Recurrent wheezing in preterm infants: Prevalence and risk factors / Sibilância recorrente em prematuros: prevalência e fatores de risco

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with progression to recurrent wheezing in preterm infants. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 and analyzed preterm infants born between 2011 and 2012. The search for these children was performed in a university maternity hospital and a Special Immunobiological Reference Center. The evaluation was performed through a questionnaire applied during a telephone interview. Results: The study included 445 children aged 39 (18-54) months. In the univariate analysis, the risk factors with the greatest chance of recurrent wheezing were birth weight <1000 g, gestational age <28 weeks, living with two or more siblings, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis in the child, as well as food allergy and asthma in the parents. In the multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between recurrent wheezing and gestational age at birth <28 weeks, food allergy and atopic dermatitis in the child, and living with two or more children. Of the 445 analyzed subjects, 194 received passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus, and 251 preterm infants were not immunized. There was a difference between the gestational age of these subgroups (p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of recurrent wheezing was 27.4% (95% CI: 23.42-31.70), whereas in the children who received passive immunization it was 36.1% (95% CI: 29.55-43.03). Conclusions: Personal history of atopy, lower gestational age, and living with two or more children had a significant association with recurrent wheezing. Children with lower gestational age who received passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus had a higher prevalence of recurrent wheezing than the group with higher gestational age.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores de risco associados à evolução para sibilância recorrente em prematuros. Métodos: O estudo transversal foi feito em 2014 e 2015 e analisou crianças prematuras nascidas entre 2011 e 2012. A busca dessas crianças foi feita em maternidade de hospital universitário e em um Centro de Referência para Imunobiológicos Especiais. A avaliação foi feita por questionário dirigido em entrevista telefônica. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 445 crianças com 39 (18-54) meses de vida. Na análise univariada, os fatores de risco com maior chance de sibilância recorrente foram peso de nascimento menor do que 1.000 g, idade gestacional menor do que 28 semanas, convivência com dois ou mais irmãos, alergia alimentar e dermatite atópica na criança e alergia alimentar e asma nos pais. Na análise multivariada houve associação significativa entre sibilância recorrente e idade gestacional ao nascer menor do que 28 semanas, alergia alimentar e dermatite atópica na criança e a convivência com duas ou mais crianças. Dos 445 sujeitos analisados, 194 receberam imunização passiva contra vírus sincicial respiratório e 251 eram prematuros não imunizados. Houve diferença entre a idade gestacional desses subgrupos (p < 0,001). A prevalência geral de sibilância recorrente foi 27,4% (IC 95%: 23,42-31,70) e nas crianças que receberam a imunização passiva foi 36,1% (IC 95%: 29,55-43,03). Conclusões: História pessoal de atopia, menor idade gestacional e convivência com duas ou mais crianças apresentaram associação significativa com sibilância recorrente. As crianças com menor idade gestacional, que receberam a imunização passiva contra o vírus sincicial respiratório, apresentaram maior prevalência de sibilância recorrente que o grupo de maior idade gestacional.

Factors associated with asthma expression in adolescents / Fatores associados à expressão da asma em adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate risk factors associated with asthma symptoms in adolescents in the 13- to 14-year age bracket. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving adolescents enrolled in randomly selected public schools in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and conducted with the use of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and its supplementary module for risk factor assessment. The ISAAC questionnaire was completed by the students themselves, whereas the supplementary questionnaire was completed by their parents or legal guardians. Variables showing p ≤ 0.25 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis. Stepwise regression with backward elimination was used for variable selection. Results: We evaluated 375 adolescents, 124 (33.1%) of whom had asthma symptoms. The final multivariate analysis model revealed that asthma symptoms were associated with birth weight < 2,500 g (p < 0.001), day care center or nursery attendance (p < 0.002), maternal history of asthma (p < 0.001), contact with animals during the first year of life (p < 0.027), current contact with animals outside the home (dogs, cats, or farm animals; p < 0.005), and more than 20 cigarettes per day smoked by parents or other household members (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Exposure to animals in and outside the home is associated with asthma symptoms, as is environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Families, health professionals, and administrators of health care facilities should take that into account in order to prevent asthma and reduce asthma morbidity.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco associados aos sintomas relacionados à asma em adolescentes de 13 e 14 anos. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com alunos matriculados em escolas públicas de Belo Horizonte (MG), selecionadas aleatoriamente, com a utilização dos questionários International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood e de seu módulo complementar para a avaliação dos potenciais fatores de risco. O primeiro questionário foi respondido pelos alunos, e o segundo foi respondido pelos pais e/ou responsáveis. Após a análise univariada, todas as variáveis cujo valor de p foi igual ou inferior a 0,25 foram submetidas à análise multivariada. A seleção das variáveis foi realizada pelo método passo a passo com eliminação retrógrada de variáveis. Resultados: Foram avaliados 375 adolescentes, dos quais 124 (33,1%) apresentavam sintomas de asma. O modelo final da análise multivariada revelou que sintomas de asma estiveram associados a peso ao nascimento < 2.500 g (p < 0,001), frequência a creches ou berçários (p < 0,002), história materna de asma (p < 0,001), contato com animais durante o primeiro ano de vida (p < 0,027), contato atual com animais fora da residência (cão, gato ou outros animais em fazenda; p < 0,005) e consumo de mais que 20 cigarros por dia por residentes no mesmo domicílio que o adolescente (p < 0,02). Conclusões: As exposições intra e extradomiciliar a animais domésticos e ao tabaco estiveram associadas à presença de sintomas de asma. Esses resultados devem ser considerados tanto pelos familiares como pelos profissionais e gestores dos serviços de saúde na prevenção da asma e na redução do seu impacto na morbidade.

