Acute Viral Wheeze and Bronchiolitis in Infants: Severity Scores, Risk Stratification, and Evidence-Based Management Pathways

The field of pediatric respiratory medicine continues to grapple with the challenges posed by acute viral wheeze and bronchiolitis—two of the most common causes of respiratory distress in infants and young children. Despite significant advances, clinicians face ongoing uncertainties regarding early identification of severe cases, optimal risk assessment, and the selection of evidence-based interventions tailored to individual patient needs. In recent years, research has highlighted the heterogeneity of disease presentations, with numerous clinical scores and biomarkers proposed for severity assessment, yet no universal consensus has emerged. Large clinical trials have improved our understanding of the natural history and management of bronchiolitis and acute viral wheeze, but there remain important gaps concerning best-practice approaches and risk stratification paradigms, particularly in diverse and resource-limited settings.This Research Topic aims to synthesize current knowledge and stimulate new research on the development, validation, and clinical application of severity scoring systems, risk stratification tools, and management pathways for acute viral wheeze and bronchiolitis in infants. It encourages contributions that clarify key patient characteristics, compare existing clinical protocols, and explore novel solutions or guideline adaptations to ensure equitable, effective care. Additionally, this Research Topic seeks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research findings and their integration into real-world pediatric practice through multidisciplinary perspectives.The scope is limited to clinical, translational, and population-based studies investigating infants with viral wheeze or bronchiolitis, especially focusing on practical tools and pathways to inform care. Reviews, original research, and evidence syntheses are welcomed. To gather further insights in pediatric respiratory research and care, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:•Novel and validated severity scoring systems in infant bronchiolitis and acute viral wheeze•Comparative effectiveness of risk stratification models•Implementation of evidence-based management pathways across healthcare settings•Outcomes and challenges in low-resource or diverse clinical environments•Biomarker discovery and utility for clinical decision-making•Impact of early intervention and management algorithms on patient prognosis•Integration of parent and caregiver perspectives in management strategies•Health economics and policy implications for guideline adoption(Appendix: Article types welcomed include original research, clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, brief research reports, and case studies.) Topic editors: Prawin Kumar, Jagdish Goyal, Kana Ram Jat, Sejal Saglani Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79273/acute-viral-wheeze-and-bronchiolitis-in-infants-severity-scores-risk-stratification-and-evidence-based-management-pathways