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.     

毛细支气管炎患婴肺功能检测及评价

目的观察婴儿毛细支气管炎(毛支)的肺功能动态变化情况以及呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染对其的影响并探讨其临床意义。方法对42例毛支婴儿(其中RSV感染22例)急性期、恢复期及16例正常组婴儿进行肺功能检查。结果毛支急性期呼吸频率(RR)增高、每千克体重潮气量(Vt/kg)、达峰时间比(tPTEF/tE)及达峰容积时间比(vPTEF/vE)均下降,与正常组比较差异有统计学意义;其中RR、tPTEF/tE及vPTEF/vE与恢复期比较差异有统计学意义。而恢复期与正常组比较各项指标差异均无统计学意义。在急性期RSV感染毛支患儿tPTEF/tE、vPTEF/vE下降更明显,与非RSV感染患儿比较差异有统计学意义;在恢复期RSV感染患儿与非RSV感染患儿比较,各项指标差异均无统计学意义。结论毛支急性期,肺功能呈现小气道阻力增高、阻塞性通气障碍改变,恢复期小气道功能好转,说明小气道功能异常能在较短时间内恢复。同时在急性期RSV感染比非RSV感染引起更强的下呼吸道阻塞的肺功能表现。婴儿肺功能检查是判断病情、评估疗效、推断预后的实用和可靠的方法。     

Hypotonic versus isotonic maintenance fluids in critically ill children: a multicenter prospective randomized study

Aim: Study the influence of hypotonic (HT) and isotonic (IT) maintenance fluids in the incidence of dysnatraemias in critically ill children. Methods: Prospective, randomized study conducted in three paediatric intensive care units (PICU). One hundred and twenty‐five children requiring maintenance fluid therapy were included: 62 received HT fluids (50–70 mmol/L tonicity) and 63 IT fluids (156 mmol/L tonicity). Age, weight, cause of admission, sodium and fluid intake, and diuresis were collected. Blood electrolytes were measured on admission, 12 and 24 h later. Results: Blood sodium levels at 12 h were 133.7 ± 2.7 mmol/L in HT group vs. 136.8 ± 3.5 mmol/L in IT group (p = 0.001). Adjusted for age, weight and sodium level at PICU admission, the blood sodium values of patients receiving HT fluids decrease by 3.22 mmol/L (CI: 4.29/2.15)(p = 0.000). Adjusted for age, weight and hyponatraemia incidence at admission, patients receiving HT fluids increased the risk of hyponatraemia by 5.8‐fold (CI: 2.4–14.0) during the study period (p = 0.000). Conclusions: Hypotonic maintenance fluids increase the incidence of hyponatraemia because they decrease blood sodium levels in normonatraemic patients. IT maintenance fluids do not increase the incidence of dysnatraemias and should be considered as the standard maintenance fluids.     

Serum immunoglobulin G subclasses and serum immunoglobulin A in acute bronchiolitis in infants

Serum IgG subclasses and Serum IgA were studied in 43 infants with acute bronchiolitis and 20 healthy infants. IgG subclasses were determined by a capture ELISA and IgA was quantified by turbidimetry. IgG1 concentrations were significantly lower in infants with bronchiolitis than in normal infants. The other IgG subclasses and IgA did not differ between the groups. The subgroups of infants with bronchiolitis who had previously suffered from otitis media or bronchitis, had significantly lower IgG2 than the other infants with bronchiolitis. The same was found for infants with bronchiolitis who had suffered from three or more lower respiratory tract infections. In infants who had suffered from upper or lower respiratory infections before the acute bronchiolitis, IgA was significantly higher than in infants without previous respiratory infections. Ten infants with bronchiolitis (23%) had IgGl deficiency, that is values below the lower reference limit calculated in a population of healthy Norwegian infants. No healthy infants had any IgGl deficiency. No infant with bronchiolitis had IgG2 or IgG3 deficiency. The low IgGl values found in infants with acute bronchiolitis, may be one cause for infants to be more susceptible to RS virus infections.     

