Wheezing in Infancy: An Overview of Recent Literature

Probiotics in Children with Asthma

A type-2 immune response usually sustains wheezing and asthma in children. In addition, dysbiosis of digestive and respiratory tracts is detectable in patients with wheezing and asthma. Probiotics may rebalance immune response, repair dysbiosis, and mitigate airway inflammation. As a result, probiotics may prevent asthma and wheezing relapse. There is evidence that some probiotic strains may improve asthma outcomes in children. In this context, the PROPAM study provided evidence that two specific strains significantly prevented asthma exacerbations and wheezing episodes. Therefore, oral probiotics could be used as add-on asthma therapy in managing children with asthma, but the choice should be based on documented evidence.

Prevalence and associated factors of wheeze in early infancy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of wheeze in early childhood and to characterize associated factors for wheeze that could identify potentially feasible interventions for the future prevention of wheeze.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)-modified self-administered questionnaire of parents of 4-month-old infants at well-child visits (mandatory health check-ups) in Nagoya City, Japan, between April 2016 and March 2017 (development dataset) and between April 2017 and March 2018 (validation dataset). We used a multivariable, multilevel analysis to identify significant (P < 0.05), associated factors (Bonferroni correction was applied as necessary) after adjustment for local outbreaks of virus-transmitted diseases, access to medical facilities, and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

Among the 20 362 questionnaires given to families of infants living in Nagoya City (development dataset), 19 104 questionnaires (93.8%) were analyzed after data cleaning. In all, 1,446 (7.6%) infants experienced wheeze at least once within 4 months of age, 991 (5.2%) visited the clinic/hospital with wheeze, and 244 (1.3%) underwent hospitalization at that time. In the multilevel, multivariable model for hospitalization with wheeze, significant associated factors were male sex (adjusted odds ratio 1.8; 95% confidence interval 1.4-2.3), maternal current smoking (3.3; 2.0-5.5), and having at least one sibling (3.0; 2.2-4.1). These factors were also associated with wheeze and clinic/hospital visit with wheeze, and the results were confirmed in the validation dataset.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights that smoking cessation among mothers and improved hand hygiene at home are two interventions that could potentially decrease wheeze in early infancy.

The Role of Lung Function Testing in Newborn Infants With Congenital Thoracic Arterial Anomalies

Introduction: Congenital thoracic arterial anomalies (CTAAs), such as complete or incomplete vascular rings, pulmonary artery sling, and innominate artery compression syndrome, may cause severe tracheomalacia and upper airway obstruction. An obstructive ventilatory pattern at lung function testing (LFT) has been suggested in the presence of CTAA. The severity of obstruction may be evaluated by LFT. Little is known about the use of LFT in newborn infants with CTAA. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of LFT in CTAA diagnosis. Methods: This is a retrospective study, conducted between February 2016 and July 2020. All CTAA cases for whom LFT was performed preoperatively were considered for inclusion. Tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate, and the ratio of time to reach the peak tidal expiratory flow over total expiratory time (tPTEF/tE) were assessed and compared to existing normative data. Demographics and CTAA characteristics were also collected. Results: Thirty cases were included. All infants with CTAA showed a significantly reduced Vt and tPTEF/tE, compared to existing normative data suggesting an obstructive pattern. No significant differences were found for LFT between cases with a tracheal obstruction <50% compared to those with tracheal obstruction ≥50%, or between cases with and without symptoms. Sixteen infants (53.3%) had respiratory symptoms related to CTAA. Of these, only two cases had also dysphagia. Conclusion: LFT values were significantly reduced in cases with CTAA before surgery. LFT represents a potential feasible and non-invasive useful tool to guide diagnosis in the suspect of CTAA.

Association Between Mouth Breathing and Asthma: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between asthma and mouth breathing. We performed a systematic search in the PubMed, SCOPUS, Lilacs, Web of Science, Google Scholar and OpenThesis databases.

