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[Atopy with recurrent wheezy bronchitis in children]
I Grzelewska-Rzymowska1, A Kowejsza, S Kwiatkowska
1Kliniki Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc IMW Akademii Medycznej w Łodzi.
Insights
Distinguishing childhood asthma from wheezy bronchitis is crucial for effective treatment. Allergological and ventilatory tests helped diagnose bronchial asthma in 48% of children with wheezy bronchitis, identifying a high-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
Context:
- Childhood asthma and wheezy bronchitis share similar symptoms, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
- Accurate differentiation is crucial for effective management of chronic respiratory conditions in children.
Purpose:
- To identify diagnostic parameters for differentiating childhood asthma from wheezy bronchitis.
- To evaluate the role of atopy and bronchodilator response in diagnosis.
Summary:
- The study analyzed 50 children (3-7 years) with recurrent wheezy bronchitis, assessing atopy through skin tests, history, and IgE levels.
- Significant bronchodilatation after salbutamol was observed in 17% of patients.
- Bronchial asthma was diagnosed in 48% of children, confirmed by treatment response, with 88% of these cases being atopic. Atopy was also noted in 23% of children without diagnosed asthma, identifying them as a high-risk group.
Impact:
- Establishes clinical features aiding in the accurate diagnosis of childhood asthma.
- Highlights the prevalence of atopy in childhood asthma and wheezy bronchitis.
- Identifies children with wheezy bronchitis and atopy as a risk group for developing bronchial asthma.
Abstract:
Childhood asthma and wheezy bronchitis are the most frequent chronic diseases of childhood. Unfortunately their clinical symptoms are similar--which makes it difficult to distinguish between the two, and therefore decide on proper treatment of patients. The aim of the study was to establish the parameters leading to right diagnosis. The study was performed in 50 children aged 3-7 years with recurrent wheezy bronchitis. All patients underwent allergological examinations (skin tests with inhaled allergens, personal and family history and serum total and specific IgE levels). 42 of them were tested for ventilatory parameters with bronchodilatation test. Three features of atopy were found in 21 (42%) patients, two features in 7 (14%) patients. In 31 (62%) children at least one feature of atopy was shown. 7 (17%) of the examined children had significant bronchodilatation after salbutamol inhalation. Finally in 24 (48%) of children suffering from wheezy bronchitis, bronchial asthma was diagnosed. The diagnosis was confirmed by antiasthma tic treatment with cromones or inhaled corticosteroids. In great majority (88%) of patients bronchial asthma was atopic. In 23% wheezy bronchitis children not diagnosed with bronchial asthma features of atopy were observed. They are of bronchial asthma risk group.