ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of asthma has grown considerably in recent decades, but some studies have shown stabilization of this trend. The masticatory process of asthmatic children may be altered due to asthma-related anatomo-functional changes. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine the clinical and electromyographic characteristics of the masticatory process in asthmatic children and compare the electrical activities of their masseter and anterior temporal muscles (at rest and during maximal voluntary contraction and mastication) with those of non-asthmatic children. METHOD: Case study. Asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups, each consisting of 30 children of both sexes between 6 and 10 years of age, were evaluated. Mastication was evaluated clinically and electromyographically in all subjects. RESULTS: The masticatory process did not differ significantly between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. CONCLUSION: Although the masticatory process did not differ significantly between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children, the masticatory process of asthmatic children may be altered because of anatomical changes of Asthma.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Changes in the respiratory system of asthmatics are also due to the mechanical disadvantage caused by the increased airway resistance. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength and nutritional status of asthmatic children. METHOD: This is a prospective descriptive and transversal study with 50 children aged 7 to 12 years, who were placed into 2 groups, asthmatic and non-asthmatic. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated on the basis of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). The nutritional status was evaluated by measuring the anthropometric data, including height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). The findings were subjected to analysis of variance, chi-square, and Student's t test, and p-values < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In our comparisons, we observed statistically significantly lower values for age, weight, and height in asthmatic patients: 8.52 ± 1.49 years, 30.62 ± 7.66 kg, and 129.85 ± 10.24 cm, respectively, vs. non-asthmatic children(9.79 ± 1.51 years, 39.92 ± 16.57 kg, and 139.04 ± 11.62 cm, respectively). There was no significant increase in MIP and MEP between the groups: MIP was -84.96 ± 27.52 cmH2O for the asthmatic group and -88.56 ± 26.50 cmH2O for the non-asthmatic group, and MEP was 64.48 ± 19.23 cmH2O for asthmatic children and +66.72 ± 16.56 cmH2O for non-asthmatics. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between groups, but we observed that MIP and MEP were slightly higher in the non-asthmatic group than in the asthmatic group.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of high prevalence, considered a public health problem and is thought to be one cause of low birth weight and growth retardation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to review in literature the effects of asthma on the nutritional status in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was made by searching for articles in PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases. Review articles, studies with adults or research that did not evaluate the effects of asthma in children were excluded. Hence original articles in humans were included. RESULTS: In the systematic review we found 901 articles in MEDLINE (1966-1996), 47 in LILACS and SciELO in the 16 Brazil, totaling 964 articles. Of these, 17 articles were selected. CONCLUSION: Evidence that asthma interferes in nutritional status can not be proven in this study. Rev Port Pneumol 2010; XVI (4): 617-626.
