METHODS: Between 2015 and 2018, we evaluated 131 out of 180 (72.8%) children of adolescents from the original studies at a single follow-up visit. We administered standardized questionnaires, reviewed medical records, undertook clinical examinations, performed spirometry, and scored available chest computed tomography scans.
RESULTS: Participants were seen at a mean age of 12.3 years (standard deviation: 2.6) and a median of 9.0 years (range: 5.0-13.0) after their original recruitment. With increasing age, rates of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) declined, while lung function was mostly within population norms (median forced expiry volume in one-second = 90% predicted, interquartile range [IQR]: 81-105; forced vital capacity [FVC] = 98% predicted, IQR: 85-114). However, 43 out of 111 (38.7%) reported chronic cough episodes. Their overall global rating judged by symptoms, including ALRI frequency, examination findings, and spirometry was well (20.3%), stable (43.9%), or improved (35.8%). Multivariable regression identified household tobacco exposure and age at first ALRI-episode as independent risk factors associated with lower FVC% predicted values.
CONCLUSION: Under our clinical care, the respiratory outcomes in late childhood or early adolescence are encouraging for these patient populations at high-risk of premature mortality. Prospective studies to further inform management throughout the life course into adulthood are now needed.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the a) aetiology, b) factors associated with bacterial pneumonia and c) association between co-infections (bacteria + virus) and severity of disease, in children admitted with severe pneumonia.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving children aged 1-month to 5-years admitted with very severe pneumonia, as per the WHO definition, over 2 years. Induced sputum and blood obtained within 24 hrs of admission were examined via PCR, immunofluorescence and culture to detect 17 bacteria/viruses. A designated radiologist read the chest radiographs.
RESULTS: Three hundred patients with a mean (SD) age of 14 (±15) months old were recruited. Significant pathogens were detected in 62% of patients (n = 186). Viruses alone were detected in 23.7% (n = 71) with rhinovirus (31%), human metapneumovirus (HMP) [22.5%] and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [16.9%] being the commonest. Bacteria alone was detected in 25% (n = 75) with Haemophilus influenzae (29.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (24%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.7%) being the commonest. Co-infections were seen in 13.3% (n = 40) of patients. Male gender (AdjOR 1.84 [95% CI 1.10, 3.05]) and presence of crepitations (AdjOR 2.27 [95% CI 1.12, 4.60]) were associated with bacterial infection. C-reactive protein (CRP) [p = 0.007]) was significantly higher in patients with co-infections but duration of hospitalization (p = 0.77) and requirement for supplemental respiratory support (p = 0.26) were not associated with co-infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Bacteria remain an important cause of very severe pneumonia in developing countries with one in four children admitted isolating bacteria alone. Male gender and presence of crepitations were significantly associated with bacterial aetiology. Co-infection was associated with a higher CRP but no other parameters of severe clinical illness.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included healthy motherinfant pairs. Maternal diet during the last trimester was determined with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Infant respiratory morbidity was solicited at 1, 3 and 6 months.
RESULTS: Three hundred mother-baby pairs were recruited. Maternal consumption of milk and dairy products was associated with reduced respiratory symptoms at 1 month (aOR 0.29 [95% CI: 0.10, 0.86], p=0.03) and 3 months old (aOR 0.43 [95% CI: 0.20, 0.93], p=0.03), while intake of confectionery items was associated with increased unscheduled doctor visits at 3 months (aOR 2.01 [95% CI 1.33, 3.06], p=0.001) and increased nebuliser treatment at both 3 months (aOR 1.88 [95% CI 1.12, 3.17], p=0.02) and 6 months (aOR 1.64 [95% CI 1.05, 2.54], p=0.03). Finally, at 6 months, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was associated with increased nebuliser treatment (aOR 17.3 [95% CI 1.50, 199], p=0.02) while exclusive breastfeeding was associated with reduced incidence of respiratory symptoms (OR 0.47 [95% CI 0.26, 0.83], p=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Increased antenatal maternal consumption of milk and dairy products may reduce respiratory morbidity while increased consumption of confectionery items may increase respiratory morbidity in their infants during the first 6 months of life.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved children aged 4-12 years old with moderate to severe AD. Age and sex-matched healthy children were recruited as the comparison group. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to assess sleep disturbance and behavioral problems, respectively. Higher scores in both questionnaires signify more disturbance.
RESULTS: Seventy patients and 141 controls were recruited. Median (interquartile range) age of patients was 5 (4,8) years. Patients had later sleep time (p
METHODS: This retrospective study included children with PWS (with and without rhGH) who had undergone at least 1 polysomnography. Outcomes measured were the presence of SDB before and after starting rhGH and the progress of SDB with and without rhGH. Serial insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) measurements were recorded.
