scholarly journals The Effect of Parental Smoking on the Severity of Asthma in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Irani ◽  
Jad Saliba

BACKGROUND: Several environmental factors trigger attacks of asthma by immunological and non-immunological mechanisms. Among these factors are cited the passive or second hand smoking (SHS) which has a deleterious effect on the prognosis of childhood asthma and induces a resistance to treatment by corticosteroids. The aim of the present study was to identify parents of children with asthma who are smokers and to explore the possible negative impact of SHS exposure on the disease of asthmatic children.MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted from February 2012 to February 2013.The study population consisted of children with asthma. The information concerning the patients was collected from their medical records filled out by the physician in a clinical setting in direct communication with the patients, or their parents when it is a little child. A group of 100 children age between 2 and 15 years, with asthma were recruited for the study. The study children were divided into two groups: cases with 28 children from smoking families, and controls with 73 children from non-smoking families. Analysis of the number of respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations per year, and the average number of hospitalization was done in both groups.RESULTS: Pearson chi2 test was adopted. We showed that smoking among the father was positively correlated with a higher number of hospitalizations for asthma, higher incidence of lower respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations. Similarly, the maternal smoking was positively correlated with a higher number of hospitalizations for asthma, lower respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations.CONCLUSION: Passive smoking causes respiratory illness, asthma, poor growth, neurological disorders in children. To avoid the risk of respiratory and allergic diseases by environmental tobacco smoke, absolute smoking cessation by parents is strongly recommended.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (24) ◽  
pp. 2077-2082
Author(s):  
Satheesh Chandra Sugatha Rao ◽  
Shara Beena

BACKGROUND Lower respiratory tract infections are the most common bacterial infections in neurosurgery intensive care units (NSICU), resulting in high overall mortality. The emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens poses a challenge to their empiric treatment. Regular surveillance of the prevalent strains and their susceptibility pattern, helps to revise the antibiotic policies and aids in better management of the patient. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery and Microbiology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, over a period of 1 year, using lower respiratory tract specimens of 190 patients with acute respiratory symptoms admitted in neurosurgery intensive care unit. The specimens collected aseptically were processed immediately. Following culture, the bacterial isolates were identified using standard methods and antibiotic susceptibility was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The data obtained was coded and entered in Microsoft Excel and expressed as percentage. RESULTS Bacterial isolates were obtained from 74 % samples. 82 % isolates were monomicrobial and 18 % were polymicrobial. Majority of the isolates were gram negative bacteria (94 %) followed by gram positive bacteria (6 %). The common gram-negative isolates were K. pneumoniae (36 %), A. baumannii (29 %), P. aeruginosa (20 %). Methicillin-resistant staph (MRSA) (3 %) and methicillinsusceptible staph (MSSA) (3 %) accounted for the gram positive cocci. 61 % isolates were multi drug resistant (MDR). Most common MDR organism was A. baumannii. It was observed that 26 % isolates were extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) producers. A high rate of resistance to cephalosporins, beta lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and cotrimoxazole was observed. An emerging resistance to carbapenems was observed. CONCLUSIONS Proper microbiological work up and antibiotic stewardship programmes can limit spread of resistant organisms, thereby reducing the medical and economic burden of the patient. KEYWORDS Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, Neurosurgery ICU, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests, Multi Drug Resistant Organisms


2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (8) ◽  
pp. 446-452
Author(s):  
Damilola M Oladele ◽  
Dimeji P Oladele ◽  
Rasheedat M Ibraheem ◽  
Mohammed B Abdulkadir ◽  
Rasaki Adewole Raheem ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) especially severe ALRIs, constitute a global high burden of morbidity and mortality in children <5 y of age and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been documented to a play a major aetiological role. However, Nigerian reports on severe childhood RSV ALRIs are rare and most reports are old. With recent advances in RSV preventive strategy, arises the need for a recent appraisal of RSV infection in children with severe ALRI. The current study thus set out to determine the prevalence of RSV infection among hospitalized children <5 y of age and describe the related social determinants. Methods We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over 1 y of 120 children, ages 2–59 months, diagnosed with ALRI. Relevant data were obtained and an antigen detection assay was used for viral studies. Results The prevalence of RSV infection was 34.2% and its peak was in the rainy months. The proportion of infants in the RSV-positive group was significantly higher than that in the RSV-negative group (82.9% vs 54.4%; p=0.002). These findings were largely consistent with those of earlier reports. Conclusions RSV has remained a common cause of severe ALRI in infants, especially during the rainy months in Nigeria. It is thus suggested that more effort be focused towards implementing the current global recommendations for the prevention of RSV-associated LRI, particularly in infants.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1733
Author(s):  
Venkata Krishna Munagala ◽  
Ramisetty M. Uma Mahesh ◽  
Jithendra Kandati ◽  
Munilakshmi Ponugoti

