Eradication of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in People with Cystic Fibrosis Treated with Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections is rising in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). NTM infection, especially infection with Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), is commonly associated with severe lung deterioration. The current treatment modalities, including multiple intravenous antibiotics, frequently fail to achieve airway eradication. Although treatment with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) has been shown to modulate the lung microbiome, data regarding its role in eradicating NTM in pwCF is lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of ETI on the rate of NTM eradication in pwCF. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study included pwCF from five CF centers in Israel. PwCF aged older than 6 who had at least one positive NTM airway culture in the past two years and were treated with ETI for at least one year were included. The annual NTM and bacterial isolations, pulmonary function tests, and body mass index were analyzed before and after ETI treatment. RESULTS: Fifteen pwCF were included (median age 20.9 years, 73.3% females, 80% pancreatic insufficient). In nine patients (66%) NTM isolations were eradicated following treatment with ETI. Seven of them had MABC. The median time between the first NTM isolation and treatment with ETI was 2.71 years (0.27-10.35 years). Eradication of NTM was associated with improved pulmonary function tests (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we report successful eradication of NTM, including MABC, following treatment with ETI in pwCF. Additional studies are needed to assess whether treatment with ETI can result in the long-term eradication of NTM.

Foreign body aspiration score (FOBAS)-a prospectively validated algorithm for the management and prediction of foreign body aspiration in children.

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common cause of pediatric morbidity, but a standardized protocol to guide decision-making about bronchoscopy is lacking. We aimed to validate a new Foreign body aspiration score (FOBAS) for the pediatric emergency department (ED). Patients aged 0-18 years referred to the ED for suspected FBA were prospectively enrolled. FOBAS was calculated according to clinical features of a choking episode, sudden cough, exposure to nuts, absence of fever and rhinitis, stridor, and unilateral auscultatory and radiological findings. FBA risk was evaluated based on the total score (low, 1-3; moderate, 4-6; high, 7-10). Low-risk children were discharged from the ED and followed clinically. Moderate-risk children were hospitalized and evaluated by a pediatric pulmonologist, and high-risk children were referred directly for therapeutic bronchoscopy. Among the 100 enrolled children (59% males; median age 20 [interquartile range 11-39] months), a foreign body was diagnosed in 1/49 (2%), 14/41 (34.1%), and 9/10 (90%) with low, moderate, and high FOBAS, respectively (P < .001). Logistic regression indicated a higher risk for FBA with higher scores. The odds ratio for each additional point was 2.75 (95% confidence interval 1.78-4.24), and FOBAS showed a high predictive value for FBA (area under the curve 0.89). FOBAS implementation significantly reduced the rate of negative bronchoscopies, from 67.4% annually during 2016-2019 to 50% in 2020 (P = .042). CONCLUSION: FOBAS reliably predicts FBA in cases of suspected FBA and improves management and in-hospital decision-making. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Foreign body aspiration is a major cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. • Currently, there is no unified protocol for children referred to the emergency department for suspected FBA, therefore, a well-defined algorithm is needed to improve the decision-making process. WHAT IS NEW: • The pediatric Foreign body aspiration score (FOBAS) is a new, prospectively validated clinical score that shows high sensitivity and specificity for the presence of FBA in children. • FOBAS reduces unnecessary admissions and invasive procedures and leads to better clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of Foreign body aspiration score (FOBAS) in children- A retrospective cohort study.

