Association of D-dimer Levels with Bronchiolitis Severity in Children

Abstract

Background: Bronchiolitis is a common viral respiratory disease in infants, characterized by variable clinical severity. Disease severity is typically assessed using clinical criteria and scoring systems. The role of D-dimer in predicting bronchiolitis severity remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum D-dimer levels and clinical severity in children. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 102 infants and young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis were randomly selected. Clinical severity was assessed using the Global Respiratory Severity Score (GRSS), a validated scoring system that incorporates parameters such as age, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, wheezing, and other respiratory signs. Data were collected from medical records and systematically recorded. Outcomes included clinical severity, length of hospital stay, and need for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA, including t-tests, and logistic and linear regression analyses, with significance set at α = 0.05. Results: No significant correlation was observed between serum D-dimer levels and clinical severity (P = 0.533), length of hospital stay (P = 0.787), or PICU admission (OR = 1, P = 0.480). No mortality was recorded in the cohort. Conclusions: D-dimer is not a reliable predictor of clinical outcomes in hospitalized children with bronchiolitis.