Age and respiratory syncytial virus etiology in bronchiolitis clinical outcomes

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of bronchiolitis. Precise and updated information about demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and risk factors for severe disease are needed for optimal implementation of upcoming new therapeutic and preventive interventions.

The main goals of this study were to define the epidemiology of acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized young children during 5 calendar years in Spain; evaluate the differences in clinical manifestations between children hospitalized with RSV infection and those hospitalized with non-RSV infection; and identify demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, and risk factors associated with disease severity.

We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of children younger than 2 years who were hospitalized with bronchiolitis between January 2015 and December 2019. We constructed multivariable models to identify independent predictors of disease severity defined as length of hospital stay (LOS), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, and need for a high-flow-nasal canula (HFNC).

From January 2015 to December 2019, 1437 children were hospitalized with bronchiolitis and met the inclusion criteria. The proportion of children hospitalized with bronchiolitis caused by RSV increased significantly during the study period, from 60% to 65% (P = .03). The children with RSV bronchiolitis were younger than those with non-RSV bronchiolitis (median age = 3 months [interquartile range = 1.5-6.5 months] vs 4 months [interquartile range = 2-7.5 months], respectively (P < .01). The children younger than 6 months with RSV bronchiolitis had enhanced disease severity compared with those with non-RSV bronchiolitis, as defined by an LOS of more than 4 days, severity scores, need for an HFNC, intravenous fluids, enteral feeding, and PICU admissions (P < .01). Age younger than 6 months and RSV-positive etiology were independently associated with greater odds of PICU admission, need for an HFNC, and longer LOS.

This study identified differences in disease severity between young children with RSV bronchiolitis and those with non-RSV bronchiolitis. These differences are particularly significant in children younger than 6 months, who comprise a group of infants with suboptimal innate immunity to RSV and may benefit from new preventive strategies.