Salbutamol and ipratropium by inhaler is superior to nebulizer in children with severe acute asthma exacerbation: Randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: In moderate-severe asthma exacerbation, salbutamol by inhaler (MDI) is superior to salbutamol delivered by nebulizer (NEB); however, to our knowledge, no studies in children with exclusively severe exacerbations were performed. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of salbutamol and ipratropium bromide by MDI versus by NEB in severe asthma exacerbations. METHODS: We performed a clinical trial enrolling 103 children (2-14 years of age) with severe asthma exacerbations (defined by the Pulmonary Score ≥ 7) seen at the emergency room in Asuncion, Paraguay. One group received salbutamol and ipratropium (two puff every 10 min for 2 h and then every 30 min for 2 h more) by MDI with a valved-holding chamber and mask along with oxygen by a cannula separately (MDI-SIB); and the other received nebulization with oxygen (NEB-SIB) of salbutamol and ipratropium (1 every 20 min for 2 h and then every 30 min for 2 h more). Primary outcome was the rate of hospitalization (Pulmonary Score ≥ 7) after 4 h and secondary outcome was oxygen saturation. RESULTS: Fifty two children received MDI-SIB and 51 NEB-SIB. After the 4th hour, children on MDI-SIB had significantly (P = 0.003) lower rate of hospital admission than on NEB-SIB (5.8% vs 27.5%, RR: 0.21 [0.06-0.69], respectively). Similarly, a significant improved clinical score after 60 min and increase in oxygen saturation after 90 min of treatment was observed in MDI-SIB versus NEB-SIB group (4.46 ± 0.7 vs 5.76 ± 0.65, P < 0.00001; and 90.5 ± 1.7 vs 88.43 1 ± 1, P < 0.00001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Even in severe asthma exacerbations administration of salbutamol and ipratropium by MDI with valved-holding chamber and mask along with oxygen by a cannula separately was more effective than by a nebulizer.

Chlamydia pneumoniae, and mycoplasma pneumoniae: Are they related to severe asthma in childhood?

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are frequent agents of acute respiratory diseases and they have been recognized as infectious triggers of asthma. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of these triggers and their relationship to severe asthma. METHODS: 82 patients were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study from January 2007 to March 2013 and they were divided into three study groups: Group 1: 27 children with severe asthma, Group 2: 29 children with stable asthma and Group 3: 26 children which was the control group. Serological tests included IgG and IgM for both C. pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae. RESULTS: Average age ± SD was 10.9 ± 2.5 for Group 1; 10.1 ± 2.9 for Group 2 and 9.9± 1.9 for Group 3 (p = 0.4). M. pneumoniae IgM was observed in 6/27 (22.2%) in Group 1, 2/29 (6.9%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in the Control Group (p = 0,01). C.pneumoniae IgM was present in 7/26 (26.9%) in Group 1, 2/29 (6.9%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in Group 3 (p = 0.005). No significant difference was observed between Group 2 and Group 3. M. pneumoniae IgG was observed in 7/27 (25.9%) in Group 1, 4/29 (13.7%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in the Control Group (p < 0,05). C.pneumoniae IgG was present in 8/26 (30.7%) in Group 1, 5/29 (17.2%) in Group 2 and 0/26 in Group 3 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONS: M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae may play a role in the development of severe asthma.

Infecciones respiratorias altas y bajas por Chlamydia trachomatis en recién nacidos y lactantes: riesgos y resultados / Upper- and lower-respiratory tract infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis in newborns and infants: risks and results

Introducción: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) es una bacteria causante de una infección asociada, con un amplio rango de manifestaciones clínicas que afectan las vías respiratorias altas y bajas en infantes, que pueden ir de un cuadro leve a severo, tales como congestión nasal, rinitis, neumonía y apnea. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y presentar resultados de estudios realizados a recién nacidos y lactantes que presentan enfermedad respiratoria alta y baja. Materiales y Métodos: Desde 1997 al 2010 los recién nacidos y lactantes con dificultad para alimentarse y distress respiratorio que han consultado en dos instituciones, fueron evaluados con IFD para detectar anticuerpos fluorescentes directos contra C. trachmatis, por medio de aspirados naso-faríngeos. Los pacientes con resultados positivos recibieron tratamiento y fueron seguidos con controles hasta el año de edad. Resultados: Cincuenta y un pacientes dieron resultado positivo para CT. El promedio de edad materna fue de 28±4. Edad gestacional fue 38±1 semanas. Pre-términos (34-•36 EG). Edad media de inicio de los síntomas 16,6 ± 14.2 semanas con un rango de 1-62 días. Rinitis fue observado en 56.9%, apnea en 7.8%, han debutado como síndrome bronquial obstructivo (SBO) en 11.8%, bronquiolitis en 9.8% y taquipnea transitoria en el 2%. Hospitalización fue necesaria en el 45,1 %, y 23,5% en UTI. SBO recurrente fue observado en un total de 47,1% al año de edad. Conclusión: Una importante morbilidad fue observada en infantes con infección por C. trachomatis, presentación de rinitis severa en recién nacidos, episodios de SBO, resultando en un alto porcentaje de admisión hospitalaria y en UTI.