Foreign Body Aspiration (FBA) is a common medical emergency among young children, but the evaluation and management of a suspected FBA case can vary across physicians and centers. We aimed to identify which clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings can predict FBA in children and to evaluate a clinical score to improve FBA prediction. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 0-18 years admitted to Soroka University Medical Center between 2010 and 2020 with suspected FBA. All patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy and were divided into positive and negative FBA groups. A newly developed foreign body aspiration score (FOBAS), based on medical history, physical examination, and chest X-ray findings, was evaluated for its predictability. The study included 412 children (median age 21 months, 56.8% females), of whom 154 (37.4%) had FBA and 258 (62.6%) did not. Multivariate regression analysis showed exposure to nuts/seeds, unilateral wheezing or decreased breath sounds, stridor, and suggestive findings on chest X-ray were significant risk factors for FBA (OR [95%CI] -1.994[1.290-3.082], 1.487[1.206-1.832], 1.883 [1.011-3.509] and 2.386[1.917-2.970], respectively). However, a choking episode, acute cough, and absence of fever and rhinorrhea did not predict FBA. FOBAS showed an increased risk of FBA for each additional point of the score, with an odds ratio of 1.572 (95% CI-1.389-1.799).  Conclusion: FOBAS is a good predictor for the presence of FBA in children. Once prospectively validated, FOBAS could aid in decision-making at the emergency department, enabling more standardized care, reducing unnecessary procedures, and leading to better clinical outcomes. What is Known: • The evaluation and management of a child with suspected foreign body aspiration (FBA) vary across physicians and centers, without a consensus regarding the indications and criteria for performing bronchoscopy. • Flexible bronchoscopy is the standard procedure for the diagnosis and sometimes treatment of FBA in children, but it may hold potential complications. What is New: • We propose a newly developed foreign body aspiration score (FOBAS), based on medical history, physical examination, and chest X-ray findings, for the prediction of FBA in children at the emergency department. • The FOBAS is a good predictor of FBA in children. The score enables more standardized care and may reduce unnecessary procedures.

Comparison of chest X-ray interpretation by pediatric pulmonologists, pediatric radiologists, and pediatric residents in children with suspected foreign body aspiration-a retrospective cohort study.

Chest X-ray (CXR) is an important tool in the assessment of children with suspected foreign body aspiration (FBA), although it can falsely be interpreted as normal in one-third of the cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the positive predictive value of CXR in children hospitalized with suspected FBA, when interpreted by three disciplines: pediatric pulmonology, pediatric radiology, and pediatric residents. This is a retrospective study that included children aged 0-18 years, admitted with suspected FBA, between 2009 and 2020 in one tertiary center. All patients underwent CXR and a flexible/rigid bronchoscopy for the definitive diagnosis of FBA, up to 1 week apart. Two physicians from each discipline interpreted the CXR, independently. Intra-raters' and inter-raters' agreements were assessed. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for each discipline. Four hundred seventy-three children were included in the study, 175 (37%) with FBA and 298 (63%) without FBA on flexible/rigid bronchoscopy. The most common radiological findings, as interpreted by a pediatric pulmonologist, were unilateral hyperinflation (47%), radiopaque FB (37.6%), lobar atelectasis (10.3%), unilateral hyperinflation with atelectasis (3.4%), and lobar consolidation (1.7%). Intra-raters' agreement ranged from 0.744 (p < 0.001) among pediatric pulmonologists to 0.326 (p < 0.001) among pediatric radiologists. AUC for predicting FBA based on a CXR was 0.81, 0.77, and 0.7 when interpreted by pediatric pulmonologists, pediatric residents, and radiologists, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CXR has a high positive predictive value and independently predicts FBA in children; however, normal CXR should not rule out FBA. Predictability is variable among different disciplines. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Chest X-ray is an important tool in the assessment of children with suspected foreign body aspiration (FBA). • Chest X-ray can be interpreted as normal in one-third of the cases. WHAT IS NEW: • Chest X-ray independently predicts FBA in children, with a high positive predictive value. • The ability of chest x-ray to predict FBA in children differs between pediatric residents, pediatric radiologists, and pediatric pulmonologists.

Flexible bronchoscopy in pediatric patients with Down syndrome: A case-control study of the indications, findings, and complications.