Sibilancias recurrentes: prevalencia y factores asociados en lactantes de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Recurrent wheezing: prevalence and associated factors in infants from Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Resumen: Introducción: Los episodios de obstrucción bronquial a temprana edad constituyen un problema frecuente en pediatría. El objetivo de este estudio, además de conocer la prevalencia de sibilancias recurrentes en lactantes de Buenos Aires, fue identificar los factores asociados. Métodos: Estudio de tipo transversal realizado durante 2011 y 2012, en el Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, como parte del Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes, mediante una encuesta validada para padres de lactantes de 12 a 15 meses. Se evaluó la prevalencia de sibilancias, fundamentalmente de tipo recurrentes (tres o más episodios) y los posibles factores asociados. El análisis estadístico se realizó por prueba de χ2, prueba de Fisher y análisis de regresión logística univariada y multivariada. El nivel de significación fue de 0.05. Resultados: De 1063 lactantes, el 58.9% (intervalo de confianza (IC) 95% 55.9-61.9) presentaron al menos un episodio de sibilancia y el 26.3% (IC 95% 23.8-29.9), tres o más episodios (sibilancias recurrentes). Los factores vinculados a padecer al menos un episodio de sibilancia fueron el sexo masculino (p = 0.001), seis o más resfríos en el primer año (p < 0.0001), edad del primer resfrío < 4 meses (p < 0.0001), neumonía (p < 0.0001), tabaquismo durante el embarazo (p = 0.01). Los factores relacionados con sibilancias recurrentes fueron seis o más resfríos en el primer año de vida (p < 0.0001), tener el primer episodio de sibilancia antes del cuarto mes de vida (p < 0.0001) y sibilancias nocturnas (p < 0.0001). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sibilancias recurrentes en Buenos Aires es alta (26.3%). Algunos de los factores asociados serían prevenibles.

Abstract: Background: The episodes of bronchial obstruction at early age constitute a frequent problem in Pediatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of recurrent wheezing in infants in Buenos Aires City, as well as to identify any associated factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study performed from 2011 to 2012 in the Children Hospital Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires City, as part of the International Study of Wheezing in Infants. A validated questionnaire was applied to parents of infants aged between 12 and 15 months. The prevalence of wheezing, mostly the recurrent episodes (three or more), and their probable associated factors were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed with χ2, Fisher's test, binary and logistics multiple regression analysis. The significance level was 0.05. Results: Over 1063 infants, 58.9% (confidence interval (CI) 95% 55.9-61.9) presented at least one episode of wheezing and 26.3% (CI95% 23.8-29.9) three or more episodes (recurrent wheezing). Risk factors associated to wheezing were male gender (p = 0.001), six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p < 0.0001), age at first cold < 4 months (p < 0.0001); pneumonia (p < 0.0001) and smoking during pregnancy (tobacco) (p = 0.01). For recurrent wheezing, risk factors we considered as six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p < 0.0001), early (< 4 month of age) onset wheezing (p < 0.0001) and nocturnal wheezing (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The prevalence of recurrent wheezing among infants in Buenos Aires Ciy was high (26.3%). Some identified associated factors can be preventable.

Lack of association between viral load and severity of acute bronchiolitis in infants / Falta de associação entre carga viral e gravidade da bronquiolite aguda em lactentes

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the correlation between respiratory syncytial viral load and length of hospitalization in infants with acute wheezing episodes. Methods: This was a two-year, cross-sectional study of infants ≤ 12 months of age with bronchiolitis at the time of admission to a tertiary hospital. For the identification of respiratory viruses, nasopharyngeal secretions were collected. Samples were analyzed (throughout the study period) by direct immunofluorescence and (in the second year of the study) by quantitative real-time PCR. We screened for three human viruses: rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and metapneumovirus. Results: Of 110 samples evaluated by direct immunofluorescence, 56 (50.9%) were positive for a single virus, and 16 (14.5%) were positive for two or more viruses. Among those 72 samples, the most prevalent virus was respiratory syncytial virus, followed by influenza. Of 56 samples evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, 24 (42.8%) were positive for a single virus, and 1 (1.7%) was positive for two viruses. Among those 25 samples, the most prevalent virus was again respiratory syncytial virus, followed by human rhinovirus. Coinfection did not influence the length of the hospital stay or other outcome s. In addition, there was no association between respiratory syncytial virus load and the length of hospitalization. Conclusions: Neither coinfection nor respiratory syncytial viral load appears to influence the outcomes of acute bronchiolitis in infants.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a correlação entre a carga viral do vírus sincicial respiratório e o tempo de internação hospitalar em lactentes com episódios de sibilância aguda. Métodos: Este foi um estudo transversal de dois anos envolvendo lactentes de até 12 meses de idade com bronquiolite no momento da internação em um hospital terciário. Para a identificação dos vírus respiratórios foram coletadas secreções nasofaríngeas. As amostras foram analisadas (por todo o período do estudo) por imunofluorescência direta e (no segundo ano do estudo) por PCR quantitativa em tempo real para três vírus humanos (rinovírus, vírus sincicial respiratório e metapneumovírus). Resultados: Das 110 amostras avaliadas por imunofluorescência direta, 56 (50,9%) foram positivas para um único vírus, e 16 (14,5%) foram positivas para dois ou mais vírus. Nessas 72 amostras, o vírus mais prevalente foi o vírus sincicial respiratório, seguido por influenza. Das 56 amostras avaliadas por PCR quantitativa em tempo real, 24 (42,8%) foram positivas para um único vírus, e 1 (1,7%) foi positiva para dois vírus. Nessas 25 amostras, o vírus mais prevalente foi o vírus sincicial respiratório, seguido por rinovírus humano. A coinfecção não influenciou o tempo de internação ou outros desfechos. Além disso, não houve associação entre a carga viral de vírus sincicial respiratório e o tempo de internação. Conclusões: A coinfecção e a carga viral do vírus sincicial respiratório não parecem influenciar os desfechos em lactentes com bronquiolite aguda.

