Serum Albumin and Apnea in Bronchiolitis

Prevalence of apnea was ten times higher in hospitalized infants with serum albumin levels <3.8 g/dL than in those with normal levels.

Apnea is a feared life-threatening complication of bronchiolitis in infants. Identifying predictive markers would allow for enhanced treatment protocols for these infants.

In a secondary analysis of data from the Multicenter Airway Research Collaboration, researchers assessed the association between serum albumin level and apnea in 1016 infants (median age, 3 months) hospitalized with bronchiolitis and without confounding heart and lung conditions. Apnea occurred in 25 infants during hospitalization and in 44 infants before but not during hospitalization. Serum albumin was low (<3.8g/dL) in 385 infants (38%). Among the findings:

Among the 25 infants with apnea during hospitalization, the median serum albumin level was 3.5 g/dL and 22 infants …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Serum Albumin and Apnea in Bronchiolitis

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Reviewing Author