Epidemiological and clinical profiling of bronchiolitis in a pediatric cohort: Associations with prematurity, feeding practices, and environmental exposures

Background: Bronchiolitis is multifaceted; therefore, focusing on one indicator may not adequately reveal its severity. This research uses mixed intensity to examine bronchiolitis in children.

Aims: Score, molecular, and clinical markers are used to identify the most relevant clinical and statistical signs of severe bronchiolitis.

Methods: A Jordanian tertiary care facility treated 145 children with bronchiolitis from January 2022 to December 2023 in a retrospective cohort analysis. The GA, birth account, dietary habits, external circumstances, and clinical progress were noted. People with "severe bronchiolitis", who were hospitalised for 5 days or more, were the primary outcome. Chi-square, binary logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression were used to uncover independent variables.

Results: The trial included 145 children, with 48 (33.1%) experiencing severe bronchiolitis (LOS ≥5 days). The infant was more likely to be male (OR 0.403, 95% CI: 0.199–0.818), hospitalised previously (OR 2.055, 95% CI: 1.009–4.185), admitted to the NICU before (OR 3.259, 95% CI: 1.264–8.404), and require oxygen upon admission. Shorter foetal age (Adj. OR 0.652, 95% CI: 0.490–0.868, p=0.003) and oxygen reliance at admission (Adj. OR 20.88, p<0.001) were the only characteristics that independently predicted longer LOS. The latest prediction model has 79.3% accuracy, 91.8% precision, and 54.2% sensitivity.

Conclusion: Gestational age and the requirement for supplemental air at the start are the best independent predictors of significant bronchiolitis, as indicated by a protracted hospital stay. These characteristics may identify high-risk individuals early so they can get treatment and maximise resources.