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Dai D, Mei M, Hu L, Cao Y, Wang X, Wang L, Lu Y, Yang L, Dong X, Wang H, Wu B, Qian L. Prevalence of monogenic disease in paediatric patients with a predominant respiratory phenotype. Arch Dis Child 2022; 107:141-147. [PMID: 34134972 PMCID: PMC8785068 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of monogenic disease in paediatric patients with a predominant respiratory phenotype. METHODS Exome sequencing was performed in a cohort of 971 children with a predominant respiratory phenotype and suspected genetic aetiology. A total of 140 positive cases were divided into subgroups based on recruitment age and the primary biological system(s) involved. RESULTS There were 140 (14.4%) patients with a positive molecular diagnosis, and their primary clinical manifestations were respiratory distress (12.9%, 18 of 140), respiratory failure (12.9%, 18 of 140) and recurrent/persistent lower respiratory infections (66.4%, 93 of 140). Primary immunodeficiency (49.3%), multisystem malformations/syndromes (17.9%), and genetic lung disease (16.4%) were the three most common genetic causes in the cohort, and they varied among the age subgroups. A total of 72 (51.4%) patients had changes in medical management strategies after genetic diagnosis, and the rate in those with genetic lung disease (82.6%, 19 of 23) was far higher than that in patients with genetic disease with lung involvement (45.3%, 53 of 117) (p=0.001). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that exome sequencing is a valuable diagnostic tool for monogenic diseases in children with a predominant respiratory phenotype, and the genetic spectrum varies with age. Taken together, genetic diagnoses provide invaluable clinical and prognostic information that may also facilitate the development of precision medicine for paediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Dai
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Mei
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyuan Hu
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Libo Wang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulan Lu
- Molecular Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Molecular Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinran Dong
- Molecular Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Molecular Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingbing Wu
- Molecular Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liling Qian
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, China
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Jat NK, Bhagwani D, Bhutani N, Sharma U, Sharma R, Gupta R. Assessment of the prevalence of congenital heart disease in children with pneumonia in tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional study. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 73:103111. [PMID: 34976377 PMCID: PMC8683668 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in children under five years of age. Epidemiological factors and the disease burden differ in developing and industrialized countries. The present study is a cross sectional observational study, carried out from August 2018 to August 2020 in Hindu Rao Hospital, to assess the prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in patients with pneumonia in children up to 5 years. The main objectives of the study were to study the prevalence of congestive cardiac failure (CCF) in pneumonia with and without congenital heart disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients under 5 years of age, presenting with pneumonia during August 2018 to July 2020 were enrolled for study. The bio-data of each patient was documented each patient was clinically evaluated thoroughly and findings noted. Pneumonia was diagnosed on typical history, physical findings, blood investigations and chest radiographic finding of pneumonia infiltrates in either one or both lung fields. All the cases of pneumonia underwent transthoracic 2 Dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography, done by the cardiologist. Any congenital heart disease so found was noted. The type and size of the defects was documented. The ventricular septal defects were classified based on the site and size. The size of the patient ductus arteriosus was also determined. These measurements were taken to evaluate the impact of defect size on pneumonia. CCF was diagnosed when the patient fulfilled the clinical diagnostic criteria of heart failure. All the cases of pneumonia underwent transthoracic 2 Dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography for diagnosis of any congenital heart disease. RESULTS Mean age of the children with pneumonia was 9.94 months with 77.5% of the cases below 1 year of age. Male predominance was seen with 56.3% males to 43.8% females. Prevalence of congenital heart disease among cases of pneumonia was 12.5% while that of congestive heart failure was 27.5%. Most common CHD observed was VSD (14 cases; 8.8%) followed by PDA, ASD and TGA (4; 2.5% and 3; 1.9% and 1; 0.6% cases respectively). A significant association was observed between presence of congenital heart disease and development of CCF. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that most patients with pneumonia or recurrent pneumonia are likely to have an underlying illness at the time of pneumonia. Recurrent ALRTI often occurred in children with history of congenital heart diseases (CHD) and is also associated with Congestive Cardiac Failure. Children with CHD are more vulnerable to recurrent respiratory tract infection.
