What is the mainstay of management for bronchiolitis in infants?

• A. Antibiotics
• B. Supportive care with oxygen as needed
• C. Corticosteroids
• D. Routine bronchodilator therapy

Answer: (B)

Bronchiolitis in infants is usually a viral illness, so the key approach is supportive care that keeps the airway open, maintains hydration, and ensures adequate oxygenation. The mainstay is providing supportive measures with supplemental oxygen as needed to keep the infant’s oxygen saturation in a safe range (often around 92% or higher). This includes keeping the airways clear with nasal suctioning, ensuring good oral intake or providing fluids if the infant is not feeding well, and monitoring closely for signs of worsening distress.

Antibiotics aren’t used routinely because there’s no bacterial infection to treat in typical bronchiolitis. Similarly, corticosteroids don’t have proven benefit in most cases, and routine bronchodilator therapy isn’t standard practice, though a brief trial may be considered in select situations but is not the primary treatment. Hospitalization is reserved for infants with significant respiratory distress, dehydration, poor feeding, or persistent hypoxemia, where closer monitoring and more intensive support are available.