Breast conservation versus mastectomy for metaplastic breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Metaplastic breast cancer is a rare aggressive subtype of breast cancer for which there are no clear treatment guidelines regarding the optimal surgical approach. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate survival outcomes of patients with metaplastic breast cancer undergoing breast conservation compared with mastectomy. We identified studies from MEDLINE, Pubmed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library Register of Controlled Trials and the EBM Reviews Register. Studies were deemed suitable for inclusion where they compared breast-conserving surgery to mastectomy with the primary outcome of overall survival. Survival data were pooled using a random-effects model. From the 456 citations screened by our search, three studies were assessed as eligible for inclusion. There were a total of 2995 patients who underwent mastectomy and 1909 who underwent breast conservation. The median follow-up time was 43 months. Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference between breast conservation and mastectomy (pooled HR 0.89, 95% CI, 0.56-1.42, p = 0.631). Wide local excision, in conjunction with adjuvant radiation and judicious use of chemotherapy, may be a reasonable alternative to mastectomy as surgical management of metaplastic breast cancer as part of an individualized, multidisciplinary approach.

Capnography waveforms: basic interpretation in neonatal intensive care.

End-tidal capnography can provide useful clinical information displayed on the ventilator screen or bedside monitor. It is important that clinicians can assess and utilise this information to assist in identifying underlying complications and pulmonary pathology. Sudden change or loss of the CO2 waveform can act as a safety measure in alerting clinicians of a dislodged or blocked endotracheal tube, considering the concurrent flow and volume waveforms. Visual pattern recognition by the clinicians of commonly seen waveform traces may act as an adjunct to other modes of ventilatory monitoring techniques. Waveforms traces can aid clinical management, help identify cases of ventilation asynchrony between the infant and the ventilator. We present some common clinical scenarios where tidal capnography can be useful in the timely identification of pulmonary complication and for practical troubleshooting at the cot-side.

Maternal and infant outcomes in women with sickle cell disease: a matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Women with sickle cell disease (SCD) have adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Our aim was to determine whether the outcomes of SCD mothers and their infants differed from African or Caribbean women not affected by SCD and whether there were differences between SCD individuals with the haemoglobin SS (HbSS) or haemoglobin SC (HbSC) genotypes. Furthermore, we wished to determine if any differences related to deprivation. DESIGN: A matched cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary perinatal centre in London PATIENTS: 4964 African or Caribbean women without SCD and 148 with SCD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mode of delivery, maternal exchange transfusion, birthweight, neonatal unit admission, neonatal death and deprivation indices RESULTS: SCD women were more likely to be delivered by caesarean section (p<0.001) and had babies of lower birthweight (p<0.001). Their infants were no more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care unit or suffer a neonatal death. There were no significant differences between the SCD women and those without SCD in their deprivation index or deprivation decile. The women with the HbSS genotype compared to those with the HbSC genotype were more anaemic (p<0.02), required more exchange transfusions (p<0.001) and were more likely to be delivered by caesarean section (p=0.008). The infant outcomes did not differ significantly between the genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Although, the SCD women, particularly those with the HbSS genotype, had greater morbidity, infant morbidity, and mortality was similar in mothers with the HbSS or HbSC genotypes and those without SCD.

Chest radiographic thoracic areas and respiratory outcomes in infants with anterior abdominal wall defects.

OBJECTIVES: Infants with anterior abdominal wall defects (AWD) can suffer from pulmonary complications. Our aims were to determine if the chest radiographic thoracic areas (CRTAs) on day one differed between infants with exomphalos or gastroschisis, whether this related to differing severity of outcomes and if they were lower than those of controls indicating abnormal antenatal lung growth. METHODS: A review of infants with exomphalos or gastroschisis born between January 2004 and January 2023 was conducted. The control group was term, newborn infants ventilated for poor respiratory drive at birth. Chest radiographs on day one were analysed and the highest CRTA in the first 24 h after birth for each infant included in the analysis. RESULTS: The 127 infants with gastroschisis had a lower gestational age and birthweight than the 62 exomphalos infants and 130 controls (all p<0.001) The CRTAs of the controls were greater than the CRTAs of the exomphalos and the gastroschisis infants (p = 0.001). The median CRTA corrected for birthweight was lower in the exomphalos infants [688, IQR 568-875 mm2/kg] than the gastroschisis infants [813, IQE 695-915 mm2/kg] No gastroschisis infant developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A CRTA of 1759 mm2 had a sensitivity of 81 % and specificity of 71 % in predicting BPD in infants with exomphalos. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with gastroschisis or exomphalos had lower CRTAs than controls suggesting both groups had abnormal antenatal lung development. The CRTA was lower in the exomphalos infants who also had worse respiratory outcomes, hence CRTA assessment may a useful prognostic aid.

