Risk factors for severe bronchiolitis caused by respiratory virus infections among Mexican children in an emergency department

Robledo-Aceves, Mireya; Moreno-Peregrina, María de Jesús; Velarde-Rivera, Fernando; Ascencio-Esparza, Elba; Preciado-Figueroa, Francisco M.; Caniza, Miguela A.; Escobedo-Melendez, Griselda

Exposure to cigarette smoking is a major cause of increased risk of hospitalization due to bronchiolitis among infants and young children. In this study, exposure to cigarette smoking was the only independent risk factor associated with severe bronchiolitis treated in the Emergency department at our hospital. This result is consistent with those from previous studies that reported children's exposure to maternal cigarette smoking increased the risk of hospitalization in infants and young children with bronchiolitis. This result suggests that exposure to cigarette smoking decreases pulmonary function in children 2 years or younger, which in turn, results in an increased number of visits to the Emergency department. [2, 12, 17, 18, 33, 34] Regional campaigns to increase awareness about the importance of avoiding exposing young children to cigarette smoking should be reinforced to decrease acute inflammation, hospitalizations, and permanent damage to their lower airway systems.