The Validity of the ISAAC Written Questionnaire and the ISAAC Video Questionnaire (AVQ 3.0)for Predicting Asthma Associated with Bronchial Hyperreactivity in a Group of 13-14 Year Old Korean Schoolchildren

To validate the prevalence rate of symptoms of asthma produced by the phase I ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) study, hypertonic saline challenge test was carried out during the phase II study at a year after the phase I study. For the phase II study, six middle schools from three cities in the phase I study were selected. Finally, 499 children who responded to both studies were analyzed. All subjects were asked to complete the written questionnaire (WQ) first, followed by a video questionnaire (AVQ 3.0) during the phase I study. Of the 499 children, only 19 (3.8%) were positive to the hypertonic saline bronchial challenge test. The degree of agreement between responses to the two corresponding questions "wheezing at rest" and "nocturnal wheeze" in the AVQ 3.0 and WQ were moderate and weak with a Kappa indices of 0.45 and 0.23, respectively. The question on "severe wheeze" in the AVQ 3.0 had the highest Youden's index among the five questions related to asthma symptoms in the previous 12 months, but its specificity was low whereas it 's sensitivity was 1.0. There was no consistency of priority between the two questionnaires in predicting bronchial hyperreactivity in a group of Korean schoolchildren. Therefore we need to develop more appropriate WQ or AVQ to compare the prevalences of asthma to other countries.

Analysis of Risk Factors of Readmission to Hospital for Pediatric Asthma

PURPOSE: The admission rates for pediatric asthma are increasing annually and are partially responsible for the increased rates of readmission. Selections of children with a high-risk of readmission and aggressive treatments of them may improve treatment outcome and cost- effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk factors affecting readmission in cases of bronchial asthma in children. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 95 cases under 14 years of age who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Kyung-Hee University, from March 1996 to February 1997 and divided them into readmission and first admission group. RESULTS: Readmission cases were 52 (55%). Age, sex, duration of admission, duration of oxygen therapy, serum IgE concentration, duration of symptoms prior to admission and severity of asthma were not statistically significant compared with those of the control group (t-test) (P>0.05). Use of prophylactic agents, family history of allergic diseases and past history of bronchiolitis were significant (P0.05) as independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: Age under 4 years, past history of bronchiolitis, and history of previous hospital admission for asthma were significant risk factors for hospital readmission. Further study needs to be done to decrease the readmission rates.

Clinical Application of Impedance Audiometry in Children with Acute Otitis Media

PURPOSE: Acute otitis media is one of the most prevalent diseases of childhood and can cause serious complications such as hearing loss. The exact diagnosis is extremely important but may be hard to make because of probabilities of over- and underdiagnosis. We performed impedance audiometry(IA) in routine examinations for acute otitis media and applied it for screening and follow-up methods of acute otitis media. METHODS: We performed IA randomly on whomever were suspected of having acute otitis media due to symptoms and otoscopic appearance. These 95 patients were aged from 1 month to 10 years, and visited our out-patient clinic from December 1998 to February 2000. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 2:1, Fifty eight patients(61.1%) were under 2 years-old and the most prevalent age group was the 1 year-old group(35.8%). Sixty two cases(65.3%) had abnormal tympanograms, B type, 43 cases(45.3%); C type, 12 cases(12.6%) and As type, 7 cases (7.4%). The follow-up studies of abnormal tympanogram after antibiotics administration showed improved tympanograms(39 cases), chronic otitis media(7 cases) needed to insert ventilation tubes, and congenital cholesteatoma(1 case); and follow-up losses(15 cases). CONCLUSION: Tympanometry played an irnportant role in detecting the middle ear pathology in childhood. So we recommend initial screening tympanometry for acute otitis media and at least two screenings prior to major management decisions.

