Safety of intravenous terbutaline in acute severe asthma: a retrospective study

Objective: (1) To determine the effect of intravenous terbutaline in children with acute severe asthma on parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram and serum electrolytes; (2) to assess the safety profile and to evaluate the outcome of children treated with intravenous terbutaline for acute severe asthma. Design: Retrospective study of admission records of children admitted with acute severe asthma who needed intravenous terbutaline. Setting: Children's Hospital at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK. Patients: 77 children with acute severe asthma admitted between April 1999 and October 2002. Results: There was a significant increase in heart rate and significant fall in diastolic blood pressure in this cohort. Four patients required inotropic support. None of the patients had cardiac arrhythmias. Potassium supplements were required in 10 patients due to hypokalaemia. All patients improved and none required initiation of ventilation after commencing terbutaline. There was no mortality in this cohort.

Conclusions: Terbutaline was found to be safe for use in this patient group in doses ranging between 1 and 5 μg/kg/min. Intravenous terbutaline was found to be a useful adjunct in those who failed to respond to standard initial therapy.     

Troponin-T: improved diagnostic assessment of myocardial damage in childhood

Troponin-T (cTnT) as a marker of myocardial damage is well established in adults, but not yet in children. cTnT was measured in 85 children (aged 1 day-204 months, mean 46 months). Twenty-five children were non-surgical patients, with possible myocardial damage suspected on clinical grounds. The other 60 patients had cardiac surgery leading to a defined myocardial damage. In these children, troponin-T (cTnT), creatine kinase activity (CK), creatine kinase-MB activity (CK-MB), and creatine kinase-MB-Mass (CK-MB-Mass) were measured preoperatively and 3–4 times during the first 55 postoperative h. Except in four children with probable preoperative myocardial damage, all troponin-T values were in the normal range (< 0.1 μig/1). All children with intracardiac surgery showed a postoperative increase in troponin-T. Children with extracardiac surgery of the great vessels showed no postoperative increase of troponin-T. For the assessment of myocardial damage, troponin-T was more specific and more sensitive than the other markers tested, troponin-T might significantly improve the diagnostic assessment of myocardial damage in children.     

Myocardial ischaemia in neonates with perinatal asphyxia

In asphyxiated neonates, hypoxia is often responsible for myocardial ischaemia. To evaluate cardiac involvement in neonates with respiratory distress, ECG and echocardiographic recordings were performed, and cardiac enzymes determined. These data were related to clinical presentation and patient outcome. Three groups of neonates were studied: 22 healthy newborn infants (group I) with 5 min Apgar scores >9 and pH >7.3; 15 neonates with moderate respiratory distress (group II) which had Apgar scores ranging between 7 and 9, and pH between 7.2 and 7.3; and 13 neonates with severe asphyxia, Apgar scores <7, and pH <7.2 (group III). The ECGs were evaluated according to the 4-grade classification proposed by Jedeikin et al. [8]. On the echocardiograms, fractional shortening and aortic flow curve parameters were taken into account. Serum creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase were determined. All of groups I and II survived, but 5 out of 13 in group III died within the 1st week. Grade 3 or 4 ECG changes were observed only in group III patients, while all group II and 3 patients of group I showed grade 2 ECG changes. Fractional shortening, peak aortic velocity and mean acceleration were significantly reduced in group III, whereas the only abnormality found in group II was a reduced fractional shortening. CK, CK-MB, CK-MB/CK ratio and lactate dehydrogenase were all increased in group III, while in group II only CK-MB and the CK-MB/CK ratio were abnormal. Conclusion Severely asphyxiated newborn infants reflect relevant ischaemic electro- cardiographic changes, depressed left ventricular function and marked cardiac enzyme increase. These alterations are far less pronounced in neonates with mild respiratory distress. Received 5 May 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 11 January 1999     

