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1.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 2024 Jun 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38838063

INTRODUCTION: Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a heterogeneous group of mostly chronic respiratory disorders. Assessment of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in chILD has become increasingly important in clinical care and research. The aim of this study was to assess differences between patient-reported (self) and caregiver-reported (proxy) HrQoL scores. METHODS: This study used data obtained from the chILD-EU Register. After inclusion (baseline), the patient's health status was followed up at predefined study visits. At each study visit, caregivers and patients were handed validated, age-specific HrQoL questionnaires. HrQoL data entered at baseline were used to compare self- and proxy-reported HrQoL scores. For the longitudinal analysis, we compared HrQoL scores between the baseline and the next follow-up visit. RESULTS: No differences between patient- and caregiver-reported HrQoL scores were found for school functioning, chILD-specific questionnaire score, and physical health summary score. Self-reported HrQoL scores were higher for the subscales emotional functioning (77.4 vs. 70.7; p < .001), social functioning (81.9 vs. 76.2; p < .001), as well as psycho-social summary score (76.5 vs. 71.8; p < .001) and total score (74.7 vs. 70.8; <.001). The longitudinal analysis showed that a significant change in a patient-reported HrQoL score resulted in a significant change in a caregiver-reported HrQoL score after a mean time of 11.0 months (SD 9.4). CONCLUSIONS: We found a good agreement between children- and caregiver-related HrQoL scores. In chILD, caregivers are able to sense changes in children's HrQoL scores over time and may be used as a proxy for children unable to complete HrQoL questionnaires.

3.
J Cyst Fibros ; 2024 May 18.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38762388

Novel drug therapy targeting the defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for numerous patients with cystic fibrosis. However, in some countries social insurance does not pay for modulators because these drugs are extremely expensive. This study sought to understand the impact on the health of children whose modulator treatments were interrupted because of legal procedures and delivery processes. Our study identified that the significant increase in percent-predicted forced expiratory volume levels (FEV1) and BMI z-score values associated with modulator therapies decreased sharply with their discontinuation. Significant worsening in FEV1, BMI z-scores, and BW z-scores were detected in the first follow-up visit after therapy discontinuation within 1 month. Eight patients had a reduction of FEV1 of more than 10%. The findings suggest that modulatory treatment continuation is important, and it is crucial that treatment is not interrupted.

4.
Eur J Pediatr ; 183(5): 2333-2342, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38430280

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic disease in which airway obstruction, infection, and inflammation play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of CF lung disease. The carbohydrate-binding protein Galectin-3 is increased in several inflammatory and fibrotic diseases and has recently been forwarded as a biomarker in these diseases. We aimed to define the role of serum Galectin-3 in children with CF by comparison with healthy subjects. This is a cross-sectional, case-control study. 143 CF and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood and sputum concentrations of Galectins-3, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-8, and neutrophil elastase (NE) were determined with commercial ELISA kits. There was no significant difference between the groups in age and gender (p = 0.592, p = 0.613, respectively). Serum Galectin-3 and NE concentrations were higher in the patient group than in healthy controls (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups according to IL-17A and IL-8 concentrations. Serum Galectin-3 was correlated with age (r = 0.289, p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.493, p < 0.001) in children with CF. Sputum Galectin-3 levels are negatively correlated with percent predictive forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (r = - 0.297, p = 0.029), FEV1 z-score, (r = - 0.316, p = 0.020), percent predictive forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = - 0.347, p = 0.010), and FVC z-score (r = - 0.373, p = 0.006).   Conclusion: The study shows that serum Galectin-3 levels increased in clinically stable CF patients, and serum Galectin-3 response may depend on age, gender, and BMI. The sputum Galectin-3 was found to be negatively correlated with patients' lung functions. What is known: • Galectin-3 is a key regulator of chronic inflammation in the lung, liver, kidney, and tumor microenvironment. What is new: • Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have higher serum Galectin-3 concentrations than healthy children. • Serum Galectin-3 expression influenced by age, BMI, and gender in children with CF.


