Abstract:
ENDORSEMENT : South African Thoracic Society, South African
Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, United South African
Neonatal Association.
OBJECTIVE : To develop and publish a guideline for doctors
managing acute viral bronchiolitis, because this condition
is extremely common in South Africa, it is responsible for
significant morbidity in the population, and subsequently a
great deal of patient and parental distress, and the disease
is costly, since many children are unnecessarily subjected to
investigations and treatment strategies that are of no proven
benefit. The main aims of the guideline are to promote an
improved standard of treatment based on understanding
of the disease and its management, and to encourage costeffective
and appropriate management.
EVIDENCE : A detailed literature review was conducted and
summarised into this document by a selected working group
of paediatricians from around the country.
RECOMMENDATIONS : These include the appropriate diagnostic
and management strategies for acute viral bronchiolitis.