Nonsymptomatic Myocardial Injury After Radiofrequency and Cryoablation: A Study of Children and Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of myocardial injury following catheter radiofrequency (RF) ablation (RFA) or cryoablation and its clinical significance in children and patients with congenital heart disease. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) or cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), and its cardiac isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) were measured in 269 patients who underwent catheter ablation (216 RFA, 53 cryoablation) just before the procedure and again 6 hours after the end of the procedure. Follow-up studies included echocardiography and 12 lead electrocardiographics (ECGs). No clinical, ECG, nor ECG signs of ischemia were detected. Biomarkers were increased in 57.7?C75.5?%. A linear regression analysis illustrated the ablation target site and the number of RF applications as a function of higher cTnI and cTnT levels, with the maximum increase due to ventricular ablation and higher numbers of RF applications. No significant difference in cTnT levels after RFA or cryoablation were observed for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia procedures and no significant differences were observed after nonirrigated tip or irrigated tip RFA in atrial wall or ventricular wall ablation. Elevations in both troponin T and troponin I levels were commonly observed after ablation, especially in ventricular wall ablation as well as with increasing numbers of radiofrequency applications. However, unlike in patients with acute coronary syndrome, these elevated levels had no specific significance. Reference values for each ablation target site were proposed in order to potentially detect additional subclinical injuries to the coronary arteries.     

Cardiac troponin T in neonates after acute and long-term tocolysis

The present study was designed to determine the levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in cord blood of neonates exposed in utero to tocolytic therapy by beta-sympathomimetics. cTnT in 40 neonates after acute tocolysis (0.24 +/- 0.05 microg/l) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison with the control group (0.05 +/- 0.01 microg/l). The maximal values were reached in about the 3rd day of therapy (0.39 +/- 0.11 microg/l). cTnT in 30 neonates after long-term tocolysis was 0.12 +/- 0.03 microg/l. No correlation was found between cTnT and CK and its isoenzyme CK-MB or ECG. CK, unlike cTnT, significantly correlated with gestational age (r = 0.57, p < 0.05) and birth weight (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). It is possible to conclude that acute tocolytic therapy by beta-sympathomimetics increases the cTnT levels in cord blood and cardiac troponin T is more useful for the laboratory diagnosis of neonatal myocardial injury than CK-MB.     

Comparison of serum cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme mass concentrations in asphyxiated term infants during the first 48 h of life

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to compare serum creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) mass concentrations and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentrations during the first 48 h of life in asphyxiated term infants. METHODS: Serum cTnT and CK-MB mass concentrations of 50 term infants with clinical features of perinatal asphyxia were measured at birth and at 12, 24 and 48 h of age by chemiluminescence immunoassay. These infants were followed up until discharge or death. Cord blood CK-MB and cTnT concentrations of 50 healthy term infants were also assayed. RESULTS: At birth, asphyxiated infants had significantly higher concentrations of cTnT and CK-MB than controls (P < 0.0001). Serum cTnT of asphyxiated infants with low ejection fraction <60% was significantly higher at 12 and 24 h than those with normal ejection fraction (P < 0.05). Asphyxiated infants with congestive cardiac failure had significantly higher serum cTnT concentration during the first 48 h of life than those without congestive cardiac failure (P or= 0.1). CONCLUSION: Unlike CK-MB, serum cTnT concentrations are significantly higher in asphyxiated infants who die or develop cardiac dysfunction.     

Cardiac Troponin T in Children With Acute Rheumatic Carditis

The existence of cardiac damage in active rheumatic carditis patients is unknown, especially in those without pericarditis. The aim of this study was to determine cardiac myocyte damage using cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measurements in active rheumatic carditis. The levels of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), cTnT, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), and fractional shortening (FS) were compared using Mann–Whitney U test between 28 patients with active rheumatic carditis and 32 controls (healthy children). Association of cTnT levels with ESR, CRP, and CTR was evaluated with Spearman correlation analysis. ESR, CRP, cTnT levels, and CTR were statistically higher in the patients than in the controls. There were no differences between the groups for CK-MB levels and FS. No relationships were found between cTnT levels and ESR, CRP, and CTR in the patient group. The results of the study suggest that when cTnT levels are within non-pathological range, there is no serious cardiac damage; however, statistically significant increases in cTnT levels may indicate minor damages in patients with active carditis due to acute rheumatic fever.     

