Lung function after acute bronchiolitis.

We performed 211 lung function measurements on 93 children in the first year after they had been admitted with acute bronchiolitis. During the convalescent phase of the illness, 77% of the infants were hyperinflated with a thoracic gas volume greater than 40 ml/kg and 3 months later 43% were hyperinflated. Twelve months after the initial illness, 17% still had lung function abnormalities and most of these children have had lower respiratory tract symptoms. For the group as a whole about 60% have had at least one episode of wheezing. Specific conductances were significantly lower in children from atopic families, indicating worse lung function, but the significance of this finding is unclear.