Clinical characteristics and associated factors of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure: a retrospective cohort study.
Nearly half of children with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure developed bronchiolitis obliterans.
Clinical characteristics and associated factors of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure: a retrospective cohort study.
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans) is a severe sequela of severe pneumonia in children.
This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and factors associated with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans development in this high-risk population, including an age-stratified analysis (< 2 years vs. ≥2 years).
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 108 children diagnosed with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure between January 2015 and June 2025.
nearly half went on to develop bronchiolitis obliterans
In age-stratified analysis, prolonged fever duration and invasive mechanical ventilation remained significantly associated with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in both children aged < 2 years and ≥ 2 years (all P < 0.05).
15 (8-21) days, P < 0.001].
No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding a history of atopic diseases (P > 0.05).
In children with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, prolonged fever during the acute phase, adenovirus infection, and indicators of critical illness such as prolonged invasive ventilation and ICU support are significantly associated with the subsequent development of post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans, and these associations were consistent across age groups.
Enhanced long-term follow-up and early assessment are recommended for children presenting with these features.