NICE clinical guideline: bronchiolitis in children

Abstract

Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection commonly seen in children less than 1 year of age.1 ,2 Predominantly occurring in winter months, bronchiolitis is in the majority managed in the primary care setting, but it contributes to a significant proportion of the admissions to paediatric wards with a small number requiring intensive care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline ‘Bronchiolitis in Children’ was published in June 2015.1 It aims to direct management of bronchiolitis in both primary and secondary care. The guideline was developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health. This is the first NICE guideline that covers bronchiolitis. The Scottish Intercollegiate College Network published a guideline in 2006 detailing diagnosis, management and prevention of bronchiolitis.3 The American Association of Paediatrics published a guideline with a similar scope in October 2014.2 Traditionally, there is discrepancy in terminology between the UK and the USA, with clinical conditions described in the UK as virus-induced wheeze or infantile asthma termed bronchiolitis in USA. This makes it difficult to compare studies and guidelines (see table 1 and box 1). Box 1 ### Resources ▸ http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng9 ( link to NICE guideline and full guideline ) ▸ http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng9/ifp/chapter/About-this-information ( link to public information on bronchiolitis in children in English ) ▸ http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng9/resources ( link …