Respiratory Infections in Children (original) (raw)
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Treatment of the most common respiratory infections in children
Arhiv za farmaciju
Acute respiratory infections are the most common group of infective diseases in the pediatric population. Although the improvement of health care and vaccination program has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of certain respiratory infections, the combination of a high prevalence in vulnerable pediatric categories and uncritical prescription of antibiotics, due to the inability to adequately distinguish between viruses and bacterial etiology, still represents a significant challenge for the public health system. In order to promote rational antibiotic therapy with an overall improvement of both diagnostic and therapeutic principles, acute respiratory diseases have been the subject of consideration in numerous publications and national guidelines. Nonspecific clinical manifestations with pathogen heterogeneity and both anatomical and physiological characteristics of the child's respiratory system during growth and development have created the need for individualized ...
AIRWAY INFECTION IN THE PEDIATRIC COMMUNITY LINKED TO THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT OF EACH CONDITION (Atena Editora), 2023
Sinusitis and rhinitis are inflammations of the nasal mucosa, especially in children, but they are difficult to diagnose, as they are confused with other similar problems. The use of antibiotics to treat viral infections in children is inappropriate. Treatment is often empirical, based on microbiological data such as cultures and antimicrobial sensitivity, varying for acute and chronic treatment in terms of doses and duration. There is divergence of criteria on these aspects.
Diagnosis and Management of Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Practical Guide
Archives of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 2015
Context: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) affect children all over the world and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. RTIs are usually triggered by viruses, though bacterial infections are also common. Results: Children are particularly susceptible to RTIs due to the relative immaturity of their immune systems, and genetic factors (such as family history of atopy) and/or environmental factors (such as exposure to pollution and pathogens) also render certain populations more vulnerable to infection. Furthermore, RTIs tend to be recurrent and can result in multiple infections per year. The management of recurrent RTIs poses a tremendous challenge for physicians, who have a limited armamentarium with which to alleviate patients' symptoms, treat their disease, and prevent recurrences. Conclusions: Though antibiotics are rarely indicated, they are often still used to treat RTIs. The resulting increase in bacterial resistance, the lack of treatment efficacy, and drug-related side effects all underscore the need for alternative strategies to manage recurrent RTIs. This article uses a typical pediatric case study to review central issues in the diagnosis and management of recurrent RTIs in children, with an emphasis on the role of immunomodulation as a preventive strategy.
The management of recurrent croup in children
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 2013
To review the aetiology, investigation, diagnosis, treatment and clinical outcome of children with recurrent croup. Retrospective case note review of all children with recurrent croup referred to the otolaryngology service at our hospital from November 2002 to March 2011. Ninety children with recurrent croup were identified. Twenty-five children (28 per cent) had anatomical airway abnormalities, of which 16 (18 per cent) demonstrated degrees of subglottic stenosis. Twenty-three children (26 per cent) had positive microlaryngobronchoscopy findings suggestive of reflux. Eleven children were treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease, 10 (91 per cent) of whom responded well to anti-reflux medication (p = 0.006). No cause was identified for 41 (45 per cent) of the children; this was the group most likely to continue having episodes of croup at follow up. One death occurred in this group. Airway anomalies are common in children that present with recurrent croup. Laryngobronchoscopy allows identification of the cause of croup and enables a more accurate prognosis. In the current study, laryngobronchoscopy findings that indicated reflux were predictive of benefit from anti-reflux medications, whereas the clinical presentation of reflux was not. Routine measurement of immunoglobulin E and complement proteins did not appear to be helpful.
New approaches to respiratory infections in children: Bronchiolitis and croup
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 2002
Two of the most common respiratory diseases that the emergency physician sees are bronchiolitis and acute laryngotracheobronchitis (viral croup). Bronchiolitis occurs before the age of 2 years, and the the cause is usually viral. Croup occurs between the ages of 6 months and 6 years and has a viral cause. There have been varied approaches and treatments to both of these diseases in the past. What follows is a review of the approach to previous and recent treatments for these two common respiratory infections in children.
Approach to Common Cold in Children
The Journal of Pediatric Research, 2015
Infections of the upper respiratory tract are very common in children. Clinical features and patterns of disease are different from those in adults. Although infections of the upper respiratory tract often resolve completely without complications, treatment is indicated where it can achieve more rapid resolution of symptoms and prevent the complications. Vast amounts of money are wasted on over-the-counter products for colds. Clinical trials have confirmed their lack of efficacy. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of common cold in children.
