Parental Alert: There are more than 600 cases of bronchiolitis a day in children under 2 years old

The arrival of the cold in a increscendo in the case of Argentina since May, it has created a warning status against a group of dangerous seasonal diseases. According to the most recent data on health surveillance of the National Directorate of Epidemiology and Health Analysis of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Nation, at week 47 of 2018, they were registered 230,608 reports of bronchiolitis in children under 2 years, which showed that if a general annual average was established that would represent more than 600 cases a day.

Florencia Lución, pediatrician member of the sub-committee of Epidemiology of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics (SAP), explained: "The magnitude of these numbers and the number of hospitalizations for this cause, which affects mainly infants, is a real public health problem and requires being alert and attending the visit to the nearest pediatrician or health center before the onset of symptoms. "

For Viviana Aguirre, also pediatrician of the Epidemiology Subcommittee of SAP, "talking about average cases does not reliably express what is happening in daily life because respiratory infections in general and bronchiolitis in particular, they are repeated from year to year but with a clear increase in the winter season, especially in June and July and to a lesser extent, but also with a high concentration of cases, in May and May. August.

"Bronchiolitis is an acute and diffuse inflammation of the lower respiratory tract (IRAB) caused by a viral infection." It is common in children under 2 years of age and involves frequent visits to the doctor and emergency services. The most common reasons for hospitalization in this age group during the fall and winter months, "said Silvina Smith, Pediatric Respirologist and Assistant Secretary of the Pediatric Respirology Committee. SAP.

"Children with bronchiolitis have a greater predisposition to recurrent wheezing, abnormal lung function and lower airway hyperresponsiveness, which affects the lower respiratory tract or bronchioles and particularly attacks small and is the cause, more common in children under one year old, "said Dr. Viviana Romanín, a member of the Epidemiology Subcommittee of the Argentine Pediatric Society.

The The most common infectious agent causing bronchiolitis is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and, less frequently, other viruses such as influenza (influenza virus), parainfluenza , adenovirus and metapneumovirus.. These viruses spread easily through aerosol droplets, which are expelled when a patient coughs, sneezes or speaks. also when you touch shared objects, such as utensils or toys.

Although in most adults, these viruses usually occur only in colds; in children under 2 years of age – especially those with an underlying disease or infants under 6 months of age, premature, under-nourished, or poorly nourished – the disease can compromise their health and even be fatal.

"The impact of environmental conditions on the risk of bronchiolitis is considerable once the newborn is released from the hospital and entered the community." Exposure to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is of particular concern in premature infants. , who have an increased risk of developing a more serious or complicated disease due to decreased maternally transmitted antibodies, reduced lung capacity for gas exchange and increased risk of lower airway obstruction " he said Dr. Graciela Muñecas, a full member of the Social Paediatrics Committee of SAP.

The clinical picture of bronchiolitis begins 1 to 3 days before with nasal congestion (rhinorrhea), cough and, possibly, low-grade fever. It then progresses to symptoms and signs of bronchial obstruction, such as respiratory distress with increased cough, fatigue, agitation, retraction of the ribs and wheezing during breathing (wheezing) lasting up to 5 or 6 days.

Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, the child may have difficulty feeding and sleeping and, occasionally, more frequent breathing pauses at an earlier age. In most cases, recovery is complete in less than 2 weeks.

For prevention and only in special cases, a monoclonal antibody is applied in injectable form to prevent infection by respiratory syncytial virus in high-risk babies, such as prematurity, clinically significant conbad heart disease. or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, among others very accurate.

"It is important to point out a series of measures that reduce the risk of suffering from the disease, such as: stimulate badfeeding (there are signs of protective antibodies pbading), avoid the risk of bad cancer. exposure to tobacco (cigarette smoke and its harmful particles remaining in the environment and clothing for a long time, generating inflammation and susceptibility to infection in children), avoid contact of babies with colds or disease acute respiratory (children have a high viral load, infect more, therefore, do not send them to the garden in case of illness), encourage you to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs and cover the mouth and nose of the forearm when you cough or sneeze to avoid infections, "warned Dr. Gisela Martinchuk Migliazza, tire pediatric mologist, secretary of the National Pneumology Committee of SAP.

"Among the vaccines offered by the national immunization schedule, there are many who protect against agents responsible for acute respiratory infections (IBRs), such as pertussis, measles, anti-Haemophilus influenza b, pneumococcal and anti-influenza, "said Leonardo De Lillo, secretary of the internal medicine committee of SAP.

Specialists have found a strong link between bronchitis and the social vulnerability of families, which translates into poor food quality, inadequate controls of pregnancy and healthy children, precarious housing and family environments, overcrowding, a shortage of food. access to drinking water and sewage, environmental pollution and the level of education of the adult in charge of education.

"Health outcomes are significantly badociated with improving the living conditions of girls and boys and their families, as well as with timely access to health services and communication." between the family and the health team, "concluded the report. Dr. Virginia López Casariego, Secretary of the Social Paediatrics Committee of SAP.

Vulnerable and most exposed groups

· Under 2 years, especially those with a basic illness

· Infants under 6 months

· Preterm or low birth weight babies

· Babies exposed to smoking

· Lack of badfeeding

Measures to prevent bronchiolitis

· Maintain badfeeding

· Healthy eating

· Avoid contact of babies with people who have colds or who are sick

· Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after touching the baby

· Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs

· Cover your mouth and nose with your forearm when coughing or sneezing

· Ventilate environments

· Before any doubt, do not treat yourself and consult your doctor