Mode of administration influences plasma levels of active Centella asiatica compounds in 5xFAD mice while markers of neuroinflammation remain unaltered.

Introduction: A water extract of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban [Apiaceae] (CAW) has demonstrated cognitive-enhancing effects in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and aging, the magnitude of which is influenced by whether CAW is delivered in the drinking water or the diet. These cognitive benefits are accompanied by improvements in oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in the brain, two pathways related to the neuroinflammatory response. The effect of CAW on neuroinflammation, however, has not been directly studied. Here, we investigated the effect of CAW on neuroinflammation in 5xFAD mice and compared plasma levels of CAW's active compounds following two modes of CAW administration. Methods: Eight-to-nine-month-old male and female 5xFAD mice and their wild-type littermates were administered CAW in their diet or drinking water (0 or 1,000 mg/kg/day) for five weeks. Immunohistochemistry was performed for ß-amyloid (Aß), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin I (GSL I) in the cortex and hippocampus. Gene expression of inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNFα, IL-1ß, TREM2, AIF1, CX3CR1, CX3CL1, CD36, C3AR1, RAGE, CCR6, CD3E) was measured in the deep grey matter. Results: CAW decreased cortical Aß plaque burden in female 5xFAD mice administered CAW in the drinking water but had no effect on Aß plaques in other treatment groups. CAW did not impact elevated levels of GFAP or GSL I in 5xFAD mice, regardless of sex, brain region, or mode of CAW administration. In the deep grey matter, CAW increased C3AR1 expression in 5xFAD females administered CAW in the drinking water and decreased IL-1ß expression in 5xFAD males administered CAW in the diet. CAW had no effect, however, on gene expression levels of any other inflammatory mediator in the deep grey, for either sex or mode of CAW administration. Mice administered CAW in the drinking water versus the diet had significantly higher plasma levels of CAW compounds. Discussion: CAW had little impact on the neuroinflammatory markers selected for evaluation in the present study, suggesting that the cognitive benefits of CAW may not be mediated by an anti-inflammatory effect or that additional molecular markers are needed to fully characterize the effect of CAW on neuroinflammation.

Case report: Adult with bipolar disorder and autism treated with ketamine assisted psychotherapy.

Background: Evidence has increased in recent years regarding the potential for ketamine to serve as a novel treatment option for a range of conditions, particularly depression (unipolar and bipolar). However, research regarding ketamine as a potential therapeutic for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is lacking, despite high overlap with bipolar depression and theoretical foundations for its use. Case presentation: A 29-year-old man with bipolar disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, type 2 diabetes, presented with mood swings and suicidal thoughts, and anger outbursts occurring daily. The patient was referred by a psychiatrist due to irritability and outbursts during the previous 5 months. These outbursts were unable to be controlled by the medications prescribed, included yelling and screaming, and the patient was unable to speak with the psychiatrist. The patient underwent ketamine assisted psychotherapy with 6 initial IV infusions of ketamine over a 1 month period followed by 2 booster IV ketamine infusions. Following ketamine treatment, dramatic reductions in outbursts were observed as well as reductions in anxiety, suicidality, and depression scores. Conclusion: This case study adds to the scant literature regarding ketamine treatment for individuals with bipolar disorder and ASD. We did not find ASD to be a contraindication for IV ketamine and ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Reductions in anger outbursts, anxiety, suicidality, and depression suggest ketamine treatment might be tailored to individuals with bipolar disorder and ASD, and additional systematized research is warranted. Although potential mechanisms of action are not clear, these data add to the discussion regarding clinical practice considerations and the potential for ketamine to improve quality of life and associated metrics.

Prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia by the chest radiographic thoracic area on day one in infants with exomphalos.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if infants with exomphalos had abnormal antenatal lung growth as indicated by lower chest radiographic thoracic areas (CRTA) on day one compared to controls and whether the CRTA could predict the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). METHODS: Infants with exomphalos cared for between January 2004 and January 2023 were included. The controls were term, newborn infants ventilated for absent respiratory drive at birth, without lung disease and had no supplemental oxygen requirement by 6 h of age. The radiographs were imported as digital image files by Sectra PACS software (Sectra AB, Linköping, Sweden). Free-hand tracing of the perimeter of the thoracic area was undertaken and the CRTA calculated by the software. RESULTS: Sixty-four infants with exomphalos and 130 controls were included. Infants with exomphalos had a lower median (IQR) CRTA (1,983 [1,657-2,471] mm2) compared to controls (2,547 [2,153-2,932] mm2, p<0.001). Following multivariable regression analysis, infants with exomphalos had lower CRTAs compared to controls (p=0.001) after adjusting for differences in gestational age and male sex. In the exomphalos group, the CRTAs were lower in those who developed BPD (n=14, 1,530 [1,307-1,941] mm2) compared to those who did not (2,168 [1,865-2,672], p<0.001). Following multivariable regression analysis, the CRTA was associated with BPD development (p=0.021) after adjusting for male sex and gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Lower CRTAs on day one in the exomphalos infants compared to the controls predicted BPD development.

Study protocol for a randomised cross-over trial of Neurally adjusted ventilatory Assist for Neonates with Congenital diaphragmatic hernias: the NAN-C study.

BACKGROUND: Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a mode of mechanical ventilation that delivers oxygen pressures in proportion to electrical signals of the diaphragm. The proportional assistance can be adjusted by the clinician to reduce the patient's work of breathing. Several case series of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) have shown that NAVA may reduce oxygenation index and mean airway pressures. To date, no clinical trial has compared NAVA to standard methods of mechanical ventilation for babies with CDH. METHODS: The aim of this dual-centre randomised cross-over trial is to compare post-operative NAVA with assist control ventilation (ACV) for infants with CDH. If eligible, infants will be enrolled for a ventilatory support tolerance trial (VSTT) to assess their suitability for randomisation. If clinically stable during the VSTT, infants will be randomised to receive either NAVA or ACV first in a 1:1 ratio for a 4-h period. The oxygenation index, respiratory severity score and cumulative sedative medication use will be measured. DISCUSSION: Retrospective studies comparing NAVA to ACV in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have shown the ventilatory mode may improve respiratory parameters and benefit neonates. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective cross-over trial comparing NAVA to ACV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NAN-C was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05839340  Registered on May 2023.

Sex differences in preterm respiratory morbidity: A recent whole-population study.

AIM: To determine whether there were differences between male and female infants in respiratory morbidity in a whole population of extremely preterm infants, including infants born below 24 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Retrospective whole-population study of all infants <28 weeks of gestation admitted to a neonatal unit in England from 2014 to 2019. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development was defined as any respiratory support at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. RESULTS: The 11 844 infants had a median (IQR) gestational age of 26.0 (24.9-27.1) weeks and a birth weight of 0.81 (0.67-0.96) kg. The duration of invasive ventilation was longer in male compared to female infants who were born at 24-27 completed weeks of gestation (p < 0.001), but not significantly different between male and female infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation (p = 0.446). The incidence of BPD was higher in male compared to female infants born at 24-27 weeks of gestation (p < 0.001) but not different between male and female infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation (p = 0.148). CONCLUSION: Respiratory morbidity was more pronounced in male compared to female extremely preterms, only in gestations 24-27 completed weeks. Male predominance was absent in infants born below 24 weeks of gestation.

Future Doctors From Underrepresented in Medicine Communities at the University of Utah.

