The Egyptian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (ESPAI)The Egyptian Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology1687-164216220181001Is there a role for inhaled corticosteroids in early life wheeze?27303063310.21608/ejpa.2018.30633ENElhamHossnyProfessor of Pediatrics
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptJournal Article20181023https://ejpai.journals.ekb.eg/article_30633_6f874a86533ca6f528dd2347ec07cad2.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (ESPAI)The Egyptian Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology1687-164216220181001The critical level of vitamin D in childhood asthma31393063410.21608/ejpa.2018.30634ENYehiaEl-GamalPediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit,
Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.RashaEl-OwaidyMD, PhD. Lecturer of Pediatrics and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ain-Shams University, Egypt. Member, ESPAI, WAO, EAACI, ESID, ASID0000-0002-5609-4160Menat Allah A.ShabaanClinical pathology department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptMohammadHassanEgyptian Ministry of
Health Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt.Journal Article20181023Objectives: Studies have suggested a significant link between vitamin<br />D status and asthma. We sought to determine the cutoff level of25<br />hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D that is significantly linked to asthma<br />status in children. Methods: Our cross-sectional study comprised 90<br />asthmatic children, aged 2-18 years. They were evaluated clinically<br />and classified according to asthma severity and control. Asthma<br />control test (ACT) was performed in those aged above 4 years.<br />Pulmonary functions were performed in cooperative children (n=59).<br />Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were measured by ELISA in all<br />patients. Results: The study comprised 52 boys (57.7%) and 38 girls<br />(42.3%) with mean age 7.03±4.36 years. Thirty-six patients (40%)<br />had mild asthma, 37 (41%) moderate asthma and 17 (19%) had<br />severe asthma. Forty-two patients (46.6%) had controlled asthma; 14<br />(15.6%) partially controlled and 34 (37.8%) had uncontrolled asthma.<br />ACT score ranged: 11-26, with mean score: 18.9 ± 4.3 SD. Serum 25-<br />OHvitamin D levels ranged between 2-48 ng/ml (mean± SD: 12.2 ± 9<br />ng/ml); levels were comparable among different grades of asthma<br />severity (f= 1.975, p=0.145), while the uncontrolled asthma group<br />showed the lowest levels (f=8.511, p <0.001). 25-OH vitamin D levels<br />correlated positively with ACT score (r= 0.369, p= <0.001) but not<br />with inhaled steroids doses or any of the pulmonary function<br />parameters. A level of 7.5 ng/ml was associated with partial/complete<br />uncontrol of asthma with 81 % sensitivity and 53 % specificity.<br />Conclusion: 25-OH vitamin D levels below 7.5 ng/ml are associated<br />with poor asthma status in children.https://ejpai.journals.ekb.eg/article_30634_61a92f9697a2d07aed2ae895eff8c8a7.pdfThe Egyptian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (ESPAI)The Egyptian Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology1687-164216220181001Use of antibiotics for asthma attacks in Egyptian children41443063510.21608/ejpa.2018.30635ENNihalEl RifaiFaculty of Medicine, Cairo University, EgyptHodaRizkDepartments of Public Health, Faculty of
Medicine, Cairo University, EgyptJournal Article20181023Background: Bacterial infection plays a negligible role in pediatric acute<br />asthma attacks. However, many patients are treated empirically with<br />antibiotics. Objective: This study attempted to investigate the problem of<br />antibiotic usage as a part of treatment of acute asthma among children<br />living in Egypt. Methods: The current exploratory study included a random<br />sample of 300 children visiting the allergy clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo<br />University from September 2016 to September 2017. A study researcher<br />applied a validated questionnaire to the child's parents about usage of<br />antibiotics. Results: Most families belonged to the low or middle social<br />class. About 65.7% of children had sub-optimal asthma control, 73.7%<br />experienced acute attacks, with over half of them (51%) receiving<br />antibiotics; 41.8% of those who received antibiotics were self-medicated.<br />Over 90% reused previous prescriptions. Main single reasons for resorting<br />to self-medication were to save money and the assumption that previous<br />prescriptions can be reused. About 45.3% expressed intention to employ<br />self-medication in the future. Low social class was associated with<br />significantly higher odds of resorting to self-medication (odds ratio=3.32;<br />p=0.05). Conclusion: A remarkable antibiotic use was detected among<br />children who had acute asthma, a large proportion of which was without<br />medical consultation. Family social class was an independent predictor for<br />adopting self-medication.https://ejpai.journals.ekb.eg/article_30635_7d3d5c721ad5d6e4e31b3da45d97a6b3.pdf