白细胞介素8-251位点基因多态性与呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎及毛细支气管炎后婴幼儿喘息的关系

目的探讨IL-8启动子-251A／T基因多态性与呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）致毛细支气管炎（简称毛支）及毛支后婴幼儿喘息的相关性。方法应用聚合酶链反应．限制性片段长度多态性（PCR—RFLP）技术检测320例RSV毛支患者及272例正常对照者IL-8基因-251A／T多态性,酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法检测血清IL-8、IgE浓度。并对人组的毛支患儿随访3年,记录婴幼儿毛支后喘息再发的情况。结果（1）RSV毛支组和对照组IL-8-251位A等位基因频率分别为45．6％、37．7％,两组问比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;（2）基因型TT、AT、AA的毛支患儿血清IL-8浓度分别为（17±6）ng／L、（21±7）ng／L、（24±9）ng／L,三种基因型间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;（3）RSV毛支后喘息组和未再喘息组IL-8-251位A等位基因频率分别为54．6％、35．8％,两组间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论IL-8启动子-251A／T基因多态性与RSV毛支易感性相关,且携带IL-8-251A等位基因的患儿在RSV毛支后更容易出现喘息。     

Oral prednisolone in the acute management of children age 6 to 35 months with viral respiratory infection-induced lower airway disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of oral prednisolone in virally induced respiratory distress.Study design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 230 children age 6 to 35 months in the emergency department. Each patient received either oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d) or placebo for 3 days. RESULTS: The hospitalization rates were similar between the two groups. For admitted children (n=123), the median length of stay was 1 day shorter in the prednisolone group (2 vs 3 days, P=.060). The proportion of children requiring >or=3 days of hospitalization was 47.5% in the prednisolone group and 67.7% in the placebo group (P=.023). There was less need for additional asthma medication (18.0% vs 37.1%, P=.018) in the prednisolone group. The median duration of symptoms of respiratory distress was 1 day in the prednisolone group versus 2 days in the placebo group both among the hospitalized (P<.001) and nonhospitalized children (P=.006). CONCLUSION: A 3-day course of oral prednisolone effectively reduced disease severity, length of hospital stay, and the duration of symptoms among children 6 to 35 months old with virally induced respiratory distress.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of prednisolone in early wheezing induced by rhinovirus or respiratory syncytial virus

BACKGROUND: The role of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of early childhood wheezing in children is not clear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether prednisolone is effective in rhinovirus-induced early wheezing. METHODS: We conducted a controlled trial comparing oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg per day in three divided doses for 3 days) with placebo in 78 hospitalized children (mean age, 1.1 year; standard deviation, 0.7) experiencing their first or second episode of wheezing induced by rhinovirus or respiratory syncytial virus. Mixed viral infections were excluded. Our primary end point was the time until the patient was ready for discharge; secondary end points included oxygen saturation during hospitalization, duration of symptoms, occurrence of relapses during the next 2 months and blood eosinophil counts at discharge and 2 weeks later. RESULTS: In multivariate regression analysis, prednisolone did not influence the time until ready for discharge, but it decreased relapses during the subsequent 2-month period in rhinovirus-affected children (prednisolone versus placebo, 22% versus 56%; odds ratio, 19.06; 95% confidence interval, 2.52-144.03; P = 0.004) and in children with blood eosinophils > or = 0.2 x 10/L (respectively, 24% versus 71%; odds ratio, 10.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.99-56.22; P = 0.006). Rhinovirus-affected children had more blood eosinophils on admission (mean, 0.44 versus 0.086 x 10/L), had a higher prevalence of atopy (44% versus 8%) and were older (mean, 1.4 versus 0.9 years, P < 0.001 for all) than respiratory syncytial virus-infected children. CONCLUSION: Prednisolone reduced relapses during a 2-month period after first episodes of wheezing associated with rhinovirus infection or blood eosinophils > or = 0.2 x 10/L.     

Prednisolone plus albuterol versus albuterol alone in mild to moderate bronchiolitis

To evaluate combination therapy of mild to moderate bronchiolitis with bronchiodilators and corticosteroids, we treated 51 young children with first-time wheezing and symptoms of respiratory tract infection with albuterol plus either prednisolone or placebo for 5 days. Disease severity was scored on days 0, 2, 3, and 6. On day 2, prednisolone resulted in significantly lower scores (2.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.0 +/- 1.5 in all patients evaluated, p < 0.05) than placebo, whereas there was no detectable difference on day 6, suggesting that addition of prednisolone to albuterol transiently accelerates recovery from bronchiolitis. The clinical significance of this effect needs to be evaluated in further studies.     

