BRONCHIOLITIS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND TREATMENT

Abstract

Introduction: Viral bronchiolitis is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infants, primarily due to infection with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Although most cases are self-limiting, around 3% of infants require hospital admission due to severe complications such as hypoxemia and apnea. Treatment is predominantly supportive and faces challenges, especially due to the lack of widely effective pharmacological options.Objective: This study aims to review the current evidence on the pathophysiology and treatment of bronchiolitis in early childhood.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify, select, evaluate, and synthesize studies on the pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of bronchiolitis in infants. Searches were performed in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), and SciELO databases using descriptors related to bronchiolitis and its clinical implications.Results: The review found that, while non-pharmacological therapies such as oxygen therapy and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy have demonstrated efficacy, pharmacological treatments like bronchodilators and corticosteroids have shown mixed results. The use of antibiotics was deemed inappropriate in most cases, as bronchiolitis is of viral origin.Conclusion: The study concludes that although non-pharmacological treatments such as HFNC are effective, pharmacological interventions still lack sufficient evidence to define their role in bronchiolitis management. Therapeutic approaches should be individualized based on well-established clinical criteria, and further research is necessary to validate new treatment options.