Practical recommendations for home-nebulized corticosteroid use in children aged ≤ 5 years with asthma: A review and advisory group consensus.

BACKGROUND: Despite nebulized budesonide being identified by the Global Initiative for Asthma report as a viable alternative to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) delivered by pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) with spacers, practical guidance on nebulized corticosteroid use in the pediatric population remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature and provide practical recommendations for nebulized budesonide use in children aged ≤ 5 years with a diagnosis of asthma. METHODS: A group of 15 expert pediatricians in the respiratory and allergy fields in Thailand developed Delphi consensus recommendations on nebulized budesonide use based on their clinical expertise and a review of the published literature. Studies that evaluated the efficacy (effectiveness) and/or safety of nebulized budesonide in children aged ≤ 5 years with asthma were assessed. AR patients. RESULTS: Overall, 24 clinical studies published between 1993 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria for review. Overall, results demonstrated that nebulized budesonide significantly improved symptom control and reduced exacerbations, asthma-related hospitalizations, and the requirement for oral corticosteroids compared with placebo or active controls. Nebulized budesonide was well tolerated, with no severe or drug-related adverse events reported. Following a review of the published evidence and group consensus, a treatment algorithm as per the Thai Pediatric Asthma 2020 Guidelines was proposed, based on the availability of medications in Thailand, to include nebulized budesonide as the initial treatment option alongside ICS delivered by pMDIs with spacers in children aged ≤ 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: ThNebulized budesonide is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option in children aged ≤ 5 years with asthma.

Outcomes of young children hospitalized with acute wheezing.

BACKGROUND: Wheezing in preschool children is a common symptom. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine an incidence of recurrent wheezing among young children who had been hospitalized with acute wheezing after 12 months. Factors associated with recurrent wheezing were explored. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted among 236 children, aged between 6 months and 5 years, who were hospitalized with acute wheezing in 4 hospitals located in Bangkok and adjacent provinces, Thailand. Demographics, house environments and clinical characteristic data were collected at entry. Serum specific IgE levels against common food and inhalant allergens and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations were measured. RESULTS: At entry, the mean age was 24.4 months (SD = 15.7 months). Of 236 hospitalized children with acute wheezing, ninety-four cases (39.8%) were the first wheezing episode of life. By laboratory results, 197 (83.5%) and 56 (23.7%) children were atopic and had vitamin D insufficiency respectively. There were 195 cases completely followed for 12 months. One-year risk of emergency visits and hospitalization due to recurrent wheezing were 49.7% and 23.1% respectively. By multivariable analysis, being the second born child or more, vitamin D insufficiency, "ever wheeze", and allergic rhinitis were significantly associated with recurrent wheezing within 12 months with adjusted odds ratios of 2.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.3-5.3), 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-4.4), 1.9 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.5), and 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.9) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Being the second born child or more, vitamin D insufficiency, ever wheeze, and allergic rhinitis were significant risks of recurrent wheezing.

Development and validation of the predictive score for pediatric COVID-19 pneumonia: A nationwide, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the possibility of asymptomatic pneumonia in children with COVID-19 leading to overexposure to radiation and problems in limited-resource settings, we conducted a nationwide, multi-center study to determine the risk factors of pneumonia in children with COVID-19 in order to create a pediatric pneumonia predictive score, with score validation. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study done by chart review of all children aged 0-15 years admitted to 13 medical centers across Thailand during the study period. Univariate and multivariate analyses as well as backward and forward stepwise logistic regression were used to generate a final prediction model of the pneumonia score. Data during the pre-Delta era was used to create a prediction model whilst data from the Delta one was used as a validation cohort. RESULTS: The score development cohort consisted of 1,076 patients in the pre-Delta era, and the validation cohort included 2,856 patients in the Delta one. Four predictors remained after backward and forward stepwise logistic regression: age < 5 years, number of comorbidities, fever, and dyspnea symptoms. The predictive ability of the novel pneumonia score was acceptable with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.677 and a well-calibrated goodness-of-fit test (p = 0.098). The positive likelihood ratio for pneumonia was 0.544 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.491-0.602) in the low-risk category, 1.563 (95% CI: 1.454-1.679) in the moderate, and 4.339 (95% CI: 2.527-7.449) in the high-risk. CONCLUSION: This study created an acceptable clinical prediction model which can aid clinicians in performing an appropriate triage for children with COVID-19.