Risk factors for post-extubation stridor in children: the role of orotracheal cannula / Fatores de risco para estridor pós-extubação em crianças: o papel da cânula orotraqueal

Objective To determine the risk factors associated with stridor, with special attention to the role of the cuffed orotracheal cannula. Methods Prospective analysis of all the intubated patients submitted to mechanical ventilator support from January 2008 to April 2011. The relevant factors for stridor collected were age, weight, size and type of airway tube, diagnosis, and duration of mechanical ventilation. The effects of variables on stridor were evaluated using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models. Results A total of 136 patients were included. Mean age was 1.4 year (3 days to 17 years). The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 73.5 hours. Fifty-six patients (41.2%) presented with stridor after extubation. The total reintubation rate was 19.6% and 12.5 in patients with and without stridor, respectively. The duration of mechanical ventilation (>72 hours) was associated with a greater risk for stridor (odds ratio of 8.60; 95% confidence interval of 2.98-24.82; p<0.001). The presence of the cuffed orotracheal cannula was not associated with stridor (odds ratio of 98; 95% confidence interval of 0.46-2.06; p=0.953). Conclusion The main risk factor for stridor after extubation in our population was duration of mechanical ventilation. The presence of the cuffed orotracheal cannula was not associated with increased risk for stridor, reinforcing the use of the cuffed orotracheal cannula in children with respiratory distress. .

Objetivo Determinar os fatores de risco associados ao estridor, com especial atenção para o papel da cânula orotraqueal. Métodos Análise prospectiva de todos os pacientes entubados submetidos à ventilação mecânica no período de janeiro de 2008 a abril de 2011. Os fatores relevantes para estridor coletados foram idade, peso, tamanho e tipo da cânula orotraqueal, diagnóstico, e duração da ventilação mecânica. Os efeitos das variáveis sobre estridor foram avaliados utilizando modelos de regressão logística uni e multivariada. Resultados Foram incluídos 136 pacientes. A média de idade foi 1,4 ano (3 dias a 17 anos). O tempo médio de ventilação mecânica foi 73,5 horas. Apresentaram estridor após extubação 56 pacientes (41,2%). A taxa de reintubação foi de 19,6% e 12,5% em pacientes com ou sem estridor, respectivamente. A duração da ventilação mecânica (>72 horas) foi associada a um maior risco de estridor (odds ratio de 8,60; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 2,98-24,82; p<0,001). A presença da cânula orotraqueal não foi associada ao estridor (odds ratio de 0,98; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,46- 2,06; p=0,953). Conclusão O principal fator de risco para estridor após extubação em nossa população foi o tempo de ventilação mecânica. A presença da cânula orotraqueal não foi associada a maior risco de estridor, reforçando o uso de cânulas com balonete em crianças com dificuldade respiratória. .

Estridores laríngeos supraglóticos / Supraglottic laryngeal stridors / Estridores laríngeos supraglóticos

Toda obstrucción de la vía aérea se expresa por un estridor que será diferente según la localización de la obstrucción. El estridor es un ruido ocasionado por el pasaje de aire en forma turbulenta a través de una vía aérea con calibre disminuido. Cuando la obstrucción se ubica por encima de las cuerdas vocales el estridor será inspiratorio. Describimos diferentes patologías de la laringe supraglótica, congénitas y adquiridas, que presentan estridor en algún momento de su evolución.

An obstructed airway causes stridor. Stridor willbe different depending on the location of the obstruction. Stridor is a noise caused by the passage ofturbulent air through a diminished airway caliber. If the obstruction occurs above the vocal cords, itwill be inspiratory. We describe different pathologies of the supraglotticlarynx, both congenital and acquired, producingstridor at some moment of their evolution.

Uma via aérea obstruída provoca estridor. Estridor será diferente dependendo da localização da obstrução. Estridor é um ruído causado pela passagemdo ar turbulento através de uma diminuição do calibre das vias aéreas. Nós descrevemos diferentes patologias da laringe supraglótica, tanto congênitas e adquiridas, que apresentam stridor em algum momento de sua evolução.

Padrão alimentar, asma e sibilo atópico e não atópico em crianças e adolescentes: estudo SCAALA, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Dietary pattern, asthma, and atopic and non-atopic wheezing in children and adolescents: SCAALA study, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil / Patrón dietético, asma y sibilancias atópicas y no atópicas en niños y adolescentes: estudio SCAALA, Salvador, Bahía, Brasil

