Interpretando la función pulmonar. Una perspectiva para el siglo XXI desde la Neumología pediátrica / No disponible

Las pruebas de función pulmonar son básicas para el diagnóstico y seguimiento del paciente respiratorio. Su correcta interpretación es fundamental para distinguir lo normal de lo patológico. La aparición de las primeras ecuaciones globales para todas las edades (Global Lung Initiative [GLI]-2012) supone un reto para cualquier médico encargado de interpretar una espirometría, no solo por los cambios "numéricos" esperables al utilizar otros patrones de referencia, sino por la necesidad de expresar los resultados como desviaciones de la media (z-scores) y abandonar el clásico porcentaje sobre el valor predicho. La visión de los pediatras neumólogos, acostumbrados a trabajar con pacientes en constante cambio, puede ayudar a entender la necesidad de este tipo de ecuaciones. Este artículo pretende revisar el concepto de normalidad, los parámetros necesarios para interpretar una espirometría, las características ideales de una ecuación de referencia y las bondades y defectos de las nuevas ecuaciones GLI-2012

Pulmonary function tests are basic in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory patients. The proper interpretation of these tests is essential to distinguish normal from pathological. The first global equations for all ages (Global Lung Initiative [GLI]-2012) poses a challenge for any physician responsible for interpreting spirometry, not only due to the "numerical" changes expected when using a new reference equation, but also because of the need to express the results as deviations from the mean (z-scores) and leave the classical percentage of the predicted value. The view of the paediatric pulmonologists, who are used to working with patients in constant evolution, can help to understand the need for this type of equations. This article reviews the concept of normality, the parameters required to interpret a spirometry, the ideal characteristics of a reference equation and the virtues and defects of the new GLI-2012 equations

Cuestiones prácticas en el tratamiento del asma en la infancia. Respuestas desde la evidencia científica / Practical issues in the treatment of childhood asthma. An evidence based approach

El asma es un conjunto heterogéneo de enfermedades que se manifiestan por episodios recurrentes de sibilancias, tos, sensación de falta de aire y opresión torácica. Las características únicas del asma infantil hacen que su clasificación, diagnóstico y tratamiento difieran sustancialmente del asma del adulto, sobre todo en la edad preescolar. Esto genera dudas y dificultades en el manejo de estos pacientes, que en la mayoría de los casos puede realizarse desde atención primaria sin necesidad de derivar al paciente al especialista. El presente artículo ofrece una revisión actual de la literatura científica, estructurado en preguntas de interés clínico enfocadas al pediatra de atención primaria, que abarcan desde el tratamiento del paciente asmático en función de la edad a aspectos más concretos como el asma de esfuerzo, los sistemas de inhalación o la seguridad de los fármacos empleados (AU)

Asthma is a heterogeneous group of diseases manifested by recurrent episodes of wheezing, cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. The unique features of childhood asthma make its classification, diagnosis and treatment differ substantially from adult asthma, particularly in the preschool age. This creates doubts and difficulties in managing these patients, which can be done in most cases in the Primary Care setting, without referral to the specialist. This paper provides a current review of the scientific literature, structured in questions of clinical interest for the Primary Care Pediatrician, ranging from the treatment of asthmatic patients according to age to more concrete aspects such as exercise induced asthma, inhalation devices or safety of the anti-asthmatic drugs (AU)

Sección de Neumología del H. Infantil Universitario Niños Jesús / Pulmonology Section H. University Children Child Jesus

La actividad asistencial e investigadora se centra principalmente en el asma, la fibrosis quística, la función pulmonar y el síndrome de apnea-hipopnea del sueño (AU)

The care and investigator activity mainly focuses on asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary function and sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (AU)

Patrones espirométricos en la disfunción de cuerdas vocales / Spirometry patterns in vocal cord dysfunction

