Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (ducts that are part of the lungs) that are responsible for carrying air (where there is oxygen) to the alveoli where oxygen is incorporated into the blood.
As we said in a previous post (see blog https: www.quimboschpediatre.com) the children's defense system does not mature until 3-4 years and children in these first years of life often get sick, especially at the beginning nursery school or if they have siblings about 2-3 years older. We also commented that there is always a fever spot and most infections affect there. We will find children with recurrent otitis, recurrent tonsillitis, laryngitis, etc. We also find children who have recurrent bronchitis. Many parents are concerned about this fact and are afraid that this will have repercussions when the child is older. In 90% of cases, most children with recurrent bronchitis will stop having it from the age of 5. There is a small percentage that you can still have and that will need to be followed and studied. Most children who get bronchitis during the first 5 years of life can be treated by the pediatrician, only those who have more than 3-4 bronchitis / year or those who have had to be admitted as a result of these should go to a specialist.
Once in the specialist it is essential to make a good study of the child. Many ask if their child will be asthmatic and before the age of 3-4 it is difficult to know because functional tests under the age of 4 are difficult to do. However, the initial treatment will be the same whether you have asthma or not, and when you are of the right age this diagnosis will be looked at. In bronchitis the treatment is very important and should be explained well. One of the mistakes that health professionals make (doctors, nurses, assistants, etc.) is that we take it for granted that people have understood us and will know how to do it. It is very important to teach the practice of treatment and review it at each control. The order of the inhalers (first the bronchodilator and then the corticosteroids) is very important in the treatment. It is also very important to know that if the treatment is an inhaled spray it is much better to always do it with a spacer camera and not directly in the mouth. Dry powder devices are made directly into the mouth.
It is also important to note that if treatment with oral corticosteroids does not last more than a week it has no significant side effects in the same way that inhaled corticosteroids are given in very low doses (a thousand times lower than oral) and have no nor worrying systemic effects.
If you have any questions, please contact me at quim@quimboschpediatre.com.
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