Acute Bronchiolitis among Children Under Three Years: A Retrospective Descriptive Study from Herat Regional Hospital (2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58342/MJ.V.3.I.1.7Keywords:
Acute bronchiolitis, Pediatric ICU, Hospitalization, Clinical symptoms, Preventive interventionsAbstract
Background and Objective: Acute bronchiolitis is one of the most common causes of hospitalization among infants and young children, particularly in pediatric inpatient and intensive care settings. Despite its high burden, evidence suggests that most therapeutic interventions do not alter the natural course of the disease. This study aimed to describe the demographic, clinical, and seasonal characteristics of children hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis.
Methods: This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 1403 (Hijri Shamsi calendar) at the Pediatric Internal Medicine Department of Herat Provincial Hospital. All children under three years of age admitted with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis were considered eligible. Data were collected from patient registration logs, medical records, and the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS). A total of 180 patients were selected using convenience sampling. Data analysis was performed using quantitative descriptive methods.
Results: Among the 180 children included, 61% were male and 39% were female. The highest frequency of cases was observed in infants aged 1–6 months. The incidence of acute bronchiolitis was significantly higher during the winter season compared to spring. The most common clinical manifestations were cough and wheezing, and a large proportion of patients also presented with tachypnea and signs of respiratory distress. Additionally, most cases originated from the central areas of Herat city.
Conclusion: Acute bronchiolitis was more prevalent among male infants, particularly during the winter season. Infants constituted the most affected age group, and cough and wheezing were the predominant clinical features. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted preventive strategies for infants, especially during colder months, and highlight the need for heightened clinical vigilance in high-incidence seasonsږ
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