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Central apnoeas in infants with bronchiolitis admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit

Ofer Schiller1, Itzhak Levy, Uri Pollak

  • 1Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqwa, Israel. schillero@gmail.com

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Apnoea in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is increasing, particularly in younger, preterm infants without fever. These findings highlight key risk factors for this serious complication.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is a common pediatric illness.
  • Apnoea is a known complication of RSV bronchiolitis, particularly in infants.
  • Characterizing apnoea incidence and risk factors is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize apnoea in infants with RSV bronchiolitis.
  • To determine the incidence of apnoea as a complication.
  • To identify risk factors associated with apnoea development.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of infant medical records admitted to the PICU for RSV bronchiolitis (2004-2007).
  • Comparison of demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters between infants with and without apnoea.
  • Logistic regression analysis to identify protective factors.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of apnoea in infants admitted to the PICU for RSV bronchiolitis was 4.3%.
  • Infants admitted for apnoea increased significantly during the study period (28.6% to 77.1%).
  • Risk factors for apnoea included younger age, lower birth weight, lower gestational age, emergency room admission, and absence of fever. Respiratory acidosis was protective.

Conclusions:

  • The incidence of apnoea in infants with RSV bronchiolitis admitted to the PICU may be increasing.
  • Younger, preterm infants without fever are at higher risk of apnoea.
  • Older infants with fever appear to be at lower risk.
Abstract

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