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

Bronchiolitis is caused by viral infection in infants and young children. Although many respiratory viruses infect the lower respiratory system, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common etiology of bronchiolitis, and it has been reported as the most frequent cause of infant hospitalization annually in developed countries, such as the United States and Spain. [5, 6] In fact, about 90% of children suffer an RSV infection during the first 2 years of life, [7, 8] and as many as 40% present with lower respiratory tract infection initially. [9] Other viruses can cause bronchiolitis, including rhinovirus, metapneumovirus, influenza, adenovirus, coronavirus, and parainfluenza viruses. [10] However, in Mexico, infants and young children with respiratory virus infections and severe bronchiolitis have not been reported in Emergency department data.