Motor performance is better than normal in preschool children with cystic fibrosis

The aim of the present study was to assess the motor performance in preschool children with a reliable and valid test battery developed to identify motor dysfunction and normal motor development in children aged from 4 to 6 years. Several aspects of motor performance were examined in 29 preschool children with cystic fibrosis (CF) age range 4–6 years (mean 5.2 ± 0.8 years), FEV₁ 97.2 ± 15.3pred and compared to with 22 healthy children of the same age 5.5 ± 0.8 years. All children performed the “Motoriktest fuer 4‐6jaehrige Kinder” (MOT) assessing seven different aspects of motor performance. Compared to healthy children, test score “Motor Quotient” (MQ) as the mean of all test items was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in children with CF (108.1 ± 16 vs. 93.5 ± 17.9). In both groups, the MQ can be classified as normal. Children with CF scored higher in MOT subtests “Agility and Coordination” (P < 0.05) and “Balance” (P < 0.01) than healthy children but not in the other subtests. We speculate that chest physiotherapy in preschool children with CF may have an effect on motor performance in general and in some aspects of motor performance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:527–535. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Reference equations for pulmonary function tests in preschool children: a review

Recent developments in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in preschool children (2-5 years of age) have meant that objective assessments of respiratory function are now possible for this age group. However, the application and interpretation of these tests may be limited by the relative paucity of appropriate reference equations. This review summarizes available preschool reference equations, identifies the current gaps and limitations in the methodologies and statistics used and proposes future directions for improving reference data. A PubMed search which included the MeSH terms (preschool [2-5years]), (respiratory function test), and (reference value) yielded 214 publications which were screened to identify 34 publications presenting 36 reference equations for seven techniques. There were considerable differences with respect to population characteristics, recruitment strategies, equipment and methodologies and reported parameters both within and between each measurement technique. Despite an increasing number of reference equations for PFT for preschool children, the extent to which these can be generalized to other populations may be limited in some cases by inclusion of relatively few children less than 5 years of age, a lack of details regarding the sample populations and measurement techniques and/or inappropriate statistical analysis. A fresh approach based on large sample sizes, clearly documented population characteristics, equipment and protocols, and more rigorous modern statistical methods both for developing reference equations and interpreting results could enhance clinical application of these tests. This in turn would maximize the tremendous opportunities to detect early lung disease offered by the recent surge in developing suitable tests for preschool children.     

The effects of low-level environmental tobacco smoke exposure on pulmonary function tests in preschool children with asthma

Objectives: Though parents of children with asthma smoke, they often avoid smoking in their homes or near their children, thus limiting exposure. It is not known if such low-level environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) results in measurable exposure or affects lung function. The objectives of this study were to measure urinary cotinine in preschool children with asthma, and to examine the relationship between low-level ETS exposure and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Methods: Preschool children with asthma were enrolled. Parents completed questionnaires on ETS exposure and asthma control, urinary cotinine concentrations were measured and PFTs were compared between subjects with and without recent ETS exposure. Results: Forty one subjects were enrolled. All parents denied smoking in their home within the last 2 weeks, but 14 (34%) parents admitted to smoking outside their homes or away from their children. Fifteen (37%; 95%CI: 23–53) of the children had urinary cotinine levels ≥1?ng/ml, of which seven (17%; 95%CI: 8–32) had levels ≥5?ng/ml. FEV₁ and FEV_0.5 were lower in subjects with a urinary cotinine level ≥5?ng/ml as compared to those with levels <1?ng/ml or between 1 and 5?ng/ml; both at baseline and after inhalation of albuterol. Five of seven subjects with urinary cotinine levels ≥5?ng/ml had FEV_0.5 less than 65% of predicted values. There were no significant differences in IOS measures. Conclusions: Despite parental denial of smoking near their children, preschool children may be exposed to ETS. Such low-level ETS exposure may affect lung function, possibly in a dose-dependent manner.     