Background: WHO estimated burden of respiratory tract infections in 2010, estimates four and half million deaths due to respiratory tract infections among children every year. In India, 1.2 million deaths have been reported among children due to RTI among 5.9 million deaths globally. Lower respiratory tract infections are most common causes of death than upper respiratory tract infections. Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis are most common types of LRTI in children. Pneumonia accounts for most of the deaths in children < 5 years of age. The present study was undertaken with an objective to know the various types of lower respiratory tract infections in children less than 12 years of age. The study also aims to know the various bacterial agents causing respiratory tract infections with their antibiotic susceptibility.Methods: Hospital based, prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year and 375 children were enrolled. Demographic, clinical history and examination was done and signs and symptoms noted. All necessary investigations were performed and followed regularly for management and outcome.Results: Incidence of LRTI in the study was 9.76% with male preponderance (65.33%) and most common among children in 1-4 years age group. Ratio of males to females was 1.9:1. 73.6% of cases were in low socio-economic group, 35.2% were found with PEM-I grade and 18.13% had no immunization coverage. Cough and breathlessness were the major symptoms and respiratory distress and clubbing were major signs in the study. Bronchopneumonia was the commonest cause (38.7%) followed by bronchiolitis and Allergic bronchitis. 18.45 of cases had anemia and Leucocytosis was also present. Pulmonary infiltration was the major finding in the X-ray of chest. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the common bacterial pathogens isolated.Conclusions: To conclude, our study clearly highlighted the various types of clinical presentations, risk factors and different types of LRTI in children <12 years of age. Understanding a clear knowledge of the etiology and bacterial pathogens clearly provides guidance for the physician in management and clinical outcome. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernández-Sarmiento Jaime ◽  
Corrales Silvia Catalina ◽  
Obando Evelyn ◽  
Amin Jennifer ◽  
Alirio Bastidas Goyes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Respiratory tract infections caused by the rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) complex have traditionally been considered to be minor, self-limited infections in children, with few complications. There are no previous studies of patients living at high altitudes that characterize severe cases of this infection.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including patients from 1 month to 18 years old who had been hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections between October 2015 and December 2019, and had had a viral panel with RT-PCR during their hospitalization.Results: During the study period, 645 RT-PCRs were performed, with the two main etiological agents identified being RV/EV (224) and respiratory syncytial virus (68). The median age of patients with RV/EV complex was 27 months (IQR: 8-70), 55.8% were boys and the average length of hospital stay was 12 days (IQR: 6-24). Severe RV/EV complex infections required more transfers to intensive care (11% vs 47%), showed more viral coinfection (OR: 2.13,95%, 95%CI: 1.42-4.64) and had less bacterial coinfection (OR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.31-0.98) than RSV infections, with no difference in mortality ( 2.4% vs. 2.1%, P:0.09). Post-transplant patients (OR: 3.35, 95%CI: 1.10-11.34) and those with comorbidities (OR: 3.97, 95%CI: 2.23-7.08) had the highest risk of RV/EV infection. The RV/EV group had a higher risk of presenting acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OR: 3.6, 95%CI: 1.07-12:18), especially in premature infants (p: 0.05; exp (B), 2.99; 95%CI= 1.01-8.82), those with heart disease (p: 0.047; exp(B), 2.99; 95%CI = 1.01-8.82) and those with inborn errors of metabolism (p: 0.032; exp (B), 5-01; 95%CI= 1.15-21.81). Conclusions: Respiratory infection due to RV/EV in children who live at high altitudes can frequently be severe, requiring management with intensive care therapy. When compared to RSV, this complex is more frequently associated with viral coinfection and the development of ARDS, especially in risk groups such as those with prematurity, heart disease or inborn errors of metabolism. It is important to see RV / EV as a virus that can have an unsatisfactory course as or more severe than that of other viruses that affect the respiratory tract in children.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document