Background and Objectives: Future Doctors (FD), a high school pathway program, was developed to address the lack of compositional diversity in the health professions at our health sciences campus. Methods: We obtained, analyzed, and compared data on FD student demographic and educational achievement at undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Utah and graduate programs at other institutions to non-FD students. We followed students from high school to graduate school. Results: We analyzed data from 1,897 FD participants (2014-2019). FD participants were 71% women, with 50.3% identifying as students of color. Ninety-eight students matriculated in graduate school, with 75 (76%) remaining at University of Utah and 45 (46%) attending health sciences graduate programs. Conclusions: FD student cohorts are more diverse than those in the University of Utah undergraduate and graduate programs, contributing to the diversity of those programs. More research is needed to ensure that graduate school gains are evidenced in all underrepresented groups.

A colonial-nesting seabird shows limited heart rate responses to natural variation in threats of polar bears.

Several predator-prey systems are in flux as an indirect result of climate change. In the Arctic, earlier sea-ice loss is driving polar bears (Ursus maritimus) onto land when many colonial nesting seabirds are breeding. The result is a higher threat of nest predation for birds with potential limited ability to respond. We quantified heart rate change in a large common eider (Somateria mollissima) breeding colony in the Canadian Arctic to explore their adaptive capacity to keep pace with the increasing risk of egg predation by polar bears. Eiders displayed on average higher heart rates from baseline when polar bears were within their field of view. Moreover, eiders were insensitive to variation in the distance bears were to their nests, but exhibited mild bradycardia (lowered heart rate) the longer the eider was exposed to the bear given the hen's visibility. Results indicate that a limited ability to assess the risks posed by polar bears may result in long-term fitness consequences for eiders from the increasing frequency in interactions with this predator.

Risk assessment of survival and morbidity of infants born at <24 completed weeks of gestation.

BACKGROUND: Infants born at the threshold of viability have a high risk of mortality and morbidity. The British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) provided updated guidance in 2019 advising a risk-based approach to balancing decisions about active versus redirected care at birth. AIMS: To determine survival and morbidity of infants born between 22 and 24 completed weeks of gestation. To develop a scoring system to categorise infants at birth according to risk for mortality or severe adverse outcome. METHODS: A retrospective, single centre observational study of infants who received neonatal care from 2011 to 2021. Data were collected on mortality, morbidity and two-year neurodevelopmental outcomes. Each infant was risk categorised utilising the proposed tools in the BAPM (2019) framework. A composite adverse score for either dying or surviving with severe impairment was created. RESULTS: Four infants born at 22 weeks, 49 at 23 weeks and 105 at 24 weeks of gestation were included. The mortality rate was 23.4 %. Following risk categorisation there were 8 (5.1 %) extremely high risk, 44 (27.8 %) high risk and 106 (67.1 %) moderate risk infants. The rate of dying or surviving with severe impairment for extremely high risk, high risk and moderate risk were 100 %, 88.9 % and 53 % respectively. The proportions with the composite adverse outcome differed significantly according to the risk category (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When applying a scoring system to risk categorise infants at birth, high rates of dying or surviving with severe impairment were found in infants born at 22 or 23 weeks of gestation.

Exercise Capacity in Very Low Birth Weight Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There is an association between very low birth weight (VLBW) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Aerobic fitness, measured as the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), is a good indicator of cardiopulmonary health and predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Our aim was to determine the effect of birth weight on aerobic exercise capacity and physical activity. We systematically identified studies reporting exercise capacity (VO2 max and VO2 peak) and physical activity levels in participants born at VLBW aged eighteen years or older compared to term-born controls from six databases (MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, CI NAHL, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar). Meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted using a random effect model. We screened 6202 articles and identified 15 relevant studies, 10 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. VLBW participants had a lower VO2 max compared to their term counterparts (-3.35, 95% CI: -5.23 to -1.47, p = 0.0005), as did VLBW adults who had developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (-6.08, 95% CI -11.26 to -0.90, p = 0.02). Five of nine studies reported significantly reduced self-reported physical activity levels. Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated reduced maximal aerobic exercise capacity in adults born at VLBW compared to term-born controls.

