Peak inspiratory flow in children and adolescents with asthma using dry powder inhalers: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To measure peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and assess dynamic lung function in children and adolescents with asthma, as well as to determine the association of PIF with dynamic lung function and clinical variables.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of children and adolescents with asthma using dry powder inhalers (DPIs) regularly. The control group included sex-, age-, weight-, and height-matched individuals without lung disease.

Prospective Analysis of Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cancer.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes at 6 to 12 months after cancer diagnosis and to assess the impact of age in older adults with cancer.

Methods: A cohort study using patients ≥60 years old diagnosed with cancer. Health-related quality of life scores were calculated according to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire.

Six-minute walk test as a determinant of the functional capacity of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder. The involvement of the respiratory system is frequent and culminates in dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Functional capacity is an important diagnostic tool, because it reflects the cardiorespiratory status, quality of life and prognosis.

Accuracy of optoelectronic plethysmography in childhood exercise-induced asthma.

Objective: To assess the variations of end-expiratory volume of chest wall (EEVcw) measured by optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) as a diagnostic tool in exercise-induced asthma (EIA) among asthmatic preschool children.

Methods: Forty children diagnosed with asthma were included in the study. Spirometry was used as a gold standard test for comparison with OEP.

Bronchodilator response cut-off points and FEV 0.75 reference values for spirometry in preschoolers.

Objective:: To determine the cut-off points for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75% bronchodilator responses in healthy preschool children and to generate reference values for FEV0.

Exhaled nitric oxide as a diagnostic tool for wheezing in preschool children: A diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: Airways inflammation may precede pulmonary dysfunction in wheezing individuals. The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) has been described as a useful method for wheezing diagnosis in children, however, its application requires evidence. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of FENO in identifying wheezing in preschoolers.

The efficacy of aerobic training in improving the inflammatory component of asthmatic children. Randomized trial.

Few studies have been conducted on the effects of aerobic exercise in children with asthma, particularly on the inflammatory component and functional outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of aerobic exercise on inflammation, functional capacity, respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and symptoms scores in asthmatic children. This was a 6-week randomized trial (NCT0192052) of 33 moderately asthmatic children (6-17 years).

Effects of noninvasive ventilation on treadmill 6-min walk distance and regional chest wall volumes in cystic fibrosis: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dyspnea and exercise intolerance are the symptoms that most affect the quality of life of children and adolescents with respiratory disorders resulting from cystic fibrosis (CF).

Objective: To evaluate the effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on treadmill 6-min walk distance and regional chest wall volumes in cystic fibrosis patients.

Method: Crossover clinical trial, randomized, controlled and open with 13 children and adolescents with CF, aged 7-16 years, with pulmonary impairment (NTC01987271).

Comparison of six-minute walk test in children with moderate/severe asthma with reference values for healthy children.

Objective: to compare physical performance and cardiorespiratory responses in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in asthmatic children with reference values for healthy children in the same age group, and to correlate them with intervening variables.

Methods: this was a cross-sectional, prospective study that evaluated children with moderate/severe asthma, aged between 6 and 16 years, in outpatient follow-up. Demographic and spirometric test data were collected.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in patients with cystic fibrosis: scientific evidence regarding clinical impact, diagnosis, and treatment.

Evidence-based techniques have been increasingly used in the creation of clinical guidelines and the development of recommendations for medical practice. The use of levels of evidence allows the reader to identify the quality of scientific information that supports the recommendations made by experts. The objective of this review was to address current concepts related to the clinical impact, diagnosis, and treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

The impact of the H1N1 influenza pandemic on clinical presentations and viral epidemiology of acute respiratory infection in preschool children in Brazil.

We assessed the impact of the H1N1 influenza pandemic on acute respiratory infection in young children from low-income families in Brazil. Influenza (specifically H1N1) detection in acute respiratory infection quintupled during the pandemic and, during its peak, it was associated with 30% of all acute respiratory infection visits to the emergency department. H1N1 was also associated with increased risk of hospitalization and coinfection.

Acute asthma management in children: knowledge of the topic among health professionals at teaching hospitals in the city of Recife, Brazil.

Objective: Knowledge of acute asthma management in children is a subject that has rarely been explored. The objective of this study was to assess the level of such knowledge among health professionals in the city of Recife, Brazil.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 27 pediatricians and 7 nurses, all with at least two years of professional experience, at two large pediatric teaching hospitals in Recife.

Viral and atypical bacterial detection in acute respiratory infection in children under five years.

Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. This study aimed to determine the viral and atypical bacterial causes of different severities and clinical manifestations of ARI in preschool children from low-income families in North-East Brazil.

