Development of seasonal allergic rhinitis during the first 7 years of life.

Background: Against the background of the controversial discussion about an increase in allergic rhinitis in recent years, intraindividual longitudinal data is lacking for IgE-mediated seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Little is known about the development of SAR in terms of prevalence and incidence rates from birth to school age.

Objective: In a prospective birth cohort, we investigated the development of sensitization and symptoms of SAR.

Increasing dose of methylprednisolone pulse therapy treats desquamative interstitial pneumonia in a child.

A 10 yr old male with hypoxaemia, progressive infiltration on the chest radiograph and biopsy-proven desquamative interstitial pneumonia was treated with daily oral prednisolone for 6 months. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulses were concomitantly administered in doses averaging 10 mg x kg body weight(-1) on three consecutive days every 4-6 weeks. After 6 months improvement could be noted and oral steroids were stopped, while pulse therapy continued.

Natural course of sensitization to food and inhalant allergens during the first 6 years of life.

Background: Specific IgE antibody responses to alimentary and environmental allergens are one of the hallmarks of atopic diseases. The knowledge of the time course of allergic sensitization during early life may facilitate measures for preventive interventions.

Objective: In a prospective birth cohort study (the Multicenter Allergy Study [MAS]) we investigated annual incidence and prevalence rates of sensitization to food and inhalant allergens during the first 6 years of life.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the residual allergenicity of partially hydrolysed infant formulae.

Aim: Because allergen-reduced formulae are widely used in the prevention and treatment of cow's milk allergy in children and because anaphylactic reactions have been reported for some hydrolysed formulae, it is of clinical relevance to know about the residual allergenicity of so-called hypoallergenic formulae.

Method: We therefore studied the reactions of 20 children (mean age 1.6 years) with proven cow's milk allergy to a variety of formulae, using skin prick test, specific IgE in serum, protein content and RAST inhibition.

Effect of pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure on specific sensitization to food and inhalant allergens during the first 3 years of life. Multicenter Allergy Study Group, Germany.

Background: The study aimed to assess the effect of pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure on specific sensitization to food allergens and inhalant allergens during the first 3 years of life.

Methods: A total of 342 children of a prospective and observational birth cohort study on atopy (MAS) were included on the basis of a complete follow-up of specific IgE measurements at the ages of 1, 2, and 3 years with available questionnaire information about the parental smoking habit at birth, 18 months, and 3 years of age. Study children were grouped into four exposure categories representing in utero and postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, and according to the number of cigarettes smoked by the parents.

Platelet-activating factor inhibits ciliary beat frequency of human bronchial epithelial cells.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of platelet-activating factor on human bronchial ciliary beat frequency (CBF) ex vivo. Brush biopsies were obtained from eight children (mean age 6.6 years) who underwent bronchoscopy for clinical reasons (i.

[Ambulatory vs. inpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy in mucoviscidosis patients--a controlled study].

Methods: 14 patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic pulmonary pseudomonas infection received four courses of two-week intravenous antibiotic therapy at home and during hospitalisation over an 18-month period. Following a controlled, intra-individual cross-over design, two courses of home therapy were followed by two courses of hospital treatment or vice versa. Parameters for inflammation, lung function, and body mass index were obtained at the beginning and end of each intravenous antibiotic therapy.

The combined influence of immunotherapy and mite allergen reduction on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in mite-sensitive asthmatic children.

Unlabelled: Encasings for mattresses, blankets and pillows in combination with mite allergen reduction on the floor have proved effective in reducing bronchial hyperreactivity of mite-allergic children. We studied the effect of combining the use of encasings with specific immunotherapy in comparison to the use of encasings alone (control group). Twenty mite-allergic children (Skin Prick Test, RAST, mean age 10 years) with asthma and high domestic mite allergen exposure ( > 2 microg Der p 1 + f 1/g mattress dust) were included in our study.

[Economic aspects in treatment of cystic fibrosis with chronic pulmonary pseudomonas infection. Ambulatory intravenous therapy in comparison with inpatient treatment].

Background: Due to limited resources within the health service and the continuous discussion on cost containment, economic criteria should also be considered when assessing therapy concepts. Particular results in terms of economic efficiency reserves are to be expected from a transfer of care from the in-patient to the out-patient sector.

Methods: In a prospective, direct cost recording of all relevant uses of resources, the direct and indirect costs of the treatment of 14 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were included in the cross-over-design.

Two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with unilateral pulmonary hyperinflation in infancy.

Unlabelled: Two infants with recurrent obstructive symptoms attracted attention because of massive radiologically detected unilateral pulmonary hyperinflation. Further diagnostic procedures including bronchoscopy, revealed a pulmonary tuberculosis with lymph nodes encroaching on the bronchi. Steady improvement of clinical symptoms and hyperinflation was noted under combined antituberculotic therapy including systemic steroids.

[Is intravenous lidocaine infusion suitable for postoperative pain management?].

Intravenous administration of local anaesthetics has repeatedly been recommended for the treatment of chronic pain. Some authors have also reported on their use in postoperative pain management. However, most of these publications are case reports or refer to rather old studies or investigations based on study designs that fail to meet present scientific standards.