Effect of anemia on the treatment of acute bronchioltis

Acute bronchiolitisis usually seen in children under 2 years old, caused by viral agents and characterized by tachypnea, retractions, wheezing and inflammation of bronchioles. Basic treatment of acute bronchiolitis is a supportive one consisting hydration and oxygenation while following the patient for possible complications. Prolonged disease course, feeding difficulties, secondary bacterial infections and high rates of hospitalisation show the importance of illness. The aim of this study isto evaluate the effect of anemia on treatment of bronchiolitis. A total of 85 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis admitted to Bezmialem Vakif University Pediatric Emergency Department between October 2013 and March 2014 were recruited to the study. Anemia has been detected at 22 of patients (%26) while there was no anemia at 63 patients (%74). There was no statistically significant difference among two groups regarding illness score, respiratory and heart rate, oxygen saturation with pulse oxymetry before and after the treatment (p>0,05). In conclusion, mild anemia has no effect on treatment response of hypoxemia secondary to mild and moderate acute bronchiolitis.