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Asthma and COVID-19: Emphasis on Adequate Asthma Control. Can Respir J 2021; 2021:9621572. [PMID: 34457096 PMCID: PMC8397565 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9621572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthmatics are at an increased risk of developing exacerbations after being infected by respiratory viruses such as influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and human and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoV). Asthma, especially when poorly controlled, is an independent risk factor for developing pneumonia. A subset of asthmatics can have significant defects in their innate, humoral, and cell-mediated immunity arms, which may explain the increased susceptibility to infections. Adequate asthma control is associated with a significant decrease in episodes of exacerbation. Because of their wide availability and potency to promote adequate asthma control, glucocorticoids, especially inhaled ones, are the cornerstone of asthma management. The current COVID-19 pandemic affects millions of people worldwide and possesses mortality several times that of seasonal influenza; therefore, it is necessary to revisit this subject. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can potentiate the development of acute asthmatic exacerbation with the potential to worsen the state of chronic airway inflammation. The relationship is evident from several studies that show asthmatics experiencing a more adverse clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection than nonasthmatics. Recent studies show that dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid, and other inhaled corticosteroids significantly reduce morbidity and mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Hence, while we are waiting for more studies with higher level of evidence that further narrate the association between COVID-19 and asthma, we advise clinicians to try to achieve adequate disease control in asthmatics as it may reduce incidences and severity of exacerbations especially from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Chen LL, Liu YC, Lin HC, Hsing TY, Liu YC, Yen TY, Lu CY, Chen JM, Lee PI, Huang LM, Lai FP, Chang LY. Clinical characteristics of recurrent pneumonia in children with or without underlying diseases. J Formos Med Assoc 2021; 121:1073-1080. [PMID: 34454794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent pneumonia is uncommon in children and few studies investigate the clinical impact of underlying diseases on this issue. This study aimed to explore the difference in clinical manifestations, pathogens, and prognosis of recurrent pneumonia in children with or without underlying diseases. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of pediatric recurrent pneumonia from 2007 to 2019 in National Taiwan University Hospital. Patients under the age of 18 who had two or more episodes of pneumonia in a year were included, and the minimum interval of two pneumonia episodes was more than one month. Aspiration pneumonia was excluded. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were collected and compared. RESULTS Among 8508 children with pneumonia, 802 (9.4%) of them had recurrent pneumonia. Among these 802 patients, 655 (81.7%) had underlying diseases including neurological disorders (N = 252, 38.5%), allergy (N = 211, 32.2%), and cardiovascular diseases (N = 193, 29.5%). Children without underlying diseases had more viral bronchopneumonia (p < 0.001). Children with underlying diseases were more likely to acquire Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.001), and gram-negative bacteriae, more pneumonia episodes (3 vs 2, p < 0.001), a longer hospital stay (median: 7 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001), a higher ICU rate (28.8% vs 3.59%, p < 0.001), and a higher case-fatality rate (5.19% vs 0%, p < 0.001) than those without underlying diseases. CONCLUSION Children with underlying diseases, prone to have recurrent pneumonia and more susceptible to resistant microorganisms, had more severe diseases and poorer clinical outcomes. Therefore, more attention may be paid on clinical severity and the therapeutic plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lun Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Chung Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chi Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yun Hsing
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yu Yen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chun-Yi Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Min Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Ing Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Min Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Pei Lai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Luan-Yin Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Underlying Diseases and Causative Microorganisms of Recurrent Pneumonia in Children: A 13-Year Study in a University Hospital. J Trop Pediatr 2018; 65:224-230. [PMID: 30011014 PMCID: PMC7107262 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Pneumonia is a significant cause of death for children, particularly those in developing countries. The records of children who were hospitalized because of pneumonia between January 2003 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed, and patients who met the recurrent pneumonia criteria were included in this study. During this 13-year period, 1395 patients were hospitalized with pneumonia; of these, 129 (9.2%) met the criteria for recurrent pneumonia. Underlying diseases were detected in 95 (73.6%) patients, with aspiration syndrome (21.7%) being the most common. Rhinovirus (30.5%), adenovirus (17.2%) and respiratory syncytial virus (13.9%) were the most frequent infectious agents. These results demonstrate that underlying diseases can cause recurrent pneumonia in children. Viruses are also commonly seen in recurrent pneumonia. Appropriate treatments should be chosen based on an analysis of the underlying disease, the patient's clinical condition and the laboratory and radiological data.