RESULTS: One-hundred and thirteen polysomnograms were analyzed. The majority (92.3%) of initial polysomnograms showed SDB, with a median (interquartile range) apnea-hypopnea index of 5.0 (2.6, 16.3) events/h. The age for receiving rhGH was a median (IQR) of 1.9 (0.7, 3.4) years. One-third (36.8%) had worsening SDB after initiating rhGH, which was associated with higher IGF-1 levels post-rhGH (P = .007). After a median of 5 years of rhGH, 73.6% maintained or reduced their positive airway pressure settings. Without rhGH, 80% had increased their positive airway pressure settings. Worsening SDB while on rhGH was associated with higher body mass index, lower rhGH dose, higher IGF-1 levels, and non-15q deletion.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Malaysian children with PWS had SDB. At initiation of rhGH, one-third of patients had worsening SDB, associated with increased IGF-1 levels. Stabilization of SDB was more frequently seen in those receiving long-term rhGH. Worsening SDB while on rhGH was associated with a higher body mass index, receiving a lower dose of rhGH, higher IGF-1 levels, and non-15q deletion.
CITATION: Tan YT, Azanan MS, Hng SY, et al. Long-term effect of growth hormone on sleep-disordered breathing in Malaysian children with Prader-Willi syndrome: a retrospective study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(8):1291-1299.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included all children diagnosed with CF in our centre. Data on clinical presentation, genetic mutation, serial spirometry results and complications were collected. Out-of-pocket (OOP) and healthcare costs over 1 year were retrieved for patients who were alive. Cohen's d and odds ratio (OR) were used to determine the effect size.
RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with CF. Five patients died at a median (range) age of 18 (0.3-22) years. F508deletion (c. 1521_1523delCTT) was found in 20% of the alleles, while 89% of the variants were detected in nine patients. Body mass index (BMI) Z score was >-1.96 in 70.6% of patients. Two thirds (68%) were colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and this was associated with lower weight (P = 0.009) and BMI (P = 0.02) Z scores. Only 18% had FEV1 Z scores >-1.96. Early symptom onset (d = 0.74), delayed diagnosis (d = 2.07), a low FEF25-75 Z score (d = 0.82) and a high sweat conductance (d = 1.19) were associated with death. Inpatient cost was mainly from diagnostic tests, while medications contributed to half of the outpatient cost.
Healthcare utilisation cost was catastrophic, amounting to 20% of the total income.
CONCLUSION: Asian children with CF suffer significant complications such as low weight, low lung function and shortened lifespan. P. aeruginosa colonisation was frequent and associated with poor growth. Healthcare cost to parents was catastrophic.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We are undertaking an international multicentre, double-blind, placebo-RCT to evaluate whether 12 months of erdosteine is beneficial for children and adults with bronchiectasis. We will recruit 194 children and adults with bronchiectasis to a parallel, superiority RCT at eight sites across Australia, Malaysia and Philippines. Our primary endpoint is the rate of exacerbations over 12 months. Our main secondary outcomes are QoL, exacerbation duration, time-to-next exacerbation, hospitalisations and lung function.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC) of Children's Health Queensland (for all Australian sites), University of Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia) and St. Luke's Medical Centre (Philippines) approved the study. We will publish the results and share the outcomes with the academic and medical community, funding and relevant patient organisations.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12621000315819.
METHODS: We undertook a multicenter, double-blind, superiority, randomized controlled trial involving 7 Australian, New Zealand, and Malaysian hospitals. Children aged 3 months to ≤5 years hospitalized with radiographic-confirmed CAP who received 1-3 days of intravenous antibiotics, then 3 days of oral amoxicillin-clavulanate, were randomized to either extended-course (8-day oral amoxicillin-clavulanate) or standard-course (8-day oral placebo) arms. Children were reviewed at 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was children with the composite endpoint of chronic respiratory symptoms/signs (chronic cough at 12 and 24 months; ≥1 subsequent hospitalized acute lower respiratory infection by 24 months; or persistent and/or new chest radiographic signs at 12-months) at 24-months postdischarge, analyzed by intention-to-treat, where children with incomplete follow-up were assumed to have chronic respiratory symptoms/signs ("worst-case" scenario).
RESULTS: A total of 324 children were randomized [extended-course (n = 163), standard-course (n = 161)]. For our primary outcome, chronic respiratory symptoms/signs occurred in 97/163 (60%) and 94/161 (58%) children in the extended-courses and standard-courses, respectively [relative risk (RR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-1.22]. Among children where all sub-composite outcomes were known, chronic respiratory symptoms/signs between groups, RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.69-1.76 [extended-course = 27/93 (29%) and standard-course = 24/91 (26%)]. Additional sensitivity analyses also revealed no between-group differences.
CONCLUSION: Among children from high-risk populations hospitalized with CAP, 13-14 days of antibiotics (versus 5-6 days), did not improve long-term respiratory outcomes.