Methods: Clinical/demographic data and nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were prospectively collected from children <5 years presenting with ARI over one year to a paediatric A&E department.

Heliox and forward-leaning posture improve the efficacy of nebulized bronchodilator in acute asthma: a randomized trial.

Background: Heliox and forward-leaning posture (torso inclined forward at 50-60° with the elbows resting on the thighs) are adjuncts in the administration of nebulized bronchodilator to patients with acute asthma.

Methods: We randomized 59 patients who presented to the emergency department in severe asthma crisis, into 4 treatment groups: nebulized bronchodilator + oxygen; nebulized bronchodilator + oxygen + forward-leaning posture; nebulized bronchodilator + heliox; and nebulized bronchodilator + heliox + forward-leaning posture. Before and after the bronchodilator treatments the subjects were seated with torso erect, breathing room air.

Risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in pediatric intensive care units: a systematic review.

A systematic review of observational studies on risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICU) was carried out. Studies indexed in MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane, BDENF, CAPES databases published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese between 1987 and 2006 were included and cross references added. Key words for search were 'cross infection' and 'Pediatric Intensive Care Units' with others sub-terms included.

Nutritional, clinical and socioeconomic profile of patients with cystic fibrosis treated at a referral center in northeastern Brazil.

Objective: To describe the profile of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving CF patients < 18 years of age, evaluated between March and July of 2006 at a referral center in northeastern Brazil. Nutritional assessment was performed using Z scores for height/age (H/A), weight/age (W/A) and weight/height (W/H), as well as %weight/height (%W/H) and body composition measurements.

Low income as a protective factor against asthma in children and adolescents treated via the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Objective: To analyze the role that low income plays in the development of asthma in children and adolescents.

Methods: A case-control study using a questionnaire.

Results: A total of 687 participants were studied at a tertiary hospital via the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Clinical profile of pleural empyema and associated factors with prolonged hospitalization in paediatric tertiary centre in Angola, Luanda.

In a case series of 152 children aged from 2 to 132 months will pleural emphema from a paediatric tertiary hospital in Luanda, Angola between September 2004 and March 2005, the authors found a high prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition. The most prevalent bacteria in pleural fluid were: D pneumoniae, Haemophyllus and S aureus. The median for hospital stay was 25 days.

Parasitic lung infection and the paediatric lung.

Human parasitosis is still prevalent worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The involvement of the lung is variable depending on the characteristics of the parasites and hosts. In malnourished and immunodeficient children, the consequences of lung parasitosis may result in significant morbidity and mortality.

Pulmonary function assessment in children and teenagers before and after surgical treatment for rheumatic valve disease.

Objective: To assess pulmonary function in children and adolescents subjected to correction of rheumatic valve disease in order to quantify changes caused by factors inherent to surgery and rheumatic heart disease.

Methods: This was a longitudinal and quantitative intervention study, undertaken at a children's hospital that is a center of excellence for the state of Pernambuco (Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco), between December 2004 and May 2005. Eighteen children suffering from rheumatic fever and indicated for surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve were assessed preoperatively and again on the first and fifth postoperative days.

Ecological correlation among prevalence of asthma symptoms, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema with notifications of tuberculosis and measles in the Brazilian population.

This study aims to assess the relationship among incidence of tuberculosis and measles, in the general population, within the year of birth and the prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema in teenagers from different Brazilian cities enrolled in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phases I and III. Positive answers to the questions: 'Have you had wheezing or whistling in the chest in the past 12 months?', 'In the past 12 months, has this nose problem been accompanied by itchy-watery eyes?' and 'Has this itchy rash at any time affected any of the following places: the folds of the elbows, behind the knees, in front of the ankles, under the buttocks, or around the neck, ears or eyes?' identified the teenagers with asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema, respectively. The incidence of tuberculosis and measles, in the general population, observed in the year of birth of the enrolled teenagers (1981/82 and 1988/89) were obtained from governmental agencies: National Foundation of Health (FUNASA) and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

[Asthma in schoolchildren from Recife, Brazil. Prevalence comparison: 1994-95 and 2002].

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of asthma and asthma variants in schoolchildren from Recife in 2002, and to compare these data with data from 1994-95; to analyze the relationship between maternal schooling and the presence of asthma or worsening asthma; and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the yearly prevalence of wheezing as an asthma indicator.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. A probabilistic sample of 3,086 and 2,774 13- and 14-year-old students answered a written questionnaire in 1994-95 and 2002, as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.

Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III and Burkholderia vietnamiensis double infection in a cystic fibrosis child.

Herein we report a case of a cystic fibrosis child who was simultaneously infected with Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III and Burkholderia vietnamiensis. After antimicrobial therapy only B. cepacia genomovar III persisted.