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What causes bronchitis in children?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Acute bronchitis often develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infections. Inflammation of the bronchial mucosa is more often observed with RS viral, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus infection and flu.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of bronchitis cases caused by atypical pathogens - mycoplasma (Mycoplasma pneumonia) and chlamydial (Chlamidia trachomatis, Chlamidia pneumonia) infections (7-30%).
It is difficult to assess the etiological role of bacteria (Haemophilus influenzae, pneumo-, streptococci and staphylococci, pseudomonads), since in children they are opportunistic components of the normal microflora of the respiratory tract. Bacterial bronchitis develops more often with gross violations of mucociliary clearance due to aspiration of foreign bodies, habitual aspiration of food, laryngeal stenosis, intubation and tracheostomy.
Factors such as unfavorable environmental conditions, passive smoking, air pollution, etc. are of certain importance.