Don’t routinely use bronchodilators in children with bronchiolitis.

Rationale and Comments

Published guidelines do not advocate the routine use of bronchodilators in patients with bronchiolitis. Comprehensive reviews of the literature have demonstrated that the use of bronchodilators in children admitted to the hospital with bronchiolitis has no effect or any important outcomes. There is limited demonstration of clear impact of bronchodilator therapy upon the course of disease. Additionally, providers should consider the potential impact of adverse events upon the patient.

Sponsoring Organizations

• Society of Hospital Medicine (Pediatric)

Sources

• Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
• American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines

Disciplines

• Pediatric
• Pulmonary medicine

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis. Pediatrics. 2006;118(4):1774-93.
  
• Gadomski AM, et al. Bronchodilators for bronchiolitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(12):CD001266.