Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Murine Intrapulmonary Tracheal Transplantation: A Model for Investigating Obliterative Airway Disease After Lung Transplantation
Published on: November 10, 2023
Bronchiolitis obliterans in children: clinical presentation, therapy and long-term follow-up
Chih-Yung Chiu1, Kin-Sun Wong, Yhu-Chering Huang
1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Insights
Severe adenovirus infections in children can lead to bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a serious lung condition. Prompt respiratory care is crucial to prevent complications like lung collapse and reduce mortality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a severe obstructive lung disease in children.
- Identifying predisposing factors and clinical features is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the factors, clinical presentation, radiological findings, and outcomes of pediatric bronchiolitis obliterans.
- To inform strategies for minimizing morbidity and mortality associated with BO.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of ten pediatric patients diagnosed with BO.
- Data collected from a tertiary pediatric facility in northern Taiwan between July 1995 and July 2005.
Main Results:
- Adenoviruses were the primary cause of post-infectious BO (7/8 patients).
- Common complications included persistent dyspnea, wheezing, atelectasis progressing to lobar collapse, and atelectatic bronchiectasis.
- Six patients required intensive care, and five needed mechanical ventilation.
Conclusions:
- Severe adenovirus bronchiolitis or pneumonia increases the risk of developing BO in children.
- Meticulous respiratory care, focusing on preventing pulmonary collapse, is recommended to minimize BO complications.
Aim:
To delineate the predisposing factors, clinical, radiological features and outcomes of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in children for minimising morbidity and mortality.
Methods:
Ten children who had BO from July 1995 to July 2005 were retrospectively reviewed at a tertiary paediatric facility in northern Taiwan.
Results:
Bronchiolitis obliterans complicated by infections, Stevens-Johnson syndrome was found in eight and two patients, respectively. In children with post-infectious BO, adenoviruses were the most common etiologic agents (7/8). Among them, six patients needed intensive management and five patients needed mechanical ventilation. All patients presented persistent dyspneic respirations and wheezing since the initial lung infection. Initial focal atelectasis (n = 3) on chest radiographs progressed to atelectasis/lobar collapse (n = 8) when the diagnosis of BO was made. After adequate supportive management, atelectatic bronchiectasis was the most common complication (n = 5).
Conclusion:
Severe adenovirus bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia appear to have higher risk of development of BO in children. In order to minimise associated complications of BO, meticulous respiratory care for preventing pulmonary collapse may be considered in such instances.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation