The severity of the first occurrence of bronchiolitis increased the risk of developing asthma symptoms

Abstract

Aim

The relationship between bronchiolitis and asthma is complex. We assessed whether patients admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with bronchiolitis had a greater risk of developing asthma than patients admitted to a paediatric ward.

Methods

We retrospectively included children under 1 year of age, who were hospitalised for bronchiolitis for the first time at the University Hospital of Caen, France, between 2010 and 2014. The children were divided into two groups: 89 were admitted to the paediatric ward and 89 were admitted to the PICU. We wanted to assess which group developed more asthma before 6 years of age. The Global Initiative for Asthma definition was used.

Results

The median age of the 178 children (55% boys) was 32 (interquartile range 19–56) days. We found that 35% of the PICU group and 19% of the ward group had asthma at 6 years of age. The mean onset of symptoms was 3 years earlier in the PICU group than the ward group (p < 0.01). Both these findings were significant.

Conclusion

The severity of the first episode of bronchiolitis increased the risk of developing asthma symptoms. Regular follow-ups are suggested for infants admitted to PICUs for bronchiolitis.