病理性黄疸对新生儿心肌的影响

目的 探讨病理性黄疸对新生儿心肌组织的影响.方法 以2005年1-11月本科住院的38例病理性黄疸新生儿为研究对象,同期32例生理性黄疸新生儿为对照组.检测二组新生儿总血清胆红素(采用钒酸盐法)、心肌酶(采用酶学速率法)、心肌肌钙蛋白(cTnI)(采用化学发光免疫分析法)、心脏超声心动图及心电图,同时观察临床表现,组间比较采用t检验,相关性分析采用Pearson分析.结果 1.二组新生儿血清AST、LDH、羟丁酸脱氢酶(HBDH)、CK水平均增高,磷酸肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)水平与临床标准相符,CK-MB/CK ＜6%.二组之间血清心肌各酶、cTnI无显著差异(Pa>0.05).2.观察组恢复期血清LDH、HBDH明显降低,与急性期比较差异显著(Pa<0.05),AST、CK、CK-MB与急性期比较均无显著差异(Pa>0.05).3.急性期血清胆红素与心肌酶、cTnI均无明显相关(Pa＞0.05).4.二组新生儿心脏超声心动图及心电图均无明显异常改变,临床无明显心肌受损症状及体征.结论 新生儿病理性黄疸对心肌无明显损害.对早期新生儿诊断心肌损伤仅依据其心肌酶谱、cTnI值增高是不够的,还要根据新生儿临床表现及心脏彩超、心电图改变,并结合新生儿日龄全面分析,综合判断.     

重症监护室脓毒症患儿心肌损伤的临床研究

目的 探讨重症监护室脓毒症患儿心肌损伤的发生率,心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)及CK-MB水平升高与心肌损伤、多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)、病死率及与急性生理和慢性健康状况Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)评分的关系,分析cTnI、CK-MB、APACHE Ⅱ在评价危重脓毒症患儿预后中的作用.方法 回顾性分析459例脓毒症患儿血清cTnI、CK-MB水平与MODS、心肌损伤、机械通气时间、ICU住院时间和病死率的关系.分别测定脓毒症患儿入院时、入院第3天、第7天血清cTnI及CK-MB水平,比较不同时间点酶学升高组和酶学正常组的APACHE Ⅱ评分、ICU病死率和30 d生存率.结果 459例危重病脓毒症患儿中205例(44.7%)发生心肌损伤[cTnI和(或)CK-MB升高],cTnI、CK-MB升高患儿的病死率远远高于cTnI、CK-MB未升高患儿(26.34% vs 2.36%),机械通气发生率(46% vs 21%)和持续时间(7.5 d vs 3.2 d),以及住院时间(11.9 d vs 5.3 d)均显著增高,血清cTnI、CK-MB水平与APACHE Ⅱ评分之间存在显著正相关.患儿入院时、入院24～72 h和入院第7天,酶学升高组APACHE Ⅱ评分、ICU病死率均明显高于酶学正常组(Pa＜0.05);而30 d生存率低于正常组(P＜0.01).结论 血清cTnI、CK-MB水平升高提示危重患儿心肌损伤的发生.血清 cTnI、CK-MB 在评价危重病患儿预后中发挥重要作用.血清cTnI、CK-MB和APACHE Ⅱ评分升高的患儿其病死率、MODS发生率、机械通气发生率及住院时间均显著增加.     

Review of intensive care unit admissions for asthma.

A review of ICU admissions for asthma to the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles was conducted for the period January 1969 through July 1977. The admission rate remained relatively constant during this period. Patients requiring ICU admission tended to be young, intractable severe asthmatics whose asthma started at a very young age. There were three patients who had no previous history of asthma. The incidence of pneumonitis/atelectasis was somewhat greater than has been reported for patients hospitalized for status asthmaticus. A significant number of children received neither intravenous corticosteriods, sympathomimetics nor oxygen therapy while hospitalized prior to transfer to the ICU. Those children receiving mechanical ventilation or intravenous isoproterenol tended to be somewhat younger and had a higher incidence of pneumonitis/atelectasis and more abnormal blood gas determinations than their counterparts who were not similarly treated. Mechanical ventilation was administered to 15 patients and 19 patients received intravenous isoproterenol. Intravenous isoproterenol resulted in prompt improvement in most patients; except for one patient who experienced cardiac arrhythmia (reversed when the dosage was decreased), this medication was well-tolerated.     