Effect of oral and inhaled salbutamol in infants with bronchiolitis

The response of bronchiolitis to bronchodilator drugs is controversial. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of oral or metered dose inhaler (MDI) salbutamol using a coffee cup as a spacer device in bronchiolitis. In the trial, 31 hospitalized patients between 6 and 24 months of age, who exhibited the first episode of acute bronchiolitis without any other predisposing illness such as cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease etc., were randomly assigned to receive oral salbutamol (n=11, 0.1 mg/kg per dose, four times a day), or MDI salbutamol (n = 12, 200 μg per dose, every 3 h) or formed the control group without any bronchodilator therapy (n = 8). All of the patients were given supplemental oxygen as needed and adequate hydration was maintained. The patients were evaluated with clinical symptom scores. There were no differences in the beneficial or side effects of salbutamol, or the number of days in hospital between the treatment groups and the control group. It was concluded that there is no beneficial effect in using bronchodilators in infants with bronchiolitis. Supplemental oxygen and maintenance of normal hydration may be adequate.     

Nasal lavage leukotrienes in infants with RSV bronchiolitis

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is a very common infection in infants and, after the acute phase, a number of patients develop a reactive airway disease that lasts for years. Although the pathogenesis of the lung damage after RSV bronchiolitis is still largely unknown, previous studies suggest that leukotrienes may play an active part in it. The aim of this study was to measure leukotriene levels in the nasal lavage fluid (NLF) collected in infants during RSV bronchiolitis and 1 month later. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) were measured in the NLF of 22 infants with their first episode of RSV bronchiolitis and 16 healthy infants. A second NLF sample was collected to measure leukotriene levels 1 month after the acute disease. NLF Cys-LT levels were significantly higher in infants with RSV bronchiolitis than in healthy controls [950 pg/ml (285.5-2155.9) vs. 110.5 pg/ml (66.5-451.3), p = 0.01], and they remained so a month after the acute infection (p = 0.02). A subanalysis showed no difference in Cys-LTs concentrations, either between bronchiolitis infants with and without a family history of atopy, or between those with and without passive exposure to cigarette smoke. No significant difference was found between the LTB(4) levels measured in the bronchiolitis cases and the control children. Cys-LTs are significantly increased in the NLF of infants with acute RSV bronchiolitis, and remain so at 1-month follow-up, suggesting a possible role of these eicosanoids in the pathogenesis of the disease.     

Quantifying pulmonary hypertension in ventilated infants with bronchiolitis: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether previously well infants ventilated for bronchiolitis have sufficiently elevated pulmonary artery pressures (PAP) to warrant a trial of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy. METHODS: Consecutive infants mechanically ventilated for bronchiolitis were offered Doppler echocardiography between 24 and 72 h after intubation. Patients were divided into those with normal PAP, mild, moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension. Patients with at least moderate pulmonary hypertension (systolic PAP > 30 mmHg and > 50% of systemic systolic arterial pressure) were offered a 60 min trial of iNO therapy at a concentration of 20 ppm and repeat echocardiography. RESULTS: Six infants (four preterm, two term) were studied at a mean corrected age of 13 weeks (4, 24). Respiratory syncytial virus was confirmed on immunofluorescence of nasal secretions in five of six subjects (84%). Echocardiography was performed (mean, 5.5 days) (95%CI 3.8-7.3) after the onset of symptoms. All patients had structurally normal hearts. Four patients had mild pulmonary artery hypertension and two had normal pulmonary artery pressures. None of the patients qualified for iNO therapy. The mean (range) duration of intubation was 14 days (9-19) and the duration of hospitalization was 28 days (14-42). All patients recovered. CONCLUSION: Significant pulmonary hypertension should not be presumed in previously well preterm and term infants ventilated for bronchiolitis.     

毛细支气管炎患儿尿白三烯E4检测及其意义

目的通过检测毛细支气管炎(毛支)患儿尿白三烯E4(LTE4)水平及特应质对其的影响来探讨毛支患儿预后。方法对47例毛支患儿急性期恢复期及25例对照组进行尿LTE4测定,对急性期患儿同时检测嗜酸性粒细胞计数(EC)。结果毛支急性期尿LTE4水平(62.11±12.23)pmol/L较对照组(22.19±1.50)pmol/L、恢复期(34.86±5.75)pmol/L明显升高(P均<0.01),恢复期较对照组明显升高(P<0.01);与轻度毛支组(59.16±12.25)pmol/L比较,重度组患儿尿LTE4水平(98.04±8.04)pmol/L明显升高(P<0.01);特应质组(88.75±10.45)pmol/L毛支患儿尿LTE4水平较非特应质组(55.28±11.44)pmol/L明显升高(P<0.01);急性期毛支患儿尿LTE4水平与外周血EC计数无相关性(r=0.367,P>0.05)。结论毛支急性期尿LTE4产生增加,恢复期尿LTE4水平仍维持于高水平;重症毛支患儿尿LTE4水平明显升高,提示尿LTE4水平与病情严重程度有关;白三烯是影响特应质毛支患儿预后的重要的炎症介质;外周血EC不能很好的反映...     

