Frequency of hospitalization of infants with bronchiolitis during 2017 in Puerto Madryn, Argentina

IntroductionBronchiolitis is considered the most frequent disease in infants and still represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite its viral etiology, socioeconomic variables could influence the disease outcome. We aimed to determine the frequency of hospital discharge for bronchiolitis in a local Hospital in the city of Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut, Patagonia Argentina. Population and methodsWe performed a cross-sectional study that analyzed all hospitalized patients discharged for bronchiolitis in Hospital "Dr. Andres R. Isola" during the year 2017 and based on data provided by the hospital administrative staff. The study variables were the length of stay, readmission rate and place of origin of hospitalized patients. ResultsA total of 120 patients were included. The median age was 4.45 months (3.9-5). The mean length-of-stay (LOS) was 7.30 days (5.52-9.08). Of the total number of patients, 24 (20%) had a LOS [≤]3 days and 96 (80%) a >3 days. One hundred patients (88.33%) had no hospital readmissions and 10 patients (8.33%) had hospital readmissions. The median age of patients with readmissions was 4.2 months (2.69-5.71). The mean LOS during readmission was 17.3 days (5.25-29.35). Of the 120 hospitalized children, 100 infants (83.33%) live in areas identified as having "unsatisfied basic needs" in Puerto Madryn. ConclusionsThe overcrowding as a result of the demographic transformation on the frequency of hospitalization of infants with bronchiolitis was homogeneous within the Puerto Madryn population with "unsatisfied basic needs".