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Montella S, Corcione A, Santamaria F. Recurrent Pneumonia in Children: A Reasoned Diagnostic Approach and a Single Centre Experience. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020296. [PMID: 28146079 PMCID: PMC5343832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pneumonia (RP), i.e., at least two episodes of pneumonia in one year or three episodes ever with intercritical radiographic clearing of densities, occurs in 7.7%–9% of children with community-acquired pneumonia. In RP, the challenge is to discriminate between children with self-limiting or minor problems, that do not require a diagnostic work-up, and those with an underlying disease. The aim of the current review is to discuss a reasoned diagnostic approach to RP in childhood. Particular emphasis has been placed on which children should undergo a diagnostic work-up and which tests should be performed. A pediatric case series is also presented, in order to document a single centre experience of RP. A management algorithm for the approach to children with RP, based on the evidence from a literature review, is proposed. Like all algorithms, it is not meant to replace clinical judgment, but it should drive physicians to adopt a systematic approach to pediatric RP and provide a useful guide to the clinician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Montella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Adele Corcione
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesca Santamaria
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Zan Y, Liu H, Zhong L, Qiu L, Tao Q, Chen L. Childhood recurrent pneumonia caused by endobronchial sutures: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e5992. [PMID: 28121955 PMCID: PMC5287979 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000005992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent pneumonia is defined as more than two episodes of pneumonia in one year or three or more episodes anytime in life. Common clinical scenarios leading to recurrent pneumonia include anatomical abnormalities of respiratory tract, immunodeficiency, congenital heart diseases, primary ciliary dyskinesia, etc. CASE REPORT A school-aged girl suffered from 1-2 episodes of pneumonia each year after trachea connection and lung repair operation resulted from an accident of car crash. Bronchoscopy revealed the sutures twisted with granulation in the left main bronchus and the patient's symptoms relieved after removal of the sutures. Here we report for the first time that surgical suture was the cause of recurrent pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS This case indicates that children with late and recurrent onset of pneumonia should undergo detailed evaluation including bronchoscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiheng Zan
- West China Medical School of Sichuan University
| | - Hanmin Liu
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lin Zhong
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University
| | - Li Qiu
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University
| | - Qingfen Tao
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University
| | - Lina Chen
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Clinical profile of recurrent community-acquired pneumonia in children. BMC Pulm Med 2013; 13:60. [PMID: 24106756 PMCID: PMC3852007 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2466-13-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this case-control study was to analyse the clinical characteristics of children with recurrent community-acquired pneumonia (rCAP) affecting different lung areas (DLAs) and compare them with those of children who have never experienced CAP in order to contribute to identifying the best approach to such patients. METHODS The study involved 146 children with ≥2 episodes of radiographically confirmed CAP in DLA in a single year (or ≥3 episodes in any time frame) with radiographic clearing of densities between occurrences, and 145 age- and gender-matched controls enrolled in Milan, Italy, between January 2009 and December 2012. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the cases and controls were compared, and a comparison was also made between the cases with rCAP (i.e. ≤3 episodes) and those with highly recurrent CAP (hrCAP: i.e. >3 episodes). RESULTS Gestational age at birth (p = 0.003), birth weight (p = 0.006), respiratory distress at birth (p < 0.001), and age when starting day care attendance (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the cases and controls, and recurrent infectious wheezing (p < 0.001), chronic rhinosinusitis with post-nasal drip (p < 0.001), recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (p < 0.001), atopy/allergy (p < 0.001) and asthma (p < 0.001) were significantly more frequent. Significant risk factors for hrCAP were gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; p = 0.04), a history of atopy and/or allergy (p = 0.005), and a diagnosis of asthma (p = 0.0001) or middle lobe syndrome (p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and gender, showed that all of the risk factors other than GERD and wheezing were associated with hrCAP. CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic approach to children with rCAP in DLAs is relatively easy in the developed world, where the severe chronic underlying diseases favouring rCAP are usually identified early, and patients with chronic underlying disease are diagnosed before the occurrence of rCAP in DLAs. When rCAP in DLAs does occur, an evaluation of the patients' history and clinical findings make it possible to limit diagnostic investigations.
