Research Paper on "B.R. Is a 54-Day-Old Male Child"

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Diagnosis was based on B.R.'s symptoms, as reported by his parents and observed in the emergency room. According to Bowden (2009), bronchiolitis- is an acute inflammation and obstruction of the bronchioles, the smallest, most distal sections of the respiratory airway network. Parent reports sneezing and nasal discharge initially, and then the development of a harsh, dry cough and low grade fever. Wheezing on ausculation. The infant may develop increasingly distressed breathing and tachypnea. Feeding difficulties or loss of appetite may be caused by nasal congestion and the increased work required to breath. RSV Brochioles the symptoms of mild infection include rhinorrhea, mild cough, irritability, and low-grade fever for 1-3 days. Moderate infections and infections in infants and young children often present with more pronounced cough, wheezing, moderate fevers to 102°F, and decreased feeding. As the condition progresses and the infant has to work harder to breath, nasal flaring, grunting, tachypnea, and retractions develop.

B.R. began to get sick two days prior to his admission, with respiratory distress and congestion. He was given Albuterol HHN and sent home, but his condition worsened after two days of treatment. His respiratory distress was severe enough to cause choking and for him to turn blue from a lack of oxygen. He had course breath sounds with fine crackles, irregular breathing pattern, labored breathing, and was making an effort to breath. In addition, his chest movement had retractions and nasal flaring.

Genetic Implications

RSV is a virus, and is not related to genetic conditions. Bronchiolitis is also not a genetic disease. However, some genetic conditions can exacerbate a patient's risk of developing a severe form of RSV, such as the fact that male children are at greater risk than female children. "Younger children with several underlying conditions, including chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease or immunodeficiency disorders, are at higher risk for hospital admission for bronchiolitis. In contrast, previously healthy term infants often present with milder symptoms, although some studies report more serious manifestations including respiratory distress, hypoxia, or severe apnoea spells, which may eventually require intensive care" (Papoff et al., 2011). Furthermore, "in both high and low risk infants, several epidemiological, demographic and virological factors have been associated with the severity of bronchiolitis" (Papoff et al., 2011). These include: a family history of atopy, lower birth weight, being male, being younger than six months, maternal smoking, lack of breastfeeding, and crowding in the home (Papoff et al., 2011).

Pathophysiology of Medical Diagnosis

"The infecting virus precipitates an inflammatory response in the respiratory epithelium. This gives rise to oedema of the airway wall and an accumulation of mucus and cellular debris within the lumen of the airway. There is impaired mucociliary clearance with cilial damage and airway occlusion…Variable bronchiolar obstruction occurs in bronchiolitis, giving way to patchy hyperinflation and areas of atelectasis, evident on the chest radiograph. The infant has overinflated and stiffer lungs, and breathes at a higher lung volume because of a raised functional residual capacity. There is mismatching of ventilation and pulmonary perfusion giving rise to arterial hypoxaemia, and in more severe cases, carbon dioxide retention may be evident" (Fitzgerald, 2011).

Bronchiolitis is diagnosed by symptoms, with RSV generally being considered the causative agent if other non-viral factors are eliminated. RSV "is responsible for between 50% and 80% of cases of bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization" (Fitzgerald, 2011). RSV is a virus, and it is transmitted through "direct, close contact with large-particle droplets in the coughs or sneezes of an infected person" (Todd et al., 2010). RSV is a resilient virus, remaining viable on surfaces and hands for up to 12 hours (Todd et al., 2010). The infection spreads "when people rub their eyes or nose after touching an infectious secretion" (Todd et al., 2010). Moreover, children with RSV can be infectious for weeks after they no longer show symptoms of the virus (Todd et al., 2010).

Analysis of Clinical Manifestations

"The diagnosis of bronchiolitis is a clinical one. Most infants present with breathing difficulty in association with a coryzal illness. Neonates may have apnoea, but more typically, babies develop rapid, shallow breathing (often at a rate greater than 60 breaths per min in more severe cases), head bobbing, tracheal tug, chest wall hyperinflation with or without intercostal recession and a characteristic cough. Wheeze is not universal, and the most characteristic auscultatory finding is fine crackles" (Fitzgerald, 2011).

B.R.'s symptoms were in-line with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis. He experienced significant breathing problems and congestion. He not only had crackling sounds and labored breathing, but appeared to be choking when he was trying to breath. On the day of assessment, B.R. had a temperature ranging from 98 to 98.2, blood pressure of 97/57, respiration ranging from 57 to 64, oxygen saturation of 98% to 99% (while being treated with an ae liter nasal cannula oxygen flow). B.R. continued to exhibit labored, irregular breathing with crackle sounds, deep chest movement, and nasal flaring.

Analysis of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests / Values

B.R. received a chest x-ray to in order to rule out any additional lung or chest problems, because B.R. appeared to be in pain and was too young to communicate what he was feeling. The chest x-ray results were normal. There was no radiographic evidence of acute cardiopulmonary disease. The cardiomediastinal silhouette was normal The lungs were clear and cost costophrenic angles were sharp. The ossous structure was grossy unremarkable.

Treatments: Standards of Care Per Literature

Treatment for bronchiolitis is supportive rather than curative. "In children hospitalized for RSV infection, observation and supportive care are the primary treatments. These treatments include hydration; careful clinical assessment of respiratory status, including oxygen saturation, administration of supplemental oxygen as needed; suctioning of the upper airway; as well as intubation and mechanical ventilation when indicated" (Todd et al., 2010). The optimal level of nasal continuous positive airway pressure is 7 cmH2O (Essouri et al., 2011). B.R.'s treatment aligned with the recommendations of the literature and included: suctioning to maintain a clear aware, humidifying the room, introduction of oxygen to keep B.R.'s oxygen saturation above 94%, monitoring… READ MORE