Wheezing in Infancy: An Overview of Recent Literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Wheezing in infancy is a common presentation with many potential causes. In writing this review, we sought to summarize the newest recommendations and testing available for the more common etiologies of wheezing.

RECENT FINDINGS: Regarding the diagnosis of asthma, the modified asthma predictive index has recently been established as a useful predictive tool. Non-breath held multidetector CT with 3D volume rendering airway images is also a newer helpful diagnostic tool for tracheomalacia due to ease of use and its 100% positive predictive value. We found vaccines have greatly reduced the prevalence of epiglottitis, while advances in surgery are improving outcomes in infants with vascular rings. Wheezing in infants is a common problem with an extensive differential diagnosis from relatively benign to life threatening. To prevent over-looking a diagnosis that potentially requires surgical correction or emergent care, we recommend a structured approach to the history and physical exam with targeted testing directed towards the most likely diagnoses as outlined in this review.