Respiratory Syncitial Virus Bronchiolitis: Are Antibiotics Needed?

Abstract

Bronchiolitis is one of the most frequent respiratory infections in infants and young children that has a self-limited favorable outcome if no risk factors are present. We conducted a retrospective study over a 4 months period on patients under 2 years of age, regarding antibiotic prescription in patients with a diagnosis of RSV bronchiolitis. Data from clinical files were analyzed in correlation with the presence of risk factors for adverse outcomes. Two-thirds of the study population underwent antibiotic treatment, even though there were no justified medical criteria for a prescription. Patients with longer hospitalization, and with associated risk factors have fulfilled the criteria for an antibiotic prescription. Even if there is no sustained reason for using antibiotics in uncomplicated bronchiolitis, the uncertainty of diagnosis may determine pediatricians to start empirically antibiotic treatment. A review of clinical status and risk factors correlated with laboratory data should sustain adherence to guidelines in order to discourage the use of antibiotics in hospital settings.