Pediatric asthma knowledge: Insights from a Portuguese central hospital study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic condition in children, with parental and child health literacy affecting health outcomes and asthma control. This study examined pediatric asthma knowledge at a Portuguese central hospital and its determinants. METHODS: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study, applying the Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (QCSA), answered by adolescents and/or caregivers. The sample was categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of respiratory conditions, such as asthma or recurrent wheezing, in children. Those with such conditions (Group A) were further divided into two subgroups: those receiving general pediatric care (Group A2) and those receiving specialized care, followed in pulmonology or allergology consultations (Group A1). RESULTS: The study involved 154 participants, predominantly female (74%) with an average age of 31.2 years ( ± 13.4). The average QCSA score was 14.8 ( ± 3.2), and Group A exhibited a statistically higher score, 15.5 points ±3.2 versus Group B, 14.2 points ± 3.2, p = .034. Group A1 achieved significantly better scores (16 points: range 4-21) than Group A2 (14 points: range 9-21) (p = .029). Scores were correlated positively with the duration of specialized follow-up (ρ = .326; p = .027). Asthma knowledge was correlated with the level of education (r = .468; p < .001). The number of wheezing episodes (r = -.466; p < .001) within the past year were associated to QCSA scores. CONCLUSION: In summary, the presence of respiratory condition, the follow-up in specialized appointments and higher levels of education were associated with greater asthma knowledge.

Pneumococcal meningitis in an adolescent with fever and foot ache.

Invasive pneumococcal disease predominantly affects younger children, elderly, and immunocompromised patients. Pneumococcal meningitis is a particularly important form of presentation, considering its high rate of morbimortality. We present the case of a previously healthy 12-year-old adolescent male who was hospitalized due to suspicion of osteoarticular infection in his left foot. A few hours later, he developed meningeal signs, exhibiting slight pleocytosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in both cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Imaging studies were inconclusive regarding the nature of the foot disorder. We considered the hypothesis of osteomyelitis of the navicular bone as the most likely, for which he completed six weeks of antibiotic therapy. There was a favorable clinical evolution, along with complete absence of osteoarticular or neurological sequelae. The relevance of this clinical case resides in the unusual presentation of invasive pneumococcal disease in this age group, as well as in the rare form of orthopedic involvement.

[A case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax]. / Um caso de pneumotórax espontâneo recorrente.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare disease at paediatric age and in most cases is associated to predisposing factors. The authors present a case of spontaneous pneumothorax in a 9 year-old child with a history of prematurity and mechanical ventilation at neonatal stage. In spite of clinical and radiological improvement after pleural drainage, pneumothorax recurred three months later and emphysema was identified, leading to surgery. This case is important due to the rarity of the disease in this age group and its possible relation to prior neonatal medical history.