Biomarkers , Cystic Fibrosis , Galectin 3 , Humans , Cystic Fibrosis/blood , Cystic Fibrosis/physiopathology , Male , Female , Child , Galectin 3/blood , Cross-Sectional Studies , Case-Control Studies , Biomarkers/blood , Adolescent , Sputum/metabolism , Sputum/chemistry , Galectins/blood , Interleukin-17/blood , Child, Preschool , Leukocyte Elastase/blood , Blood Proteins/analysis , Interleukin-8/blood
6.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 59(5): 1165-1174, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38353393

In children, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an extremely unusual entity that can be observed in some types of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Defining whether ILD is accompanied by PF is important for targeted therapy. Algorithm for the diagnosis of PF in children is not clearly established. Besides, the clinical, radiological, and histological definitions commonly used to diagnose particularly the cases of idiopathic PF in adult patients, is not applicable to pediatric cases. However, a few studies conducted in children offer good exemplary diagnostic approach to fibrosing ILD. Thorax high resonance computed tomography and/or lung biopsy scanning can provide valuable information about PF. Another issue that has not been clearly established is when to start antifibrotic treatment in pediatric patients with PF. The objective of this current review is to provide a comprehensive overview of pediatric PF by drawing upon adult research, particularly focusing on the areas of uncertainty.


Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Humans , Child , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnostic imaging , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Lung/pathology , Biopsy
8.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 59(3): 695-706, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38088243

OBJECTIVES-AIM: We aimed to show the composition and structure of and explore affecting factors on airway microbiota in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) patients using culture-independent techniques. METHOD: A cross-sectional observational study was performed. We recruited 14 PCD patients (seven pairs of siblings) and nine parents. Bacterial rDNA was extracted from sputum and nasal samples. Sputum samples were also inoculated on suitable bacteriological media. RESULTS: Thirty-three separate genera were detected in sputum samples of PCD patients, and 41 were in nasal samples of parents. The detected genera were dominated by phyla Proteobacteria in PCD patients and their parents. Culture-dependent analyses could not detect many of the bacterial species detected with culture-independent analyses. There were no significant differences in alpha diversity between the siblings' pairs, and siblings' samples did not cluster together nearly as strongly as nonsiblings' samples. Patients who had no new complaints and no bacterial growth with the culture-dependent method at the time of study and patients who had no Haemophilus influenzae growth in the previous year had a significantly greater diversity (p < .05). Microbiota communities tended to cluster together by age, pulmonary exacerbation status, the existence of at least one H. influenzae growth with culture-dependent analyses in the previous year, and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec z and FEF25-75 z-scores. CONCLUSION: The airway microbiota of patients with PCD have presented more diverse bacterial communities than had been indicated with culture-dependent methods. The study identifies relationships between bacterial airway microbiota composition and the clinical measures of patients. Sibling pairs have no more community similarities than nonsibling PCD patients. Our results may indicate that the patients' clinical characteristics, which determine the disease severity, might affect the PCD microbiome.


Ciliary Motility Disorders , Microbiota , Humans , Siblings , Cross-Sectional Studies , Lung , Microbiota/genetics , Sputum/microbiology , Bacteria/genetics
9.
Eur J Pediatr ; 183(1): 295-304, 2024 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37875631

The childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD) Turkey registry (chILD-TR) was established in November 2021 to increase awareness of disease, and in collaboration with the centers to improve the diagnostic and treatment standards. Here, the first results of the chILD registry system were presented. In this prospective cohort study, data were collected using a data-entry software system. The demographic characteristics, clinical, laboratory, radiologic findings, diagnoses, and treatment characteristics of the patients were evaluated. Clinical characteristics were compared between two main chILD groups ((A) diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD) disorders manifesting primarily in infancy [group1] and (B) DPLD disorders occurring at all ages [group 2]). There were 416 patients registered from 19 centers. Forty-six patients were excluded due to missing information. The median age of diagnosis of the patients was 6.05 (1.3-11.6) years. Across the study population (n = 370), 81 (21.8%) were in group 1, and 289 (78.1%) were in group 2. The median weight z-score was significantly lower in group 1 (- 2.0 [- 3.36 to - 0.81]) than in group 2 (- 0.80 [- 1.7 to 0.20]) (p < 0.001). When we compared the groups according to chest CT findings, ground-glass opacities were significantly more common in group 1, and nodular opacities, bronchiectasis, mosaic perfusion, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were significantly more common in group 2. Out of the overall study population, 67.8% were undergoing some form of treatment. The use of oral steroids was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (40.6% vs. 23.3%, respectively; p = 0.040).   Conclusion: This study showed that national registry allowed to obtain information about the frequency, types, and treatment methods of chILD in Turkey and helped to see the difficulties in the diagnosis and management of these patients. What is Known: • Childhood interstitial lung diseases comprise many diverse entities which are challenging to diagnose and manage. What is New: • This study showed that national registry allowed to obtain information about the frequency, types and treatment methods of chILD in Turkey and helped to see the difficulties in the diagnosis and management of these patients. Also, our findings reveal that nutrition should be considered in all patients with chILD, especially in A-DPLD disorders manifesting primarily in infancy.


Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Lymphadenopathy , Child , Humans , Lung , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/epidemiology , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/therapy , Prospective Studies , Registries , Turkey/epidemiology , Infant , Child, Preschool
10.
Clin Nutr ; 42(9): 1631-1636, 2023 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37487275

BACKGROUND&AIMS: Cystic fibrosis (CF) -related bone disease (CFBD) is an important complication of CF, and low BMD in childhood is a precursor of CFBD. Here, we aimed to investigate bone turnover biomarkers, including osteocalcin (OC), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in relation to low BMD in children with CF (cwCF). We also evaluated factors which could affect bone turnover with particular emphasis on fat-free mass (FFM), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), hand grip strength (HGS), and functional capacity and physical activity. METHODS: Sixteen cwCF aged 8-18 years with moderate low BMD (group1) and 64 cwCF with normal BMD (group2) were enrolled. Serum RANKL, OC, and OPG were determined by immunoenzymatic assays. Multiple parameters including pancreatic status, lung functions, body mass index (BMI), FFM measured by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), 6-minute walk test, vitamin D, nutritional intake, HGS, functional capacity and physical activity, serum and urine biomarkers were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: We found similar serum levels of RANKL (p = 0.501), OC (p = 0.445), OPG (p = 0.380), and RANKL/OPG ratio (p = 0.449) between group1 and group2 in cwCF. BMI z-score (p < 0.001), FFMI z-score (p < 0.001), FEV1 z-score (p = 0.007), and right-HGS (%pred) (p = 0.009) significantly differed between the two groups. Multivariate linear regression revealed that the only factors that predicted BMD were FFMI z-score and HGS %pred. CONCLUSION: Serum OC, OPG, RANKL and RANKL/OPG ratio did not predict BMD in cwCF. FFMI z-score and HGS %pred measured by non-invasive and practical methods were the best predictors of BMD.


Bone Diseases , Cystic Fibrosis , Humans , Child , Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Hand Strength , Pancreas , Body Mass Index , Osteocalcin
11.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 58(9): 2559-2567, 2023 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37278540

OBJECTIVE: Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare disease in children, and reliable data are scarce. Here, we aimed to analyze the clinical features, management, and outcomes in children with PB. METHODS: The medical data of patients who were followed up with a diagnosis of PB between January 2010 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of 15 patients was 9 (interquartile range: 4-10) years with a male/female ratio of 12/3. Initial symptoms included recurrent pneumonia (33.3%), persistent atelectasis (33.3%), cast expectoration (26.6%), and intense, persistent cough (6.6%). The most common underlying diagnosis was asthma (n = 12, 80%), and six of the patients were newly diagnosed. The most common radiological findings were atelectasis as a consequence of major airway obstruction on chest X-ray or computed tomography. Five patients, all diagnosed as having asthma, had recurrent PB and required multiple airway procedures for treatment and diagnosis. During a median 7-year follow-up of five patients, occasionally cast expectoration was observed in one patient with asthma who had poor compliance with inhaled corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: PB is a common reflection of the different underlying etiologies in the pediatric age group, and treatment and outcomes are closely related to these. It should be kept in mind that asthma can be a predisposing factor for the development of PB.