Long and short-term effect of prednisolone in hospitalized infants with acute bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE: To assess long and short-term effect of prednisolone in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis. METHODOLOGY: A randomized and controlled trial was carried out at the Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil. Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day for 5 days) plus standard care, and 24 patients allocated standard care alone. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of post-bronchiolitis wheezing at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge. The secondary endpoints were: length of hospital stay, duration of oxygen therapy and time to clinical improvement during the hospitalization. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the prednisolone and control group in the prevalence of post-bronchioltis wheezing at 1 month (73.1 vs 83.3%, P = 0.5), 3 months (73.1 vs 79.2%, P = 0.7), 6 months (65.4 vs 66.7%, P = 0.9) and 12 months (50.0 vs 58.3%, P = 0.5) after hospital discharge. No reduction was observed in the prednisolone group, compared with the control group, in terms of length of hospital stay (6.0 vs 5.0 days, P = 0.7), duration of oxygen therapy (24.0 vs 24.0 h, P = 0.4) and time to clinical resolution (4.0 vs 4.0 days, P = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Prednisolone has no significant effect on reducing the prevalence of post-bronchiolitis wheezing and on improving the acute course of illness in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis.     

Additive effects of dexamethasone in nebulized salbutamol or l-epinephrine treated infants with acute bronchiolitis

BACKGROUND: Although it is the most common lower respiratory infection of infancy, the optimal treatment for acute bronchiolitis is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the early and late effects of nebulized L-epinephrine (EPI) and intramuscular dexamethasone (DEX) combination therapy with nebulized salbutamol (SAL) and dexamethasone combination and bronchodilators alone in outpatients with acute bronchiolitis. METHODS: A total of 69 infants aged 2-21 months who were admitted to the Pediatrics Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, with acute bronchiolitis were included in a randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective trial study. Patients were assigned to receive either nebulized L-epinephrine (3 mg) or salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg) and 15 min later, either dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg or placebo (PLA), intramuscularly, in a double-blind randomized fashion. The study groups were: epinephrine + dexamethasone group (group 1, n=23), salbutamol + dexamethasone group (group 2, n=23), epinephrine + placebo group (group 3, n=11), and salbutamol + placebo group (group 4, n=12). The outcome measures were heart rate, respiratory rate and Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) score determined at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, 24 h, and 5 days after the first therapy. Patients were then followed-up during the subsequent 2 months for the prevalance of respiratory complaints regarding bronchial hyperreactivity. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the outcome variables of the four groups within the first 120 min and at 24 hours, or between the rates of requirement of a second dose of the same bronchodilator. However, fifth day RDAI score values of both DEX groups were significantly lower than that of SAL + PLA group (P=0.000 and P=0.01, respectively). The fifth day score value of group 1 was also significantly better than that value of EPI + PLA group but not different from group 2. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone added to nebulized L-epinephrine, or salbutamol therapies resulted in better outcome measures than bronchodilators alone in the late phase (fifth day) of mild to moderate degree bronchiolitis attack. However, effects of EPI + DEX combination was not different from SAL + DEX combination.     

Effect of ipratropium bromide on respiratory mechanics in infants with acute bronchiolitis

The effect of nebulized ipratropium bromide in 14 infants (mean age:20 weeks, range:4–41) with acute respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis was examined. A modified rapid chest compression technique was used to obtain partial expiratory flow-volume curves and maximum flow at functional residual capacity. Passive respiratory mechanics were assessed by brief occlusion at end inspiration. Thoracic gas volume was measured in a body plethysmograph. No significant difference was found in forced and passive respiratory mechanics pre- and post-ipratropium bromide. No subgroups could be identified. These results do not support the use of ipratropium bromide in acute viral bronchiolitis.     

