Physical activity and asthma control level in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by a muscle contraction with increased energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to assess the physical activity, asthma control level, spirometric measurements and quality of life in children and adolescents with asthma. METHODS: We included all children and adolescents aged 7-17 years who had a diagnosis of atopic asthma and who attended the Pediatric Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of the State University of Campinas, Brazil. Asthma control levels were evaluated by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and by other questions about daily activities at school and at home over the last week. Lung function was assessed by spirometry, both pre- and post-bronchodilator (BD). Quality of life was evaluated using the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, 60 were classified as presenting with controlled asthma (CA) and 40 as presenting with uncontrolled asthma (UA). In the IPAQ, 29% were classified as sedentary, 17% as active and 54% as very active. There was no significant association between physical activity and the level of asthma control. We found no differences between active and sedentary children and adolescents with asthma in spirometric variables or quality of life. CONCLUSION: No associations were observed between physical activity and asthma control level, spirometric measurements and quality of life in children and adolescents with asthma.

Recurrent wheezing in preterm infants: Prevalence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with progression to recurrent wheezing in preterm infants. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 and analyzed preterm infants born between 2011 and 2012. The search for these children was performed in a university maternity hospital and a Special Immunobiological Reference Center. The evaluation was performed through a questionnaire applied during a telephone interview. RESULTS: The study included 445 children aged 39 (18-54) months. In the univariate analysis, the risk factors with the greatest chance of recurrent wheezing were birth weight <1000g, gestational age <28 weeks, living with two or more siblings, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis in the child, as well as food allergy and asthma in the parents. In the multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between recurrent wheezing and gestational age at birth <28 weeks, food allergy and atopic dermatitis in the child, and living with two or more children. Of the 445 analyzed subjects, 194 received passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus, and 251 preterm infants were not immunized. There was a difference between the gestational age of these subgroups (p<0.001). The overall prevalence of recurrent wheezing was 27.4% (95% CI: 23.42-31.70), whereas in the children who received passive immunization it was 36.1% (95% CI: 29.55-43.03). CONCLUSIONS: Personal history of atopy, lower gestational age, and living with two or more children had a significant association with recurrent wheezing. Children with lower gestational age who received passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus had a higher prevalence of recurrent wheezing than the group with higher gestational age.

Lung disease and vitamin D levels in cystic fibrosis infants and preschoolers.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D acts on the immune system and lung response. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be deficient in this vitamin. The aims of the study were to evaluate vitamin D levels and severity of lung disease in infants and preschoolers diagnosed with CF, and to compare them to a group of children without pancreatic insufficiency (PI). METHODS: Patients with CF up to 4 years old were included, and compared to an age-matched group of children without diagnosis of CF. CF group had medical records and High Resolution Thorax Computed Tomography (HRCCT) evaluated in order to verify the severity of lung disease. Information on demographic data, sun exposure habits, supplemental vitamin D therapy, and on the season at the time of vitamin D sampling were collected for both groups. RESULTS: This study included 45 patients in the CF group and 102 in the non-CF group, with no differences in age (P = 0.327) between them. There was no association between vitamin D levels and markers of lung disease in the CF group. The non-CF group had lower daily sun exposure (P = 0.034), and lower supplementation than the CF group (P < 0.001). Supplementation and seasonality were the determinant variables for vitamin D levels, which were lower for non-supplemented children and for assessments during fall/winter. CONCLUSION: There was no association between lung disease severity and vitamin D levels in CF group. Supplementation and seasonality were associated to higher vitamin levels.

Recurrent wheezing in preterm infants: Prevalence and risk factors / Sibilância recorrente em prematuros: prevalência e fatores de risco

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with progression to recurrent wheezing in preterm infants. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 and analyzed preterm infants born between 2011 and 2012. The search for these children was performed in a university maternity hospital and a Special Immunobiological Reference Center. The evaluation was performed through a questionnaire applied during a telephone interview. Results: The study included 445 children aged 39 (18-54) months. In the univariate analysis, the risk factors with the greatest chance of recurrent wheezing were birth weight <1000 g, gestational age <28 weeks, living with two or more siblings, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis in the child, as well as food allergy and asthma in the parents. In the multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between recurrent wheezing and gestational age at birth <28 weeks, food allergy and atopic dermatitis in the child, and living with two or more children. Of the 445 analyzed subjects, 194 received passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus, and 251 preterm infants were not immunized. There was a difference between the gestational age of these subgroups (p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of recurrent wheezing was 27.4% (95% CI: 23.42-31.70), whereas in the children who received passive immunization it was 36.1% (95% CI: 29.55-43.03). Conclusions: Personal history of atopy, lower gestational age, and living with two or more children had a significant association with recurrent wheezing. Children with lower gestational age who received passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus had a higher prevalence of recurrent wheezing than the group with higher gestational age.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores de risco associados à evolução para sibilância recorrente em prematuros. Métodos: O estudo transversal foi feito em 2014 e 2015 e analisou crianças prematuras nascidas entre 2011 e 2012. A busca dessas crianças foi feita em maternidade de hospital universitário e em um Centro de Referência para Imunobiológicos Especiais. A avaliação foi feita por questionário dirigido em entrevista telefônica. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 445 crianças com 39 (18-54) meses de vida. Na análise univariada, os fatores de risco com maior chance de sibilância recorrente foram peso de nascimento menor do que 1.000 g, idade gestacional menor do que 28 semanas, convivência com dois ou mais irmãos, alergia alimentar e dermatite atópica na criança e alergia alimentar e asma nos pais. Na análise multivariada houve associação significativa entre sibilância recorrente e idade gestacional ao nascer menor do que 28 semanas, alergia alimentar e dermatite atópica na criança e a convivência com duas ou mais crianças. Dos 445 sujeitos analisados, 194 receberam imunização passiva contra vírus sincicial respiratório e 251 eram prematuros não imunizados. Houve diferença entre a idade gestacional desses subgrupos (p < 0,001). A prevalência geral de sibilância recorrente foi 27,4% (IC 95%: 23,42-31,70) e nas crianças que receberam a imunização passiva foi 36,1% (IC 95%: 29,55-43,03). Conclusões: História pessoal de atopia, menor idade gestacional e convivência com duas ou mais crianças apresentaram associação significativa com sibilância recorrente. As crianças com menor idade gestacional, que receberam a imunização passiva contra o vírus sincicial respiratório, apresentaram maior prevalência de sibilância recorrente que o grupo de maior idade gestacional.