Pediatric Bronchiolitis Obliterans and Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome: Nursing Considerations

Background Bronchiolitis obliterans/bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is an irreversible, obstructive lung disease characterized by the narrowing of bronchioles by lung fibrosis, inflammation, and scarring. Objective To provide acute care, transplant, and critical care nurses a summary of the disease process, causes, and treatment options for bronchiolitis obliterans in pediatric patients to promote early recognition of signs in at-risk patients. Methods This descriptive literature review was limited to articles published in 2013 or later. Searches of the PubMed and CINAHL databases using the terms bronchiolitis obliterans and pediatric yielded 432 articles. Of these articles, 22 were used for this review. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice appraisal tool was used to assess levels of evidence and methodologic quality of the articles. Results Patients in 3 main groups are at risk for bronchiolitis obliterans: those who have had respiratory infection, those who have received lung transplant, and those who have received stem cell transplant. Discussion A diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans requires lung biopsy and histopathology. For patients who are unable to undergo biopsy or whose biopsy results are inconclusive, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome can be clinically identified with spirometry (forced expiratory volume in first second of expiration and forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of forced vital capacity) and high-resolution computed tomography. Systemic corticosteroids are often the first-line treatment; second-line strategies are under investigation. Conclusion Knowledge of risk factors, signs, and current treatments for bronchiolitis obliterans/bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome can help acute care and critical care nurses decelerate progression of the disease.