DISCUSSION
In our study, the prevalence of raised AEC was 28.1% and IgE levels in bronchiolitis (38.5%). RSV antigen was 35.4% as a causative factor and the proportion and occurrence of wheeze among IgE positive patients was 45.9%
Age distribution:
In our study among 96 subjects, 55% fall under 2-6 months and 39% from 7-12 months. This is consistent with previous study by Chatterjee et al, Siguris et al, Jartti et al 4 in which bronchiolitis was associated with lower age group (2-6 months)
Gender:
In our study out of 96 subjects, bronchiolitis was more common in males (60%) compared to females. Similar results given by Boezen Hm, Jansen If et al 3 boys had more risk of developing bronchiolitis than girls.
Incidence of RSV brochiolitis
In our study, RSV infection of 35.4% had high statistical significance. Similar studies conducted by Soham gupta, rajni et al 7 who reported RSV infection among 22% of children. Broor et al 8reported 30% bronchiolitis with causative agent as RSV. We used amplification technique Reverse transcriptase RT-PCR. This was supported by Javed Akhtar etal 9.
Chest Xray in bronchiolitis:
In our study 36% of children had hyper inflated lungs which is similar to Javed akhtar et al 9stated 20-25% had hyperinflated lungs.
IgE levels in bronchiolitis:
According to Stephen et al 10 measured IgE levels in 32 subjects. In his study 35% of them had IgE levels more than 95th percentile. Among 32 subjects, 17 were RSV positive. In our study, 38.5% had raised igE levels and among 96 subjects, 34 (35.4%) were RSV positive. But it was statistically not significant.
Similar study by Welliver et al 11 had 72 infants with RSV bronchiolitis more than 25 subjects showed raised IgE levels. And among them 17 had wheeze on follow up. In our study, among the raised IgE levels 37 subjects, 45% (17 subjects) of them acquired wheeze.
Similar study was conducted by Singuris et al 12 positive IgE test was seen in 32% of RSV bronchiolitis and 23% of them developed wheeze.
Eosinophils in bronchiolitis:
Kostas N. Priftis, Athina Papadopoulou 10 et al found raised eosinophil level was significant in bronchiolitis. This was similar to our study in which though the raise is low it was statistically significant.
Prevention is by immunoprophylaxis (Palivizumab) and recommendation of breastfeeding.
CONCLUSION:
  1. With regard to age distribution, higher incidence of bronchiolitis is seen in infant population 2-6 months.
  2. Higher incidence in males than female gender.
  3. Prevalance of increased AEC 27 (28.1%) they were correlated with age and is found to have high statistical significance.
  4. Prevalance of IgE in bronchiolitis 37 (38.5%) but did not have statistical significance.
  5. RSV antigen as a causative factor was 34 (35.4%) and had high statistical significance.
  6. The occurrence of wheeze was also analysed and was found to be statistically significant.
  7. The proportion of occurrence of wheeze among 46 positive patients was 45.9% .Out of increased IgE levels in 31 patients 17 had wheeze on follow up.
  8. Out of 27 raised AEC, 10 had wheeze on follow up.
  9. Among normal patients 5 had wheeze.
  10. Out of 8, who have both IgE and AEC raised, 3 had wheeze on follow up.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
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