Efficacy of prednisolone in children hospitalized for recurrent wheezing

Data on the efficacy of corticosteroids on respiratory picornavirus-induced wheezing are limited. To determine whether prednisolone is effective in rhinovirus- or enterovirus-induced recurrent wheezing, we conducted a controlled trial comparing oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day in three divided doses for 3 days) with placebo in hospitalized wheezing children and studied post hoc virus-specific efficacy in early wheezing (<3 episodes, reported elsewhere) and in recurrent wheezing (>or=3 episodes). Virus-negative children where excluded. Our primary endpoint was the time until children were ready for discharge. Secondary endpoints included oxygen saturation and exhaled nitric oxide during hospitalization, duration of symptoms, blood eosinophil count, and impulse oscillometry 2 wk after discharge, and occurrence of relapses during the following 2 months. Virus-specific effects were analyzed with interaction analysis in a multivariate regression model. During the study period, 661 patients were hospitalized, 293 randomized, and 59 were accepted in this analysis (mean age 2.6 yr, s.d. 1.3). Prednisolone did not significantly decrease the time until ready for discharge in all patients (prednisolone vs. placebo, medians, 18 vs. 24 h, p = 0.11). However, prednisolone decreased the time until ready for discharge in children with picornavirus infection (respectively, 12 vs. 24 h, p = 0.0022) and more specifically, in children with enterovirus infection (6 vs. 35 h, p = 0.0007). In the secondary endpoints, prednisolone decreased the duration of cough and dyspnea in rhinovirus-affected children (p = 0.033 for both). Prospectively designed clinical trial is needed to test the hypothesis that prednisolone reduces symptoms in picornavirus-affected wheezing children.     

Nosocomial viral infections in a pediatric service: example of rotaviral gastroenteritis and respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis]

Nosocomial infections are a preoccupation in a pediatric hospital mainly during the winter with bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis epidemics. We have examined the risk factors of nosocomial infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between November, 1999 and March, 2000 in the infants units of the Le Havre hospital. We systematically listed the admissions and contacted the family after their discharge by phone. A geographic information system was implemented to display the epidemiological data; this software is able to illustrate the sectors at risk. RESULTS: During the study, 687 infants were hospitalized of whom 458 for bronchiolitis and community-acquired gastroenteritis. Mean age was 5.4 months old. No nosocomial bronchiolitis occurred. Prevalence of nosocomial gastroenteritis was 10% (68 cases including nine after discharge). Infants with nosocomial infection were younger than those with community-acquired infection (6.6 months vs. 11.2 months, P < 0.01). The mean length of stay was longer in nosocomial infection (7.7 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.05). Among the infants with bronchiolitis, 16% have developed nosocomial intestinal infections (RR = 2.65, IC: 1.59-4.4; P < 0.01). The geographic analysis pointed the area with nosocomial risk (bedroom without water, nearness of nurse office and games room). CONCLUSION: Geographic information system is a part of the quality control system and may have some interaction effect on final decision making. Incidence of nosocomial infections showed the need for a prevention strategy in a pediatric hospital.     

Hospitalization for RSV bronchiolitis before 12 months of age and subsequent asthma, atopy and wheeze: A longitudinal birth cohort study

Several epidemiological studies have reported recurrent wheezing and asthma in children after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infancy. The relationship with allergic sensitization is less clear and recent evidence suggests an interaction between atopy and RSV infection in the development of asthma. Data from a large, population-based, birth-cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) were used to compare outcomes of children according to whether or not they had been admitted to hospital in the first 12 months with RSV-proven bronchiolitis. Outcomes considered were 12-month prevalence of wheeze at two ages (between 30-42 and 69-81 months), cumulative prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma at 91 months and skin prick test defined atopy at 7 yr. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios for outcomes adjusted for potential confounders. A total of 150 infants (1.1% of the cohort) were admitted to hospital within 12 months of birth with RSV bronchiolitis. The prevalence of wheezing was 28.1% in the RSV group and 13.1% in controls at 30-42 months and 22.6% vs. 9.6% at 69-81 months. The cumulative prevalence of asthma was 38.4% in the RSV group and 20.1% in controls at 91 months. Atopy was found in 14.6% of the RSV group and in 20.7% of controls at 7 yr. RSV bronchiolitis was associated with subsequent wheezing between 30-42 (Odds ratio [95% CI] 2.3 [1.3, 3.9]) and 69-81 months (OR 3.5 [1.8, 6.6]) and with the cumulative prevalence of asthma at 91 months (OR 2.5 [1.4, 4.3]) but not with atopy (OR 0.7 [0.2, 1.7]). In a population-based birth cohort, RSV bronchiolitis was associated with subsequent wheezing and asthma but not with the development of atopy by age 7 yr.     