A Study of Serum Total and House Dust Mite-Specific IgE, and ECP Levels in Healthy Korean Children Under 7 Years of Age / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPUSE: Serum IgE have been shown to be related to allergic disease and used for an initial diagnosis of allergic diseases. House dust mite such as Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(Dp) and D. farinae(Df) is very important for inhalant allergens, which may be a cause and/or triggering factor of atopic diseases. On the other hand, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) causes epithelial damages of the airway, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness has been used as a useful indication of allergic inflammation. To date, there are few studies on the longitudinal patterns of total and inhalant allergen-specific IgE, and ECP in normal children in Korea. The present study was performed to determine the reference levels of serum total and Dp- and Df-specific IgE and ECP in healthy children under 7 years of age by the groups of different age and gender. METHODS: Total, and Dp- and Df-specific IgE and ECP concentrations were measured by fluoroimmunoassay(UniCAP, Pharmacia-UpJohn, Sweden) in serum from 449 healthy children under 7 years of age by using a population-based cohort followed from 1996 through 1997. All subjects were enrolled from eight large health organizations in geographically defined area such as Seoul and four local cities. RESULTS: Serum total IgE concentration showed steady increase with age from birth to 4 years, and a plateau. In contrast, Dp- and Df-IgE levels showed apparently continuous increments after 4 years of age. ECP showed variable increase until 4 years of age and slow decrease afterwards. There were no statistically significant differences in those results by gender and/or the living area, but much higher increments of Dp- and Df-IgE of boys from 3 years of age through 6 years were found. CONCLUSION: We found feasible results of total, Dp- and Df-specific IgE, and ECP in serum from healthy children under seven years of age, which may be useful for a reference.

A Nationwide Clinical Study of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Children

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is the final course of acute lung injury. It results from various etiological origins and pathophysiologic mechanisms, and has a mortality rate of approximately 60-70%. Although the confirmative incidence of ARDS in children is yet unknown, the increasing incidence of ARDS has been reported in Korea. In the present study, we report ARDS diagnosed at the Clinic for Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease in eleven medical centers nationwide. METHODS: The study was conducted on 42 patients diagnosed with ARDS in Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Clinics from January, 1995 to August, 1997. We analyzed the clinical course and treatment modalities of the 42 cases of ARDS retrospectively. RESULTS: The total number of patients recruited was 42, including seventeen(40.4%) below 1-year-old. The mean age was 2.0+/-2.3(mean+/-standard deviation) years with a range of 2 months to 10 years, and there was no sex predominance(male/female : 27/15). Twenty-one cases(50.0%) occured during the spring(March, April and May). The major triggering factors of ARDS were viral pneumonia(59.5%) and bacterial pneumonia (19.1%). Mechanical ventilation was used in 37 cases(88.1%). Major complications included pneumothorax, DIC, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The mortality rate was 61.9% of which 16 case (61.5%) occurred before 2 years of age. CONCLUSION: We conducted this study to make a rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ARDS in children, who have major risk factors, to reduce its mortality rate.

A Nationwide Clinical Study of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Children

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is the final course of acute lung injury. It results from various etiological origins and pathophysiologic mechanisms, and has a mortality rate of approximately 60-70%. Although the confirmative incidence of ARDS in children is yet unknown, the increasing incidence of ARDS has been reported in Korea. In the present study, we report ARDS diagnosed at the Clinic for Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease in eleven medical centers nationwide. METHODS: The study was conducted on 42 patients diagnosed with ARDS in Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Clinics from January, 1995 to August, 1997. We analyzed the clinical course and treatment modalities of the 42 cases of ARDS retrospectively. RESULTS: The total number of patients recruited was 42, including seventeen(40.4%) below 1-year-old. The mean age was 2.0+/-2.3(mean+/-standard deviation) years with a range of 2 months to 10 years, and there was no sex predominance(male/female : 27/15). Twenty-one cases(50.0%) occured during the spring(March, April and May). The major triggering factors of ARDS were viral pneumonia(59.5%) and bacterial pneumonia (19.1%). Mechanical ventilation was used in 37 cases(88.1%). Major complications included pneumothorax, DIC, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The mortality rate was 61.9% of which 16 case (61.5%) occurred before 2 years of age. CONCLUSION: We conducted this study to make a rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ARDS in children, who have major risk factors, to reduce its mortality rate.