急性肾小球肾炎并发严重循环充血状态时心肌酶学改变及其临床意义

目的探讨急性肾小球肾炎（ＡＧＮ）并发严重循环充血状态时心肌酶学改变及其临床意义。方法对７２例无并发症的ＡＧＮ和２６例并发严重循环充血状态的ＡＧＮ患儿血中天冬氨酸转氨酶（ＡＳＴ）、肌酸激酶（ＣＫ）、肌酸激酶同功酶（ＣＫ－ＭＢ）、乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）及ＬＤＨ－１的含量进行测定。结果无并发症的ＡＧＮ患儿ＡＳＴ、ＣＫ、ＣＫ－ＭＢ、ＬＤＨ及ＬＤＨ－１均在正常范围,与正常健康儿童对照均无显著性差异（Ｐ均＞００５）,而并发严重循环充血状态的ＡＧＮ患儿ＡＳＴ、ＣＫ及ＬＤＨ均明显高于正常健康儿童,而ＣＫ－ＭＢ及ＬＤＨ－１仍在正常范围。结论测定血清心肌酶对判断ＡＧＮ是否并发严重循环充血有较大参考价值。     

Cardiac troponin T: its role in the diagnosis of clinically suspected acute myocarditis and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy in children

This study was conducted to assess the use of the serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level as a noninvasive indicator to differentiate acute myocarditis and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients. Myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy are clinically difficult to differentiate. Endomyocardial biopsy proved to be quite useful. However, the nature of the procedure--invasiveness, time-consuming, and limited sensitivity--caused some concerns, especially in pediatric patients. Hence, we attempted to find an alternative method that could give a prompt diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Twenty cases with clinically suspected myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy and a control group of 21 cases with moderate left-to-right shunt and congestive heart failure were recruited. History, physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest roentgenogram, echocardiogram, cTnT, creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB mass), and/or endomyocardial biopsy were compared. The gold standard used to diagnose myocarditis is endomyocardial biopsy (Dallas criteria) and/or recovery from cardiovascular problems within 6 months of follow-up. Ten patients were diagnosed as having myocarditis (group 1) and 10 with chronic dilated cardiomyopathy (group 2). The control group of 21 cases was designated as group 3. The median serum cTnT levels were 0.088 (0.04-3.11), 0.010 (0.010-0.990), and 0.010 (0.010-0.550) ng/ml in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean CK-MB mass level for groups, 1, 2, and 3 were 18.35 (7.14-70.00), 4.80 (0.54-108.00), and 2.26 (0.95-7.06) ng/ml. The study showed that both the cTnT and CK-MB mass levels were significantly higher in group 1 than either group 2 or group 3. Histopathology was studied in 9 cases. In 2 of 5 cases and in all 4 cases in group 1 and group 2 histopathology was pathologically proved. Levels of cTnT and CK-MB were significantly higher for myocarditis than for dilated cardiomyopathy and left-to-right shunt with CHF. Further study is needed to assess the optimum cTnT level for differentiating both conditions.     

血清心肌肌钙蛋白I诊断川崎病急性期心肌损伤的临床价值

为探讨血清心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)诊断川崎病(KD)急性期心肌损伤的临床价值。检测KD组(n=40)及对照组(n=23)患儿血清cTnI、肌酸激酶(CK)、肌酸激酶同功酶(CK-MB)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)与谷草转氨酶(GOT)浓度。结果显示①KD组与对照组血清CK、LDH、GOT浓度无显著性差别(P＞0.05);而血清cTnI、CK-MB浓度明显高于对照组水平(P＜0.001)。②在诊断KD患儿急性期心肌损伤上cTnI优于CK-MB(P＜0.05),。结果表明cTnI与CK-MB对KD患儿急性期心肌损伤有诊断价值;与CK-MB比较,cTnI具有高特异性、灵敏度。     

Diagnostic value of CK-MB isoenzyme determinations in children with craniocerebral injuries and polytrauma

Total creatine kinase (CK) and its myocardial isoenzyme (CK-MB) were determined in 71 children with isolated acute head injury (N = 30), with head injury and polytrauma but without chesttrauma (N = 11) and with head injury and polytrauma including chest trauma (N = 30) on the second and third day after injury. Electrocardiograms were recorded in 56/71 children on each of the first three days in hospital. Elevations of CK-MB isoenzyme over 6% respectively over 10% of total CK are found as frequently in children with head injury without chest trauma as in children with head trauma and chest trauma. In addition there is no significant correlation between the level of the CK-MB and the incidence of ECG features characteristically associated with heart contusion. This study shows that the determination of CK-MB cannot be used as a criterion for diagnosing heart contusion in children with head injury. The finding of CK-MB in the serum of 53% children with isolated head injury exceeding 6% of total CK, and in the serum of 33% children exceeding 10% of total CK strongly suggests myocardial damage to be a frequent complication of cerebral damage with consecutive extreme sympathetic stimulation.     

