Rinitis alérgica en pediatría: recomendaciones para su diagnóstico y tratamiento / Allergic rhinitis in pediatrics: recommendations for diagnosis and treatment

La rinitis alérgica (RA) es una de las enfermedades crónicas más frecuentes de la infancia. Sin embargo, permanece subdiagnosticada y subtratada. Su prevalencia ha aumentado en los últimos años y varía del 2 % al 25 %. Los síntomas de la RA incluyen estornudos, prurito, rinorrea y congestión nasal. Un correcto diagnóstico y tratamiento de la RA y sus comorbilidades, tales como rinosinusitis con o sin poliposis nasal, conjuntivitis, otitis media, asma bronquial e infecciones del tracto respiratorio, son importantes para reducir el impacto negativo en la afectación de la calidad de vida del paciente y sus familiares, y los gastos sanitarios que ocasiona. La inmunoterapia alérgeno específica, en pacientes correctamente seleccionados, previene nuevas sensibilizaciones y reduce la hiperreactividad bronquial asociada a la RA. Considerando todos estos factores, el Comité Nacional de Alergia de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría propone recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia actual.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. However, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Its prevalence has increased in recent years and varies from 2 to 25 %. Symptoms include sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion. A correct diagnosis and treatment of AR and its comorbidities such as rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, bronchial asthma and respiratory tract infections, are important to reduce the negative impact on the quality of life of the patient and their relatives, and in medical costs. Specific allergen immunotherapy, in correctly selected patients, prevents new sensitizations and reduces bronchial hyperreactivity associated with AR. Taking into account all these reasons, the National Allergy Committee of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría proposes current evidence based recommendations

[Allergic rhinitis in pediatrics: recommendations for diagnosis and treatment]. / Rinitis alérgica en pediatría: recomendaciones para su diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. However, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Its prevalence has increased in recent years and varies from 2 to 25 %. Symptoms include sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion. A correct diagnosis and treatment of AR and its comorbidities such as rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, bronchial asthma and respiratory tract infections, are important to reduce the negative impact on the quality of life of the patient and their relatives, and in medical costs. Specific allergen immunotherapy, in correctly selected patients, prevents new sensitizations and reduces bronchial hyperreactivity associated with AR. Taking into account all these reasons, the National Allergy Committee of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría proposes current evidence based recommendations.

La rinitis alérgica (RA) es una de las enfermedades crónicas más frecuentes de la infancia. Sin embargo, permanece subdiagnosticada y subtratada. Su prevalencia ha aumentado en los últimos años y varía del 2 % al 25 %. Los síntomas de la RA incluyen estornudos, prurito, rinorrea y congestión nasal. Un correcto diagnóstico y tratamiento de la RA y sus comorbilidades, tales como rinosinusitis con o sin poliposis nasal, conjuntivitis, otitis media, asma bronquial e infecciones del tracto respiratorio, son importantes para reducir el impacto negativo en la afectación de la calidad de vida del paciente y sus familiares, y los gastos sanitarios que ocasiona. La inmunoterapia alérgeno específica, en pacientes correctamente seleccionados, previene nuevas sensibilizaciones y reduce la hiperreactividad bronquial asociada a la RA. Considerando todos estos factores, el Comité Nacional de Alergia de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría propone recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia actual.