Usefulness of Brain Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in Establishing Lateralization of Intractable Seizure in Children

PURPOSE: To determine the role of Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT imaging in children with intractable seizure by evaluating the interictal period. METHODS: We compared the EEG, CT and MRI medical records with those of Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in 42 patients with intractable seizure referred to Kyunghee University Hospital, from April 1983 to September 1998, retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 8.3 years and male to female ratio was 2.5 : 1. Multiple surface EEG recordings were performed in 42 patients and EEG findings of all patients showed an epileptogenic focus, with the most common area of abnormal findings being the Lt. sides. Brain CT was performed in 23 out of 42 patients(54.8%), and 15 out of the 23 patients(65.2%) showed abnormal findings and the most common area of abnormal findings were both sides. Brain MRI was performed in 21 out of 42 patients(50.0%), and 14 of the 21 patients(66.6%) showed abnormalities and the most common area of abnormal findings were both sides. In 32 out of the 42 patients (76.2%), SPECT images showed abnormal cerebral perfusion, most common area of hypoperfusion were Lt. sides. In 10 out of 14 cases, there were lateralizing abnormalities on the same side shown in SPECT and EEG, CT or MRI findings. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT seemed to be a useful tool in the evaluation of intractable seizure patients.

Usefulness of Brain Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in Establishing Lateralization of Intractable Seizure in Children

PURPOSE: To determine the role of Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT imaging in children with intractable seizure by evaluating the interictal period. METHODS: We compared the EEG, CT and MRI medical records with those of Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT in 42 patients with intractable seizure referred to Kyunghee University Hospital, from April 1983 to September 1998, retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 8.3 years and male to female ratio was 2.5 : 1. Multiple surface EEG recordings were performed in 42 patients and EEG findings of all patients showed an epileptogenic focus, with the most common area of abnormal findings being the Lt. sides. Brain CT was performed in 23 out of 42 patients(54.8%), and 15 out of the 23 patients(65.2%) showed abnormal findings and the most common area of abnormal findings were both sides. Brain MRI was performed in 21 out of 42 patients(50.0%), and 14 of the 21 patients(66.6%) showed abnormalities and the most common area of abnormal findings were both sides. In 32 out of the 42 patients (76.2%), SPECT images showed abnormal cerebral perfusion, most common area of hypoperfusion were Lt. sides. In 10 out of 14 cases, there were lateralizing abnormalities on the same side shown in SPECT and EEG, CT or MRI findings. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT seemed to be a useful tool in the evaluation of intractable seizure patients.

Comparison of Mini-Wright Peak Flow Meter and Microplus Pocket Spirometer in Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) monitoring plays an important role in the diagnosis of airway obstruction and management of patients with bronchial asthma. This study compared the PEFR taken by a Microplus pocket spirometer and mini-Wright peak flow meter by assessing the extent of agreement between the instruments and the repeatability of measurements with each instrument. METHODS: Eighty healthy children (age 11-12 years, 43 females, 37 males) performed three PEFR maneuvers on the Microplus pocket spirometer and on the mini-Wright peak flow meter in a random order. Agreement and reproducibility between the two instruments were assessed by the statistical methods proposed by Bland and Altman. RESULTS: Seventy six (95%) of the PEFR taken by the mini-Wright peak flow meter were higher than that of Microplus pocket spirometer. The 95% limits of agreements (mean difference+/-2SD) between each instrument were very wide (2.7 to 144.3 L/min). The repeatability coefficient for the mini-Wright peak flow meter was 27 L/min and for the Microplus pocket spirometer was 33.5 L/min. Analysis by sex and order of usage did not show any significant differences. CONCLUSION: The limit of agreement between the Microplus pocket spirometers and the mini-Wright peak flow meter was too wide to use interchangeably.

Allergic Rhinitis

No abstract available.

Clinical Study and Diagnostic Value of the Lung Perfusion Scan in Foreign Body Aspiration

PURPOSE: Early diagnosis of foreign body aspiration and removal of the inhaled material may save the patient from chronic illness and may prevent serious complications. At present the diagnostic problems of bronchial foreign bodies are being solved by using the lung scanning technique. Therefore, we investigated the clinical study and diagnositic value of the lung perfusion scan in foreign body aspiration. METHODS: Eighteen cases of airway obstruction due to foreign bodies were treated in the department of pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Hospital. We retrospectively, reviewed patient records to determine the clinical findings, radiologic findings, and findings of the perfusion lung scan. RESULTS: Fifteen cases (83.2%) out of 18 were less than 2 years of age, and the male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Vegetables, especially peanuts were the most common aspirated foreign bodies, and accounted for 72.2% of the cases. Of all foreign body obstructions, 61% were lodged in the main bronchi and there was no significant difference between the right and left main bronchus. In radiologic findings, obstructive emphysema (50%) was most common, followed by atelectasis (33%), mediastinal shifting (23.3%) and pneumonia (22.2%), respectively. There were more severe defects and a higher incidence of abnormalities in cases with prolonged periods after inhalation than that of shorter duration cases. CONCLUSION: Lung perfusion scanning is useful in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration which presents a vague history of aspiration, insufficient clinical manifestation and normal chest radiologic findings. Our results show that perfusion scan can be helpful particularly in cases of long duration foreign body obstruction.

