American journal of diseases of children (1960)
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We examined, in a 2-year prospective study, the frequency of respiratory viral infections in 19 school-age patients with cystic fibrosis and their unaffected siblings. At 2-month intervals throughout the study period, pulmonary function tests, oropharyngeal cultures, and serologic tests for respiratory viruses were performed in all subjects. Quantitative sputum cultures for bacteria were performed in subjects with cystic fibrosis. ⋯ The patients with the highest frequency of viral infection were younger and had the lowest rate of decline in lung function and severity score. We conclude that school-age patients with cystic fibrosis are no more susceptible to viral infections than their unaffected siblings. We were unable to demonstrate any significant adverse effect of respiratory viral infections on pulmonary function in 19 patients with cystic fibrosis aged 5 to 21 years.
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Studies of adults suggest that metered-dose inhalers with spacers are as effective as hand-held nebulizers for bronchodilator delivery. We studied 13 children with acute asthma. ⋯ After titration, respiratory rate decreased by 12%, heart rate increased by 2%, and breath sounds improved in 92% of the patients. We concluded that the metered-dose inhalers with spacers are an effective device for the treatment of asthma in the pediatric emergency department and that the use of metered-dose inhalers with spacers with titration can achieve significant bronchodilation in the treatment of patients with acute asthma.