Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive risk
factors for development of severe bronchiolitis in patients with acute
bronchiolitis with no previous chronic disease. Methods: Four hundred
forty children aged 1-24 months hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis,
were examined between February 2018 and February 2019 in this
prospective study. Results: Eighty-five cases were regarded as severe
bronchiolitis and 355 as mild-moderate bronchiolitis. Statistically
significant differences were observed between the severe and
mild-moderate bronchiolitis groups in terms of weight-for-age z-scores,
history of bronchiolitis, hemoglobin levels, and time elapsed between
onset of symptoms and admission. Weight-for-age z-scores, the mean time
interval between onset of symptoms and admission, and mean hemoglobin
values were lower in the severe bronchiolitis group while the mean
number of bronchiolitis attacks was higher than in the mild-moderate
bronchiolitis group. Logistic regression analysis determined that a low
weight-for-age z-score increased the risk of severe bronchiolitis
development 0.56-fold (CI: 0.409 – 0.760), a short duration between the
onset of symptoms and admission increased the risk 0.62-fold (CI: 0.519
– 0.735), a frequent history of bronchiolitis increased the risk
1.81-fold (CI: 1.135 – 2.968) and low hemoglobin levels increased the
risk 0.72-fold (CI: 0.537 – 0.969). Conclusion: Low weight-for-age
z-scores, a short duration between the onset of symptoms and admission,
a high number of previous attacks, and low hemoglobin levels were
identified as independent parameters of severe bronchiolitis
development. Key words: Bronchiolitis, Infant, Risk factors, Severity
degree