Elevation of Cardiac Troponin I in the Acute Stage of Kawasaki Disease

The study was performed to investigate the level of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a marker specific for myocardial damage, using a chemiluminescent immunoassay in the acute febrile stage of Kawasaki disease (KD). The study population consisted of 45 KD patients before intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) therapy and a control group of 20 patients without KD. Among KD patients the results from measurements of the level of cTnI were positive in 18 cases (40%) and the creatine kinase (CK)-MB was positive in 11 cases (24%), but in the control group both the cTnI and CK-MB results were negative. Seven KD patients (15.6%) showed increases in both cTnI and CK-MB that were significantly correlated with each other (p < 0.05); however, CK-MB is not heart-specific. A significant increase in the level of cTnI in the acute stage of KD suggests that acute myocarditis or myocardial cell injury begins in the early phase of the disease (p < 0.05). The serologic test for cTnI can thus be a useful method for the early diagnosis of acute myocarditis and may enable early treatment with IVGG to reduce the cardiovascular abnormalities in KD patients.     

儿童重症手足口病并神经源性肺水肿死亡的危险因素

目的 探讨儿童重症手足口病(HFMD)并神经源性肺水肿(NPE)的死亡危险因素,以利于指导疾病早期认识、诊断和治疗,从而降低病死率.方法 收集2010年3-6月本院PICU收治的42例重症HFMD并神经源性肺水肿患儿资料,并根据患儿预后将42例患儿分为存活组(对照组)和死亡组(死亡或放弃治疗后死亡),比较2组患儿性别、年龄、小儿危重症评分(PCIS)、多脏器功能不全综合征(MODS)受累器官数、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞比值、血小板计数、上机时血糖、上机时心率、上机时血压、乳酸水平、碱剩余(BE)、CK、CK-MB、肌钙蛋白、降钙素原(PCT)、CRP、肺出血、意识障碍、惊跳、氧合指数、应激性溃疡、循环衰竭、发病病程等24个因素.采用单因素分析,筛选出P<0.05的相关危险因素进行多因素Logistic回归分析,分析可能的死亡危险因素.结果 42例中死亡16 例,病死率38.1%.肺出血18例(其中死亡14例),死亡16例中均有发热、惊跳及循环衰竭,15例手足或手足臀部有针尖样散在皮疹,1例无皮疹.合并3个脏器功能障碍者8例(其中4例死亡),4个脏器功能障碍的11例全部死亡,5个脏器功能障碍1例死亡.单因素分析显示,PCIS、MODS受累器官数、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞比值、血小板计数、上机时血糖、上机时心率、乳酸水平、BE、CK-MB、肌钙蛋白、肺出血、意识障碍、氧合指数、应激性溃疡和循环衰竭16个因素与重症HFMD并神经源性肺水肿的死亡有关.将以上因素进行多因素Logistic回归分析,仍然与死亡有关的因素包括血清乳酸值、CK-MB和PCIS.结论 重症HFMD并神经源性肺水肿病死率高,尤其是出现肺出血及循环衰竭时.PCIS降低、乳酸水平升高和CK-MB增高是该病死亡的危险因素.     