BACKGROUND: Children with Down syndrome (DS) often undergo flexible bronchoscopies (FB) due to common respiratory symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To examine the indications, findings, and complications of FB in pediatric DS patients. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study on FB performed in DS pediatric patients between 2004 and 2021 in a tertiary center. DS patients were matched to controls (1:3) based on age, gender, and ethnicity. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, indications, findings, and complications. RESULTS: Fifty DS patients (median age 1.36 years, 56% males) and 150 controls (median age 1.27 years, 56% males), were included. Evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea and oxygen dependence were more common indications among DS (38% vs. 8%, 22% vs. 4%, p < 0.01, respectively). Normal bronchoscopy was less frequent in DS compared with controls (8% vs. 28%, p = 0.01). Soft palate incompetence and tracheal bronchus were more frequent in DS (12% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.024, 8% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.02, respectively). Complications were more frequent in DS (22% vs. 9.3%, incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.36, p = 0.028). In DS, cardiac anomalies (IRR 3.96, p < 0.01), pulmonary hypertension (IRR 3.76, p = 0.006), and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) hospitalization before the procedure (IRR 4.2, p < 0.001) were associated with higher complication rates. In a multivariate regression model, history of cardiac disease and PICU hospitalization before the procedure, but not DS, were independent risk factors for complications with an IRR of 4 and 3.1, respectively (p = 0.006, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: DS pediatric patients undergoing FB are a unique population with specific indications and findings. DS pediatric patients with cardiac anomalies and pulmonary hypertension are at the highest risk for complications.

Foreign body aspiration in Israeli children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a decline in pediatric emergency department visits. Our aim was to assess the pattern of pediatric foreign body aspiration (FBA) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison to the prior years. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, we compared the number of children who presented with FBA during the COVID-19 year (March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021) to the annual average of the years 2016-2019. We also compared the lockdown periods to the postlockdown periods, and the percentage of missed FBA, proven FBA, and flexible bronchoscopy as the removal procedure. RESULTS: A total of 345 children with FBA from six centers were included, 276 in the pre-COVID-19 years (average 69 per year) and 69 in the COVID-19 year. There was no difference in the prevalence of FBA between the COVID-19 year and any of the prior 4 years. Examining the lockdown effect, the monthly incidence of FBA dropped from a pre-COVID-19 average of 5.75 cases to 5.1 cases during lockdown periods and increased to 6.3 cases in postlockdown periods. No difference in the percentage of missed FB or proven FB was observed. There was a significant rise in the usage of flexible bronchoscopy as the removal procedure (average of 15.4% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: There were fewer cases of pediatric FBA during lockdown periods, compared to post-lockdown periods, presumably related to better parental supervision, with no difference in the prevalence of FBA during the COVID-19 year.

Safety and long-term efficacy of tonsillectomy versus subtotal tonsillectomy in children with sleep disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVES: to compare safety and long-term symptoms after TE compared to Subtotal Tonsillectomy (STT). METHODS: A retrospective review data of 412 patients, one to twelve years old that underwent either TE or STT, as treatment for sleep disorder breathing, at two different medical centers. Symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire 3-5 years post-surgery. Additionally, data regarding immediate post-operative symptoms and complications were also collected. RESULTS: Long-term symptoms score was significantly lower in the TE group: 1.585 (±1.719) compared to 1.967 (±1.815) in the STT group (p = 0.033); 51.3% of patients in the ST group presented long-term SDB symptoms, compared to 40.6% in the TE group (p = 0.035); The main difference between the groups was snoring as 49% of the STT group suffered from snoring, versus 28.9% in the TE group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TE showed an advantage over STT in resolving snoring in the long term.

The Effect of Sera from Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) on Human Cardiomyocytes Differentiated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients suffer from cardiovascular morbidity, which is the leading cause of death in this disease. Based on our previous work with transformed cell lines and primary rat cardiomyocytes, we determined that upon incubation with sera from pediatric OSAS patients, the cell's morphology changes, NF-κB pathway is activated, and their beating rate and viability decreases. These results suggest an important link between OSAS, systemic inflammatory signals and end-organ cardiovascular diseases. In this work, we confirmed and expanded these observations on a new in vitro system of beating human cardiomyocytes (CM) differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hES). Our results show that incubation with pediatric OSAS sera, in contrast to sera from healthy children, induces over-expression of NF-κB p50 and p65 subunits, marked reduction in CMs beating rate, contraction amplitude and a strong reduction in intracellular calcium signal. The use of human CM cells derived from embryonic stem cells has not been previously reported in OSAS research. The results further support the hypothesis that NF-κB dependent inflammatory pathways play an important role in the evolution of cardiovascular morbidity in OSAS. This study uncovers a new model to investigate molecular and functional aspects of cardiovascular pathology in OSAS.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection treated with intermittently inhaled high-dose nitric oxide.

Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging multidrug-resistant non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) with high prevalence in patients with cystic fibrosis. However, studies on antimicrobial susceptibilities and effective treatments against M. abscessus are still limited. Nitric oxide (NO) is important in innate immune response to various infections, including mycobacterial infections. In this case study, we describe a compassionate treatment of inhaled NO (iNO) at 150-250 ppm for 4 weeks. The dosing strategy proposed for this treatment was selected to minimise the potential of adverse events, while maximising the antibacterial effectiveness of NO, and was found to be safe, well tolerated and resulted in positive clinical findings including improvement in patient well-being, CT scan values, quality of life and bacterial load. Taken together, these observations may indicate that iNO could play a crucial role and potentially serve as a reliable option in the treatment of patients with chronic refractory NTM lung infection.

Obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic disorders in morbidly obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Little known about the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in morbid obese adolescents and the association between OSA and comorbid factors. AIM: To examine the association between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, a measure for OSA severity) and metabolic morbidity among morbidly obese adolescents. METHODS: We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study by reviewing sleep study, metabolic indices, and comorbidity-related data of a cohort (n = 106) of adolescents referred to a bariatric surgery clinic. We compared subjects with moderate/severe OSA (AHI ≥ 5) versus no/mild OSA (AHI < 5) OSA and three groups of subjects with increasing body mass index (BMI) concerning sleep-study and metabolic indices using univariate analyses. To assess the link between AHI and ferritin levels a multivariate linear regression (adjusted for BMI and mean cell volume) was preformed. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients met the inclusion criteria. Subjects with moderate/severe OSA (n = 32, 45%) had higher BMI, cholesterol, cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, hemoglobin A1c, and serum ferritin levels (p < .05). AHI significantly increased across BMI strata (p = .02). Multivariate linear regression indicated that moderate/severe OSA was associated with higher levels of ferritin, unstandardized ß = 49.1 (nIU/ml) (p = .025). CONCLUSIONS: Morbidly obese adolescents with moderate/severe OSA versus no/mild OSA have a higher risk for metabolic complications. Therefore, OSA management should be considered in adolescents with morbid obesity, in addition to weight loss.

From rigid to flexible bronchoscopy: a tertiary center experience in removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children.

Rigid bronchoscopy is the procedure of choice for removal of inhaled foreign bodies. In this retrospective study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of flexible bronchoscopy use in the removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children. One hundred eighty-two patients (median age of 24 months, 58% males) underwent an interventional bronchoscopy for the removal of inhaled foreign body between 2009 and 2019, 40 (22%) by flexible, and 142 (78%) by rigid bronchoscopy. 88.73% of rigid and 95% of flexible bronchoscopies were successful in foreign bodies removal (p value = 0.24). Complication rate was higher among rigid bronchoscopy (9.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.047). From 2017 onwards, following the implementation of flexible bronchoscopy for foreign bodies removal, 64 procedures were performed, 33 (51.6%) flexible, and 31 (48.4%) rigid. Procedure length was shorter via flexible bronchoscopy (42 vs 58 min, p = 0.016). Length of hospital stay was similar.Conclusion: In our hands, flexible bronchoscopy is an efficient and safe method for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children, with shorter procedure time and minimal complication rate. Flexible bronchoscopy could be considered as the procedure of choice for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children, by an experienced multidisciplinary team. What is Known: • Rigid bronchoscopy is currently the gold standard for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children. • Rigid bronchoscopy has a relatively high complication rate compared to flexible bronchoscopy. What is New: • Flexible bronchoscopy is a short, safe, and efficient procedure to remove inhaled foreign bodies in children, compared to rigid bronchoscopy. • Flexible bronchoscopy could be proposed as the procedure of choice for removal of inhaled foreign bodies in children, if an experienced operator is available.

Short and long interpregnancy interval and the risk for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea in the offspring.

