Respirosonography in infants with acute bronchiolitis
Article Abstract:
Wheezes, caused by oscillation of airway walls, is common in obstructive airway diseases such as bronchiolitis, infantile asthma, and cystic fibrosis. The mechanisms underlying wheezing obstruction may include hyperresponsiveness of the airways, as well as other unidentified reactions. Airway hyperresponsiveness leads to airway constriction, which should be relieved by drugs with bronchodilator activity. Responses of infants with obstructive airways disease to bronchodilators may vary, and objective assessment of responses is difficult. Respironosonography, in which computers aid mathematical analysis of lung sound characteristics, may be helpful in assessing airway responsiveness in young children. This technique was used to evaluate how 16 infants with bronchiolitis responded to salbutamol. The infant group included 4 females and 12 males who were aged 1 to 23 months. Using respirosonography, seven infants were identified as responders to salbutamol and nine were identified as nonresponders, based on a decrease in the proportion of time spent wheezing. Respiratory rates decreased significantly in responders after salbutamol treatment. The average frequency of wheezing decreased significantly among nonresponders. Wheezing in the infants was acoustically different from that previously observed in older patients, suggesting the contribution of different mechanisms. The report suggests that respirosonography is a useful noninvasive method to objectively evaluate respiration in infants. The results also indicate that some children with obstructive airway disease respond to salbutamol. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Diseases of Children
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-922X
Year: 1991
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Evaluations of diapers containing absorbent gelling material with conventional disposable diapers in newborn infants
Article Abstract:
Diaper rash is a common problem in infants. Currently, there are three types of diapers available: nondisposable cotton diapers, conventional disposable diapers with a cellulose core, and a new disposable diaper that is extra-absorbent. This new product contains a gelling material (AGM) within the cellulose core. The core is made of high molecular weight polymers; AGM forms a gel when wet and locks the fluid into the fiber core. The construction of the extra-absorbent disposable diaper is otherwise similar to the regular disposal diaper. Conventional disposal diapers or the new AGM diapers were used on 149 infants who were monitored from birth until 14 weeks of age; the severity and the prevalence of diaper rash were monitored. An overall low frequency of diaper rash was found in the period from birth until four days of age. However, during this time, seven newborns developed small skin erosions which were associated with both types of diapers. This suggests that infants' skin may be more fragile than previously documented. The rates of diaper dermatitis were significantly lower at 14 weeks in the group using AGM diapers, compared with the group using conventional disposable diapers. Prior to 14 weeks, no statistical differences between the groups of babies were recorded and the general incidence of diaper rash was low. The role of physiological skin maturation and the prevalence and severity of diaper rash are areas that need to be investigated, along with other variables, such as the effect of diet and frequency of changes. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Diseases of Children
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-922X
Year: 1990
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