阿奇霉素辅助治疗儿童毛细支气管炎有效性的系统回顾与Meta分析

目的 系统评价阿奇霉素（AZM）辅助治疗儿童毛细支气管炎的有效性。方法 采用RevMan 5.3软件,对截止2019年2月17日国内外发表的关于AZM用于辅助治疗毛细支气管炎的临床随机对照试验进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入14篇文献,干预组667例,对照组651例。合并效应量结果显示,AZM辅助治疗不能缩短毛细支气管炎患儿的住院时间（MD=-0.29,95% CI：-0.62~0.04,P=0.08）及用氧时间（MD=-0.33,95% CI：-0.73~0.07,P=0.10）;可以缩短患儿喘息（MD=-1.00,95% CI：-1.72~-0.28,P=0.007）及咳嗽缓解时间（MD=-0.48,95% CI：-0.67~-0.29,P < 0.00001）。菌群分析结果提示,AZM能有效减少患儿鼻咽部肺炎链球菌（OR=0.24,95% CI：0.11~0.54,P=0.0006）、嗜血杆菌属（OR=0.28,95% CI：0.14~0.55,P=0.0002）和卡他莫拉菌（OR=0.21,95% CI：0.11~0.40,P < 0.00001）的检出率。结论 AZM辅助治疗儿童毛细支气管炎一定程度上有助于缩短患儿咳嗽及喘息缓解时间,但对住院及用氧时间的影响不显著。     

Nebulized hypertonic saline/salbutamol solution treatment in hospitalized children with mild to moderate bronchiolitis

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline solution and salbutamol in the treatment of mild to moderate bronchiolitis. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 93 infants with mild to moderate bronchiolitis were divided into two groups. The infants received inhalation of 2.5 mg (0.5 mL) salbutamol dissolved in either 4.0 mL normal (0.9%) saline (control group, n= 43) or 4.0 mL hypertonic (3%) saline (treatment group, n= 50). The therapy was repeated three times daily until discharge. Cough, wheezing, pulmonary physical signs, and the length of hospital stay were recorded. Results: Wheezing remission time was 3.8 ± 1.1 days in the control group and 2.7 ± 0.9 days in the treatment group (P < 0.01). Cough remission time was 6.3 ± 0.9 days in the control group and 5.3 ± 0.8 days in the treatment group (P < 0.01). The moist crackles disappeared at 5.4 ± 0.8 days in the treatment group versus 6.2 ± 0.9 days in the control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the average length of hospital stay decreased from 7.4 ± 1.5 days in the control group to 6.0 ± 1.2 days in the treatment group (P < 0.01). No obvious adverse effects were observed. Conclusions: Inhalation of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline solution and salbutamol is a safe and effective therapy for patients with mild to moderate bronchiolitis.     

Weight gain in infancy and post‐bronchiolitis wheezing

Aim: Low birth weight, high birth weight and excessive weight gain after birth may be risk factors for asthma in childhood, but their associations with wheezing in early childhood are poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate birth weight, weight gain in early infancy and overweight in infancy assessed by weight for length (WFL) as risk factors for wheezing after hospitalization for bronchiolitis in early infancy. Methods: In all, 127 full‐term infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis at age <6 months have been followed up until the mean age of 1.5 years. The weights and lengths of the infants were measured on admission to hospital and at the control visit. Birth weights were obtained from the hospital records. Results: Both occurrence and recurrence of post‐bronchiolitis wheezing were associated with birth weight >4000 g and the recurrence of post‐bronchiolitis wheezing with WFL >110% at age 1.5 years. The associations were robust to adjustments with gender and allergy. Higher weight gain from birth to hospitalization at age <6 months was associated with wheezing in the subgroup of children with birth weight >4000 g. Conclusion: High birth weight and the development of overweight may be associated with post‐bronchiolitis wheezing in infancy.     

