Predictors of ICU Admission for Bronchiolitis

Age <2 months, poor oral intake, moderate-to-severe retractions, and an ED visit during the prior week were associated with ICU admission.

Winter brings a deluge of children with bronchiolitis to the emergency department. Most of these children can be discharged home, but some might require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). To identify predictors of ICU admission, researchers prospectively reviewed the records of 1459 children younger than 2 years who presented with bronchiolitis to 30 U.S. EDs during a 2-year period.

Overall, 37% of the children were admitted to a hospital floor, and 3% were admitted to an ICU. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of ICU admission compared to floor admission were age <2 months (odds ratio, 4.6), inadequate oral intake (OR, 3.3), moderate-to-severe retractions (OR, 2.6), and an ED visit during the past week (OR, 2.2).

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Predictors of ICU Admission for Bronchiolitis

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Reviewing Author