Benefits of a school-based asthma treatment program in the absence of secondhand smoke exposure: results of a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Daily maintenance medications are recommended for all children with mild persistent to severe persistent asthma; however, poor adherence to these medications is common. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of school-based provision of inhaled corticosteroids on asthma severity among urban children with mild persistent to severe persistent asthma. DESIGN: Children aged 3 to 7 years with mild persistent to severe persistent asthma were identified at the start of the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 school years in Rochester. Children were assigned randomly to a school-based care group (daily inhaled corticosteroids provided through the school) or a usual-care group (inhaled corticosteroids not given through school). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Improvement in parent-reported symptom-free days. RESULTS: Of 242 eligible children, 184 were enrolled from 54 urban schools. Data for 180 children were available. Parents of children in the school-based care group had a greater improvement in quality of life compared with parents of children in the usual-care group (change score, 0.63 vs 0.24; P =.047); also, children in the school-based care group vs the usual-care group missed less school because of asthma (mean total days missed, 6.8 vs 8.8; P =.047) and experienced more symptom-free days during the early winter months (mean days per 2-week period, 9.2 vs 7.3; P =.02). A post hoc analysis revealed that all significant findings were produced by differences among children who were not exposed to secondhand smoke. Furthermore, among children not exposed to smoke, those in the school-based care group vs the usual-care group had more symptom-free days overall (11.5 vs 10.5; P =.046), had fewer days needing rescue medications (1.6 vs 2.3; P =.03), and were less likely to have had 3 or more acute visits for asthma (6 [13%] of 47 children vs 17 [31%] of 54 children; P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: School-based provision of inhaled corticosteroids significantly improved symptoms, quality of life, and absenteeism among urban children with mild persistent to severe persistent asthma. This effect was seen only among children not exposed to secondhand smoke.     

Cardiac Troponin T levels and myocardial involvement in children with severe respiratory syncytial virus lung disease

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of myocardial damage in severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease as evident from elevated cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) levels. To assess the nature of the myocardial involvement as manifested in electro- and echocardiographic abnormalities. To compare severity of disease with and without myocardial involvement as evident from duration of ventilation, inotrope requirements and death. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study of children with RSV infection admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital during the winter season 2002/2003. cTnT concentrations were measured using a third generation monoclonal sandwich immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: 34 children were included in our study. 12 (35%) had elevated cTnT levels. The levels measured after admission had a median [interquartile range (IQR)] of 50 pg/ml (37.5-67.5). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between patients with and without elevated cTnT levels with regards to gender, gestational age at birth, history of neonatal intensive care, presence of congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, inotrope requirements, duration of ventilation, death, fractional shortening on echocardiogram or arrhythmias. Children with elevated cTnT levels were significantly younger [median (IQR): 1.4 months (0.8-2.0)] than children without [median (IQR): 4.0 months (1.7-6.6)] (p = 0.04). The systolic blood pressure on admission was lower in children with increased cTnT compared to those with undetectable cTnT (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial involvement is common in infants with severe RSV lung disease without congenital heart disease. cTnT level elevation was associated with hypotension.     

Acute Bronchial Asthma

Acute asthma is the third commonest cause of pediatric emergency visits at PGIMER. Typically, it presents with acute onset respiratory distress and wheeze in a patient with past or family history of similar episodes. The severity of the acute episode of asthma is judged clinically and categorized as mild, moderate and severe. The initial therapy consists of oxygen, inhaled beta-2 agonists (salbutamol or terbutaline), inhaled budesonide (three doses over 1 h, at 20 min interval) in all and ipratropium bromide and systemic steroids (hydrocortisone or methylprednisolone) in acute severe asthma. Other causes of acute onset wheeze and breathing difficulty such as pneumonia, foreign body, cardiac failure etc. should be ruled out with help of chest radiography and appropriate laboratory investigations in first time wheezers and those not responding to 1 h of inhaled therapy. In case of inadequate response or worsening, intravenous infusion of magnesium sulphate, terbutaline or aminophylline may be used. Magnesium sulphate is the safest and most effective alternative among these. Severe cases may need ICU care and rarely, ventilatory support.     

病毒性心肌炎患儿微小病毒B19感染的研究

目的探讨病毒性心肌炎患儿微小病毒B19（HPV B19）感染的状况及其相关性。方法应用巢式聚合酶链反应法对60例病毒性心肌炎患儿（观察组）及30例健康体检儿童（对照组）血浆中微小病毒B19-DNA进行检测,并对观察组中HPV B19-DNA检测阳性与阴性两组中血CK、CK-MB及心功能指标进行比较。结果观察组B19-DNA检测阳性率为26．7％（16／60例）,对照组B19-DNA检测均为阴性,两组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。观察组中HPV B19-DNA检测阳性与阴性的两组中血CK、CK—MB值差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。心功能指标LVSF比较差异有显著性（P〈0．01）,SV比较差异亦有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论小儿病毒性心肌炎与HPV B19感染有关,HPV B19可能是小儿病毒性心肌炎主要病原之一;HPV B19感染所致小儿病毒性心肌炎的心功能改变中左室功能受累程度较重。