影响3%高渗盐水雾化吸入治疗毛细支气管炎患儿疗效的多因素分析

目的探讨3%高渗盐水雾化吸入治疗毛细支气管炎的有效性及影响其疗效的因素。方法回顾性分析2009年6月至2012年12月住院患儿中首要诊断为毛细支气管炎且已完善鼻咽抽吸物16种常见呼吸道病毒检测的病例资料。以治疗2天后临床严重程度评分下降百分比和住院时间作为终点指标评价3%高渗盐水雾化吸入治疗的有效性,并进一步寻找影响其疗效的因素。结果 3%高渗盐水雾化吸入治疗组患儿2天后严重程度评分平均下降42.86%(11.11%~66.67%),显著高于未使用高渗盐水治疗组的平均下降率26.79%(0%~50.00%),差异有统计学意义(P=0.006);两组患儿住院时间差异无统计学意义(P=0.26)。多重线性回归分析显示,年龄3个月、母乳喂养、呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染及肺部听诊可闻及广泛哮鸣音的患儿疗效更好,该多重线性回归分析模型具有统计学意义(R2=0.58,P0.001)。结论3%高渗盐水雾化吸入治疗2天后可降低毛细支气管炎患儿严重程度评分,推荐用于3个月、母乳喂养、RSV感染、肺部闻及广泛哮鸣音的毛细支气管炎住院患儿,疗程为2~3天。     

A clinical pathway for bronchiolitis is effective in reducing readmission rates

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of a clinical pathway in the management of infants hospitalized with acute viral bronchiolitis. STUDY DESIGN: A clinical pathway with specific management and discharge criteria for the care of infants with bronchiolitis was developed from pathways used in tertiary care pediatric institutions in Australia. Two hundred and twenty-nine infants admitted to hospital with acute viral bronchiolitis and prospectively managed using a pathway protocol were compared with a retrospective analysis of 207 infants managed without a pathway in 3 regional and 1 tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Readmission to hospital was significantly lower in the pathway group (P = .001), as was administration of supplemental fluids (P = .001) and use of steroids (P = .005). There were no differences between groups in demographic factors or clinical severity. The pathway had no overall effect on length of stay or time in oxygen. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical pathway specifying local practice guidelines and discharge criteria can reduce the risk of readmission to hospital, the use of inappropriate therapies, and help with discharge planning.     

A randomized,controlled trial of the effectiveness of nebulized therapy with epinephrine compared with albuterol and saline in infants hospitalized for acute viral bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE: In previously well infants hospitalized with acute viral bronchiolitis, the effectiveness of repeated nebulized therapy with epinephrine (EPI) was compared with treatment with albuterol (ALB) or saline placebo (PLAC). STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled trial, infants received study nebulizations every 1 to 6 hours and were assessed twice daily by the research team. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included the time from admission until the infant had normal hydration, oxygenation, and minimal respiratory distress. RESULTS: A total of 149 infants were randomized; 50 were allocated to receive racemic EPI, 51 were given ALB, and 48 received PLAC. Baseline characteristics and pre-enrollment symptoms, signs, and therapy were similar between groups. There were no group differences in the primary outcome measure, mean LOS (hours)(+/- SD): EPI = 59.8 (62), ALB = 61.4 (54), and PLAC = 63.3 (47); P =.95 by intent-to-treat analysis. Group differences were not statistically significant in any of the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There were no group differences in the effectiveness of therapy for infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Based on these results, we do not recommend routine use of either nebulized EPI or ALB in this patient group.     

吸人糖皮质激素与口服孟鲁司特治疗咳嗽变异型哮喘的疗效比较及随访研究

目的 比较吸入糖皮质激素(ICS)和口服白三烯调节剂(LTM)对儿童咳嗽变异型哮喘(CVA)的疗效,探讨儿童CVA的最佳治疗方案,并探讨CVA发展为典型哮喘的相关危险因素.方法 将84例年龄(3.9±1.2)岁(2～6岁)的CVA患儿随机分为ICS组(42例)和LTM组(42例).ICS组患儿通过定量气雾剂+储雾罐规律吸人二丙酸倍氯米松200 μg/d维持治疗,LTM组患儿每晚口服孟鲁司特5 mg维持治疗,治疗时间6个月,停用试验药物治疗后继续随访18个月.结果 ICS组平均止咳天数为(14±9)d,LTM组平均止咳天数为(13±9)d,两组问比较差异无统计学意义(Z=1.12,P=0.25).在24个月的研究观察期间,ICS组出现喘息的比率(7.1%)明显低于LTM组(33.3%)(x2=8.92,P=0.003).喘息组患儿湿疹和变应性鼻炎的患病率分别为47.1%和58.8%,明显高于无喘息组(分别为19.4%和31.3%)(x2分别为4.16和4.40,P均＜0.05).多因素逐步回归分析结果显示,湿疹和变应性鼻炎是CVA发展为典型哮喘的危险因素,OR值分别为7.668和3.855(P分别为0.002和0.049),而规律吸入ICS是有效的保护因素,其OR值为0.128(P=0.008).结论 CVA患者可转化为典型哮喘,接受ICS治疗的患儿出现喘息的比率低于接受LTM治疗的患儿,湿疹和过敏性鼻炎是CVA发展为典型哮喘的危险因素.     