Avaliou-se, em estudo transversal, a influência do padrão alimentar sobre a ocorrência de sibilo e asma atópica e não atópica em 1.168 crianças e adolescentes em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. Sibilo e sintomas de asma nos últimos 12 meses foram obtidos por meio do questionário ISAAC. Atopia foi definida pela presença de IgE específica a aerolérgenos. Questionário de frequência alimentar foi usado para definir padrões alimentares. Empregou-se regressões logística e logística politômica multivariadas. O consumo de pescados reduziu a ocorrência de sibilo em 27% (IC95%: 0,56-0,94) e asma em 37% (IC95%: 0,47-0,83); asma não atópica em 51% (IC95%: 0,31-0,79) e sibilo não atópico em 38% (IC95%: 0,46-0,83). O maior tercil do padrão alimentar reduziu o sibilo em 27% (IC95%: 0,57-0,95), sibilo atópico em 46% (IC95%: 0,30-0,98), asma em 36% (IC95%: 0,49-0,83) e asma atópica em 50% (IC95%: 0,28-0,89). O consumo de pescados pode conferir efeito protetor para sibilo e asma não atópica e o padrão alimentar para sibilo e asma atópica.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on dietary patterns and their influence on the occurrence of wheezing and atopic and non-atopic asthma in a sample of 1,168 children and adolescents in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. Wheezing and asthma symptoms in the previous 12 months were obtained using the ISAAC questionnaire. The presence of aeroallergen-specific IgE was identified. A food frequency questionnaire was used to define dietary patterns. The study applied logistic regression and multinomial polytomous logistic regression. Fish consumption was associated with a 27% reduction in wheezing (95%CI: 0.56-0.94), 37% in asthma (95%CI: 0.47-0.83), 51% in non-atopic asthma (95%CI: 0.31-0.79), and 38% in non-atopic wheezing (95%CI: 0.46-0.83). The highest tertile of dietary patterns reduced wheezing by 27% (95%CI: 0.57-0.95), atopic wheezing by 46% (95%CI: 0.30-0.98), asthma by 36% (95%CI: 0.49-0.83), and atopic asthma by 50% (95%CI: 0.28-0.89). Fish consumption may thus have a protective effect against wheezing and non-atopic asthma and dietary pattern against atopic asthma and wheezing.

Este estudio transversal se llevó a cabo para estudiar la influencia de los hábitos alimentarios en la aparición del asma y sibilancias atópicas y no atópicas en una muestra de 1.168 niños y adolescentes en Salvador, Bahía, Brasil. Las sibilancias y síntomas de asma en los últimos 12 meses se han obtenido a partir del cuestionario ISAAC. Se identificó la presencia de IgE específica de alérgeno aéreo. Se utilizó un cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos para definir hábitos alimentarios. Se aplicó la regresión logística y el modelo logístico multinomial. El consumo de pescado redujo las sibilancias en un 27% (IC95%: 0,56-0,94) y el asma en un 37% (IC95%: 0,47-0,83), las sibilancias atópicas en un 51% (IC95%: 0,31-0,79) y no atópicas en un 38% (IC95%: 0,46-0,83). El tercil más alto de los hábitos alimentarios reduce sibilancias en un 27% (IC95%: 0,57-0,95), sibilancias atópicas en un 46% (IC95%: 0,30-0,98), el asma en un 36% (IC95%: 0,49-0,83) y un 50% en el asma atópico (IC95%: 0,28-0,89). El consumo de pescado puede promover un efecto protector, dentro el patrón de dieta, contra sibilancias atópicas y no atópicas y asma.

Consecuencias neurocognitivas de los trastornos respiratorios del sueño / Neurocognitive consequences of sleep breathing disorder

Sleep disordered breathing affect almost 10 percent of the pediatric population. There is consistent evidence that supports an association between sleep disordered breathing and neurocognitive consequences like hyperactivity, poor school performance, aggressiveness, and somnolence. There is also a dose-effect and molecular relationship between this variables that may lead to irreversible damage of the developing nervous system. Not only obstructive sleep apnea may have neurocognitive consequences, primary snorers may also show this adverse development. Early detection and treatment may stop the progression of long-term neurocognitive consequences.

Los trastornos respiratorios del sueño (TRS) afectan aproximadamente al 10 por ciento de la población pediátrica. Existe evidencia considerable que sustenta una asociación causal entre los TRS y efectos neurocognitivos en niños como hiperactividad, mal rendimiento escolar, agresividad y somnolencia. Existe asociación de tipo dosis-efecto y molecular que demostraría un posible daño irreparable a zonas susceptibles del cerebro en desarrollo; no tan sólo el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño, sino también los roncadores primarios pueden tener consecuencias neurocognitivos. Una detección precoz y tratamiento oportuno de los TRS pudiera detener la progresión de las consecuencias neurocognitivas a largo plazo.

Prevalência e gravidade da sibilância no primeiro ano de vida / Prevalence and severity of wheezing in the first year of life

