Management of Bronchiolitis in Infants and Children. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 69

摘要

The review seeks to clarify the existing knowledge base for the management of bronchitis, the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants. Four issues are addressed: (1) the effectiveness of appropriate diagnostic tools, such as x-ray; (2) the efficacy of effectiveness of various pharmaceutical treatments (e.g., bronchodilators, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, and others); (3) the role of preventive therapies; and (4) the cost-effectiveness of prophylaxis, particularly among premature infants with comorbidities. Among several future research needs identified the need for data on the utility of ancillary testing as well as on the material and time costs of administration of palivizumab prophylaxis.