Influenza-like illness responsible for severe exacerbations in asthmatic children during H1N1 pandemic: a survey before vaccination.

Background: Asthma seems to be the more prevalent underlying condition in patients hospitalized for H1N1-related flu.

Methods: A prospective survey was conducted during the early phase of H1N1 pandemic in France in asthmatic children before vaccination to assess whether severe exacerbations in childhood asthma are associated with influenza-like illness (ILI, the definition of H1N1-related flu in a pandemic). Eight pediatricians in primary care distributed in three localities (Paris, south suburb, and west suburb) conducted the survey (4 weeks/locality from week 36 to 47).

Thoracic CT in pediatric patients with difficult-to-treat asthma.

Objective: . The aim of this study was to establish objective, simple criteria for bronchial wall thickening in children with difficult-to-treat asthma.

Subjects And Methods: .