Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Bronchiolitis Outbreaks: A Retrospective Study Over Five Epidemic Seasons at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital

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Background: Acute bronchiolitis outbreaks are seasonal winter phenomena caused by various viruses, primarily respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These outbreaks lead to high hospitalization rates in infants, placing a significant burden on pediatric services. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, public health measures were implemented to curb viral transmission. Objectives: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of hospitalized acute bronchiolitis cases at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, including infants under 12 months of age hospitalized for acute bronchiolitis at the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand between September 1, 2018, and August 31, 2023. The five epidemic seasons were compared. Results : A total of 1420 patients were included. A significant decrease in bronchiolitis hospitalizations was observed in 2020–2021 compared to 2018–2019 (p=0.040), 2021–2022 (p=0.018), and 2022–2023 (p=0.001). The epidemic peak in 2020–2021 was delayed to July and involved fewer cases (36 vs. 110.8 in other years). No significant difference was found in hospital stay duration across the five epidemic seasons (p=0.109). Lockdowns were statistically associated with reduced hospitalization cases (p=0.012). Conclusion : Lockdown measures effectively limited respiratory viruses spread, particularly RSV. A marked decrease in the number of hospitalized acute bronchiolitis was observed during the 2020–2021 season, along with an unusual reduction and delay in the epidemic peak durind summer. In 2021–2022, a resurgence of cases was noted, with a distribution of hospitalizations similar to pre-COVID-19 seasons. SARS-CoV-2 was rarely detected, confirming its minor role in acute bronchiolitis epidemics.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.