Relationships between fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels and FEF25%-75% in children with asthma

PURPOSE: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is considered an indirect marker of airway inflammation, and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25%-75%) is widely used as a sensitive indicator of small airway obstruction in asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between FeNO and FEF25%-75% in children with asthma. METHODS: A total of 118 children with asthma underwent spirometry and measurement of eosinophil markers. FeNO levels were measured, and skin prick tests to 13 common allergens were done. Study subjects were divided into 2 groups according to FEF25%-75% values (group 1, normal FEF25%-75%> or =65%pred, n=90; group 2, impaired FEF25%-75%<65%pred, n=28). RESULTS: The mean (+/-standard deviation, SD) age was not significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (10.3+/-2.8 years vs. 11.1+/-3.4 years), and the sex ratio was also not significantly different between 2 groups. The geometric mean (range of 1 SD) concentration of FeNO was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (25.8 ppb [14.2-46.9 ppb] vs. 37.2 ppb [24.2-57.2 ppb], P=0.008). A significant inverse correlation between FeNO and FEF25%-75% was observed in group 2 (r=-0.493, P=0.038), but not in group 1 (r=-0.037, P=0.749) after adjustment for confounders, such as atopy, age, sex, weight, and height. CONCLUSION: FeNO levels were higher in group of asthmatic children with impaired FEF25%-75% level. FeNO levels were inversely correlated with FEF 25%-75% only in impaired small-airway obstruction group after adjustment for atopy. These results suggest that small-airway obstruction may relate more closely to airway inflammation in asthmatic children with impaired small-airway function.

Congenital miliary tuberculosis in an 18-day-old boy / 소아과

Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disease that is associated with high mortality. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent, may be transmitted from the infected mother to the fetus by the transplacental route or by aspiration of infected amniotic fluid. Clinical symptoms and signs are not specific. Miliary patterns are the most common findings in the chest X-rays of many infants with congenital TB. In this case, an 18-day-old boy had jaundice on the fifth day of birth, and fever and respiratory distress appeared on the 18th day. Chest X-ray showed diffuse fine bilateral infiltration. Clinically, pneumonia or sepsis was suspected. Respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray findings worsened despite empirical antibiotic therapy. The lungs showed miliary infiltration suggestive of TB. Gastric aspirates were positive for M. tuberculosis. Respiratory distress and fever were gradually improved after anti-TB medication. Congenital TB is difficult to detect because of minimal or no symptoms during pregnancy and nonspecific symptoms in neonates. Hence, clinicians should suspect the possibility of TB infection even if neonates have non-specific symptoms. Early diagnosis and meticulous treatment are required for the survival of neonates with TB.

Are the Clinical outcomes of Neonates and Infants Under 2 Months Old with Urinary Tract Infections Similar to those in Infants 2 to 12 Months Old?

PURPOSE: Although the American Academy of Pediatrics provides clinical guidelines for urinary tract infection (UTI) infants, guidelines are not appropriate for neonates and infants less than 2 months of age due to insufficient data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of neonates and young infants less than 2 months old (group 1) with UTI compared to older infants from 2 to 12 months old (group 2). METHODS: We reviewed UTI patients aged 0 to 12 months admitted to the pediatric department in the last 5 years. Clinical characteristics such as age, sex, fever duration, recurrence, progression to acute pyelonephritis (APN), malformations like hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and laboratory results were compared between group 1 and group 2. RESULTS: 615 patients were included in this study. Group 1 had 94 cases and group 2 had 521 cases. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated pathogen in urine cultures. Fever duration was shorter in group 1 (vs.) 2 (1.91+/-1.43 days vs. 3.42+/-2.40 days, P<0.05). As compared to group 2, group 1 had a higher proportion of patients with antenatal hydronephrosis and hydronephrosis found after admission (10.6% vs. 3.6% and 75.5% vs. 55.9%, P<0.05). There were differences between two groups in white blood cell (WBC) count (Group 1: 13,694+/-5,315/microL, Group 2: 15,271+/-6,130/microL, P<0.05) and C-reactive protein (Group 1: 32.02+/-35.17 mg/L, Group 2: 46.51+/-46.63 mg/L, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared to older infants, UTI in neonates and young infants shows milder clinical manifestations except higher rates of hydronephrosis but outcome is alike.