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Are annual blood tests in preschool cystic fibrosis patients worthwhile?
1Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK. a.jaffe@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Insights
Routine annual blood tests in preschool children with cystic fibrosis (CF) influence management, leading to treatment adjustments like increased vitamin doses. These assessments are valuable for optimizing care in young CF patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Medical Management
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) requires ongoing monitoring.
- Early intervention in CF can improve outcomes.
- The utility of routine blood tests in preschool CF patients is not fully established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if routine annual blood tests impact the management of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients under five years of age.
- To assess the clinical significance of results from these early blood assessments.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of annual assessment blood test results for CF patients under five.
- Analysis of management changes following blood test results over a four-year period.
- Data collection included patient demographics and specific blood parameter outcomes.
Main Results:
- 169 preschool CF patients were analyzed; venipuncture was successful in 93%.
- Eleven percent of patients experienced management changes, including liver ultrasound and iron supplementation.
- Low vitamin A and E levels were identified in 9% of patients, prompting dose adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Routine blood tests at annual reviews are supported for preschool CF children.
- Findings can help rationalize test selection, potentially reducing laboratory costs.
- Annual blood assessments are crucial for guiding therapeutic decisions in young CF patients.
Aim:
To investigate whether routine annual assessment blood tests in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients under 5 years influence management.
Methods:
Retrospective review of the results of the first annual assessment blood tests of patients with CF less than 5 years of age during a four year period (1995-99). Management changes were identified from a follow up letter to the general practitioner or local paediatrician.
Results:
A total of 169 patients (100 female), median age 2.2 years (range 0.3-4.9) were identified. Venepuncture was successful in 93% of patients. Of the 32 individual blood parameters measured, the overall success rate in obtaining a result was 81%. Eleven per cent of patients underwent subsequent management changes, including liver ultrasound, fasting glucose, and a short course of iron. Of particular importance, vitamin A and E concentrations were low in 9% of patients, which prompted an increase in prescribed dose.
Conclusions:
These results support the recommendations for routine blood tests at annual review in preschool CF children. The results may help to rationalise which tests are performed and thus reduce laboratory costs.