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e a gravidade da sibilância, bem como sua relação com o diagnóstico médico de asma, em lactentes no primeiro ano de vida, utilizando o protocolo padronizado do "Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes" (EISL, Estudo Internacional de Sibilâncias em Lactentes). MÉTODOS: Entre março de 2005 e agosto de 2006, os pais ou responsáveis de lactentes que procuraram unidades básicas de saúde na região centro-sul de São Paulo (SP) para procedimentos de rotina e imunização responderam ao questionário escrito do EISL. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi constituída por 1.014 lactentes (média de idade = 5,0 ± 3,0 meses), 467 (46,0 por cento) dos quais apresentaram sibilância no primeiro ano de vida, sendo que 270 (26,6 por cento) tiveram três ou mais episódios. Entre esses últimos, o uso de β2-agonista inalatório, corticosteroide inalatório e antileucotrieno, assim como a presença de sintomas noturnos, dificuldade para respirar, pneumonia, idas ao pronto socorro e internação por sibilância grave, foram significantemente mais frequentes (p < 0,05). Os pais de 35 (7,5 por cento) dos 467 lactentes relataram o diagnóstico médico de asma, o qual foi associado ao uso de corticosteroide inalatório, percepção de falta de ar durante as crises e seis ou mais episódios de sibilância no primeiro ano de vida. Entretanto, menos de 40 por cento desses lactentes recebiam corticosteroide inalatório ou antileucotrieno como tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência da sibilância no primeiro ano de vida de lactentes no estudo foi alta e teve início precoce. A proporção de lactentes diagnosticados e tratados como asmáticos foi baixa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and severity of wheezing in infants, using the standardized protocol devised for the "Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes" (EISL, International Study of Wheezing in Infants), as well as to determine the relationship between such wheezing and physician-diagnosed asthma, in the first year of life. METHODS: Between March of 2005 and August of 2006, the EISL questionnaire was administered to the parents or legal guardians of infants undergoing routine procedures or immunization at public primary health care clinics in the southern part of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Our sample comprised 1,014 infants (mean age = 5.0 ± 3.0 months), 467 (46.0 percent) of whom had at least one wheezing episode, 270 (26.6 percent) having three or more such episodes, in their first year of life. The use of inhaled β2 agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, or antileukotrienes, as well as the occurrence of nocturnal symptoms, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, emergency room visits, and hospitalization due to severe wheezing, was significantly more common among those with recurrent wheezing (p < 0.05). Physician-diagnosed asthma was reported for 35 (7.5 percent) of the 467 wheezing infants and was found to be associated with the use of inhaled corticosteroids, difficulty breathing during the attacks, and six or more wheezing episodes in the first year of life. However, less than 40 percent of those infants were treated with inhaled corticosteroids or antileukotrienes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of wheezing episodes among infants in their first year of life was high and had an early onset. The proportion of infants diagnosed with and treated for asthma was low.

Generalidades: el asma como problema de salud pública definición: factores de riesgo: fenotipos: [revisión] / General: asthma as a publi health problem definition: risk factors: phenotypes: [review]

El asma es una de las enfermedades respiratorias más comunes, de evolución crónica en la infancia y su prevalencia está aumentando; su morbilidad es muy alta, genera gran cantidad de hospitalizaciones, costos enormes, no se cuenta con tratamiento curativo. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) calcula en la actualidad 300 millones de pacientes en el mundo. En el 2005 fallecieron 255.000 personas. El Estudio Internacional sobre Asma, Alergias en la Infancia (ISAAC) basado en interrogatorio, es la principal fuente de investigación mundial sobre prevalencia del asma, y plantea que la prevalencia depende de cada lugar del mundo que se evalúe. En su fase tres participan países latinoamericanos y mide la prevalencia global en menores de catorce años. La información se obtiene en relación a la presencia de sibilancias en los últimos doce meses y la prevalencia de síntomas de severidad. En Venezuela, 32% de los menores de 14 años reporta haber presentado alguna vez en su vida episodio de asma o sibilancias. Esto nos ubica entre los países con mayor prevalenciade esta enfermedad en Latinoamérica. Se señalan datos epidemiológicos de morbilidad y mortalidad en Venezuela. Factores de riesgo son identificados en aquellos niños que parecieran tener asma persistente: manifestaciones alérgicas, asma en los padres, sibilancias no acompañadas de catarro común. Estudios epidemiológicos sugieren fenotipos con condiciones heterogéneas que siguen una vía común caracterizada por obstrucción bronquial recurrente. Tres de esos “sibilantes transitorios precoces”, los “preescolares sibilantes no atópicos” y los “asmáticos/sibilantes atópicos”.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory disease in childhood. Its prevalence is increasing, it has high morbidity and generates a great number of admissions and enormous costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 300 million patients worldwide. In 2005 there were 255,000 deaths attributed to asthma. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), based on questionnaires, is the main source of global research on the prevalence of asthma. According to ISAAC, the prevalence depends on the region of the world that is assessed. In its third phase, Latin American countries participate and the global prevalence and severity of asthma symptoms in children aged 6 to 14 years old is measured. Information is obtained in relation to the presence of wheezing during the last 12 months and the prevalence of symptoms of severity. In Venezuela, 32% of children under fourteen years of age reported having had an episode of asthma or wheezing sometime during their lives. This places Venezuela among the countries with a higher prevalence of asthma in Latin America. Epidemiological data on morbidity and mortality in Venezuela are presented. Risk factors are identified in children who seem to have symptoms of persistent asthma: allergic manifestations, asthmatic parents, wheezing not accompanied by common cold. Epidemiological studies suggest phenotypes with heterogeneous conditions which follow a final common pathway characterized by recurrent bronchial obstruction. Three of these are "transient early wheezing", the "non-atopic wheezing preschooler" and "asthma/atopic wheezing".

Clinical and Epidemiological Comparison of Human Metapneumovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Seoul, Korea, 2003-2008

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) shares clinical and epidemiological characteristics with well-known respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiological differences between HMPV- and RSV-induced wheezing illnesses. A total of 1,008 nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens was collected from 1,008 pediatric patients hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital from December 2003 to April 2008, and tested for seven common respiratory viruses. Conditions classified as wheezing illness were bronchiolitis, reactive airways disease, and bronchial asthma. HMPV caused a significantly lower proportion of wheezing illness when compared to RSV (48.1% vs. 82.2%, P<0.05). HMPV-induced wheezing illness occurred predominantly in older patients when compared to RSV patients (P<0.001). RSV infections peaked in the fall and winter followed by peaks of HMPV infection in winter and spring. Eosinophil counts were significantly higher (P<0.01) in RSV patients when compared to HMPV patients. These results show that human metapneumovirus patients exhibit several different clinical and epidemiological characteristics, such as higher proportion of wheezing illness, age and seasonal incidence, and eosinophil counts, when compared to RSV patients.

