Bronchiolitis in Ibadan.

Abstract

Summary: In an analysis of bronchiolitis in 68 children at Ibadan, it was found that 79% of the cases were aged below 6 months. Pyrexia, present in 94% of cases at presentation, lasted for an average period of 4 days. The mortality was 1.5%. Although 60% of 55 children had chest x-ray changes compatible with lung parenchymal involvement, it was not possible to determine the aetiology of these changes nor was it possible to know what part bacteria played in the genesis of bronchiolitis, regarded in many parts of the world as a primarily viral infection. It is advocated that antibiotics be given to all cases until further investigations clarify the aetiology of bronchiolitis in our environment. While there is no place for routine steroid therapy, bronchodila tors may be tried.