Abstract
AIM: To provide updated evidence-based clinical guidance in the management of infants with bronchiolitis presenting to emergency departments (EDs), general paediatric, or intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) following the first publication in 2016. METHOD: The Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) network guideline working group appraised, summarised, and updated evidence from 1 January 2000 to 24 January 2024 addressing 41 questions (30 from the 2016 guideline and 11 new questions for 2025). Recommendations were developed using GRADE methodology and revised after a period of external consultation. RESULTS: The literature search identified 26 467 citations with 431 included in 41 recommendations providing 11 new and 7 key updates. The key changes included: (i) refinement of the clinical features of bronchiolitis, (ii) addition of new risk factors for severity of illness, (iii) advice on the role of biomarkers for unexpected deterioration or admission to ICU, (iv) guidance on glucocorticoids in SARS-CoV-2 co-infection, (v) guidance on combined glucocorticoids/inhaled epinephrine in severe bronchiolitis requiring ICU level care, (vi) refinement of oxygen saturation targets, (vii) guidance on humidified high flow therapy and continuous positive airway pressure, (viii) recommendation on use of RSV prevention therapies/immunisations for babies and mothers. CONCLUSION: The updated Australasian Bronchiolitis Guideline provides clinicians across Australasian settings with the latest evidence-based guidance on the management of the commonest condition in infancy requiring hospital admission.