ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 3-month-old male who is presented to the Emergency Department with a 3-day history of cough and coryza. The patient has a clinical picture suggestive of a diagnosis of bronchiolitis. This is an acute respiratory condition, often caused by a viral infection, resulting in inflammation of the bronchioles. Bronchiolitis occurs in children under 2 years of age and most commonly presents in infants aged 3 to 6 months. Symptoms of bronchiolitis in children include breathing difficulties, cough, poor feeding, irritability and, in the very young, apnoea. The mainstay of treatment is supportive care. Consider upper airway suctioning in patients with secretions and associated respiratory distress or feeding difficulties. Oxygen supplementation is required if saturations persistently fall below 92" in air. The child may need high flow oxygen therapy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) if there are signs of worsening respiratory failure.
