Most infants with bronchiolitis need supportive care only: feeding support and oxygen if saturations fall persistently below the target, commonly 90–92% depending on local guidance. Brief dips during sleep or feeds are common and do not on their own need oxygen or prolong admission.
Bronchodilators, corticosteroids and antibiotics do not help routine bronchiolitis. Watch for poor feeding, apnoea, rising work of breathing and dehydration, which are the real reasons to escalate.
- Give oxygen for persistent saturations below the local target, commonly 90–92%
- Do not escalate for brief dips during sleep or feeds alone
- Avoid routine bronchodilators, steroids and antibiotics in bronchiolitis
- Escalate for apnoea, poor feeding, dehydration or rising work of breathing
Why it matters
Chasing brief desaturations keeps well infants in hospital longer.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for paediatrics, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free