Sanjay Jhawar1

  • 1Pediatrics Pulmonary Division, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA. sjhawar@ucdavis.edu

Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|January 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Bronchiolitis is a common infant respiratory illness, mostly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). While most infants recover well with supportive care, research into antivirals is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchiolitis is a frequent lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary causative agent in the majority of cases.
  • Certain factors, such as young age and pre-existing conditions like atopy or asthma, increase the risk of severe disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology, risk factors, management, and prognosis of bronchiolitis.
  • To highlight the importance of supportive care and identify areas for future research.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review of existing literature on bronchiolitis.
  • Key aspects discussed include etiology, clinical presentation, risk stratification, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Bronchiolitis is predominantly caused by RSV and is highly contagious.
  • Vigilant monitoring and robust supportive care, including fluid and nutritional support, are crucial for management.
  • Risk factors for severe illness include young infant age and conditions like atopy or asthma.

Conclusions:

  • The prognosis for most healthy infants with bronchiolitis is favorable.
  • Further investigation into antiviral therapies is essential for preventing RSV-induced bronchiolitis.
  • Effective management relies on supportive care and identifying high-risk infants.

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...