Sibilancias recurrentes: prevalencia y factores asociados en lactantes de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Recurrent wheezing: prevalence and associated factors in infants from Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Resumen: Introducción: Los episodios de obstrucción bronquial a temprana edad constituyen un problema frecuente en pediatría. El objetivo de este estudio, además de conocer la prevalencia de sibilancias recurrentes en lactantes de Buenos Aires, fue identificar los factores asociados. Métodos: Estudio de tipo transversal realizado durante 2011 y 2012, en el Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, como parte del Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes, mediante una encuesta validada para padres de lactantes de 12 a 15 meses. Se evaluó la prevalencia de sibilancias, fundamentalmente de tipo recurrentes (tres o más episodios) y los posibles factores asociados. El análisis estadístico se realizó por prueba de χ2, prueba de Fisher y análisis de regresión logística univariada y multivariada. El nivel de significación fue de 0.05. Resultados: De 1063 lactantes, el 58.9% (intervalo de confianza (IC) 95% 55.9-61.9) presentaron al menos un episodio de sibilancia y el 26.3% (IC 95% 23.8-29.9), tres o más episodios (sibilancias recurrentes). Los factores vinculados a padecer al menos un episodio de sibilancia fueron el sexo masculino (p = 0.001), seis o más resfríos en el primer año (p < 0.0001), edad del primer resfrío < 4 meses (p < 0.0001), neumonía (p < 0.0001), tabaquismo durante el embarazo (p = 0.01). Los factores relacionados con sibilancias recurrentes fueron seis o más resfríos en el primer año de vida (p < 0.0001), tener el primer episodio de sibilancia antes del cuarto mes de vida (p < 0.0001) y sibilancias nocturnas (p < 0.0001). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sibilancias recurrentes en Buenos Aires es alta (26.3%). Algunos de los factores asociados serían prevenibles.

Abstract: Background: The episodes of bronchial obstruction at early age constitute a frequent problem in Pediatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of recurrent wheezing in infants in Buenos Aires City, as well as to identify any associated factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study performed from 2011 to 2012 in the Children Hospital Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires City, as part of the International Study of Wheezing in Infants. A validated questionnaire was applied to parents of infants aged between 12 and 15 months. The prevalence of wheezing, mostly the recurrent episodes (three or more), and their probable associated factors were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed with χ2, Fisher's test, binary and logistics multiple regression analysis. The significance level was 0.05. Results: Over 1063 infants, 58.9% (confidence interval (CI) 95% 55.9-61.9) presented at least one episode of wheezing and 26.3% (CI95% 23.8-29.9) three or more episodes (recurrent wheezing). Risk factors associated to wheezing were male gender (p = 0.001), six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p < 0.0001), age at first cold < 4 months (p < 0.0001); pneumonia (p < 0.0001) and smoking during pregnancy (tobacco) (p = 0.01). For recurrent wheezing, risk factors we considered as six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p < 0.0001), early (< 4 month of age) onset wheezing (p < 0.0001) and nocturnal wheezing (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The prevalence of recurrent wheezing among infants in Buenos Aires Ciy was high (26.3%). Some identified associated factors can be preventable.

[Recurrent wheezing: prevalence and associated factors in infants from Buenos Aires City, Argentina]. / Sibilancias recurrentes: prevalencia y factores asociados en lactantes de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The episodes of bronchial obstruction at early age constitute a frequent problem in Pediatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of recurrent wheezing in infants in Buenos Aires City, as well as to identify any associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed from 2011 to 2012 in the Children Hospital Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires City, as part of the International Study of Wheezing in Infants. A validated questionnaire was applied to parents of infants aged between 12 and 15 months. The prevalence of wheezing, mostly the recurrent episodes (three or more), and their probable associated factors were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed with χ2, Fisher's test, binary and logistics multiple regression analysis. The significance level was 0.05. RESULTS: Over 1063 infants, 58.9% (confidence interval (CI) 95% 55.9-61.9) presented at least one episode of wheezing and 26.3% (CI95% 23.8-29.9) three or more episodes (recurrent wheezing). Risk factors associated to wheezing were male gender (p=0.001), six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p <0.0001), age at first cold <4 months (p <0.0001); pneumonia (p <0.0001) and smoking during pregnancy (tobacco) (p=0.01). For recurrent wheezing, risk factors we considered as six or more episodes of cold during the first year of life (p <0.0001), early (< 4 month of age) onset wheezing (p <0.0001) and nocturnal wheezing (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of recurrent wheezing among infants in Buenos Aires Ciy was high (26.3%). Some identified associated factors can be preventable.