The severity of acute bronchiolitis in infants was associated with quality of life nine months later

Aim: Acute bronchiolitis in infancy increases the risk of later asthma and reduced health-related quality of life (QoL). We aimed to see whether the severity of acute bronchiolitis in the first year of life was associated with QoL nine months later.

Methods: The parents of 209 of 404 of children hospitalised for acute bronchiolitis in eight paediatric departments in south-east Norway at a mean four months of age (range 0-12 months) completed the Infant/Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire sent by mail nine months after the acute illness. Disease severity was measured by length of stay and the need for supportive treatment. Interactions with gender, inclusion age, prematurity, maternal ethnicity and maternal education were examined.

Results: Reduced QoL in four domains was associated with increased length of stay and need for ventilatory support. Physical abilities and general health were associated with both severity markers, whereas bodily pain and discomfort and change in health were associated with length of stay. Ventilatory support was more negatively associated with QoL than atopic eczema and also associated with reduced parental emotions and parental time.

Conclusion: The severity of acute bronchiolitis in infants was associated with reduced QoL nine months later.