Do post-pandemic bronchiolitis require more ventilatory support? Perspective from a level II hospital

Introduction and Objectives: After the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology and severity of bronchiolitis cases were affected. The aim of our study is to compare pre and postpandemic respiratory support and intensive care transfers in a level two hospital. Methods: A retrospective study of hospitaliz...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gonçalo Passos Croca, Catarina Mendonça, Teresa Magalhães, Mariana Viegas, Catarina Gomes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Publicaciones Permanyer 2025-07-01
Series:Portuguese Journal of Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pjp.spp.pt/frame_eng.php?id=155
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Introduction and Objectives: After the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology and severity of bronchiolitis cases were affected. The aim of our study is to compare pre and postpandemic respiratory support and intensive care transfers in a level two hospital. Methods: A retrospective study of hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis in 2019 (prepandemic period) and 2022 (postpandemic period) in a level two hospital. Results: In 2019, 81 children were admitted for bronchiolitis compared to 101 in 2022. Of these, 56% were boys, with a median age of three months. In 2022, there was a higher need for CPAP (8.9% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.02), mechanical ventilation (2.0% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.65), supplemental oxygen (73.3% vs. 39.5%, p < 0.01) and admission to intensive care (8.9% vs. 2.5%). Discussion: In our postpandemic sample, there was a significantly higher need for oxygen and noninvasive ventilation in hospitalized patients. Our results are similar to those from previous studies in other European countries.
ISSN:2184-4453