Sibilancias recurrentes en el niño / Recurrent wheezes in the child

Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron identificar algunas características y factores de riesgo en niños con sibilancias recurrentes, un decenio después del primer episodio de bronquiolitis aguda por virus sincitial respiratorio. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, de tipo longitudinal, con 34 niños que se clasificaron en sibilantes transitorios y sibilantes persistentes. Se identificaron factores de riesgo y factores socioeconómicos y ambientales. Se realizaron pruebas cutáneas de sensibilidad con aeroalergenos. Se observaron sibilancias persistentes en 22 pacientes (64,7 por ciento) y sibilancias transitorias en 12 (35,3 por ciento). El antecedente atópico familiar màs frecuente fue el asma bronquial, con predominio en los niños con sibilancias persistentes (68,1 por ciento). El destete precoz constituyó el antecedente personal más frecuente. El hábito de fumar y la asistencia a círculos infantiles fueron los factores de riesgo socioeconómicos y ambientales que predominaron (63,6 por ciento y 59 por ciento, respectivamente), en especial en niños con sibilancias persistentes. Requirieron atención en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Polivalente 6 niños sibilantes persistentes (27,2 por ciento) y solo 1 niño (8,3 por ciento) sibilante transitorio necesitó admisión en dicha unidad. Las pruebas cutáneas de aeroalergenos fueron positivas en 7 niños sibilantes permanentes (31,8 por ciento) y en 1 de los sibilantes transitorios (8,3 por ciento). Las sibilancias recurrentes en el niño después de un primer episodio de bronquiolitis por virus sincitial respiratorio están generalmente asociadas a factores de riesgo, en especial al antecedente atópico familiar y al hábito de fumar. Es muy importante reconocer tempranamente a los niños con riesgo de presentar asma persistente atópica e intervenir terapéuticamente con el fin de evitar el deterioro de la función pulmonar.

The objectives of this research were to identify some characteristics and risk factors in children with recurrent wheezes 10 years after the first episode of acute bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus. A descriptive retrospective longitudinal study was conducted among 34 children that were classified as transient wheezing and persistent wheezing. Risk, socioeconomic and environmental factors were identified. Skin sensitive tests with aeroallergens were performed. Persistent wheezes were observed in 22 patients (64,7 percent) and transient wheezes in 12 (35,3 percent). The most common atopic family history was bronchial asthma with predominance in children with persistent wheezes (68,1 percent). Early weaning was the most frequent personal history. Smoking and the attendance to day care centers were the prevailing socioeconomic and environmental risk factors (63,6 percent and 59 percent, respectively), specially in children with persistent wheezes. Six persistent wheezing children (27,2 percent) required attention at the Polivalent Intensive Care Unit, whereas only one transient wheezing child (8,3 percent) had to be admitted in that unit. The aeroallergen skin-prick tests yielded positive in 7 permanent wheezing children (31,8 percent) and in 1 transient wheezing child (8,3 percent). The recurrent wheezes in the child after a first episode of bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus are generally associated with risk factors, particularly to the atopic family history and smoking. It is very important to early identify the children at risk for presenting atopic persistent asthma and to take therapeutic measures in order to prevent the deterioration of the pulmonary function.

Are we adequately managing children with wheeze using the standard case management guidelines?

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of wheezing is increasing, bronchodilators are sub-optimally utilized and antibiotics are over-prescribed. In Thailand, current case management guidelines based on WHO guidelines, recommend two doses of rapid-acting bronchodilator for children with audible wheeze and fast breathing (FB) and/or lower chest indrawing (LCI). OBJECTIVE: To document the response of children with wheeze with FB and/or LCI to up to three doses of bronchodilator therapy and followed children whose FB and LCI disappeared for 7 days. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We documented response to up to three dose of inhaled salbutamol in consecutively assessed eligible children 1-59 months of age presenting with auscultatory/audible wheeze and FB [WHO defined non-severe pneumonia (NSP)] and/or LCI [WHO defined severe pneumonia (SP)] at the outpatient department of a referral hospital. Data were collected for up to 7 days in responders to bronchodilator therapy. RESULTS: Of 534 children were screened from November 2001 to February 2003, 263 (49.3%) had wheeze and NSP and 271 (50.7%) had wheeze and SP Forty-eight children (9%) had audible wheeze. At screening, 224/263 (85.2%) children in the NSP group and 195/271 (72.0%) in the SP group responded to inhaled salbutamol. 86/419 (20.5%) responded to the third dose of bronchodilator Four hundred and nineteen responders were enrolled and followed up. On follow-up, 14/217 (6.5%) responders among the NSP group and 24/190 (12.6%) among the SP group showed deterioration. Age 1-11 months at screening was identified as an independent predictor of subsequent deterioration. Two seasonal peaks from December to March and from August to October were documented. CONCLUSION: A third dose of bronchodilator therapy at screening will improve the specificity of case management guidelines and reduce antibiotic use. Physicians should use auscultation for management of wheeze.

Asma e função pulmonar aos 6-7 anos de idade em uma coorte de nascimentos no Sul do Brasil / Asthma and lung function in a birth cohort at 6-7 years of age in southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Asthma and respiratory symptoms are common in children, and many studies have shown associations between childhood symptoms and impaired lung function in adult life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of various respiratory symptoms with wheezing patterns (persistent, early, and late-onset) and lung function, as well as to determine whether lung function was associated with atopy or with demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, and gestational factors, in a birth cohort at 6-7 years of age. METHODS: The target population consisted of children aged 6-7 years from a birth cohort of 5,304 children born in southern Brazil in 1993. For this follow-up evaluation, 532 of those children were randomly selected, and a sub-sample was submitted to spirometry and skin prick tests. A questionnaire was administered to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of each child. RESULTS: Spirometric values were lower in the children with respiratory symptoms or asthma. Mean forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC ratio) was lower in children with any of the following: current wheezing and asthma; asthma ever; four or more episodes of wheezing within the preceding 12 months; sleep disturbance due to wheezing; and exercise-induced wheezing. Persistent wheezing was associated with lower FEV1/FVC ratio. After multiple linear regression, exercise-induced wheezing was also associated with reduced FEV1/FVC ratio. Nonwhite skin color and wheezing severe enough to limit speech were associated with lower FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: Children with persistent wheezing and symptoms of severe asthma have impaired lung function at 6-7 years of age.