Risks of severity and readmission of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children hospitalised for bronchiolitis

Objective:   To describe the characteristics of children admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital with bronchiolitis, and to compare the severity of illness and incidence of subsequent readmission in Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
Design, Setting and Participants:   Retrospective study of 101 children (aged ≤2 years) hospitalised with bronchiolitis to Royal Darwin Hospital between April 2005 and December 2006.
Main Outcome Measures:   Admission characteristics and indices of severity, treatment required (antibiotics etc.), reasons and incidence of readmissions (within 6 months).
Results:   Indigenous children had significantly more severe illness then non-Indigenous children ( n = 80 and 21, respectively), longer hospital stay (median = 6 and 3 days; P = 0.001) and oxygen requirement (median = 3 and 0; P = 0.004), pneumonia ( n = 14 and 0; P = 0.04) and antibiotics treatment (48 and 4; P = 0.001). The readmission rate for bronchiolitis was high (23%) with no significant difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
Conclusion:   Indigenous Australian children hospitalised with bronchiolitis have significantly more severe illness than non-Indigenous children. Points of intervention that can address this and the identified high readmission rate (within 6 months) are required.     

Pneumonia in the first 2 years of life,and asthma in preschool‐age children

Background: The relationship between viral bronchiolitis in early infancy and subsequent wheezing and asthma has been well established. The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to test the hypothesis that pneumonia severe enough to require hospitalization during the first 2 years of life could also be associated with asthma or asthma‐like symptoms in pre‐school children. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with parents of children who were classified as exposed (n= 36) or non‐exposed (n= 84), based on whether they were hospitalized with radiologically confirmed pneumonia during the first 2 years of life. The main outcomes were ever physician‐diagnosed asthma, asthma‐like symptoms and use of anti‐asthmatic medications during the last 2 months and during the last 12 months. Results: The prevalence of ever physician‐diagnosed asthma was higher in the exposed group compared with the non‐exposed group (41.6% vs 22.6%, P= 0.01), with an adjusted prevalence ratio of 2.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–3.62). The exposed group had a trend toward a higher prevalence of asthma‐like symptoms and use of anti‐asthmatic medications during the last 2 months and during the last 12 months. Conclusions: Radiologically confirmed pneumonia in the first 2 years of life may be associated with asthma or asthma‐like symptoms in pre‐school children.     

二丙酸倍氯米松和干扰素吸入疗法治疗毛细支气管炎的临床研究

目的 研究二丙酸倍氯米松和干扰素吸入疗法治疗毛细支气管炎（毛支）的临床疗效，评价其临床价值。方法 将83例毛支患儿随机分为两组，两组病例采用相同的综合治疗，治疗组（n=42）在综合治疗基础上，急性期行干扰素吸入治疗及缓解期行二丙酸倍氯米松长期吸入治疗，对治疗前后主要症状及体征的持续时间，平均住院天数进行比较。结果 急性期在治愈率、喘憋缓解、肺部哮鸣音及湿哕音消失时间及住院时间等方面，治疗组明显优于对照组（P〈0．01）。恢复期治疗组喘息率低于对照组。结论 急性期吸入干扰素有利于疾病的恢复，恢复期吸入二丙酸倍氯米松可减少喘息的发作。     