The impact of JUUL market entry on cigarette sales: evidence from a major chain retailer in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), such as the JUUL system, are nicotine products for adults who currently smoke cigarettes but are looking for an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Sales of ENDS products were legislatively acknowledged and authorized federally in Canada with the Royal Assent of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act in 2018. METHODS: With the unique dataset from a major chain retailer in Canada, we evaluated the impacts of JUUL market entry on cigarette sales across Canada from January 2017 to August 2019 using two-way fixed effects panel regression models by leveraging on the entry time variation at the city level. We conducted various robustness checks and a permutation test to validate our results. RESULTS: Our estimates suggested that JUUL market entry was, on average, significantly correlated with a 1.65% per-month decrease in cigarette sales during the initial months, and with a potentially larger impact on urban areas. Our results were robust across various specifications and tests. These findings implied that JUUL and combustible cigarettes act as economic substitutes during the study time period in Canada. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that local availability of ENDS products, such as JUUL, has the potential to reduce local cigarette consumption.

Lung function at 16-19 years in males and females born very prematurely.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if there were differences in lung function at 16-19 years of age between males and females born very prematurely. WORKING HYPOTHESIS: Females compared with males would have superior lung function and exercise capacity. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. PATIENT-SUBJECT SELECTION: Those born at less than 29 weeks of gestational age. METHODOLOGY: Lung function testing (spirometry, oscillometry, diffusion capacity, lung clearance index, and plethysmography), a shuttle sprint test for exercise capacity, and a respiratory symptoms questionnaire. RESULTS: Amongst 150 participants, males had poorer lung function compared with females with mean z score differences (95% CI [confidence interval]) after adjustment: forced expiratory flow at 75% (FEF75 ) (-0.60 [-0.97,-0.24]), forced expiratory flow at 50% (FEF50 ) (-0.39 [-0.72,-0.07]), forced expiratory flow at 25%-75% (FEF25-75 ) (-0.62 [-0.98,-0.26]), the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first one second to the forced vital capacity of the lungs (FEV1 :FVC ratio) (-0.71 [-1.09,-0.34]), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (-0.41 [-0.78,-0.03]), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide divided by alveolar volume (DLCO/VA) (-0.57 [-0.86,-0.28]). Exercise capacity and self-reported exercise were both significantly better in males than females (46% males achieving between 1250 and 1500 m shuttle sprint distance vs. 4.8% females) and 74% males versus 67% females undertaking some exercise. There were no significant differences by sex in the prevalence of either wheeze or current asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Males had poorer lung function than females at age 16-19 years, but their exercise capacity was superior to females.

The prevention and management strategies for neonatal chronic lung disease.

INTRODUCTION: Survival from even very premature birth is improving, but long-term respiratory morbidity following neonatal chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)) has not reduced. Affected infants may require supplementary oxygen at home, because they have more hospital admissions particularly due to viral infections and frequent, troublesome respiratory symptoms requiring treatment. Furthermore, adolescents and adults who had BPD have poorer lung function and exercise capacity. AREAS COVERED: Antenatal and postnatal preventative strategies and management of infants with BPD. A literature review was undertaken using PubMed and Web of Science. EXPERT OPINION: There are effective preventative strategies which include caffeine, postnatal corticosteroids, vitamin A, and volume guarantee ventilation. Side-effects, however, have appropriately caused clinicians to reduce use of systemically administered corticosteroids to infants only at risk of severe BPD. Promising preventative strategies which need further research are surfactant with budesonide, less invasive surfactant administration (LISA), neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and stem cells. The management of infants with established BPD is under-researched and should include identifying the optimum form of respiratory support on the neonatal unit and at home and which infants will most benefit in the long term from pulmonary vasodilators, diuretics, and bronchodilators.

Closed-loop oxygen system in late preterm/term, ventilated infants with different severities of respiratory disease.

