In infants with acute bronchiolitis, respiratory distress or severity of illness may prevent sufficient fluid intake by mouth. When oral hydration cannot be sustained, a distinct clinical approach is required to ensure the infant's hydration status is maintained throughout the acute illness.
This protocol applies to infants with a confirmed diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis who are unable to maintain adequate hydration through oral intake. Recognising this inability is the key clinical trigger for the intervention described in the full protocol.
When oral fluid intake proves insufficient, the standard approach involves delivering fluids via a non-oral route. The full protocol specifies which route is appropriate and how the intervention should be structured and monitored.
The primary objective of this intervention is the maintenance of adequate hydration in the infant for the duration of the acute bronchiolitis episode.
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-2742
Clinicians should administer nasogastric or intravenous fluids for infants with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis who cannot maintain hydration orally (Evidence Quality: X; Recommendation Strength: Strong Recommendation).
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