OBJETIVO: Asma e sintomas respiratórios são comuns na infância, e vários estudos têm demonstrado sua associação com redução da função pulmonar na vida adulta. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação de diversos sintomas respiratórios com padrões de sibilância (persistente, precoce e de início tardio) e função pulmonar aos 6-7 anos de idade em uma coorte de nascimentos, além de determinar se a função pulmonar estava associada à atopia ou a fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos, ambientais e gestacionais. MÉTODOS: A populaçãoalvo compreendeu crianças de 6 a 7 anos de idade pertencentes à coorte de 5.304 nascimentos ocorridos em 1993 em Pelotas, no Sul do Brasil. Para esse acompanhamento selecionaram-se aleatoriamente 532 dessas crianças, e uma subamostra foi submetida a espirometria e testes cutâneos de puntura. Aplicou-se um questionário aos pais das crianças ou seus responsáveis. RESULTADOS: Observamos valores espirométricos mais baixos nas crianças com sintomas respiratórios e asma. A média da relação volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo/capacidade vital forçada (relação VEF1/CVF) foi menor nas crianças com sibilância atual e asma, asma alguma vez na vida, quatro ou mais episódios de sibilância nos últimos 12 meses, sono perturbado pela sibilância e sibilância após exercícios. Sibilância persistente foi associada a redução da relação VEF1/CVF. Após regressão linear múltipla, sibilância após exercícios também foi associada a redução da relação VEF1/CVF. Cor da pele não-branca e fala prejudicada pela sibilância foram associadas a VEF1 reduzido. CONCLUSÕES: Crianças com sibilância persistente e sintomas de asma grave apresentaram função pulmonar prejudicada aos 6-7 anos de idade.

Acute respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis potential effect on development of childhood atopic diseases

This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of Respiratory Syncytial Virus [RSV]-associated respiratory tract infection on the development of childhood atopic diseases. The study comprised 90 children [59 males and 31 females; with mean age of 21 +/- 6.9] hospitalized with acute upper respiratory tract infection [URI] with or without acute bronchiolitis [AB] in Children Hospital, and Al Amin Hospitals, Al Taief, KSA over a period of 6 months. Symptoms included, cough sneezing coryza, running nose and eyes, fever, difficulty in breathing, headache and malaise. Symptoms severity was assessed as absent [0], mild [1], moderate [2], or severe [3]. Patients' atopic status was assessed by skin prick testing. Nasopharyngeal lavage [NPL] was performed and the obtained NPL fluid was used for determination of RSV-specific IgA antibody activity. Blood samples were obtained for ELISA estimation of serum levels of interferon-gamma [INF- gamma], interleukins [IL] 4, 10 and 12. Clinical evaluation defined 28 infants [31.1%] with acute bronchiolitis [AB group] and 62 infants [68.9%] with URI. Patients developed AB were significantly [p<0.05] younger than those with URI but with no gender predilection Skin prick testing detected 17 atopic infants [18.9%]; 10 infants in AB group [35.7%] and 7 in URI group [11.3%] with a significant difference in favor of AB group, [x[2]=7.353, P<0.01]. The mean total symptom score was 11.7 +/- 4.2 and patients developed BA had a significantly [p<0.05] higher symptom score than those with URI. NPL proved a reliable and reproducible means of collecting nasal secretions during an acute URI with no significant associated complications. The NPL fluid of all patients with AB was positive for RSV antibodies, while detected in 43 specimens obtained from infants with URI; 5 atopic [71.4%] and 38 non-atopic [69.1%] with a total detection rate of RSV antibodies of 71 of 90 specimens [71.9%]. Serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 showed a significant [p<0.05] increase and levels of INF- gamma and IL-12 were significantly decreased in AB group compared to URI group with a significant [p<0.05] decrease of serum INF- gamma in atopic compared to non-atopic patients in AB group only. The IL-4/IFN- gamma and IL-10/IL-12 ratios in AB group were significantly higher as a total and in both atopic and non-atopic patients compared to its counterpart in patients with URI with a positive significant correlation between IL-4/IFN- gamma [r=0.437, p=0.02] and IL-10/IL-12 [r=0.440, p=0.019] ratios in patients with AB and their severity symptoms. Using receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve defined IL-4/IFN- gamma as a specific and IL-10/IL-12 as a sensitive predictors of severity of AB with AUC=0.827 and 0.442, respectively and serum IFN- gamma level as the most sensitive predictor and IL-4/IFN- gamma ratio as the most specific predictor of the development of atopy secondary to URI irrespective of the development of AB or not with AUO=0.267 and 0.725, respectively. It could be concluded that RSV-induced acute bronchiolitis is associated with local respiratory immune imbalance towards T2/T1, a picture suggestive of liability to develop allergic respiratory diseases later on and the ratio between serum levels of IL-4 and INF- gamma could be used as a specific predictor of the probability of future development of allergic respiratory diseases

Serum immunoglobulin E in early childhood wheezing.