AIM: To evaluate closed-loop automated oxygen control (CLAC) in ventilated infants >33 weeks of gestation with different respiratory disease severities. METHODS: Infants were studied on two consecutive days for 6 h each day. They were randomised to receive standard care or standard care with CLAC (Oxygenie) first. Analyses were performed of the results of infants with or without an FiO2 ≥ 0.3 and infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). RESULTS: Thirty-one infants with a median (IQR) gestational age of 37.9 (37.1-38.9) weeks were studied at a median postmenstrual age (IQR) of 38.9 (37.4-39.8) weeks. In infants with an FiO2 ≥ 0.3 (n = 8), CLAC increased the time spent in target oxygen range (92-96%) by 61.6% (p = 0.018), whereas in infants with an FiO2 < 0.3, the time in target was increased by 3.8% (p = 0.019). During CLAC, only infants with an FiO2 ≥ 0.3 spent less time in hyperoxemia (SpO2 > 96%) (p = 0.012) and hyperoxemic episodes were shorter (p = 0.012). In both groups, CLAC reduced the duration of desaturations (SpO2 < 92%, p < 0.001). In CDH infants, CLAC increased the time spent in target oxygen range by 34% (p = 0.036) and the median duration of desaturations was reduced (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: CLAC may be more useful in infants with more severe respiratory distress.

Closed-loop automated oxygen control in ventilated infants born at or near term: A crossover trial.

AIM: To determine if the use of closed-loop automated oxygen control (CLAC) reduced the incidence and duration of hypoxemic episodes (SpO2  < 92%) in ventilated infants born at or above 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Infants were studied on two consecutive days for 6 h each day. They were randomised to receive standard care (manual oxygen control) or standard care with a CLAC system (automated oxygen control) first. RESULTS: Sixteen infants with a median (IQR) gestational age of 37.4 (36.6-38.8) weeks were studied at a median (IQR) postmenstrual age of 38.8 (37.4-39.8) weeks. During the automated oxygen control period, infants spent less time in hypoxemia (SpO2  < 92%) (p = 0.033), episodes of desaturation were shorter (p = 0.001), the time spent within target SpO2 range (92%-96%) was increased (p = 0.001), and the FiO2 delivery was lower (p = 0.018). The time spent in hyperoxemia (SpO2  > 96%) was reduced during automated oxygen control (p = 0.011), the episodes of hyperoxemia were of shorter duration (p = 0.008) and fewer manual adjustments were made to the FiO2 (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Closed-loop automated oxygen control in ventilated infants born at or near term was associated with a reduction in the incidence and duration of hypoxemic episodes with more time spent in the target oxygen range.

Airwave oscillometry and spirometry in children with asthma or wheeze.

OBJECTIVE: Lung function testing is used in diagnosing asthma and assessing asthma control. Spirometry is most commonly used, but younger children can find performing this test challenging. Non-volitional tests such as airwave oscillometry (AOS) may be helpful in that population. We compared the success of spirometry and AOS in assessing bronchodilator responsiveness in children. METHODS: AOS was conducted alongside routine lung function testing. Resistance at 5 Hz (R5), the difference between the resistance at 5 and 20 Hz (R5-20) and the area under the reactance curve (AX) were assessed. Patients between 5 and 16 years old attending clinic with wheeze or asthma were assessed. Patients performed AOS, followed by spirometry and were then given 400 µg salbutamol; the tests were repeated 15 minutes later. RESULTS: Lung function testing was performed in 47 children of whom 46 (98%) and 32 (68%) performed acceptable baseline oscillometry and spirometry, respectively (p < 0.001). Children unable to perform acceptable spirometry were younger (7.35, range: 5.4-10.3 years) than those who could (10.4, range: 5.5-16.9 years), p < 0.001. The baseline z-scores of AOS R5 correlated with FEV1 (r = 0.499, p = 0.004), FEF75 (r = 0.617, p < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC (r = 0.618, p < 0.001). There was a positive bronchodilator response assessed by spirometry (change in FEV1 ≥ 12%) in eight children which corresponded to a change in R5 of 36% (range: 30%-50%) and a change in X5 of 39% (range: 15%-54%). CONCLUSIONS: Oscillometry is a useful adjunct to spirometry in assessing young asthmatic children's lung function. The degree of airway obstruction, however, might affect the comparability of the results of the two techniques.