Pediatric pulmonology 2023 year in review: Asthma.

Caring for children with asthma continues to be an essential responsibility of the pediatric pulmonologist. In this Pediatric Pulmonology Year in Review, we summarize the significant publications focused on pediatric asthma that have been published over the last year. Articles were selected from Pediatric Pulmonology and other relevant medical journals that historically publish in the field of pediatrics, and more specifically, pediatric asthma.

Pediatric pulmonology 2022 year in review: Asthma.

In 2022, new research studies influenced the field of pediatric asthma with improvements in diagnosis and evaluation; new treatment options including biologic therapies; changes in risk factors for asthma; and increased discussion about the impact of social determinants of health on asthma. Additionally, three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see the impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus on pediatric asthma care. In this review article, we summarize the significant findings from publications in Pediatric Pulmonology and other relevant journals from the last year.

Race-specific spirometry equations may overestimate asthma control in Black children and adolescents.

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that use of race terms in spirometry reference equations underestimates disease burden in Black populations, which may lead to disparities in pulmonary disease outcomes. Data on asthma-specific health consequences of using race-adjusted spirometry are lacking.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of 163 children from two observational asthma studies to determine the frequencies of participants with ppFEV1 < 80% (consistent with uncontrolled asthma) or ppFEV1 ≥ 80% using race-specific (GLI-African American or Caucasian) vs.

Social determinants of health and asthma.

Purpose Of Review: Social determinants of health play a major role in healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients with asthma. Continuing to understand how these complex and interwoven relationships interact to impact patient care will be crucial to creating innovative programmes that address these disparities.

Recent Findings: The current literature continues to support the association of substandard housing, urban and rural neighbourhoods, and race/ethnicity with poor asthma outcomes.

Hope is No Plan: Uncovering Actively Missing Transition-Aged Youth with Congenital Heart Disease.

Studies describing gaps in care for youth with congenital heart disease (CHD), focus on those who have returned to care, but rarely those actively missing from care. Our objective was to determine barriers for young adults with CHD actively missing from cardiac care and to re-engage them in care. Retrospective single-center cohort study of cardiology clinic patients ages 15-21 years with CHD between 2012 and 2019 for patients actively missing from care (≥ 12 months beyond requested clinic follow-up).

US Mortality Attributable to Congenital Heart Disease Across the Lifespan From 1999 Through 2017 Exposes Persistent Racial/Ethnic Disparities.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for ≈40% of deaths in US children with birth defects. Previous US data from 1999 to 2006 demonstrated an overall decrease in CHD mortality. Our study aimed to assess current trends in US mortality related to CHD from infancy to adulthood over the past 19 years and determine differences by sex and race/ethnicity.

A Case of Sulfhemoglobinemia Secondary to a Urinary Tract Infection.

Sulfhemoglobinemia (SulfHb) is a rare dyshemoglobinemia that can present with cyanosis in the absence of respiratory distress. It has been reported secondary to drug ingestion and chronic constipation. We present a case of SulfHb in an adolescent female with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder in the setting of an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection.

An exploratory study on microaggressions in medical school: What are they and why should we care?

Introduction: Microaggressions and their impact have been documented in minority college students; however, little is known about the experience of medical students. This study reports the prevalence and understanding of microaggressions among medical students at the University of Florida College of Medicine (UFCOM), while gaining insights into experiences of medical students dealing with microaggressions.

Method: A nine-question survey was sent out to all medical students at the UFCOM in the spring of 2017 to understand their experiences with microaggressions.