RANTES启动子-28C/G基因多态性与呼吸道合胞病毒致细支气管炎易感性的关联

目的 探讨正常T淋巴细胞表达和分泌的活性调节蛋白RANTES的启动子-28C/G基因多态性与呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)致细支气管炎(既往称毛细支气管炎)易感的关联性.方法 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术,检测238例RSV细支气管炎患儿及288例正常对照者的RANTES-28C/G多态性,ELISA法检测血清总IgE浓度,全自动血细胞计数仪计数嗜酸性粒细胞,并搜集受检者的特应性体质史、特应性家族史及临床相关资料.结果 RANTES-28C/G基因型分布在RSV细支气管炎组和对照组均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡.与对照组比较,RANTES-28C/G基因型及等位基因频率在RSV细支气管炎组中的分布差异均有统计学意义(G=10.22,P＜0.01;x2=9.708,P＜0.01);与CC基因型个体相比,携带G等位基因的个体发生RSV细支气管炎的风险增加了2.09倍(OR:2.09,95% CI=1.32～3.30,P＜0.01).在RSV细支气管炎组,携带G等位基因个体具有特应性体质和特应性家族史的风险分别比CC基因型个体增加了1.85倍(OR=1.85,95% CI=1.01～3.38,P＜0.05)和1.91倍(OR=1.91,95% CI=1.03～3.54,P＜0.05),其嗜酸性粒细胞计数亦显著升高(Z=-2.303,P＜0.05).结论 RANTES启动子-28C/G基因多态性与RSV细支气管炎易感性相关联,并且-28G等位基因与RSV细支气管炎患儿的特应性体质及特应性家族史相关联.     

Lower respiratory tract infections associated with influenza A and B viruses in an area with a high prevalence of pediatric human immunodeficiency type 1 infection

BACKGROUND: Despite the high burden of pediatric HIV-1 infection in developing countries, there are few data on the clinical course of influenza virus-associated lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in these children. OBJECTIVE: To define and compare the clinical course of HIV-1-infected and -uninfected African children hospitalized with influenza virus associated severe LRTI. METHODS: Children with severe LRTI were prospectively recruited between March, 1997, and March, 1999, as part of a broader study evaluating the etiology and outcome of this condition in hospitalized HIV-1-infected and -uninfected children. The results of children in whom influenza A or B virus was identified by immunofluorescent antibody staining after shell vial culture are reported. Viruses isolated were typed by hemagglutination inhibition assays. RESULTS: Twenty-five (21.6%) of the 116 children hospitalized with severe LRTI in whom influenza A or B virus was identified were HIV-1-infected. HIV-1-infected children were older than uninfected children (mean age +/- SD 17.4 +/- 10.8 months vs. 10.2 +/- 8.9 months; P = 0.002). HIV-1-infected children were more likely to have an underlying medical illness (in addition to HIV-1 infection) predisposing them to more severe LRTI (32.0% vs. 13.2%; P = 0.03). HIV-infected children were also more likely to have indirect evidence of bacterial coinfection, including chest radiographic evidence of confluent alveolar consolidation (78.9% vs. 35.1%, P = 0.006), and were less likely be wheezing (8.0% vs. 31.9%, P = 0.01). However, there was no difference in the clinical outcome of HIV-1-infected and -uninfected children. The duration of hospitalization [median (range) 5 (2 to 33) days vs. 4 (0 to 21) days, P = 0.08] and the mortality rates (8.0% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.20) were similar between HWV-1-infected and -uninfected children. CONCLUSION: HIV-1-infected children hospitalized with severe LRTI associated with influenza virus have an outcome similar to that of HIV-1-uninfected children even in the absence of antiretroviral or anti-influenza virus treatment.     

Bronchiolitis in young infants: is it a risk factor for recurrent wheezing in childhood?

Background

Acute bronchiolitis in infancy is considered a risk factor for recurrent wheezing episodes in childhood. The present study assessed prevalence, clinical manifestations and risk factors for recurrent wheezing events during the first 3 years of life and persistent wheezing events beyond this age in children hospitalized as young infants with acute bronchiolitis.

Methods

Two groups of children aged 6 years were included. The study group comprised 150 children with a history of hospitalization for bronchiolitis, with the first event at <6 months of age. The control group comprised 66 age- and sex-matched children with no history of bronchiolitis before 6 months of age. Children in both groups had been followed until 6 years of age by their pediatricians; data were obtained retrospectively by reviewing ambulatory records during children’s visits in pediatricians’ clinics. The data included epidemiological parameters, prevalence, age at onset, number of and treatments given for episodes of wheezing events prior to 6 years of age, pathogens detected, and severity of acute bronchiolitis in the study group.

Results

Overall, 58% and 27% of children in the study and control groups, respectively (P=0.001) had recurrent wheezing episodes prior to the age of 3 years. Children in the study group had earlier onset of recurrent wheezing, had more episodes of wheezing, and required more bronchodilator and systemic steroids treatments compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Hospitalization within the first six months of life for acute bronchiolitis is an independent risk factor for recurrent wheezing episodes during the first 3 years of life.