Asthma , Bronchitis , Pulmonary Atelectasis , Humans , Child , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Retrospective Studies , Bronchoscopy/adverse effects , Bronchitis/complications , Bronchitis/therapy , Asthma/complications , Asthma/therapy , Asthma/diagnosis , Pulmonary Atelectasis/etiology , Causality , Plastics
12.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 58(9): 2505-2512, 2023 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37278544

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) genetic variants. CFTR modulators improve pulmonary function and reduce respiratory infections in CF. This study investigated the clinical and laboratory follow-up parameters over 1 year in patients with CF who could not receive this treatment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 2018 and 2019 CF patient data from the CF registry of Turkey. Demographic and clinical characteristics of 294 patients were assessed, who had modulator treatment indications in 2018 but could not reach the treatment. RESULTS: In 2019, patients younger than 18 years had significantly lower BMI z-scores than in 2018. During the 1-year follow-up, forced expiratory volumes (FEV1) and FEV1 z-scores a trend toward a decrease. In 2019, chronic Staphylococcus aureus colonization, inhaled antipseudomonal antibiotic use for more than 3 months, oral nutritional supplement requirements, and oxygen support need increased. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had indications for modulator treatments but were unable to obtain them worsened even after a year of follow-up. This study emphasized the importance of using modulator treatments for patients with CF in our country, as well as in many countries worldwide.


Cystic Fibrosis , Quinolones , Humans , Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Cystic Fibrosis/drug therapy , Cystic Fibrosis/genetics , Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics , Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Aminophenols/therapeutic use , Quinolones/therapeutic use , Mutation
13.
J Sleep Res ; 32(5): e13914, 2023 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37128177

Children with genetic skeletal disorders have variable conditions that can lead to sleep-disordered breathing, and polysomnography is the gold standard for diagnosing this condition. We aimed to review polysomnography findings, to assess the severity of sleep apnea, and to investigate the clinical variables predictive of sleep-disordered breathing in these patients. We retrospectively collected the medical records of patients with genetic skeletal disorders who underwent polysomnography for 5 years. Twenty-seven children with various genetic skeletal disorders, including achondroplasia (14), Crouzon syndrome (3), acromesomelic dysplasia Maroteaux type (3), Apert syndrome (2), osteopetrosis (1), Jeune dysplasia (1), Desbuquois dysplasia (1), acrodysostosis (1), and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (1) were enrolled. The median age at the first polysomnography was 58 (1st-3rd quartile: 31-113) months. The overall sleep-disordered breathing results were: 19 (70.3%) had obstructive sleep apneas (OSA) (4 mild, 6 moderate, 9 severe), 2 (7.4%) had central apneas, 4 (14.8%) had nocturnal hypoventilation. There was a significant correlation between non-ambulatory status with both total AHI and OSA (p < 0.001, rho: -0.66/p = 0.04, rho: 0.38, respectively). Nine patients received positive airway pressure titration, and the oAHI values of all returned to the normal range. These patients were started with positive airway pressure treatment. Our cohort showed that the majority of the patients with skeletal dysplasia had sleep apnea syndrome characterised mainly by OSA, highlighting the importance of polysomnography screening for sleep disorders. Positive airway pressure therapy represents an effective treatment for sleep-disordered breathing in those patients.


Sleep Apnea Syndromes , Sleep Apnea, Central , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive , Humans , Child , Child, Preschool , Retrospective Studies , Polysomnography , Sleep Apnea Syndromes/diagnosis
14.
Turk J Pediatr ; 65(2): 257-268, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37114691

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the number of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients recorded in the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Türkiye (CFRT) who were in need of lung transplantation (LT) referral and examine clinical differences between patients who were LT candidates due to rapid forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline and LT candidates without rapid FEV1 decline in the last year to identify a preventable cause in patients with such rapid FEV1 decline. METHODS: All CF patients recorded in the CFRT in 2018 were evaluated in terms of LT. Patients were divided into those with FEV1 below 50% and in need of LT due to a decrease of 20% or more in the previous year (Group 1) and those who did not have FEV1 decline of more than 20% in the previous year but had other indications for LT (Group 2). Demographic and clinical features were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 1488 patients registered in CFRT, 58 had a need for LT. Twenty patients were included in Group 1 and others in Group 2. Our findings did not reveal any significant variations in treatment, chronic infection status, or complications between the two groups. The average weight z-score was significantly higher in Group 1. Positive correlations were detected between weight z-score and FEV1 in 2017 in Group 1 and between FEV1 values in 2017 and 2018 in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a relationship between the nutritional status and weight z-scores of CF patients and pulmonary function, which may indirectly affect the need for lung transplantation referral.