Introducción: La disfunción de cuerdas vocales (DCV) es una enfermedad poco frecuente caracterizada por un cierre paradójico de las cuerdas vocales, habitualmente en la inspiración. Produce una obstrucción de la vía respiratoria que provoca disnea y estridor. La alteración espirométrica más frecuentemente descrita es el aplanamiento de la curva inspiratoria, aunque es posible encontrar también aplanamiento del asa espiratoria. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las características espirométricas más frecuentes de la DCV y, de forma secundaria, describir las características clínicas, demográficas y el tratamiento seguido en los pacientes con un diagnóstico definitivo de DCV. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los casos de DCV entre 2000 y 2010. Se consideró definitivo el diagnóstico cuando se evidenció el cierre paradójico de las cuerdas vocales en la laringoscopia. Se realizó una prueba de esfuerzo sobre tapiz rodante para provocar los síntomas. Se recogieron los datos clínicos y demográficos y se estudiaron las curvas de espirometría forzada. Resultados: De 36 casos sospechosos, se confirmó la DCV en 11 (30,5%), con una edad media 13,5 años; 10 eran mujeres. Se encontraron posibles desencadenantes en 5 de los pacientes. Seis pacientes presentaban antecedentes de asma. Todos los pacientes presentaron aplanamiento de la curva inspiratoria y 9 de ellos (81%) también de la espiratoria. Solo 4 pacientes presentaron una ratio entre los flujos espiratorio e inspiratorio máximos al 50% de la capacidad vital forzada (MEF50%/MIF50%) > 2,2. Conclusiones: Aunque la alteración espirométrica más frecuente en la DCV es el aplanamiento de la curva inspiratoria, un porcentaje importante de pacientes presentan aplanamiento también de la curva espiratoria. Este hecho podría invalidar la ratio MEF50%/MIF50% para el diagnóstico de DCV(AU)

Introduction: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a rare disease characterized by a paradoxical closure of the vocal cords, usually in inspiration, that causes dyspnea and stridor. The spirometry pattern that is more often described is a plateau in the inspiratory curve, but it can be also found in the expiratory loop The aim of this study was to evaluate the most common spirometry characteristics of patients with VCD and, secondarily, to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics and the treatment of patients with a definitive diagnosis of this disease. Material and methods: A retrospective study was made of cases of VCD between 2000 and 2010. Diagnosis was considered definitive when a paradoxical closure of the vocal cords became clear on laryngoscopy. Exercise challenge on a treadmill was performed to produce symptoms. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and flow-volume curves were studied. Results: Of 36 suspected cases, VCD was confirmed in 11 (30.5%). The mean age was 13.5 years, 10 were female. Possible triggers were found in 5 patients. Six patients had a previous history of asthma. All patients had a plateau in the inspiratory curve, and 9 (81%) of them also in the expiratory loop. Only 4 patients had a ratio between maximum inspiratory and expiratory flows at 50% of forced vital capacity (MEF50%/MIF50%) > 2.2. Conclusions: Although the most frequent spirometry pattern in VCD is a plateau in the inspiratory curve, a significant percentage of patients also have a plateau in the expiratory curve. This could invalidate the MEF50%/MIF50% ratio for the diagnosis of VCD(AU)

[Spirometry patterns in vocal cord dysfunction]. / Patrones espirométricos en la disfunción de cuerdas vocales.

INTRODUCTION: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a rare disease characterized by a paradoxical closure of the vocal cords, usually in inspiration, that causes dyspnea and stridor. The spirometry pattern that is more often described is a plateau in the inspiratory curve, but it can be also found in the expiratory loop The aim of this study was to evaluate the most common spirometry characteristics of patients with VCD and, secondarily, to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics and the treatment of patients with a definitive diagnosis of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made of cases of VCD between 2000 and 2010. Diagnosis was considered definitive when a paradoxical closure of the vocal cords became clear on laryngoscopy. Exercise challenge on a treadmill was performed to produce symptoms. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and flow-volume curves were studied. RESULTS: Of 36 suspected cases, VCD was confirmed in 11 (30.5%). The mean age was 13.5 years, 10 were female. Possible triggers were found in 5 patients. Six patients had a previous history of asthma. All patients had a plateau in the inspiratory curve, and 9 (81%) of them also in the expiratory loop. Only 4 patients had a ratio between maximum inspiratory and expiratory flows at 50% of forced vital capacity (MEF50%/MIF50%) > 2.2. CONCLUSIONS: Although the most frequent spirometry pattern in VCD is a plateau in the inspiratory curve, a significant percentage of patients also have a plateau in the expiratory curve. This could invalidate the MEF50%/MIF50% ratio for the diagnosis of VCD.

