Bronchiolitis - How common is it?
Bronchiolitis is most common in winter, or in the rainy season in warmer countries.
Bronchiolitis is the most common infection of the lower airways in babies and very young children.[1]
- About one third of all babies get bronchiolitis in their first year of life.[2] Most children aren't seriously ill.
- About 3 in 100 babies younger than one year need care in hospital for bronchiolitis.[2]
- The most common age for babies to be admitted to hospital is between 2 months and 6 months.[3]
- About half of all babies admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis develop a persistent cough and wheeze.[2]
References
- Phelan P, Olinsky A, Robertson C. Respiratory illness in children. 4th edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications, London, UK; 1994.
- Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Bronchiolitis in children. A national clinical guideline. November 2006. Available at http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/published/index.html (accessed on 12 November 2007).
- Glezen WP, Taber LH, Frank AL, et al. Risk of primary infection and reinfection with respiratory syncytial virus. American Journal of Diseases in Childhood. 1986; 140: 543-546.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
