Risk Factors for Respiratory Decompensation Among Healthy Infants With Bronchiolitis

Although most children with bronchiolitis only require supportive care, some decompensate and require ventilatory support. We examined predictors of respiratory decompensation among hospitalized children to identify which patients may benefit from expectant monitoring.

We examined children ≤24 months old with bronchiolitis admitted to the general infant and toddler floor. Children with pneumonia or comorbidities were excluded. Demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from a clinical database and medical records. Respiratory decompensation was defined as the need for initiating high-flow nasal cannula oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure, nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation, bilevel positive airway pressure, or intubation. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent predictors of respiratory decompensation.

A total of 1217 children were included. The median age was 6.9 months, 41% were girls, 49% were Hispanic, 21% were black, and 18% were premature. Significant independent predictors of respiratory decompensation were age ≤3 months (odds ratio [OR]: 3.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.09-5.07), age 3 to 6 months (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.04-3.0), black race (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.27-2.95), emergency department hypoxemia (OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.30-4.21), and retractions or accessory muscle use (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.48-3.46). Children with 0 of 4 predictors were found to have a low risk of decompensation (3%).

Young age, black race, emergency department hypoxemia, and retractions or accessory muscle use were associated with respiratory decompensation in children with bronchiolitis. These factors should be considered at presentation, as they identify children who require a higher level of respiratory monitoring and support and others who may not benefit.