Pediatric pulmonology
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Pediatric pulmonology · Nov 2008
Prospective assessment of protracted bacterial bronchitis: airway inflammation and innate immune activation.
Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a common cause of paediatric chronic moist cough. PBB is defined as the presence of isolated chronic moist cough which resolves with antibiotic therapy within 2 weeks and an absence of pointers suggesting alternative diagnoses. Our aim was to describe the clinical profile and examine the airway cellularity and likely promoters of neutrophilic inflammation in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of children with PBB compared with chronic cough due to other causes and controls. ⋯ Children with PBB had marked airway neutrophilia and increased median cytokine levels when compared to those with cough that resolved naturally and no cough controls: IL-8 0.67 versus 0.07 and 0.06 ng/ml (P < 0.005) and active MMP-9 7.25 versus 1.35 and 0.38 ng/ml (P < 0.005). The values for TLR-2 and TLR-4 mRNA expression were significantly elevated in children with PBB when compared to the control group. PBB is a paediatric condition which presents with chronic moist cough and its airway profile is characterized by intense neutrophilic airway inflammation with marked inflammatory mediator response and evidence of innate immune activation.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Nov 2008
Measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure in ventilated children.
Maximal inspiratory pressure (PIMAX), the maximum negative pressure generated during temporary occlusion of the airway, is commonly used to measure inspiratory muscle strength in mechanically ventilated infants and children. There are, however, no guidelines as to how the PIMAX measurement should be made. We compared the maximum inspiratory pressure generated during airway occlusion (PIMAX(OCC)) to that when a unidirectional valve (PIMAX(UNI)), which allowed expiration, but not inspiration was used. ⋯ Regardless of technique, PIMAX was reached in 10 inspiratory efforts or 15 sec of airway occlusion. A unidirectional valve allowing expiration, but not inspiration yields greater PIMAX values in children. Occlusions should be maintained for 12 sec or eight breaths (99% CI of mean).
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Pediatric pulmonology · Nov 2008
Bronchial provocation testing with dry powder mannitol in children with cystic fibrosis.
There has been recent interest in dry powder inhaled mannitol as a therapeutic agent in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). It is has been shown to increase mucociliary clearance (MCC) by rehydrating the airway. To date there have been no studies exclusively in children with CF examining the effect of dry powder mannitol on the airways. The aim of this study was to determine acute tolerability of inhaled mannitol in children with CF. ⋯ We report that 24% of children with CF had a positive airway challenge with inhaled mannitol. This compares with a previously reported 12% of subjects in a study including both adults and children. We could not identify factors predictive of a positive mannitol challenge in our children.