Pediatric pulmonology
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Pediatric pulmonology · Mar 2009
Severity of childhood community-acquired pneumonia and chest radiographic findings.
To assess if chest radiographic findings present on admission are associated with severity of childhood community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), a total of 161 children hospitalized with pulmonary infiltrate were enrolled in the study; 48 (30%) patients were excluded because of presence of bilateral chest radiographic alterations (33; 20%) and presence of underlying diseases (15; 9%). According to WHO and BTS criteria, severe CAP was present in 57 (50%) and in 96 (85%) cases, respectively; 29 (26%) were aged less than 1 year. The median age (months) was 22 (mean 24 +/- 14, range 2-58). ⋯ The specificity and positive predictive value of upper lobe involvement for severity among the latter group of patients were 84% (95% CI 70-93%) and 65% (95% CI 41-84%), respectively. No association was found by using the BTS criteria. The admission chest radiography was useful to predict severity of children aged > or =1 year hospitalized with CAP.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Mar 2009
Comparative StudyAirway humidification with a heated wire humidifier during high-frequency ventilation using Babylog 8000 plus in neonates.
Little data are available on airway humidity during high-frequency ventilation (HFV). Our purpose is to evaluate the airway humidification during HFV. ⋯ The airway humidification at the patient end of respiratory circuit and the outlet of HC in HFV were poorer than those in IPPV. However, the adequacy of humidification and safety in HFV remain to be demonstrated in clinical practice.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Mar 2009
The effect of obesity on pulmonary lung function of school aged children in Greece.
Obesity impacts on many issues of pulmonary medicine, where it is debated if obesity is linked to asthma, atopy or altered lung function tests. Our study aimed to investigate primarily the effect of obesity on the lung function tests and secondary the possible link of obesity with atopy and asthma in a large cohort of children in Greece. Body mass index (BMI) and data from a questionnaire for lung health, atopy, nutritional habits and family history were obtained from 2,715 children aged 6-11 years. ⋯ High BMI remained a strong independent risk factor for asthma (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.22-3.87, P = 0.009) and for atopy (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.32-3.22, P = 0.002). The effect of increased BMI on asthma was significant in girls, but not in boys (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.09-6.85, P = 0.032; OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 0.83-3.73, P = 0.137, respectively). In conclusion we have shown that high BMI remains an important determinant of reduced spirometric parameters, a risk factor for atopy in both genders and for asthma in girls.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Mar 2009
The effects of airway closure in central apneas and obstructed respiratory efforts in mixed apneas in preterm infants.
Airway closure during central apnea could allow for better gas exchange. However, the return of inspiratory efforts against a closed airway may cause greater desaturation and prolongation of apnea. ⋯ In preterm infants: (1) airway closure during central apneas does not limit oxygen desaturation; (2) respiratory efforts against a closed airway prolong apnea and worsen the degree of desaturation and bradycardia. Although respiratory efforts are not necessary to induce airway closure, inspiratory efforts against a closed airway could trigger inhibitory cardio-respiratory responses causing significant desaturation, bradycardia, and prolongation of apnea.