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。     

呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎患儿尿白三烯测定及临床意义

目的 探讨呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)毛细支气管炎(毛支)患儿尿白三烯E4(LTE4)的临床意义.方法 采用竞争性酶联免疫吸附试验技术检测20例健康婴儿和30例RSV毛支患儿急性期和恢复期的尿LTE4水平;采用潮气分析测定急性期患儿呼吸频率(RR)、达峰时间比(tPTEF/tE)及达峰容积比(vPTEF/vE),分析其与尿LTE4水平的相关性.结果 RSV毛支患儿急性期的尿LTE4比恢复期、正常健康组明显增高(P＜0.01),恢复期与正常健康组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);急性期毛支患儿潮气肺功能中RR增快、tPTEF/tE和vPTEF/vE下降,与正常健康组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.0001);急性期尿LTE4浓度与RR呈正相关(r=0.4376,P=0.0126),与tPTEF/tE和vPTEF/vE呈负相关(r=-0.6895,-0.6636,P均＜0.001).结论 RSV毛支患儿尿LTE4增高,与肺功能指标呈负相关;尿LTE4浓度可作为RSV毛支临床诊治的非创伤性炎性指标.     

呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎特应性与血清IL-10及病情恢复的关系

为探讨呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)毛纫支气管炎患儿特应性与血清白介素10(IL-10)水平及病情恢复的关系，应用酶联免疫吸附法分别检测17例年龄50天--12月，特应性体质的RSV毛细支气管炎患儿急性期与恢复期血清IL-l0水平，并以24例非特应性患儿及37例正常儿为对照组。结果显示，急性期待应性组IL—10水平与正常对照组相比，差异无显著性(P＞0．05)，但明显低于无特应性组(P＜0．001)；特应性组喘憋和肺部体征消失均较非特应性组慢，住院时间延长(P＜0．05)；恢复期两组IL-l0差异无显著意义。提示特应性体质患儿RSV感染后不能上调IL-l0产生，结果可导致病变恢复缓慢。     

婴幼儿支气管哮喘和闭塞性细支气管炎患儿肺功能比较

目的比较婴幼儿支气管哮喘和闭塞性毛细支气管炎(BO)患儿肺功能差异。方法选择57例婴幼儿支气管哮喘和47例BO患儿,应用Master Screen Paed型肺功能仪测定潮气呼吸流量容积曲线,分析参数包括呼吸频率(RR)、每千克体质量潮气量(VT/kg)、吸呼比(TI/TE)、达峰时间比(TPTEF/TE)、达峰容积比(VPEF/VE)、呼吸气中期流速比值(TEF50/TIF50)。单阻断法测定每千克体质量呼吸系统顺应性(CrsSO/kg)和呼吸系统阻力(Rrs)。结果支气管哮喘和BO患儿VT/kg差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);BO患儿RR、Rrs显著高于支气管哮喘患儿,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);BO患儿TI/TE、TPTEF/TE、VPEF/VE、TEF50/TIF50、CrsSO/kg显著低于支气管哮喘患儿,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。结论与婴幼儿支气管哮喘比较,BO患儿呼吸系统阻力显著增高,小气道阻塞程度显著加重,呼吸系统顺应性相对减低,应用婴幼儿肺功能评估可在一定程度上为鉴别婴幼儿支气管哮喘和BO提供帮助。     

毛细支气管炎患儿血清MCP-4、MDC和IL-4水平及临床意义

目的研究毛细支气管炎患儿外周血中单核细胞趋化蛋白4（MCP-4）、巨噬细胞衍生趋化因子（MDC）和白介素4（IL-4）水平的变化,探讨其临床意义。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）分别测定31例毛细支气管炎患儿（毛支组）和30例健康儿童（正常对照组）血清MCP-4、MDC和IL-4水平,并进行比较。结果毛支组患儿急性期血清MCP-4、MDC和IL-4水平为（103.56±27.31,692.67±107.22,19.48±7.40）pg/ml,明显高于正常对照组（86.34±14.50,242.12±27.40,9.22±4.10）pg/ml（P均〈0.01）。MCP-4、IL-4的升高程度与病情严重程度相关,且两者之间呈正相关。结论MCP-4、MDC参与调节毛细支气管炎Th2细胞因子IL-4的募集、释放,参与毛细支气管炎的发病;监测血清MCP-4水平可反映毛细支气管炎的病情严重程度,具有重要的临床价值。