The Treatment of Croup with Nebulized Budesonide and Intramuscular Dexamethasone

PURPOSE: Steroids have anti-inflammatory effects which reduces inflammation and edema of the tissue. Thus, corticosteroids have been used for treatment of croup. The aim this study is to compare and assess the effects of intramuscularly injected dexamethasone and nebulized budesonide in treatment of moderate or severe croup. METHODS: Between July 1995 to June 1996, we have assessed 44 inpatients with croup syndrome, of which 20 patients have been treated by intramuscularly injected dexamethasone and 24 patients by nebulized budesonide. We measured the croup symptom scores and arterial oxygen saturation at initial, at 4 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours after treatment. RESULTS: The sex ratio and mean age of patients were 2.3:1 and 18.7 +/- 9.1 months in budesonide treatment group and 3:1 and 22.3 +/- 13.1 months in dexamethasone treatment group, respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the two groups. In budesonide treatment group, the symptom scores were 7.5 +/- 4.5 at initial and 4.5 +/- 1.3 at 4 hours after treatment. These were statistically significant (P<0.005). In the dexamethansone treatment group, the symptom scores were 7.6 +/- 1.2 at initial and 5.1 +/- 1.2 at 4 hours after treatment. They were statistically significant (P<0.005). Arterial oxygen saturations were significantly different (P<0.005) between initial and 4 hours after treatment in both groups. There were no side effects in the budesonide treatment group. CONCLUSION: Nebulized budesonide has the same effects with intramuscularly injected dexamethasone in treatment of croup whether the severity is moderate or extreme. Therefore it should provide an effective means of treatment for moderate or severe croup patients without systemic side effects.

Efficacy of Aminophylline in Addition to Nebulized Beta-Agonists and Corticosteroid in Treatment of Acute Childhood Asthma / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: To determine if intravenous aminophylline adds any efficacy to nebulized albuterol and intravenously administered corticosteroid in children who hospitalized with mild to moderate asthma. METHOD: Subjects were children between the ages of 5 and 15 years admitted of acute asthma attack to Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Hospital. All patient received therapy with albuterol delivered with nebulization at 4-6 hour interval and intravenously adminstered methylprednisolone in standardized doses. Thirty patients were recruited to receive either an intravenous aminophylline(n=15) or not(n=15). The outcome variables were:duration of hospitalization, percent of predicted peak expiratory flow rates recorded at 12-hour intervals and side effects. When intravenously administered medications were discontinued, therapy continued with oral administration of theophylline. Twice daily assessments of clinical asthma symptoms were made by using a scoring system consisting of respiratory rate, wheeze and accessory muscle use. RESULTS: 1) There were no significant differences at study entry in age, sex, race, number of previous hospital admission, clinical symptom scores, or initial peak flow rates for the two groups. 2) Fifteen patients in the aminophylline group were hospitalized for an mean duration of 5.1+/-1.0 days, whereas 15 patients in the control group required 5.3+/-1.2 days. There were no significant differences between the two groups. 3) There was no differences in the absolute changes in their scores two scoring intervals(at 24 hours) between the two groups. 4) The two groups showed no differences in measurements of peak expiratory flow rates at any time interval and at the end of treatment. 5) The mean theophylline level for aminophylline group was 10.2+/-1.7micorgram/mL. 6) In the aminophylline group, 6 of 15 patients who entered the study experienced adverse effects consisting of nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, and irritability. Five of 15 patients in the control group had an adverse effects. There were no significant differences between the two groups for incidence of adverse effects. 7) There were no significant differences between the two groups for amount of albuterol therapy required. CONCLUSION: When the combination of systemically administered corticosteroid and inhaled albuterol is used in hospitalized asthmatic children with mild to moderate asthma, addition of theophylline provided no additional benefit. Further study will be needed to evaluate if patients with more severe asthma exacerbation benefit for the use of intraveously administered aminophylline.