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Hoving MFP, Brand PLP. Causes of recurrent pneumonia in children in a general hospital. J Paediatr Child Health 2013; 49:E208-12. [PMID: 23438187 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM Because the few previous studies on underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia in children have come from tertiary care referral centres where selection bias may be important, the aim of this study was to examine underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia in children in a general hospital. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review in a general hospital of 62 children with recurrent pneumonia over a 7.5 years period. RESULTS In 19 patients (30.6%), no cause was identified, commonly because favourable natural history obviated the need for a full and invasive diagnostic work-up. Other underlying causes included recurrent aspiration in 16 patients (25.7%), lung disease (airway stenosis, bronchiectasis, middle lobe syndrome or tracheooesophageal fistula) in 10 patients (16.1%) and immune deficiency in 10 patients (16.1%). In contrast to previous studies, asthma was never diagnosed as an underlying cause, but diagnostic confusion between asthma (or recurrent upper respiratory tract infections) and recurrent pneumonia was common. CONCLUSION The cause of recurrent pneumonia in children remains elusive in almost a third of patients, partly because the favourable natural history consistent with immune system maturation eliminates the need for further diagnostic procedures. Asthma is more likely a differential diagnostic consideration than an underlying cause of recurrent pneumonia in children. A standardised diagnostic guideline is needed to improve knowledge on causes of recurrent pneumonia in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Paulien Hoving
- Princess Amalia Children's Clinic, Isala Klinieken, Zwolle, The Netherlands
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Saad K, Mohamed SA, Metwalley KA. Recurrent/Persistent Pneumonia among Children in Upper Egypt. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2013; 5:e2013028. [PMID: 23667726 PMCID: PMC3647710 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2013.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recurrent/persistent pneumonia in children continues to be a major challenge for the pediatricians. The aim of our study was to establish the prevalence and underlying causes of recurrent/persistent pneumonia in children in Upper Egypt. SETTINGS Assiut University Children Hospital, Assiut, Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients, admitted for pneumonia to the hospital during 2 years, were investigated with microbiological, biochemical, immunological and radiological tests in order to establish the prevalence of recurrent/persistent pneumonia and to find out its underlying causes. RESULTS 113 out of 1228 patients (9.2%) met the diagnosis of recurrent/persistent pneumonia. Identified causes were; aspiration syndrome (17.7%), pulmonary TB (14.0%), congenital heart disease (11.5%), bronchial asthma (9.7%), immune deficiency disorders (8.8%) and vitamin D deficiency rickets (7.0%). Other causes included; congenital anomalies of the respiratory tract, interstitial lung diseases, bronchiectasis, and sickle cell anemia. No predisposing factors could be identified in 15% of cases. CONCLUSION Approximately 1 out of 10 children with diagnosis of pneumonia in Assiut University Children Hospital had recurrent/persistent pneumonia. The most frequent underlying cause for recurrent/persistent pneumonia was aspiration syndrome, followed by pulmonary TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Saad
- Department of Pediatrics, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
- Correspondence to: Khaled Saad, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of medicine, University of Assiut, Assiut 71516, Egypt, Tel +20-106-080-182*, Fax +20-88-236-8371. E-mail:
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Østergaard MS, Nantanda R, Tumwine JK, Aabenhus R. Childhood asthma in low income countries: an invisible killer? PRIMARY CARE RESPIRATORY JOURNAL : JOURNAL OF THE GENERAL PRACTICE AIRWAYS GROUP 2012; 21:214-9. [PMID: 22623048 DOI: 10.4104/pcrj.2012.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial pneumonia has hitherto been considered the key cause of the high respiratory morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age (under-5s) in low-income countries, while asthma has not been stated as a significant reason. This paper explores the definitions and concepts of pneumonia and asthma/wheezing/bronchiolitis and examines whether asthma in under-5s may be confused with pneumonia. Over-diagnosing of bacterial pneumonia can be suspected from the limited association between clinical pneumonia and confirmatory test results such as chest x-ray and microbiological findings and poor treatment results using antibiotics. Moreover, children diagnosed with recurrent pneumonia in infancy were often later diagnosed with asthma. Recent studies showed a 10-15% prevalence of preschool asthma in low-income countries, although under-5s with long-term cough and difficulty breathing remain undiagnosed. New studies demonstrate that approximately 50% of acutely admitted under-5s diagnosed with pneumonia according to Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses could be re-diagnosed with asthma or wheezing when using re-defined diagnostic criteria and treatment. It is hypothesised that untreated asthma may contribute to respiratory mortality since respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory death in childhood, and asthma in under-5s is often exacerbated by viral infections, including RSV. Furthermore, acute respiratory treatment failures were predominantly seen in under-5s without fever, which suggests the diagnosis of asthma/wheezing rather than bacterial pneumonia. Ultimately, underlying asthma may have contributed to malnutrition and fatal bacterial pneumonia. In conclusion, preschool asthma in low-income countries may be significantly under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed as pneumonia, and may be the cause of much morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Stubbe Østergaard
- Department of General Practice and Research Unit of General Practice, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Abstract
We review the limited available evidence on underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia in children, supplemented by our own clinical experience. Diagnosing recurrent pneumonia in children is difficult. Diagnostic confusion is possible with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and asthma. In our series of children with recurrent pneumonia, we never identified asthma as an underlying cause. Because the frequency or severity of recurrent pneumonia does not always justify additional invasive investigations, the diagnostic work-up may be incomplete in a number of cases. This may help to explain why an underlying cause for recurrent pneumonia cannot be found in approximately 30% of cases. Finally, the paradigm that recurrent pneumonia in the same lung lobe has a differential diagnosis different from those recurring in multiple lobes was not borne out in our case series. A stepwise and pragmatic approach to evaluating children with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L P Brand
- Princess Amalia Children's Clinic, Isala Klinieken, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, the Netherlands.
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