The validity of clinical criteria in the differentiation of infantile acute bronchiolitis syndrome

Introduction: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the clinical criteria in the differentiation of infantile acute bronchiolitis syndrome, over a follow up period of 6-8 years. The clinical criteria were the following: number of bronchiolitic episodes/year, personal and family history of atopy, the response to bronchodilation, the total serum IgE levels and skin prick testingMaterials and methods: fifty four infants out of 116 (46.5 %), who were hospitalized with wheezing associated respiratory illness. In infancy were followed up for 6-8 years. Thirty out of 54 infants responded to nebulized b2 agonists (salbutamol) therapy (Group A) and the rest did not (Group B).Results: in group A 90% of the children continued to have wheezing episodes , 76.6% collateral signs of atopy, 86.6%r responded to bronchodilating medications and 70% had higher levels of serum IgE than the expected for age values. In group B the above findings were respectfully: 37.5%, 29.1%, 25% and 20%. More children in group A (26.6%) versus 8.3% in group B had positive prick tests to aeroallergens (p0.05).Conclusions: our findings indicate that the above mentioned clinical criteria are accurate, simple and easily applied for the early diagnosis of the reversible airways obstruction