INTRODUCTION: Interpregnancy interval (IPI) is defined as the period between a live birth and the conception of a subsequent fetus. Both short (IPI < 6 months) and long IPI (IPI > 60 months) have been shown to increase the risk for adverse perinatal outcomes, some of which, are known risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the offspring. AIMS: To study the association between IPI and risk for offspring OSAS, during a follow-up period of up to 18 years. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cohort. SUBJECTS: In this population-based cohort analysis, all singleton live births, born to a mother with at least one previous birth occurring between 1991 and 2014, were included. Congenital malformations were excluded. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospitalizations of the offspring due to OSAS diagnosis up to 18 years of age, were evaluated according to IPI length. Intermediate IPI (6-60 months) was considered as the reference. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve and a Cox hazards regression model were used to compare the incidence of OSAS between the groups, and to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS: The study population included 144,397 deliveries, of which 13.1% (n = 18,947) were followed by short IPI, 7.9% (n = 11,438) and 79.0% (n = 114,012) were followed by long and intermediate IPI, respectively. OSAS hospitalization rates were significantly higher among the long IPI group compared to intermediate and short IPIs (0.9%; 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively, p = .001). The association between long IPI and offspring pediatric OSAS remained significant after controlling for preterm delivery, maternal diabetes, and smoking, and mode of delivery, (adjusted HR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.17-1.80). CONCLUSIONS: Children born following long IPI are at increased risk for pediatric OSAS.

Altered slow-wave sleep activity in children with rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysregulation, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysregulation, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) is a rare condition. Little is known about sleep/wake and slow-wave activity in this condition, although the central hypothalamic dysfunction associated with autonomic dysregulation would make the occurrence of SWA deregulation most likely. METHODS: Two children with clinical presentation of ROHHAD syndrome were evaluated, diagnosed, and treated. Their polysomnographic studies were compared with 4 matched children with obstructive sleep apnea and 6 controls. RESULTS: Children that were clinically diagnosed with ROHHAD exhibited significantly weaker slow-wave activity power and shallower slow-wave activity slopes during the first 2 sleep cycles compared with children with obstructive sleep apnea or controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that children with ROHHAD have suppressed slow-wave activity, possibly because of hypothalamic dysregulation that may contribute to their rapid-onset obesity and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Randomized study comparing inflammatory response after tonsillectomy versus tonsillotomy.

To determine if there was a difference in the inflammatory reaction after tonsil surgery with "traditional" techniques (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy or TA) compared to partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (PITA). DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: tertiary care academic hospital. Children under the age of 16 years with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep disordered breathing were randomly allocated into three study groups: TA with electrocautery (n = 34), PITA with CO2 laser (n = 30) and PITA with debrider (n = 28). All of the children underwent adenoidectomy with a current at the same surgical procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: c-reactive protein level (CRP) was the primary endpoint. In addition, the following were assessed: white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (NEU), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Pre- and post-procedure measurements were compared between the groups. Parents filled out a questionnaire daily during the first postoperative week assessing pain, swallowing and snoring. CRP levels ascended higher in the PITA groups after surgery (p = 0.023), WBC and NEU showed the same pattern, IL-6 levels were higher in PITA group and there was no difference in TNF-alpha levels between the two types of procedures. Postoperative pain and postoperative hemorrhage were significantly lower in the PITA groups as compared to the TA group (p = 0.01 and 0.048). PITA in comparison to TA is associated with lower morbidity; however, the inflammatory response does not differ significantly in the first 24 h after surgery. Additional long-term studies assessing efficacy of PITA are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1, prospective randomized controlled trial.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Acute Stroke: A Role for Systemic Inflammation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sleep-disordered breathing is common among patients with stroke resulting in 4- to 6-fold higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We prospectively evaluated clinical characteristics and laboratory markers of inflammation and coagulability associated with OSA severity during the acute post stroke period. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to the department of Neurology after an acute ischemic stroke were evaluated during the first 48 hours of symptom onset using Watch peripheral arterial tonometry, a wrist-worn ambulatory sleep study device that utilizes peripheral arterial tonometry. Morning blood samples of the patient were tested for tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients with acute stroke were admitted during the study period, 22 (51%) of which have been found to have moderate sleep apnea (apnea hypopnea index [AHI]≥15), AHI≥5 was found in 86% of the patients, and severe OSA (AHI≥30) in 32.5%. Patients with OSA (AHI≥15) did not differ from the rest in stroke severity or symptoms, yet they had higher prevalence of recurrent stroke and atrial fibrillation. All 3 biomarkers levels were higher among patients with AHI≥15: tumor necrosis factor (6.39 versus 3.57 pg/mL), interleukin-6 (6.64 versus 3.14 pg/mL), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (176.64 versus 98.48 pg/mL). After the stratification of AHI into 3 groups (AHI<5, 5-14, and ≥15), the analysis showed that only the highest AHI group differed from the other 2 groups in biomarkers levels. CONCLUSIONS: Use of bed-side somnography technology revealed that in an unselected sample of patients with acute ischemic stroke, almost 90% had sleep-disordered breathing with third having severe form of the disorder. Sleep-disordered breathing was associated with significantly increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, providing possible pathophysiological explanation of OSA-associated stroke risk. These results warrant prospective screening of patients with stroke for the presence of sleep-disordered breathing and lay the rationale for an interventional trial.