RECENT FINDINGS

Asthma is defined as a heterogeneous disease characterized by variable symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest oppression and/or cough, and limitation of expiratory airflow. Although several studies have examined the association between asthma and mouth breathing, there are no systematic reviews or meta-analyses that synthesize the available bodies of evidence. We used the odds ratio as a measure of the association between asthma and mouth breathing. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects models, and the risk of bias was estimated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case-control studies and the National Institutes of Health tool for cross-sectional studies. Nine studies were included in the present systematic review. Data from 12,147 subjects were analyzed, of which 2083 were children and adolescents and 10,064 were adults. We found an association between mouth breathing and asthma in children and adolescents (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.78-3.39) and in adults (OR 4.60, 95% CI 1.49-14.20). However, limitations were found in the methodological description of the included studies, as well as high heterogeneity among studies evaluating adult populations. This meta-analysis showed an association between mouth breathing and asthma in children, adolescents and adults, but the results should be interpreted with caution. Further studies with standardized criteria for the investigation of mouth breathing are needed.

Effects of Macrolide Treatment during the Hospitalization of Children with Childhood Wheezing Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Children are susceptible to a variety of respiratory infections. Wheezing is a common sign presented by children with respiratory infections. Asthma, bronchiolitis, and bronchitis are common causes of childhood wheezing disease (CWD) and are regarded as overlapping disease spectra. Macrolides are common antimicrobial agents with anti-inflammatory effects. We conducted a comprehensive literature search and a systematic review of studies that investigated the influences of macrolide treatment on CWD. The primary outcomes were the impact of macrolides on hospitalization courses of patients with CWD. Data pertaining to the study population, macrolide treatment, hospital courses, and recurrences were analyzed. Twenty-three studies with a combined study population of 2210 patients were included in the systematic review. Any kind of benefit from macrolide treatment was observed in approximately two-thirds of the studies (15/23). Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis to investigate the influence of macrolides on the length of stay (LOS), duration of oxygen demand (DOD), symptoms and signs of respiratory distress, and re-admission rates. Although the benefits of macrolide treatment were reported in several of the studies, no significant differences in LOS, DOD, symptoms and signs of respiratory distress, or re-admission rates were observed in patients undergoing macrolide treatment. In conclusion, any kind of benefit of macrolide treatment was observed in approximately two-thirds of the studies; however, no obvious benefits of macrolide treatment were observed in the hospitalization courses of children with CWD. The routine use of macrolides to improve the hospitalization course of children with CWD is not suggested.

Wheezing and infantile colic are associated with neonatal antibiotic treatment

BACKGROUND

Cohort studies have suggested that early-life antibiotic treatment is associated with increased risk of atopy. We determined whether antibiotic treatment already in the first week of life increases the risk of atopic and non-atopic disorders.

METHODS

The INCA study is a prospective observational birth cohort study of 436 term infants, with follow-up of 1 year; 151 neonates received broad-spectrum antibiotics for suspected neonatal infection (AB+), vs a healthy untreated control group (N = 285; AB-). In the first year, parents recorded daily (non-) allergic symptoms. At 1 year, doctors' diagnoses were registered and a blood sample was taken (n = 205).

RESULTS

Incidence of wheezing in the first year was higher in AB+ than AB- (41.0% vs 30.5%, P = .026; aOR 1.56 [95%CI 0.99-2.46, P = .06]). Infantile colics were more prevalent in AB+ compared to AB- (21.9% and 14.4% P = .048), and antibiotic treatment was an independent risk factor for infantile colics (aOR 1.66 (95%CI 1.00-2.77) P = .05). Allergic sensitization (Phadiatop >0.70kUA/L) showed a trend toward a higher risk in AB+ (aOR 3.26 (95%CI 0.95-11.13) P = .06). Incidence of eczema, infections, and GP visits in the first year were similar in AB+ and AB-.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic treatment in the first week of life is associated with an increased risk of wheezing and infantile colics. This study may provide a rationale for early cessation of antibiotics in neonates without proven or probable infection.