BJA Education
Difficulty in breathing is the commonest medical reason for paediatric attendance at emergency departments. 1 Infections of the paediatric airway may combine the urgent challenge of managing airway obstruction and respiratory distress with the management of systemic infection and sepsis. While basic life support principles provide a sound framework for immediate management of respiratory distress, therapies will vary with the specific pathology encountered. It should be remembered that non-infective causes of respiratory distress may present in a similar fashion. Table 1 lists some of the infective and non-infective causes of respiratory distress in children. Initial management of respiratory distress Initial management of any child presenting with respiratory distress follows an ABCDE pattern as per Advanced Paediatric Life Support guidance. 2 First, assess the child's response, proceeding to life support if necessary. Oxygen (ideally humidified) should be administered wherever possible unless it may cause such agitation to the child as to cause clinical deterioration. Assess the airway by looking for chest movement, listening for breath sounds or evidence of partial obstruction such as stridor (caused by obstruction at a laryngeal level) as opposed to stertor, a snoring noise caused by obstruction involving soft tissues above the level of the larynx), and feeling for air movement. Evaluation of breathing involves a similar look, listen, and feel approach, focusing on respiratory rate, the presence of recession (tracheal tug and recession subcostally or even sternally), cyanosis, oxygen saturation, and breath sounds among other signs. However, it is important to be aware that oxygen saturation in a child receiving supplemental oxygen may mask underlying serious respiratory compromise. Attention should then be paid to the child's circulation status, conscious level, pupils and finally look for other potential clinical signs including rash and the presence of fever. History A sudden onset of symptoms suggests the presence of a foreign body, anaphylaxis, or trauma as the cause of respiratory distress. Infection has a longer time course and is commonly associated with a fever. The history may also help identify the location of the pathology, e.g. a change in voice is suggestive of inflammation or obstruction at a laryngeal/supraglottic level. Examination Having excluded complete or life-threatening airway obstruction, examination of the child should involve assessment of: Key points • Difficulty in breathing is the commonest medical reason for paediatric attendance at emergency departments. • Such presentations may present the combined challenges of airway obstruction, hypoxaemia, and systemic sepsis.
Management of croup in children
2018
Laryngotracheobronchitis, commonly known as croup, is a respiratory illness, often mild, which occurs most frequently in children between six months and three years of age. It is characterised by a seal-like ‘barking’ cough, hoarseness of the voice and inspiratory stridor which is preceded by fever, rhinorrhoea and a non-specific cough. Respiratory distress and lethargy are uncommon exacerbations of croup which may be potentially life threatening. This article provides an overview of croup, including the epidemiology and clinical manifestations and the management thereof.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Pediatrics, Treatment Approaches: Review Article
The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2018
This article outlines the etiology and epidemiology of childhood acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI), preventative measures, and management of the most common and important cause of ALRI, pneumonia. Method: We conducted a review to determine the proper treatment of Lower respiratory tract infection in pediatrics. In May 2018 we searched PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE databases Conclusion: Viral lower respiratory system infections in newborns and children are important clinical and socioeconomic problems worldwide. Viral lower respiratory system infections are mild and selfrestricting in many cases. Specific patient groups are at risk of a severe program of illness, although formerly healthy infants with a viral lower respiratory tract infection may additionally develop extreme illness.
Microorganisms, 2020
In healthy infants and young children, the development of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) is extremely common. In this paper, we present an international consensus of the available approaches for the prevention of recurrent RTIs in children, including the atopic/allergic ones as well as those with asthma. Few convincing measures for reducing the frequency and clinical relevance of recurrent respiratory episodes in RTI-prone children have been developed until now. Among the most recently suggested measures, immunotherapy is attractive, but only for OM-85 is there a sufficient number of well-conducted clinical trials confirming efficacy in RTIs prevention with an adequate safety profile. In the case of probiotics, it is not clear which bacteria can offer the best results and which dosage and schedule of administration are the most effective. The problems of dosage and the schedule of administration are not solved also for vitamin D, despite some promising efficacy results. While w...