2.1, Subjects
From June 1 to August 31, 2021, a retrospective observational study was conducted on 55 infants (male: female = 27: 28, median age=5 months old), who were admitted to our hospital for respiratory infection caused by RSV, and underwent a routine breath sound analysis13, 16). In all patients, the clinical course, severity of illness and medical history were checked.
The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of Tokai University Hospital (IRB number; 21R126, approval date; August 27, 2021), and the opt-outs were conducted at our outpatient clinic (from August 28 to November 30, 2021). For infants who were finally diagnosed with RSV-induced acute bronchiolitis, we informed their legal guardians about the study by letter, and their written informed consent was obtained.