Practical considerations of nebulized corticosteroid in children with acute asthmatic exacerbation: A consensus.

BACKGROUND: Acute asthmatic exacerbation in children causes economic burdens both directly and indirectly. The GINA guideline does mention the use of inhaled or oral corticosteroids in the treatment of asthmatic exacerbation, it provides little practical guidance on the use of nebulized corticosteroid. OBJECTIVE: To review and recommend the practical considerations in the use of nebulized corticosteroid in children with acute asthmatic exacerbation. METHODS: This consensus was developed by a group of expert pediatricians in respiratory and allergy fields in Thailand. The recommendations were made based on a review of published studies and clinical opinions. The eligible studies were confined to those published in English, and randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses involving nebulized corticosteroids in asthmatic exacerbation in children aged between 1-18 years. RESULTS: There were 13 randomized controlled-trial studies published from 1998 to 2017. Nine of the 13 studies compared nebulized with systemic corticosteroid conducted in moderate to severe exacerbation, while the remaining four compared nebulized corticosteroid with placebo conducted in mild to severe exacerbation. The admission rate was significantly lower in severe exacerbation (one study) and pooled four mild to severe exacerbation studies comparing with placebo (p 0.022). Other clinical parameters were significantly improved with nebulized corticosteroid such as clinical scores, systemic corticosteroid/bronchodilator use, or shorter ER stays. Only one study used fluticasone, while the other 12 studies conducted by budesonide (92.31%). CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized corticosteroid may offer an effective therapeutic option for the management of acute exacerbation of asthma in all severities. Nebulized budesonide is the preferred corticosteroid.

High prescribing rates of third-generation cephalosporins in children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory infections at a university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for the treatment of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children ≤5 years of age, even though viral aetiologies are the most common. The aim of this study was to describe antibiotic prescribing rates and patterns in children ≤5 years of age hospitalized with ALRI. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving patients aged 1 month to 5 years hospitalized with ALRI at a university hospital. Patient demographics, ALRI diagnosis, microbiological data, antibiotics prescribed, and treatment outcomes were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 1283 patients were enrolled. Their median age was 1.6 years (interquartile range 0.8-2.8 years). Thirty-six percent had a co-morbidity. The diagnosis at discharge was viral ALRI in 81% and bacterial pneumonia in 19%. The mortality rate was 0.4%. The overall antibiotic prescribing rate was 46% (95% confidence interval 43-49%). Antibiotic prescribing rates were higher among children with co-morbidities (65% vs 35%, p < 0.001) and older children (57% for >2-5 years vs 39% for ≤2 years, p < 0.001). Parenteral third-generation cephalosporins were prescribed in up to 68% of all prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly-half of hospitalized children with ALRI were prescribed antibiotics. The majority of prescribed antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins. An antimicrobial stewardship programme and antibiotic guidelines should be implemented to promote the judicious use of antibiotics.

Effectiveness of a new multi-component smoking cessation service package for patients with hypertension and diabetes in northern Thailand: a randomized controlled trial (ESCAPE study).

