Caracterización clínica y epidemiológica de bronquitis aguda en pacientes de 2 a 12 años atendidos en el Hospital del niño “Dr. Francisco Icaza Bustamante” en el periodo de enero a diciembre del 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Acute bronchitis is a very common respiratory disease in children, characterized by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. Objective: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute bronchitis in patients aged 2 to 12 years treated at the Dr. Francisco Icaza Bustamante Children's Hospital between January and December 2023. Methodology: This research study has an observational, descriptive, cross- sectional, and retrospective design. Results: Eighty-three pediatric patients were studied, 61.4% of whom were male, and the most common age group was 2 to 4 years (44.6%). The most common clinical manifestations were cough (92.8%), fever (62.7%), and wheezing (51.8%), with a higher prevalence in younger children. Asthma exacerbation was the most common respiratory complication in 10.8%. Regarding the therapeutic approach, 75.9% received inhaled bronchodilators, accompanied by antipyretics in 72.3%. Conclusion: Acute bronchitis was present in a considerable number of patients, accompanied by common respiratory symptoms and moderate complications, with mainly symptomatic treatment.