Additional pediatric resources: GeneralPediatrics.com | PediatricEducation.org | SearchingPediatrics.com
Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
Etiology/Pathophysiology:
Acute viral respiratory illness leads to edema and infiltration of
bronchial walls which leads to inflammatory obstruction of small
peripheral pulmonary airways. Mucous plugging also contributes to
small airway obstruction. The infant airway has several features
which distinguish it from the adult airway and help to increase the
susceptibility to and effect of inflammatory bronchiolar narrowing in
infancy: it is easily plugged by mucous or inflammatory debris, the
collateral pathways of ventilation - pores of Cohn and Lambert - are
less well developed, it has more mucous glands in the airways, and
the airways are more collapsible in response to airway pressure
changes.
Pathology:
Edema and inflammatory infiltration of the bronchial walls.
Imaging Findings:
The chest is hyperinflated. There is peribronchial cuffing and
overdistended airways. Overtime focal segmental/subsegmental
atelectasis may be seen.
DDX:
References:
See References Chapter.
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