Arritmias auriculares y ventriculares en lactante con tos ferina / Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in a child with whooping cough

No disponible

Estudio de la función pulmonar en niños tras neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en edad preescolar / Pulmonary function in children following community-acquired pneumonia contracted at pre-school age

Objetivo: Algunas publicaciones han relacionado alteraciones de la función pulmonar (FP) en la edad adulta con la presencia de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) en la infancia. El objetivo de este estudio es describir la FP en niños tras una NAC. Nuestra hipótesis es que la NAC en niños preescolares no afecta a la FP una vez resuelta. Material y métodos: Se estudió la FP en una cohorte de niños que previamente habían presentado NAC en edad preescolar que requirió ingreso. Se seleccionó a niños mayores de 4 años para asegurar una adecuada colaboración y se realizó en todos ellos una espirometría forzada. Resultados: Se seleccionó a 49 pacientes, 42 (85,7%) realizaron correctamente las pruebas de FP. Todos se encontraban asintomáticos en el momento de la investigación. La edad media ± desviación estándar en el momento de realización del estudio fue 6,6±1,2 años. Veinticinco (54,3%) eran varones. El tiempo medio entre la NAC y la determinación de la función pulmonar fue 19,5±7,6 meses. Los valores obtenidos con respecto al teórico fueron (media ± desviación estándar): volumen forzado en el primer segundo 107,73±14,56% y capacidad vital forzada 101,6±15,35. Conclusiones: La FP en los niños que han tenido una NAC en edad preescolar es normal tras la resolución de la misma, por lo que no se considera necesario realizar de rutina estudios ni seguimiento de la FP posterior (AU)

Aim: Some studies relate pulmonary function (PF) during adult life to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) suffered during infancy. The aim of the present work was to evaluate PF in children following CAP, contracted at pre-school age, which required hospitalisation. The hypothesis was that, once resolved, CAP in pre-school age children does not affect PF; further monitoring should therefore be unnecessary. Methods and Materials: PF was studied in a cohort of children who had suffered CAP at pre-school age, for which they were hospitalised. Children aged over 4 years were selected to try to ensure adequate collaboration, and a forced spirometry test was attempted in all of them. Results: Of the initial 49 patients, 42 (85.7%) correctly performed the forced spirometry test. All were asymptomatic at the time of examination. The mean age of these patients was 6,6±1,2 years; 25 were boys (54,3%). The mean time between CAP and the test was 19,5±7,6 months. The results (mean ± SD) obtained with respect to theoretical values were: forced respiratory volume in the first second 107.73±14.56% and forced vital capacity 101,6±15,35%. Conclusions: The PF of children who have suffered CAP at pre-school age is normal following the resolution of the condition. No further PF studies are required after CAP resolves (AU)

[Pulmonary function in children following community-acquired pneumonia contracted at pre-school age]. / Estudio de la función pulmonar en niños tras neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en edad preescolar.

AIM: Some studies relate pulmonary function (PF) during adult life to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) suffered during infancy. The aim of the present work was to evaluate PF in children following CAP, contracted at pre-school age, which required hospitalisation. The hypothesis was that, once resolved, CAP in pre-school age children does not affect PF; further monitoring should therefore be unnecessary. METHODS AND MATERIALS: PF was studied in a cohort of children who had suffered CAP at pre-school age, for which they were hospitalised. Children aged over 4 years were selected to try to ensure adequate collaboration, and a forced spirometry test was attempted in all of them. RESULTS: Of the initial 49 patients, 42 (85.7%) correctly performed the forced spirometry test. All were asymptomatic at the time of examination. The mean age of these patients was 6,6 ± 1,2 years; 25 were boys (54,3%). The mean time between CAP and the test was 19,5 ± 7,6 months. The results (mean ± SD) obtained with respect to theoretical values were: forced respiratory volume in the first second 107.73 ± 14.56% and forced vital capacity 101,6 ± 15,35%. CONCLUSIONS: The PF of children who have suffered CAP at pre-school age is normal following the resolution of the condition. No further PF studies are required after CAP resolves.