Hospital admission for symptoms exacerbation in 2,075 infants suffering from recurrent asthma-like symptoms: (EISL-3 South America).

BACKGROUND: Contrary to what happens in children and adults, the prevalence and the factors related to hospitalisation for asthma/wheezing in infants with recurrent asthma-like symptoms are poorly known. METHODS: This study is part of the International Study of Wheezing in infants Phase 3; 2,079 infants (aged 12-18 months) with recurrent asthma-like symptoms, from 11 South American centres, were studied to determine the prevalence and the associated factors for wheezing exacerbation admission. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were employed for analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of admission for wheezing was 29.7% (95% CI 27.7-31.6) and was significantly associated to severe wheezing episodes (OR: 3.89; 95% CI: 2.93-5.18, p < 0.001), physician-diagnosed asthma (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.33-2.41, p < 0.0001), use of inhaled corticosteroids (OR: 1.78; 95%CI: 1.38-2.29, p < 0.0001), maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.19-2.39, p = 0.003) and onset of wheezing in the first trimester of life (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.02-1.66, p = 0.038). Breast feeding ≥4 months (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.54-0.96, p = 0.004), maternal high educational level (>12 years) (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.51-0.85, p = 0.001) and total monthly household income ≥US$ 3,000 (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.18-0.67, p = 0.002), were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with recurrent asthma-like symptoms have a high rate of admissions. Tobacco smoking in pregnancy, viral respiratory illness in the first trimester of life and severe progression were risks for admissions. Improving medical management to prevent severe exacerbations, prolonging the postnatal period at home longer than 3 months, favouring breastfeeding and avoiding smoking during pregnancy may have a preventive role for admissions in infants with recurrent asthma-like symptoms.

Fluticasone improves pulmonary function in children under 2 years old with risk factors for asthma.

This study assessed the effects of treatment with fluticasone in children younger than 2 years old with recurrent wheezing and risk factors of developing asthma. This double-blind placebo-controlled study randomized children to receive fluticasone (125 mug; n = 14) or placebo (n = 12) twice daily for 6 months. Pulmonary function was assessed at the beginning and end, and parents filled out a daily diary recording respiratory symptoms, need for rescue medication, and emergency care. The SD score of maximum flow at functional residual capacity was -0.74 +/- 0.6 at the beginning and 0.44 +/- 1 at the end for the fluticasone group (p = 0.001), and -0.79 +/- 0.3 at the beginning and -0.78 +/- 1.4 at the end for the placebo group (p = 0.97). A statistically significant difference (p = 0.02) was observed between treatments. The percentage of symptom-free days was 91.3 +/- 7% for fluticasone and 83.9 +/- 10% for placebo (p = 0.05). The number of respiratory exacerbations was 2.1 +/- 1.7 and 4.1 +/- 3 (p = 0.04), and the percentage of days on albuterol was 8.6 +/- 6% and 16.3 +/- 9% (p = 0.028). Treatment with fluticasone twice daily for 6 months improves pulmonary function and clinical outcomes in children with asthma younger than 2 years.

Efecto del propionato de fluticasona sobre la función pulmonar en niños menores de 2 años, con sibilancias recurrentes y factores de riesgo para dessarrollar asma / Effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate in children less than 2 years old with recurrent wheezing and risk factors to develop asthma

Diversos estudios demostraton la utilidad clínica de los corticoides inhalados para tratar el asma en lactantes y niños pequeños. Sin embargo, hasta el momento, no se han publicado estudios que evalúen su efecto sobre la función pulmonar en este grupo etario.El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la función pulmonar y la eficacia clínica del tratamiento con propionato de fluticasona (PF) durante 6 meses, en niños <2 años con sibilancias recurrentes y factores de riesgo para desarrollar asma.En un estudio aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado con placebo, se etudiaron niños de 6 a 20 meses de edad, con 3 o más episodios previos de sibilancias, antecedentes de asma o atopia en familiares de primer grado y un score de desviación estándar del flujo máximo a nivel de la capacidad residual funcional (SDS V´maxFRC<) menor de -1. Se asignó a los pacientes en forma aleatorizada para recibir PF (125 µg)o placebo, dos veces por día, conun aerosol presurizado y espaciador, durante 6 meses. Se evaluó la funciónpulmonar al inicio y al final. Durante el estudio, los padres completaron diariamente una cartilla conlos síntomas respiratorios, el requerimiento de medicación de rescate y las consultas de emergencia.Se evaluaron 14 niños en el grupo PF (12,9 ± 4 meses) y 12 en el grupo placebo (14 ± 4 meses). La diferencia promedio del SDS V´max FRC fue 5,86 (IC: 2,94-8,78) y 0,82 (IC: -2,34-3,97) para los grupos PF y placefo, respectivamente (p = 0,02). El porcentaje de días sin síntomas fue 91,3 ± 7 y 83,9 ± 10 (p = 0,05), el número de exacerbaciones respiratorias fue 2,1 ± 1,7 y 4,1 ± 3 (p = 0,04) y el porcentaje de días de administración de salbutamol fue de 8,6 ± y 16,3 ± 9 (p = 0,025) con PF y placebo, respectivamente.El tratamiento con PF 125 µg, dos veces por día, durante 6 meses aumenta la función pulmonar y mejora la evolución clínica en lactantes y niños pequeños con sibilancias recurrentes y factores de riesgo de asma.