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation is an achievable behavioral change, which reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and tobacco-related diseases. There is a need for an effective smoking cessation service for low and middle income country settings where the smoking rate is generally very high whilst a cessation service is not usually accessible. This study devised a new smoking cessation service package and assessed its effectiveness in the primary health care setting of northern Thailand. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was centered at Maetha district hospital, Lampang province, Thailand, and its network of mobile non-communicable disease clinics at seven primary care units. A total of 319 eligible patients who consented to participate in the study, were randomly allocated to an intervention arm (160) and a control arm (159), applying block randomization. The multi-component intervention service consisted of: (1) regular patient motivation by the same nurse over a 3-month period; (2) a monthly piCO+ Smokerlyzer test for 3 months; (3) continual assistance from a trained family member, using a smoking-cessation- diary; and (4) optional nicotine replacement chewing gum therapy. The control group received the routine service comprising of brief counseling and casual follow-up. Smoking cessation, confirmed by six months of abstinence and the piCo+ Smokerlyzer breath test, was compared between the two services after a year follow-up. The trial is registered as an international current control trial at the ISRCTN registry. ISRCTN89315117. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 64 years, with females constituting 28.84%. Most of the participants smoke hand-rolled cigarettes (85%). The intervention arm participants achieved a significantly higher smoking cessation rate than the control arm 25.62% vs 11.32%, with an adjusted odd ratio of 2.95 and 95% confidence interval 1.55-5.61. CONCLUSION: In relation to accessing smoking cessation services within the primary health care setting, participants who received the evidence-based intervention package were about three times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking than those who received the routine service. Utilizing community resources as major intervention components, the evidence from this trial may provide a useful and scalable smoking cessation intervention for low and middle income countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials ISRCTN89315117 . WHO international clinical trial identifier number: U1111-1145-6916; 3/2013.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy in Children with Respiratory Distress.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy compared with conventional oxygen therapy in children presented with respiratory distress. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infants and children aged between 1 month to 5 years who were admitted to our tertiary referral center for respiratory distress (July 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015) and met the inclusion criteria were recruited. INTERVENTIONS: Infants and children hospitalized with respiratory distress were randomized into two groups of interventions. All clinical data, for example, respiratory score, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were recorded. The results were subsequently analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 98 respiratory distress children were enrolled during the study period. Only 4 children (8.2%) failed in HFNC therapy, compared with 10 children (20.4%) in conventional oxygen therapy group (P = 0.09). After adjusted for body weight, underlying diseases, and respiratory distress score, there was an 85% reduction in the odds of treatment failure in HFNC therapy group (adjusted odds ratio 0.15, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.66, P = 0.01). Most children in HFNC therapy group had significant improvement in clinical respiratory score, heart rate, and respiratory rate at 240, 360, and 120 min compared with conventional oxygen therapy (P = 0.03, 0.04, and 0.03). CONCLUSION: HFNC therapy revealed a potential clinical advantage in management children hospitalized with respiratory distress compared with conventional respiratory therapy. The early use of HFNC in children with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress may prevent endotracheal tube intubation. TRIAL REGISTER: TCTR 20170222007.

Does nebulized hypertonic saline shorten hospitalization in young children with acute viral wheezing?

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have shown benefits of nebulized hypertonic saline (HS) for improving airway clearance and shortening hospitalization in infants with bronchiolitis, prospective blinded studies in preschool children with acute viral wheezing are limited. OBJECTIVES: To determine nebulized 3% HS efficacy in young children admitted with acute viral wheezing. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in children aged 6 months to 5 years admitted with acute viral wheezing from July 1st to December 31st 2016. Patients were randomized to receive inhalation of 2.5 mg salbutamol dissolved in either 3% HS or normal saline (NS). Clinical data, asthma clinical severity score, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were enrolled (22 in HS and 25 in NS) without significant differences in demographic data and baseline clinical scores. Median LOS and median time of oxygen therapy were significantly shorter in HS than NS group: 48 versus 72 h, P = 0.021 and 36 versus 72 h, P = 0.025, respectively. HS patients had significantly improved asthma clinical severity scores, respiratory rates and oxygen saturation at 12 h compared to NS group (P-value 0.042, 0.032, and 0.043). There were no adverse events. CONCLUSION: In children under 5 years admitted with acute viral wheezing, nebulized hypertonic saline/salbutamol significantly shortened hospital stay length, time of oxygen therapy, and improved asthma clinical severity score faster than normal saline/salbutamol.

Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation Versus Conventional Chest Physiotherapy in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

BACKGROUND: The cough mechanism is often impaired in children with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, accounting for the high prevalence of pneumonia and atelectasis requiring prolonged hospitalization. Conventional chest physiotherapy (CPT) is a current technique recommended at the onset of lower-respiratory infections in cerebral palsy. Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) in children with neuromuscular disease. To date, there has been no study of MI-E in children with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy. The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy in reducing hospital stay and improvement of atelectasis between MI-E and CPT in children with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy with lower-respiratory infections. METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled trial. Children with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, age 6 months to 18 y, admitted for lower-respiratory infections and/or atelectasis at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between June 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015, were recruited. Those with pneumothorax, severe pneumonia, active tuberculosis, and shock were excluded. Children were randomized into the MI-E or CPT group. The MI-E group received MI-E (3 therapies/d), and the CPT group received CPT (1 therapy/d). Vital signs per protocol and chest radiograph as needed were recorded. RESULTS: There were 22 children enrolled in the study, 11 in the MI-E and 11 in the CPT group. Demographic data were comparable in both groups. The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups (MI-E 4-24 d vs CPT 6-42 d, P = .15). There were 17 subjects with atelectasis (MI-E [n = 9] versus CPT [n = 8]). In this atelectasis subgroup, MI-E had shortened therapy time when compared with CPT (2.9 ± 0.8 d vs 3.9 ± 0.6 d, P = .01). No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: MI-E is proven to be beneficial in shortening the duration of airway clearance in children with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy presenting with lower-respiratory infections and atelectasis. MI-E is a safe and efficient intervention for airway clearance.

