Risk Factors for Apnea in Children Hospitalized with Bronchiolitis

In a prospective multicenter study, investigators identified risk factors for apnea in children <2 years of age who were hospitalized for bronchiolitis between 2007 and 2010. Of 2156 children (median age, 4 months), 108 (5%) experienced apnea and 30 (28%) of those with apnea required mechanical ventilation (continuous positive pressure, intubation, or both).

Age was corrected for children <37 weeks' gestational age as follows: chronological age in weeks - (37 - gestational age in weeks) = corrected age. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, risk factors for apnea included corrected age <2 weeks (odds ratio, 10), birth weight <5 lbs (OR, 2), reported apnea at home (OR, 4), respiratory rate <30 or >70 (ORs, 4 and 2, respectively), and…