Forced expiratory flows' contribution to lung function interpretation in schoolchildren.

Forced expiratory flow (FEF) at low lung volumes are supposed to be better at detecting lung-function impairment in asthmatic children than a forced volume. The aim of this study was to examine whether FEF results could modify the interpretation of baseline and post-bronchodilator spirometry in asthmatic schoolchildren in whom forced expiratory volumes are within the normal range. Spirometry, with post-bronchodilator vital capacity within 10% of that of baseline in healthy and asthmatic children, was recorded prospectively. We defined abnormal baseline values expressed as z-scores <-1.645, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) reversibility as a baseline increase >12%, FEF reversibility as an increase larger than the 2.5th percentile of post-bronchodilator changes in healthy children. Among 66 healthy and 50 asthmatic schoolchildren, only two (1.7%) children with normal vital capacity and no airways obstruction had abnormal baseline forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75%). After bronchodilation, among the 45 asthmatic children without FEV1 reversibility, 5 (11.1%) had an FEF25-75% increase that exceeded the reference interval. Isolated abnormal baseline values or significant post-bronchodilator changes in FEF are rare situations in asthmatic schoolchildren with good spirometry quality.

Diagnostic accuracy of clinical symptoms and rapid diagnostic test in group A streptococcal perianal infections in children.

From 2009 to 2014, we prospectively enrolled 132 children with perianal infections. The presentation of painful defecation, anal fissures, and macroscopic blood in stools was highly suggestive of group A streptococcal perianal infection (probability 83.3%). We found a high sensitivity of a group A streptococcal rapid diagnostic testing (98%) but relatively low specificity (72.8%).

Food intake during the previous 24 h as a percentage of usual intake: a marker of hypoxia in infants with bronchiolitis: an observational, prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia associated with bronchiolitis is not always easy to assess on clinical grounds alone. The aim of this study was to determine the value of food intake during the previous 24 hours (bottle and spoon feeding), as a percentage of usual intake (24h FI), as a marker of hypoxia, and to compare its diagnostic value with that of usual clinical signs. METHODS: In this observational, prospective, multicenter study, 18 community pediatricians, enrolled 171 infants, aged from 0 to 6 months, with bronchiolitis (rhinorrhea + dyspnea + cough + expiratory sounds). Infants with risk factors (history of prematurity, chronic heart or lung disorders), breast-fed infants, and infants having previously been treated for bronchial disorders were excluded.The 24h FI, subcostal, intercostal, supracostal retractions, nasal flaring, respiratory rate, pauses, cyanosis, rectal temperature and respiratory syncytial virus test results were noted. The highest stable value of transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) was recorded. Hypoxia was noted if SpO2 was below 95% and verified. RESULTS: 24h FI ≥ 50% was associated with a 96% likelihood of SpO2 ≥ 95% [95% CI, 91-99]. In univariate analysis, 24h FI < 50% had the highest odds ratio (13.8) for SpO2 < 95%, compared to other 24h FI values and other clinical signs, as well as providing one of the best compromises between specificity (90%) and sensitivity (60%) for identifying infants with hypoxia. In multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, SpO2 < 95% was related to the presence of intercostal retractions (OR = 9.1 [95% CI, 2.4-33.8%]) and 24h FI < 50% (OR = 10.9 [95% CI, 3.0-39.1%]). Hospitalization (17 infants) was strongly related to younger age, 24h FI and intercostal retractions. CONCLUSION: In practice, the measure of 24 h FI may be useful in identifying hypoxia and deserves further study.

Impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage in children with acute otitis media.

BACKGROUND: 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) licensure was based on the immune response (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and opsonophagocytic assay) compared with PCV7. National surveillance program of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal (PNP) carriage in children with acute otitis media (AOM) was set up in 2001 when PCV7 was introduced in France and continues to the present. This program was used in 2010-2011 to assess the effect of the implementation of PCV13 on PNP carriage in young children with AOM. METHODS: Between October 2010 and March 2011, 58 pediatricians obtained 943 nasopharyngeal swabs from children (6 to 24 months of age) with AOM. The swabs were sent for analysis to the French National Reference Centre for Pneumococci. Demographics, medical history, and physical examination findings were recorded. RESULTS: Among 943 children enrolled (mean age, 13.4 months), 651 had received at least 1 dose of PCV13 and 285 received PCV7 only. Among PCV13-vaccinated children, overall PNP carriage and carriage of serotypes not in PCV7 were significantly lower as compared with children exclusively vaccinated with PCV7 (53.9% vs. 64.6%, P = 0.002 and 9.5% vs. 20.7%, P < 0.0001, respectively). For serotypes 19A, 7F, and 6C, the carriage rates were also significantly lower in PCV13-vaccinated patients than in patients only vaccinated by PCV7: 7.5% versus 15.4%, P < 0.001, 0.5% versus 2.8%, P = 0.002, and 3.7% versus 8.4%, P = 0.003, respectively. CONCLUSION: In young children (<2 years) with AOM, this study suggests that PCV13 has an impact on overall PNP carriage, as well as on serotypes 19A, 7F, and 6C.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine does not influence Staphylococcus aureus carriage in young children with acute otitis media.

We investigated nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus among infants and young children with acute otitis media in a country where use of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been progressively implemented. Among 1783 children enrolled, 60.8% carried S. pneumoniae, and 9% carried S. aureus. Among S. pneumoniae carriers, the rate of S. aureus carriage was 8.4%, compared with 9.9% among S. pneumoniae noncarriers. The rate of S. pneumoniae carriage in the PCV7-vaccinated population was lower (59.8%) than that observed in the nonvaccinated population (66.2%; P<.04). In contrast, in young children (age, <2 years) with acute otitis media, our study suggests that the S. aureus carriage rate is not affected by PCV7 immunization (9.0% in vaccinated children vs. 8.7% in nonvaccinated children). Furthermore, in children aged >1 year, the booster dose induces a sharp reduction in the carriage of vaccine serotypes of S. pneumoniae, without any change in S. aureus carriage.