Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Bronchiectasis and chronic asthma: how common in pediatrics?
1Division of Allergy/Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Nemours Children's Clinic, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA.
Allergy and Asthma Proceedings
|September 5, 2006
Summary
Bronchiectasis is a rare but serious complication of childhood asthma. Early recognition and aggressive treatment of bronchiectasis can significantly improve asthma symptoms and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Case Study
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition in children.
- Complications of asthma, though infrequent, necessitate careful clinical consideration.
- This study focuses on bronchiectasis as a rare complication of childhood asthma.
Observation:
- A case report of an 11-year-old boy with chronic asthma unresponsive to treatment, who developed bronchiectasis.
- A retrospective review of 53 pediatric bronchiectasis cases at a university children's hospital.
- Analysis of clinical and laboratory findings in the index patient and review of medical literature.
Findings:
- Bronchiectasis was diagnosed in a child with chronic asthma, suspected to be secondary to the underlying condition.
- Common etiologies for bronchiectasis in the reviewed cohort were cystic fibrosis (50.9%) and infection (13.2%).
- Asthma was identified in only 5.6% of the pediatric bronchiectasis cases, highlighting its rarity.
Implications:
- Bronchiectasis, while rare, can complicate childhood asthma and impact its management.
- Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of bronchiectasis led to improved asthma control in the presented case.
- Recognizing and managing asthma complications is crucial for optimizing long-term respiratory health in pediatric patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Classification of Asthma
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...