Lung function is abnormal in 3-month-old infants with cystic fibrosis diagnosed by newborn screening.

Background: Long-term benefits of newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) have been established with respect to nutritional status, but effects on pulmonary health remain unclear.

Hypothesis: With early diagnosis and commencement of standardised treatment, lung function at ∼3 months of age is normal in NBS infants with CF.

Methods: Lung clearance index (LCI) and functional residual capacity (FRC) using multiple breath washout (MBW), plethysmographic (pleth) FRC and forced expirations from raised lung volumes were measured in 71 infants with CF (participants in the London CF Collaboration) and 54 contemporaneous healthy controls age ∼3 months.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists in addition to usual care for acute asthma in adults and children.

Background: Acute asthma presentation in the emergency setting frequently leads to hospital admission. Currently available treatment options include corticosteroid therapy, beta(2)-agonists and oxygen. Antileukotriene agents are beneficial in chronic asthma as additional therapy to inhaled steroids.