First episode of preschool wheeze requiring hospitalization:a prospective study on the chance of recurrence and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Although wheezing is very common in preschoolers, epidemiologic studies in Thailand are quite limited. The likelihood of having a second wheezing episode following the first attack remains unclearly established. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the incidence of recurrent wheezing in preschool children presenting with first wheezing episode and identify the associated factors. METHODS: The study is an observational prospective study conducted at the inpatient pediatric department. Patients admitted with first episode of wheezing were followed up as an outpatient approximately one week after hospital discharge and subsequently followed up by telephone 3-monthly with a structured questionnaire seeking information concerning recurrent wheezing, defined as having a second wheezing episode requiring bronchodilator within a 1-year period. RESULTS: The total of 97 patients, aged 6 months to 5 years, were recruited from June 2014 to November 2015. Thirty-five patients were excluded because of inaccessibility for telephone follow-up. Amongst the remaining 62 patients, twenty-eight (45.2%) had recurrent wheezing within one year. The mean lapse duration was 4.7 ± 3.7 months after the first episode. Having an allergic sensitization to aeroallergen was a risk factor for recurrent wheezing (OR 2.48, 95%CI 1.81-3.4). Although not statistically significant, having an allergic sensitization to food seems to be another related factor (OR 2.36, 95%CI 1.75-3.18). CONCLUSION: The recurrent rate of wheezing was 45%, which was considerably significant. Allergic sensitization to aeroallergen might increase the risk. These patients should be followed up, especially within the first year after their first wheezing episode.

Exhaled nitric oxide, pulmonary function, and disease activity in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

AIM: To determine the association among fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), pulmonary function, and disease activity in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Children aged 7-18 years, diagnosed with SLE under the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (revised 2012), were enrolled. All eligible participants had disease activity, FENO, and pulmonary function evaluated and re-evaluated at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-four children (95.8% female; mean age 15.2 ± 2 years; median disease duration 2.4 years) were studied. The mean FENO1 and FENO2 were 19.6 ± 7.2 parts per billion (ppb) and 17.4 ± 4.5 ppb, respectively. At baseline, 20.8% had abnormal pulmonary functions (all restrictive defects) and increased to 29.2% at follow-up (isolated restrictive defect 25% and restrictive with diffusion defect 4.2%). Most of their disease activities at baseline and second assessment were non-active (58.3%, 70.8%) or mild disease activities (20.8% both). There was significant correlation between FENO and disease activity (r = 0.49; P-value = 0.02). The significant negative correlation between total lung capacity (TLC) and disease activity was detected in children with active SLE (r = -0.71; P-value = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Decreased TLC and high FENO were common in SLE children who had no respiratory symptoms and correlated with disease activity. FENO should be considered as an additional pulmonary function to evaluate disease activity in children with SLE.

Urinary cysteinyl leukotriene E4 level and therapeutic response to montelukast in children with mild obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Antileukotriene has been used for alleviating disease severity in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previous study showed the relationship between urinary cysteinyl leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) level and therapeutic response to montelukast in asthmatic adults. However, this relationship has never been investigated in pediatric OSA. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between uLTE4 level and therapeutic response to montelukast in children with ATH and mild OSA. METHODS: Children aged 3-15 yrs who had ATH and mild OSA were enrolled. All had quality of life (assessed by Thai version OSA-18 QoL questionnaire) and uLTE4 levels measured prior to start a 6-week course of montelukast treatment. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) and QoL reassessment were performed after completing the treatment. Those who demonstrated a large improvement of mean total QoL score or ≥ 50% decrease of obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) after the treatment were defined as responders. RESULTS: Twenty-six children were enrolled (mean age 7.5 ± 2.9 yrs, 38.5% male). After 6-week course of montelukast, nine (34.6%) children showed significant improvement. The mean uLTE4 level from the responders was higher comparing to the non-responders (2,952.56 ± 966.9 vs. 978.6 ± 460.8 pg/mg creatinine; p < 0.001). uLTE4 level of ≥ 1,457 pg/mg creatinine had 100% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity in identifying the responders. CONCLUSIONS: We found the association between ULTE4 and therapeutic response to monteleukast. The uLTE4 level of ≥ 1,457 pg/mg creatinine could predict the therapeutic response to montelukast in children who had ATH and mild OSA.

