Childhood Respiratory Conditions: Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. 2022

Merlin Chan Lowe
Division of Hospital Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Bronchiolitis, a lower respiratory tract infection, commonly affects infants and children younger than 2 years. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause. Nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and mild fever occur in the first 1 to 3 days. Symptoms worsen for several days to include wheezing and other lower respiratory tract signs, and then resolve over days to weeks. However, some children develop hypoxemia and/or respiratory distress and require hospitalization. The diagnosis is clinical, based on the history and physical examination findings. Routine chest x-rays and blood tests are not recommended. Management is supportive, including nasal suctioning, oxygen (in cases of hypoxemia), and hydration. Use of bronchodilators (ie, albuterol, epinephrine) and systemic corticosteroids is not recommended in infants and children ages 1 to 23 months. Pneumonia, another common infection in infants and children, typically is caused by viruses or bacteria. The diagnosis is clinical, and chest x-rays and blood cultures are not required for patients well enough to be treated as outpatients. Antibiotics are not routinely required for preschool-aged children (ie, younger than 5 years) with pneumonia because most have viral infections. For immunized school-aged children with mild to moderate pneumonia suspected to be of bacterial origin, amoxicillin is recommended. In school-aged children, if atypical pathogens (eg, Mycoplasma) are suspected, a macrolide antibiotic should be prescribed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D012135 Respiratory Sounds Noises, normal and abnormal, heard on auscultation over any part of the RESPIRATORY TRACT. Breathing Sounds,Crackles,Lung Sounds,Pleural Rub,Rales,Rhonchi,Stridor,Wheezing,Breathing Sound,Crackle,Lung Sound,Pleural Rubs,Rale,Respiratory Sound,Rhonchus,Rub, Pleural,Sound, Breathing,Sound, Lung,Sound, Respiratory,Sounds, Breathing,Sounds, Lung,Stridors,Wheezings
D012137 Respiratory System The tubular and cavernous organs and structures, by means of which pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange between ambient air and the blood are brought about. Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Systems,Respiratory Tracts,System, Respiratory,Tract, Respiratory
D012141 Respiratory Tract Infections Invasion of the host RESPIRATORY SYSTEM by microorganisms, usually leading to pathological processes or diseases. Respiratory System Infections,Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,Infections, Respiratory,Infections, Respiratory Tract,Infections, Upper Respiratory,Infections, Upper Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infections,Upper Respiratory Infections,Infection, Respiratory System,Infection, Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infection, Upper,Respiratory System Infection,Respiratory Tract Infection
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D006760 Hospitalization The confinement of a patient in a hospital. Hospitalizations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000900 Anti-Bacterial Agents Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA. Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial

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