Cystic Fibrosis , Lung Transplantation , Humans , Cystic Fibrosis/epidemiology , Cystic Fibrosis/surgery , Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Routinely Collected Health Data , Lung , Forced Expiratory Volume , Referral and Consultation
15.
ERJ Open Res ; 9(2)2023 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37101741

Background: Paediatric diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a rare heterogeneous condition with limited knowledge on clinical presentation, treatment and outcome. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive multicentre follow-up study initiated from the European network for translational research in children's and adult interstitial lung disease (Cost Action CA16125) and chILD-EU CRC (the European Research Collaboration for Children's Interstitial Lung Disease). Inclusion criteria were DAH of any cause diagnosed before the age of 18 years. Results: Data of 124 patients from 26 centres (15 counties) were submitted, of whom 117 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Diagnoses were idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (n=35), DAH associated with autoimmune features (n=20), systemic and collagen disorders (n=18), immuno-allergic conditions (n=10), other childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD) (n=5), autoinflammatory diseases (n=3), DAH secondary to other conditions (n=21) and nonspecified DAH (n=5). Median (IQR) age at onset was 5 (2.0-12.9) years. Most frequent clinical presentations were anaemia (87%), haemoptysis (42%), dyspnoea (35%) and cough (32%). Respiratory symptoms were absent in 23%. The most frequent medical treatment was systemic corticosteroids (93%), hydroxychloroquine (35%) and azathioprine (27%). Overall mortality was 13%. Long-term data demonstrated persistent abnormal radiology and a limited improvement in lung function. Conclusions: Paediatric DAH is highly heterogeneous regarding underlying causes and clinical presentation. The high mortality rate and number of patients with ongoing treatment years after onset of disease underline that DAH is a severe and often chronic condition. This large international study paves the way for further prospective clinical trials that will in the long term allow evidence-based treatment and follow-up recommendations to be determined.

16.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol Pulmonol ; 36(1): 5-15, 2023 03.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36695653

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases with various clinical and imaging findings. The incidence and prevalence have increased in recent years, probably due to better comprehension of these rare diseases and increased awareness among physicians. chILDs present with nonspecific pulmonary symptoms, such as tachypnea, hypoxemia, cough, rales, and failure to thrive. Unnecessary invasive procedures can be avoided if specific mutations are detected through genetic examinations or if typical imaging patterns are recognized on computed tomography. Disease knowledge and targeted therapies are improving through international collaboration. Pulmonary involvement in systemic diseases is not uncommon. Pulmonary involvement may be the first finding in connective tissue diseases. This review aims to present a systematic patient-targeted approach to the diagnosis of chILD.


Connective Tissue Diseases , Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Humans , Child , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/genetics , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/therapy , Lung , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Hypoxia
17.
Turk Arch Pediatr ; 58(1): 28-33, 2023 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36598208

OBJECTIVE: Chylothorax refers to the presence of chyle in the pleural space. There are multiple etiologies of chylothorax. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations, causes, and treatment of chylothorax in childhood and also to show the differences between the 2 age groups admitted to a tertiary care children's hospital. The second aim was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic features of patients diagnosed as having Gorham-Stout disease via chylothorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The archives were reviewed for chylothorax documented in the last 31 years. Twenty-two patients (11 girls and 11 boys) were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the younger group aged under 24 months and the older group aged over 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients had chylothorax, and 10 were aged younger than 24 months. In the younger group, etiologies were in order congenital heart surgery, congenital chylothorax, and Gorham-Stout disease. In the older group, etiologies were Gorham-Stout disease, congenital heart surgery, heart failure, heart transplantation, thrombus, intestinal lymphangiectasia, and idiopathic. The most common treatment in the younger group was the medium-chain triglyceride diet (70%), and in the older group, it was sirolimus (50%). CONCLUSION: There is a wide variety of underlying etiologies in childhood, so a multidisciplinary approach is important to identify the underlying diagnosis. The common etiologies were postoperative and Gorham-Stout disease in our study. All patients with Gorham-Stout disease had a good prognosis. Gorham-Stout disease should be considered in patients of any age with a diagnosis of chylothorax who have bone lesions.