Diurnal and seasonal variation of cough episodes in healthy young adults.

SETTING: We developed an algorithm to assess recorded cough episodes and differentiate them from similar, non-cough sounds. OBJECTIVE: To measure cough episodes in healthy young adults, cigarette smokers and non-smokers over a 24-hour recording period, during the course of normal activity. DESIGN: The study subjects were students, aged 20-40 years old. 24-hour sound recordings were conducted by a portable recorder. Analysis used an algorithm that was developed and tested in the study. RESULTS: Seventy students were recruited. Recordings included 2628 cough episodes in 1704 h of recording. The cough detection algorithm successfully detected 88.5% of recorded cough episodes and 95.6% of non-cough sounds. There was a clear tendency for more coughs among smokers. Autumn was the season with the highest mean cough episodes per day (58.65), while summer had the lowest (14.19). There was a strong correlation between self-reported cough episodes and recorded coughs. Cough episodes were significantly more frequent between noon and midnight (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is a very large range in daily coughs among healthy young adults. During sleeping hours there are less cough episodes. In autumn and spring there are more cough episodes compared to summer and winter, probably secondary to environmental factors. In smokers, the coughing rate is relatively high. If the cough detection device will be able to discriminate between cough variants (i.e., healthy versus patient), and stringent validation will confirm sensitivity and specificity, valuable data from this device may ease the decision regarding medications, or any other changes in order to improve outcome.

Sleep medicine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To reflect the recent advances in the field of pediatric sleep medicine. The pediatrician will be able to define which children to refer for a sleep study and what to expect from the sleep specialist in 2015. RECENT FINDINGS: In the first study that compared adeno tonsillectomy (TA) to watchful waiting, TA reduced symptoms and improved children's behavior, quality of life, and polysomnographic results. Anti-inflammatory therapy for mild obstructive sleep apnea was effective and well tolerated according to a double-blind study. A retrospective study showed that it is beneficial for 80% of the patients. TA is associated with a decrease in asthma symptoms and medication utilization. SUMMARY: Pediatricians need to be aware of the clear benefits of tonsillectomy (including better asthma control), although anti-inflammatory therapy may improve symptoms and polysomnographic findings in children with nonsevere obstructive sleep apnea.

Detection of common respiratory viruses in tonsillar tissue of children with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Early life viral infection is associated with neurogenic inflammation that is present in lymphoid tissues of the upper airway in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that viral genomic material is present in tonsils of children with OSA. Therefore, we examined tonsils for the presence of respiratory viruses' nucleic acids in children with OSA, and in children without OSA (undergoing surgery for recurrent throat infections (RI)). METHODS: Tonsillar tissue from patients with OSA and RI was subjected to multiplex quantitative real time reverse transcription PCR (mqRTPCR), analyzed for the presence of common respiratory viruses' genetic material. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included, of whom 34 had OSA (age (years ± S.D), 4.22 ± 1.14) and 22 with RI (4.35 ± 1.36). Respiratory viruses nucleic acids (24 detections) were observed in 17 (50%) OSA samples. In contrast, no virus was detected in RI samples (relative frequency P<0.0001). Viruses detected, based on frequency were Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and corona virus. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory viruses are detected in OSA hypertrophic tonsils, suggestive of their role in the evolution of tonsillar inflammation and hypertrophy. Early life viral infections may contribute to the pathogenesis of pediatric OSA.