Practice patterns and parental attitudes with respect to hydration for infants admitted with bronchiolitis

Abstract

Objective: To characterize hydration practices for infants with bronchiolitis at the Janeway Children’s Hospital and to determine the acceptability of nasogastric (NG) hydration for children admitted with bronchiolitis. Design: Retrospective chart reviews, parental and health care provider (HCP) surveys, and HCP interviews. Methods: A sample of 101 eligible infants less than one year old at the time of admission hospitalized with bronchiolitis at the Janeway hospital was obtained. Parents of infants treated with intravenous (IV) hydration were surveyed to determine their acceptance of NG hydration. HCPs were surveyed and interviewed to examine their perspectives on NG hydration. Results: The proportion of infants treated with NG hydration was 4%. The parental survey response rate was 31.5%. The HCPs survey response rate was 53.3%. Overall, 53% of the parental respondents and 50% of HCP respondents were ‘extremely likely’ or ‘very likely’ to be accepting NG hydration in infants with bronchiolitis and difficult IV access. A total of six HCPs were interviewed. The majority of the HCPs considered NG hydration as an appropriate alternative to IV hydration but felt clinical factors should influence the choice. Conclusion: NG hydration is seldom used but appears to be an acceptable alternative to parents and HCPs for infants with bronchiolitis.