18.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 58(4): 1106-1121, 2023 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36588100

OBJECTIVE: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in children is a rare condition resulting from different underlying diseases. This study aimed at describing characteristics and diagnostic measures in children with ILD (children's interstitial lung disease, chILD) and DAH to improve the diagnostic approach by increasing clinician's awareness of diagnostic shortcomings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of patients with ILD and DAH treated in our own or collaborating centers between 01/07/1997 and 31/12/2020 was performed. Data on clinical courses and diagnostic measures were systematically retrieved as case-vignettes and investigated. To assess suitability of diagnostic software-algorithms, the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) was revised and expanded to optimize conditions of its associated tool the "Phenomizer." RESULTS: For 97 (74%) of 131 patients, etiology of pulmonary hemorrhage was clarified. For 34 patients (26%), no underlying condition was found (termed as idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, IPH). Based on laboratory findings or clinical phenotype/comorbidities, 20 of these patients were assigned to descriptive clusters: IPH associated with autoimmune features (9), eosinophilia (5), renal disease (3) or multiorgan involvement (3). For 14 patients, no further differentiation was possible. CONCLUSION: Complete and sometimes repeated diagnostics are essential for establishing the correct diagnosis in children with DAH. We suggest assignment of patients with IPH to descriptive clusters, which may also guide further research. Digital tools such as the Phenomizer/HPO are promising, but need to be extended to increase diagnostic accuracy.


Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Lung Diseases , Child , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Lung Diseases/complications , Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/complications , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis , Hemorrhage/etiology , Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
19.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 58(4): 1185-1193, 2023 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36651101

INTRODUCTION: There are no precise data about the effect of Aspergillus infection on lung function other than allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Here, we aimed to determine clinical phenotypes caused by Aspergillus spp. using laboratory and immunologic parameters and to compare Aspergillus phenotypes in terms of pulmonary function tests (PFT) prospectively. METHODS: Twenty-three pwCF who had Aspergillus isolation from respiratory cultures in the last year (case group) and 20 pwCF without Aspergillus isolation in sputum (control group) were included. Aspergillus immunoglobulin (Ig)-G, Aspergillus IgE, Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction (PCR), galactomannan, total IgE from blood samples, and Aspergillus PCR and galactomannan from sputum, and skin prick test reactivity to Aspergillus antigen were used to distinguish different Aspergillus phenotypes. Pulmonary functions and frequency of pulmonary exacerbations were evaluated during a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Of 23 pwCF, 11 (47.8%) had Aspergillus colonization, nine (39.1%) had Aspergillus bronchitis, and three (13%) had ABPA. Aspergillus infection was not associated with worse z-scores of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (p = 0.612), forced vital capacity  (p = 0.939), and the median FEV 1% decline (0.0%/year vs. -4.7%/year, p = 0.626). The frequency of pulmonary exacerbations in the Aspergillus infected and noninfected groups was similar. CONCLUSION: Although Aspergillus spp. Isolation in pwCF was not associated with decreased lung function, a further decline was seen in the ABPA subgroup, and frequent pulmonary exacerbations during the 1-year follow-up.


Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary , Aspergillosis , Cystic Fibrosis , Case-Control Studies , Lung , Aspergillus , Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary/complications , Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary/diagnosis , Phenotype , Immunoglobulin E , Aspergillus fumigatus
20.
Thorax ; 78(5): 476-483, 2023 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36572533

BACKGROUND: Monitoring disease progression in childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD) is essential. No information for the minimal important difference (MID), which is defined as the smallest change in a parameter that is perceived as important prompting a clinician to change the treatment, is available. We calculated MIDs for vital signs (respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation in room air, Fan severity score) and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) scores. METHODS: This study used data from the Kids Lung Register, which is a web-based management platform that collects data of rare paediatric lung disorders with a focus on chILD. Data of vital signs and HrQoL scores (Health Status Questionnaire, chILD-specific questionnaire and PedsQL V.4.0) were collected. MIDs were calculated according to distribution-based (one-third SD) and anchor-based methods (using forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity) as anchors. RESULTS: Baseline data of 774 children were used to calculate the following MIDs: respiratory rate 1.3 (z-score), O2 saturation in room air 3.0%, Fan severity score 0.2-0.4, Health Status Questionnaire 0.4-0.8, chILD-specific questionnaire 4.4%-8.2%, physical health summary score 7.8%-8.9%, psychosocial health summary score 3.4%-6.9% and total score 5.1%-7.4%. Results of the responsiveness analysis generally agreed with the MIDs calculated. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we provide estimates of MIDs for vital signs and HrQoL scores in a large cohort of chILD using different methods.


Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Quality of Life , Humans , Child , Quality of Life/psychology , Lung Diseases, Interstitial/diagnosis , Lung , Health Status , Surveys and Questionnaires
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