Perceived stigma of HIV patients receiving task-shifted primary care service and its relation to satisfaction with health service.

INTRODUCTION: HIV stigma is the remaining challenge to end the global epidemics of HIV. Whether stigma may form a barrier to the provision of ART within the community-based, primary care setting was not studied yet. Therefore, this study intended (1) to compare the levels of 'perceived stigma' in PLHIV attending district hospital and primary care units (PCUs), and (2) to measure the relation between HIV stigma and the satisfaction of patients with their health service. METHODOLOGY: In this cross-sectional study, two matched PLHIV attending district hospitals were recruited for every PLHIV attending a PCU, within a pilot project, until the end of 2014. 198 informed and consented participants were recruited. We used validated Thai version instruments to measure the levels of 'perceived stigma' and 'internal shame' and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire 18 (PSQ18) to measure patients' satisfaction with the health service. Analysis applied MANOVA and multivariate robust regression. RESULTS: The level of 'perceived stigma' and 'internal shame' levels were not significantly different between district hospitals attendants and PCU attendants (P>0.05 MANOVA). Moreover, the more patients were satisfied with the health service, the less likely to have 'perceived stigma' (ß -5.9, 95% confidence interval -7.7 to -4.1) and 'internal shame' (ß -5.7, 95% CI -8.3 to -3.2), P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIV associated stigma would be minimized through the attempt to promote PLHIV's satisfaction with ART service. There is ample role of health professional education and training to improve patients' satisfaction. It may contribute to the aim of zero discrimination.

School-Based Educational Interventions Can Significantly Improve Health Outcomes in Children with Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Lack of asthma knowledge among the pediatric patients and their caregivers contribute to poor asthma control in children. There is no data from Thailand on the health outcomes of school-based educational interventions for asthmatic children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of school-based asthma educational interventions on health outcomes, asthma control, and management in asthmatic children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-seven asthmatic students (6-15 years old), 14 caregivers, and five teachers from the Homkred School participated in the study. Asthma knowledge, workshops on pMDI (pressurized metered dose inhaler) techniques, use of asthma diaries, and self-management plans were provided Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess the asthma knowledge of the asthmatic students, their caregivers, and teachers. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were used to assess the health outcomes. The controls of asthma and self-management behaviors were assessed at three and six months post-intervention. RESULTS: There were significant improvements of asthma knowledge in all groups (p < 0.01) immediately post-intervention and six months later. At pre-intervention phase, there were 18 children who had FEV1 less than 80% of the predicted value. Their PFT significantly improved for all parameters at post-intervention, but in children who had normal FEV1 at baseline, there were no significant changes. Control of asthma was significantly better three and six months post-intervention. The rate of regular use of ICS (inhaled corticosteroid) significantly increased to 40% at three months and 30% at six months (p < 0.001) post-intervention. In addition, the self-management behaviors in the asthmatic children improved. The teachers' management of asthmatic attacks during the classes also improved. As a result of this, there were fewer emergency room (ER) visits. CONCLUSION: School-based educational interventions can significantly improve asthma outcomes in children with asthma. Therefore, the authors highly recommend the use of this intervention.

Residents' Obstacles and Attitudes Toward Research during Residency Training.

