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

Although RSV infection is known as a risk factor for severe bronchiolitis, [11] other risk factors have been associated with the severity of bronchiolitis in infants and young children. These risk factors can be categorized as environmental, maternal, and host factors. Environmental exposure of children or their mothers to allergens, cigarette smoke, overcrowded living conditions, and particulate matter can contribute to the severity of bronchiolitis and cause respiratory airway damage. [2, [12] [13] [14] The host-related factors associated with severe bronchiolitis are male sex; congenital heart disease; and a history of premature birth, mechanical ventilation as a neonate, low birth weight, or short birth length. [6, [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] Other associated risk factors in infants with severe bronchiolitis include the lack of breastfeeding, delivery by elective caesarean section, maternal age, inadequate prenatal care, incomplete vaccination history, and a family history of asthma. [6, 14, 18, [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] These risk factors related to the severity of bronchiolitis in children have been reported in Europe, North America, and South America.