OBJECTIVE: To study the serum Ig E levels in patients presenting with wheezing under the age of 24 months. METHODS: The study was conducted on 38 cases and 35 controls. The children presenting with first attack of wheezing were clinically considered as bronchiolitis and those with recurrent attacks with positive history of atopy in the patient or in their first degree relatives were considered as bronchial asthma. The Ig E estimation was done by immune assay method. RESULTS: The mean serum Ig E was significantly higher in asthma patients (p < 0.001). It was also higher in bronchiolitis patients but the difference was not statistically significant. However, 26 per cent of these patients had values above 1 SD of the control mean. These patients were considered as potential cases of asthma. CONCLUSION: The determination of serum Ig E may be of value in identifying those children presenting with first wheezing attack, who may develop asthma in future. Only a long-term follow-up of these patients can give an answer to the postulation that raised Ig E level at the time of first viral lower respiratory tract infection is a potential marker for the development of recurrent wheezing in later life.

Sibilancias en el lactante / The wheeze in nursing

Las sibilancias son un síntoma común en lactantes, especialmente cuando padecen infecciones del aparato respiratorio. Son comunes en 75 a 85 por ciento de los niños, quienes tienen sibilancias durante alguna etapa de su desarrollo entre los 2 a 5 años de edad. Pueden relacionarse con tabaquismo materno durante el embarazo, exposición al humo del tabaco en la etapa posterior al nacimiento, exposición a factores ambientales y ciertas infecciones virales. Las sibilancias en pacientes con atopia quizá se relacionen con una IgE dos desviaciones estándar por arriba de lo normal y persistan como asma en etapas tardías. La sibilancia es una afección sindromática por lo que es obligatorio buscar el factor desencadenante para llegar a un diagnóstico definitivo

Tensión trascutánea de oxígeno y sibilancias en la evaluación de la reactividad bronquial en niños sanos y asmáticos de 3 a 6 años / Transcutaneous oxygen tension and wheezing during methacholine challenge test in normal and asthmatic 3 to 6 years old children

La tensión transcutánea de oxígeno (tcPO,) se correlaciona con el VEF, durante la prueba de provocación con metacolina (MC). Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la reactivídad bronquial en niños de 3 a 6 años utilizando la medición de la tcPO2 y presencia de sibilancías durante la prueba de MC. Se estudiaron 28 niños sanos (S), 13 hombres, edad 4,6 ñ 1 años (promedio ñ DS) y 32 asmáticos (A), (18 hombres) 4,6 ñ 1 años. Los niños sanos no presentaron antecedentes familiares de asma ni infección respiratoria 4 semanas antes del examen. Los asmáticos se clasificaron como leves (11), moderados (17) y severos (4). La prueba de MC se realizó duplicando la dosis desde 0,06 a 8 mg/ml según Cockroft y cols (Clín Allergy 1977;7:235). Se monitorizó a) tcPO2 con un electrodo a 44ºC en el antebrazo, b) SaO2, c) sibílancias, d) frecuencia respiratoria. La caída de un 20 por ciento de la tcPO2 desde su valor basal (PC20-tcPO2), o algún efecto adverso fueron los criterios de término de la prueba. La tcPO2 varió en el grupo de sanos desde 88 ñ 13 a 74 ñ 18 mmHg y en asmáticos desde 74 ñ 8 a 55 ñ 6 mmhg desde el valor basal al final respectivamente (p < 0,0l). Las sibílancias estuvieron presentes a 1,5 ñ 1 mg/ml de metacolina en S y a 0,3 ñ 0,3 mg/ml en A (p < 0,0l). La PC20 tcPO, fue de 1,8 ñ 1 mg/ml en S y de 0,4 ñ 0,4 mg/ml en A (p < 0,01). Las sibilancias se correfacionaron con la PC20-tcPO2 (r= 0,67; p< 0,001). La PC20-tcPO2 estuvo presente en 17/28 sanos y en 32/32 asmáticos (p < 0,001; x2). La concentración de MC de 0,75 mg/ml tuvo una sensibilidad de 91 por ciento y especificidad de 93 por ciento para detectar hiperreactividad bronquial El examen se repitió en 10 niños (4 sanos) en un lapso de 3 a 6 meses, obteniéndose valores que estuvieron dentro de un 10 por ciento de variabilidad. Se concluye que la tcPO2 y sibilancias son útiles en la evaluación de la reactívidad bronquial en asmáticos que no colaboran con las pruebas espirométrícas

Factores etiológicos en el niño con sibilancias. Estudio realizado en una población derechohabiente de Petróleos Mexicanos, del Hospital Regional Zona Sur de Concentración, en Minatitlán, Veracruz / Etiological factors in the child with wheezes. A study realized in an user population of Petroleos Mexicanos, of the Hospital Regional Zona Sur, in Minatitlán Veracruz

Este estudio se realizó con el fin de valorar a los pacientes con sibilancias, quienes no habían sido diagnosticados hasta antes del estudio. Al darles seguimiento con estudios sistemáticos y racionales en citas posteriores, se determinó que la mayoría de las sibilancias efectivamente corresponden a patología del tipo asma bronquial, sin embargo existieron casos importantes en donde la patología subyacente correspondió a problemas cardiológicos-infeccioso tanto de vías aéreas superiores (síndrome sinobronquial) como inferiores del tipo tuberculosis, inmunológicos y alérgicos. Es por ello, que el médico que se enfrenta a un niño con sibilancias, el reto a seguir es no tratar sólo el cuadro de broncoespasmo, sino descubrir la causa para valorar un tratamiento adecuado