Weighing in on international growth standards: testing the case in Australian preschool children

Overweight and obesity in preschool‐aged children are major health concerns. Accurate and reliable estimates of prevalence are necessary to direct public health and clinical interventions. There are currently three international growth standards used to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity, each using different methodologies: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Adoption and use of each method were examined through a systematic review of Australian population studies (2006–2017). For this period, systematically identified population studies (N = 20) reported prevalence of overweight and obesity ranging between 15 and 38% with most (n = 16) applying the IOTF standards. To demonstrate the differences in prevalence estimates yielded by the IOTF in comparison to the WHO and CDC standards, methods were applied to a sample of N = 1,926 Australian children, aged 3–5 years. As expected, the three standards yielded significantly different estimates when applied to this single population. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was WHO – 9.3%, IOTF – 21.7% and CDC – 33.1%. Judicious selection of growth standards, taking account of their underpinning methodologies and provisions of access to study data sets to allow prevalence comparisons, is recommended.     

Interventions for the prevention of overweight and obesity in preschool children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

The objective of this study was to analyse interventions for the prevention of overweight and obesity in children under 5 years of age. We carried out a systematic review focusing exclusively on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data sources include Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychInfo and Web of Science. Data were extracted from seventeen articles describing seven RCTs identified through electronic search, screening of references in systematic reviews, own files and contact with authors. RCTs were assessed with the Jadad scale. Four trials were carried out in preschool settings, one with an exclusive educational component, two with an exclusive physical activity component and one with both. Two trials were family‐based, with education and counselling for parents and children. The remaining trial was carried out in maternity hospitals, with a training intervention on breastfeeding. None of the interventions had an effect in preventing overweight and obesity. The failure to show an effect may be due to the choice of outcomes, the quality of the RCTs, the suboptimal implementation of the interventions, the lack of focus on social and environmental determinants. More rigorous research is needed on interventions and on social and environmental factors that could impact on lifestyle.     

重庆市渝东南少数民族地区182例学龄前期急性呼吸道腺病毒感染患儿的特征及基因分型研究

目的调查重庆市渝东南少数民族地区182例学龄前期急性呼吸道腺病毒(ADV)感染患儿的特征及基因分型情况。方法对2018年1月~2019年1月重庆市渝东南少数民族地区来医院就诊的182例学龄前期急性呼吸道ADV感染患儿的资料进行回顾性分析,调查其流行病学特征以及基因分型情况,包括性别、年龄、地区、季节、家庭收入、临床表现、感染途径、混合感染情况和ADV基因型别。结果男性(51.65%)占比与女性(48.35%)占比基本一致;"3岁≤年龄<4岁"年龄段占比最高(47.25%);市区占比高于县区,黔江区占比77.47%;季节分布中以春季(40.66%)和冬季(37.36%)高发;低收入家庭(<3000元)占比最高(67.03%);临床表现分布中发热占比最高(98.90%),其次为咳嗽(56.04%);感染途径以空气传播(61.54%)为主;与鼻病毒混合感染者占比最高(13.19%);ADV检出率B组(66.49%)最高,其中HAdV-3占比最高(54.40%)。结论重庆市渝东南少数民族地区急性呼吸道ADV感染多发于市区、"3岁≤年龄<4岁"年龄段、低收入家庭儿童,春季高发,临床表现中主要为发热、咳嗽,主要通过空气传播,以HAdV-3感染为主,部分患者存在混合感染情况。     

Timing and nature of wheezing at the endpoint of a bronchial challenge in preschool children

Bronchial reactivity to inhaled agents in preschool children can be undertaken by auscultating the lungs to detect wheezing, but there is a lack of information on when wheeze first appears at the endpoint of the challenge and on the acoustic characteristics of the wheeze. We recorded breath sounds continuously during tidal breathing inhalation challenges with adenosine 5'-monophosphate, using sensors attached over each upper lobe in 80 preschool children. In 35 children, the challenge was considered positive by a pediatrician who determined the endpoint by detecting wheeze on auscultation after an inhalation. Using acoustic analysis, we determined that the first wheeze appeared during the 2-min period of nebulization in 31% of positive challenges; it was unilateral in 37%, and only inspiratory in 46%. A running window of 6 sec was used to detect at least two wheezes without reference to phase of breathing, and this index had a sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 99.7% for determining the endpoint of a challenge. Detecting wheeze acoustically adds safety to the technique by enabling the challenge to be stopped earlier, while the lack of a need to document the phase of breathing simplifies the technique.