Diagnostics tests, treatments performed and outcomes of infants with bronchiolitis
| SARS-CoV-2-positive bronchiolitis (n=16) | SARS-CoV-2-negative bronchiolitis (n=298) | P value | |
| Diagnostic tests, n (%) | |||
| Blood tests | 8 (50.0) | 136 (45.6) | 0.73 |
| Chest X-ray | 4 (25.0) | 95 (31.9) | 0.78* |
| Chest CT scan | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.7) | 1.0* |
| Treatment received, n (%) | |||
| Hydration | 2 (12.5) | 63 (21.1) | 0.54* |
| Oxygen supplementation | 1 (6.3) | 81 (27.2) | 0.08* |
| Any non-invasive respiratory support | 1 (6.3) | 36 (12.1) | 0.70* |
| HFNC | 1 (6.3) | 35 (11.7) | 1.0* |
| CPAP | 0 (0.0) | 4 (1.3) | 1.0* |
| NIV | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 1.0* |
| Mechanical ventilation, n (%) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | – |
| Pharmacological therapies, n (%) | |||
| Inhaled steroids | 0 (0.0) | 28 (9.4) | 0.38* |
| Inhaled epinephrine | 1 (6.3) | 26 (8.7) | 1.0* |
| Inhaled albuterol | 3 (18.7) | 135 (45.3) | 0.04* |
| Inhaled hypertonic solution | 0 (0.0) | 25 (8.4) | 0.63* |
| Systemic steroids | 1 (6.3) | 71 (23.8) | 0.13* |
| Antibiotic | 3 (18.7) | 64 (21.5) | 1.0* |
| Outcome, n (%) | |||
| Discharge from the PED | 4 (25.0) | 147 (49.3) | 0.07* |
| Short observation in the PED | 4 (25.0) | 57 (19.1) | 0.53* |
| Admission to the paediatric ward | 8 (50.0) | 110 (36.9) | 0.29 |
| Admission to the NICU | 0 (0.0) | 4 (1.3) | 1.0* |
| Admission to the PICU | 0 (0.0) | 16 (4.4) | 1.0* |
| Death | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | – |
| Days of hospitalisation, median (IQR) | 3 (2–4) | 3 (2–5) | 0.80 |
*Fisher’s exact test.
CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; HFNC, high flow nasal cannula; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; NIV, non-invasive ventilation; PED, paediatric emergency department; PICU, paediatric intensive care unit.