BACKGROUND: Many residents often encounter several problems to accomplish their research projects, a requirement to complete medical residency training in Thailand. This study aimed to explore perceived obstacles and attitude of Thai residents toward conducting research. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The questionnaires were distributed among 640 residents at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from November to December 2014. Structured-questionnaires explored the participants' characteristics, research experience, purpose of conducting research, motivations and perceived barriers to research. Five-pointed Likert scale was used to determine residents' attitude toward research. Descriptive statistical analysis was used. RESULTS: 246 respondents were achieved from 640 residents surveyed, yielding a response rate of 39.7%. The mean age was 28.21 ± 1.60 years and 66.7% was female. Most of them were studying in internal medicine, pediatrics and anesthesiology. Residency year ranged from 1st-4th year and the ratio was 21.5: 20.8:18:1. The purposes to conduct the research were to meet the program requirement (72.4%), to develop research skills (23.6%), and to accrue credentials for future fellowship application (2.4%). While 52.4% pursued research in order to bolster research experience, 12.6% would like to publish and 4.5% would like to present in the international conference, as high as 39.8% had not motivation. Perceived barriers were limited statistical knowledge, inadequate time and, difficulty formulating research topic. In addition, 50.6% were assigned research topics from advisors. Most of the residents agreed that conducting research enhanced inquiry-based learning and enabled them to better understand research methodology. Nevertheless, they thought that researching was complicated, time-consuming, and tedious. CONCLUSION: Most residents were motivated to conduct research projects but perceived obstacles and negative attitude might erode their motivation for research.

A comparison of clinical efficacy between high frequency oscillatory ventilation and conventional ventilation with lung volume recruitment in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of lung volume recruitment maneuver (LVRM) with high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) on oxygenation, hemodynamic alteration, and clinical outcomes when compared to conventional mechanical ventilation (CV) in children with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). MATERIALS: We performed a randomized controlled trial and enrolled pediatric patients who were diagnosed to have severe ARDS upon pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. LVRM protocol combined with HFOV or conventional mechanical ventilation was used. Baseline characteristic data, oxygenation, hemodynamic parameters, and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen children with severe ARDS were enrolled in our study. The primary cause of ARDS was pneumonia (91.7%). Their mean age was 47.7 ± 61.2 (m) and body weight was 25.3 ± 27.1 (kg). Their initial pediatric risk of mortality score 3 and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction were 12 ± 9.2 and 15.9 ± 12.8, respectively. The initial mean oxygen index was 24.5 ± 10.4, and mean PaO2/FiO2 was 80.6 ± 25. There was no difference in oxygen parameters at baseline the between two groups. There was a significant increase in PaO2/FiO2 (119.2 ± 41.1, 49.6 ± 30.6, P = 0.01*) response after 1 h of LVRM with HFOV compare to CV. Hemodynamic and serious complications were not significantly affected after LVRM. The overall PICU mortality of our severe ARDS at 28 days was 16.7%. Three patients in CV with LVRM group failed to wean oxygen requirement and were cross-over to HFOV group. CONCLUSIONS: HFOV combined with LVRM in severe pediatric ARDS had superior oxygenation and tended to have better clinical effect over CV. There is no significant effect on hemodynamic parameters. Moreover, no serious complication was noted.

Relationship between Obesity Indices and Pulmonary Function Parameters in Obese Thai Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between various obesity indices and pulmonary function parameters in obese Thai children and adolescents. METHODS: Obese children and adolescents aged from 8 to 18 y and diagnosed under the criteria of International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were enrolled. Anthropometric and body composition measurements (bioelectrical impedance analysis) of all eligible participants were recorded. Pulmonary function studies (spirometry and body plethysmography) were also performed on the same day. RESULTS: Forty-five children and adolescents [84 % boys; mean age 11.9 ± 2.4 y; mean BMI 31.8 ± 5.1 kg/m(2); and, mean body mass index (BMI) z-score 3.2 ± 0.5] were studied. Mean body fat percentage, mean fat mass index (FMI), mean fat free mass index, and mean truncal fat percentage were 47.4 ± 10.2 %, 15.2 ± 5.2 kg/m(2), 16.3 ± 3.1 kg/m(2), and 47.7 ± 11.5 %, respectively. Abnormal lung functions were found in 73.2 % of subjects; the most common was decreased functional residual capacity (FRC) (29 cases; 64.4 %). There was a negative correlation between FRC and BMI z-score (r = -0.32; p 0.03), waist-height ratio (r = -0.32; p 0.02), body fat percentage (r = -0.32; p 0.03), FMI (r = -0.36; p 0.02), and truncal fat percentage (r = -0.32; p 0.04). Obese individuals who had FMI > 17 kg/m(2) were 5.7 times more likely to have decreased FRC than those who had lower FMI (95 % CI 1.1-29.7; p 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased FRC was the most common pulmonary function abnormality in obese children and adolescents. BMI z-score, waist-height ratio, body fat percentage, FMI, and truncal fat percentage were all negatively correlated with FRC. FMI had the highest negative correlation. Obese individuals with FMI > 17 kg/m(2) had a 5.7 times increased risk of low FRC. Appropriate planning for respiratory care and follow-up may be required in this population.

