Clinical features and outcomes of bronchiolitis in children: A prospective study

Background: Bronchiolitis is a major cause of infant hospitalization worldwide, with significant morbidity in developing countries. Limited data exists on its clinical patterns and outcomes in Bangladesh. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by evaluating bronchiolitis cases in a Dhaka tertiary hospital. Objective: This study assessed clinical features, disease severity, and treatment outcomes of bronchiolitis in Bangladeshi children. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh from January 2023 to December 2024 involving 143 children (0-24 months) with bronchiolitis. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, severity (Modified Tal Score), treatments, and outcomes were analyzed using MS Office tools. Results: The study of 143 children revealed that bronchiolitis predominantly affected infants (68.5% aged 1-12 months), with 23.1% developing severe disease. Key risk factors included prematurity (p=0.008) and comorbidities (p=0.003). Despite guidelines, 58.7% received bronchodilators. ICU admission was required for 15.4% of cases. Breastfed infants showed better outcomes (p=0.02). These findings highlight the need for standardized management protocols in resource-limited settings. Conclusion: This study demonstrates high bronchiolitis severity among Bangladeshi children, with identifiable risk factors and suboptimal treatment practices. Findings underscore the urgent need for evidence-based management protocols and preventive strategies targeting high-risk groups to reduce disease burden in resource-limited settings.