Clinical and epidemiological profile of infants with severe bronchiolitis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Age 6 months or younger linked to nearly 3-fold higher odds of intensive care unit admission
Clinical and epidemiological profile of infants with severe bronchiolitis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of infants hospitalized with severe Acute Viral Bronchiolitis (Acute Viral Bronchiolitis) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify factors associated with intensive care unit (intensive care unit) admission.
This retrospective study analyzed medical records of infants aged 1-24 months hospitalized for Acute Viral Bronchiolitis at a private pediatric hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2018-2019 and 2022-2023.
6 months or younger nearly triples the odds of intensive care unit admission
Intensive care unit admission was required in 51.8% of cases, and 45.3% required intensive respiratory support.
RSV was identified in 44% of cases and was associated with greater severity, including higher intensive care unit admission rates, increased need for intensive respiratory support, longer hospital stays, and more complications.
Post-pandemic, infants were younger, had higher intensive care unit admission rates, lower RSV detection, fewer complications, and increased corticosteroid use.
Seasonal patterns were also altered, with an additional incidence peak observed in spring.
RSV infection, younger age, and hypoxemia at admission were independently associated with intensive care unit admission in infants hospitalized with severe Acute Viral Bronchiolitis.
Changes observed in the post-pandemic period included shifts in seasonality, patient profile, and management patterns.