Bronchiolitis: evidence-based management in high-risk infants in the intensive care setting

Abstract

Abstract Aim Systematically review the management of infants with severe bronchiolitis in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting with a focus on high-risk infants to identify gaps in evidence-based knowledge. Methods This systematic review utilised Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) to examine the literature on the PICU management of bronchiolitis in infants <24 months old. Three databases, Embase, PubMed and Medline, were searched and higher levels of evidence I, II and III were included. Results There were 455 papers reviewed and 26 met the inclusion criteria. Furthermore, 19 of these studied respiratory interventions such as positive airway pressure and oxygen delivery. The remaining 7 examined: erythropoietin, caffeine, dexamethasone, protein supplementation, ribavirin, respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin, or diuretic therapy. Of the 26 studies, 20 excluded infants with high-risk conditions. Therapies showing favourable outcomes included Heliox, prophylactic dexamethasone pre-extubation, protein supplementation, and diuretic use. Conclusions Clinical trials for bronchiolitis management frequently exclude high-risk children. Innovative study design in the future may improve access to clinical trials for the management of bronchiolitis in high-risk infants in a PICU setting. Impact Clinical trials for bronchiolitis management frequently exclude high-risk children. We review the evidence base for the management of an under-investigated patient demographic in the setting of acute bronchiolitis. Randomised controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of management strategies for bronchiolitis in high-risk infants in a paediatric intensive care setting.