Prevalence of asthma, level of control and factors associated with asthma control in Thai elementary school students in Bangkok.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the level of asthma control in Thai elementary school students living in the inner city of Bangkok. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of asthma, level of asthma control and factors associated with asthma control in Thai students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in students aged between 6-12 years at 3 public schools and 3 private schools in Bangkok. The parent-completed questionnaire used to assess the prevalence of asthma and asthma symptoms was translated from the Phase I ISAAC (The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire. Univariate analysis was used to identify possible risk factors related to partly and uncontrolled asthma. RESULTS: A population of 1,428 students was recruited by screening questionnaires (66.1% of response rate). The mean age was 9.5 years. Prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 9% and the most common asthma symptom was night cough (23.8%). The level of asthma control was assessed in students with current asthma and classified as controlled (46.7%), partly controlled (43.3%) and uncontrolled (10%). Around 27% of students with current asthma in this study use controller medications. Factors associated with asthma control were analyzed but none approached significance. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma in elementary school students living in Bangkok has decreased since the previous survey and the use of controller medications has increased. Asthma management strategies should focus on encouraging awareness among physicians and parents about the importance of using controller medications to achieve better control of asthma.

Incidence of recurrent wheezing in under 5-year-old human bocavirus infection during one year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly identified virus that can cause acute wheezing in young children. The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence and factors associated with recurrent wheezing during 1 year after HBoV lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Children younger than 5 years old who were admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between February 1, 2006 and September 30, 2008 due to LRI were recruited. Their nasopharyngeal aspirates were evaluated for respiratory virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Those who had positive PCR for HBoV and had no underlying diseases were studied. Their clinical presentations were evaluated and their clinical data about recurrent wheezing as well as pulmonary function tests were followed-up for 1 year. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with HBoV-LRI were regularly followed-up. Seven patients (47%) had co-infection with other respiratory viruses. Generalized wheezing was the most common lung sign detected in 73% of cases (11 cases) and 36% (4 cases) of them responded well to bronchodilators. During one year follow-up, serial pulmonary function tests were normal in all cases and most patients were doing well. However 27% of HBoV infected patients (4 cases) developed recurrent wheezing associated with respiratory tract infections. Two of them had to be re-hospitalized. Compared to patients without recurrent wheezing, eosinophil count tended to be higher in those with recurrent wheezing and isolated HBoV infected patients tended to develop recurrent wheezing more than those with co-infection. CONCLUSION: Acute wheezing is a common presenting lung sign in HBo V-LRI. Although the pulmonary function tests of all patients were normal, more than a quarter of patients suffered from recurrent wheezing during one-year follow-up.

Pulmonary function and exercise capacity in children following lung resection surgery.

PURPOSE: To study lung function and exercise capacity in children following lung resection surgery. METHODS: Children aged 6-18 years who had lung resection surgery were studied and compared to normal children (age and sex matched). All had spirometry/body plethysmography and exercise stress test (performed by treadmill and modified Balke protocol). RESULTS: 13 Patients and 13 controls were studied (age 13.2 ± 3.3 years; 46.2 % male). The age at the time of lung resection surgery was 6.5 ± 4.7 years. The time interval between post-surgery and the tests was 6.8 ± 4.4 years. The most common indication for lung resection surgery was congenital lung malformations (61.5 %). 76.9 % of the patients had abnormal lung function. Exercise intolerance due to pulmonary limitations was found in 23.1 % of the patients. At the anaerobic threshold, the V(O2) was not different between the patients and the controls. However, at the end of the exercise, the patients demonstrated lower peak V(O2) than the controls (33.6 ± 6.0 vs. 39.3 ± 8.7 ml/min/kg; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal lung functions and exercise intolerance were found in children following lung resection surgery. Children who had lung resection surgery had lower exercise capacity than normal children if the exercise was beyond the anaerobic threshold.