Demographic, Clinical and Hematological Profile of Children with Bronchiolitis: A Comparative Study between Respiratory Synctial Virus [RSV] and [Non RSV] Groups

Introduction: Acute bronchiolitis is one of major disease affecting the lower airways in infants and children with Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) being most common causative organism accounting for 50%-80% of bronchiolitis cases. Aim: To analyse the demographic characteristics, clinical features and haematological profile of children with Bronchiolitis. To compare the findings of demographic characteristics, clinical features and haematological profile between RSV and Non -RSV bronchiolitis. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study, conducted in a teritiary care center for 1 year period from Jan 2015 to Dec 2015. The demographic characteristics, clinical features and haematological profile of children aged between 1 month to 3 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were noted in predesigned proforma, nasopharyngeal swab was sent for RSV analysis and then the findings of the parameters were compared between the two groups of RSV bronchiolitis and Non RSV bronchiolitis. Results: Among 80 cases with 40 in each group, children below the age of 1year were affected more in RSV group, with male preponderance. Among the clinical features except that 89.7% of RSV cases had wheeze that was statistically significant with no difference in other features. Investigations showed no much difference in both the groups. Percentage of Non RSV subjects who received nebulisation with bronchodilators, steroid and antibiotic therapy were higher than RSV subjects. The hospital stay was significantly higher in RSV cases and none of the study participants met with mortality. Conclusion: Children with RSV bronchiolitis had prolonged hospital stay compared to Non RSV group. Need for nebulisation with bronchodilators, steroids and antibiotic therapy was more in Non RSV group.