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Epidemiology and aetiology of acute bronchiolitis in Hong Kong infants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

R. Y. T. Sung ,
R. C. K. Chan ,
J. S. Tam ,
A. F. B. Cheng  and
H. G. S. Murray
R. Y. T. Sung
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics
R. C. K. Chan
Affiliation:
Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
J. S. Tam
Affiliation:
Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
A. F. B. Cheng
Affiliation:
Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
H. G. S. Murray
Affiliation:
Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
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Summary

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The epidemiological, clinical and virological features of 1220 children with acute bronchiolitis admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, from 1985 to 1988 are reported. They accounted for 6·6% of total paediatric admissions and provided a case incidence of bronchiolitis requiring admission to hospital of approximately 21 per 1000 children 0–24 months of age.

The clinical course and outcome was in general benign. The average hospital stay was 5 days and there were no deaths. Ten per cent of patients were repeatedly admitted to hospital with recurrent wheezing after discharge. Two infants developed bronchiolitis obliterans.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was shown by direct immunofluorescence, virus culture and serology to be the commonest cause of acute bronchiolitis in Hong Kong. Other aetiological agents included parainfluenza and influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

In contrast to western countries, a seasonal variation of bronchiolitis was found with a peak incidence in the summer months. The significance of these observations is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 108 , Issue 1 , February 1992 , pp. 147 - 154
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

References

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