Chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases among indigenous children

Pregnant and early parenting Indigenous women who use substances in Canada: A scoping review of health and social issues, supports, and strategies

This study reviews and synthesizes the literature on Indigenous women who are pregnant/early parenting and using substances in Canada to understand the scope and state of knowledge to inform research with the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg in Manitoba and the development of a pilot Indigenous doula program. A scoping review was performed searching ten relevant databases, including one for gray literature. We analyzed 56 articles/documents. Themes include: (1) cyclical repercussions of state removal of Indigenous children from their families; (2) compounding barriers and inequities; (3) prevalence and different types of substance use; and (4) intervention strategies. Recommendations for future research are identified and discussed.

Clinical course of chronic suppurative lung disease and bronchiectasis in Alaska Native children

INTRODUCTION

Alaska Native (AN) children from the Yukon Kuskokwim (YK) Delta region have high rates of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), including bronchiectasis. We characterized the clinical progress of an AN adolescent cohort with CSLD/bronchiectasis, and estimated bronchiectasis prevalence trends in this region.

METHODS

The original cohort comprised 41 AN children (originally aged 0.5-8 years) with CSLD/bronchiectasis, recruited between 2005 and 2008, with follow-up in 2015-2016. Clinical assessments, lung function, radiography, medical chart review, and spirometry were obtained. We also conducted data queries of bronchiectasis diagnoses in YK individuals born between 1990 and 2010 to estimate prevalence.

RESULTS

Thirty-four (83%) of the original cohort aged 7.3-17.6 years were reviewed, of whom 14 (41%) had high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)-confirmed bronchiectasis, eight (24%) had no evidence of bronchiectasis on HRCT scans, while 12 (35%) had not undergone HRCT scans. Annual lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) frequency decreased with age, although 27 (79%) still had respiratory symptoms, including all with HRCT-confirmed bronchiectasis, who were also more likely than those without confirmed bronchiectasis to have recent wheeze (80 vs 25%, P = 0.005), auscultatory crackles (60 vs 0%, P < 0.001), and lower mean forced expiratory volume in 1-second/forced vital capacity ratio (73 vs 79%, P = 0.03). The bronchiectasis prevalence for YK AN people born during 2000-2009 was 7 per 1000 births, which was lower than previously reported.

CONCLUSION

Despite reduced LRTI frequency, most AN children with CSLD/bronchiectasis had symptoms/signs of underlying lung disease as they entered adolescence. Close clinical follow-up remains essential for managing these patients as they transition to adulthood.

Bronchiectasis: Treatment decisions for pulmonary exacerbations and their prevention

Interest in bronchiectasis has increased over the past two decades, as shown by the establishment of disease-specific registries in several countries, the publication of management guidelines and a growing number of clinical trials to address evidence gaps for treatment decisions. This review considers the evidence for defining and treating pulmonary exacerbations, the approaches for eradication of newly identified airway pathogens and the methods to prevent exacerbations through long-term treatments from a pragmatic practice-based perspective. Areas for future studies are also explored. Watch the video abstract.

An update on pediatric bronchiectasis

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence and awareness of bronchiectasis not related to cystic fibrosis (CF) is increasing and it is now recognized as a major cause of respiratory morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilization worldwide. The need to elucidate the early origins of bronchiectasis is increasingly appreciated and has been identified as an important research priority. Current treatments for pediatric bronchiectasis are limited to antimicrobials, airway clearance techniques and vaccination. Several new drugs targeting airway inflammation are currently in development. Areas covered: Current management of pediatric bronchiectasis, including discussion on therapeutics, non-pharmacological interventions and preventative and surveillance strategies are covered in this review. We describe selected adult and pediatric data on bronchiectasis treatments and briefly discuss emerging therapeutics in the field. Expert commentary: Despite the burden of disease, the number of studies evaluating potential treatments for bronchiectasis in children is extremely low and substantially disproportionate to that for CF. Research into the interactions between early life respiratory tract infections and the developing immune system in children is likely to reveal risk factors for bronchiectasis development and inform future preventative and therapeutic strategies. Tailoring interventions to childhood bronchiectasis is imperative to halt the disease in its origins and improve adult outcomes.

Housing characteristics and indoor air quality in households of Alaska Native children with chronic lung conditions

Alaska Native children experience high rates of respiratory infections and conditions. Household crowding, indoor smoke, lack of piped water, and poverty have been associated with respiratory infections. We describe the baseline household characteristics of children with severe or chronic lung disease participating in a 2012-2015 indoor air study. We monitored indoor PM2.5, CO2 , relative humidity %, temperature, and VOCs and interviewed caregivers about children's respiratory symptoms. We evaluated the association between reported children's respiratory symptoms and indoor air quality indicators using multiple logistic regression analysis. Compared with general US households, study households were more likely overcrowded 73% (62%-82%) vs 3.2% (3.1%-3.3%); had higher woodstove use as primary heat source 16% (9%-25%) vs 2.1% (2.0%-2.2%); and higher proportion of children in a household with a smoker 49% (38%-60%) vs 26.2% (25.5%-26.8%). Median PM2.5 was 33 μg/m3 . Median CO2 was 1401 ppm. VOCs were detectable in all homes. VOCs, smoker, primary wood heat, and PM2.5>25 μg/m3 were associated with higher risk for cough between colds; VOCs were associated with higher risk for wheeze between colds and asthma diagnosis. High indoor air pollutant levels were associated with respiratory symptoms in household children, likely related to overcrowding, poor ventilation, woodstove use, and tobacco smoke.

Lower respiratory tract infection hospitalizations among American Indian/Alaska Native children and the general United States child population

BACKGROUND

The lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)-associated hospitalization rate in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children aged <5 years declined during 1998-2008, yet remained 1.6 times higher than the general US child population in 2006-2008.

PURPOSE

Describe the change in LRTI-associated hospitalization rates for AI/AN children and for the general US child population aged <5 years.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of hospitalizations with discharge ICD-9-CM codes for LRTI for AI/AN children and for the general US child population <5 years during 2009-2011 was conducted using Indian Health Service direct and contract care inpatient data and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, respectively. We calculated hospitalization rates and made comparisons to previously published 1998-1999 rates prior to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction.

RESULTS

The average annual LRTI-associated hospitalization rate declined from 1998-1999 to 2009-2011 in AI/AN (35%, p<0.01) and the general US child population (19%, SE: 4.5%, p<0.01). The 2009-2011 AI/AN child average annual LRTI-associated hospitalization rate was 20.7 per 1,000, 1.5 times higher than the US child rate (13.7 95% CI: 12.6-14.8). The Alaska (38.9) and Southwest regions (27.3) had the highest rates. The disparity was greatest for infant (<1 year) pneumonia-associated and 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza-associated hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the LRTI-associated hospitalization rate declined, the 2009-2011 AI/AN child rate remained higher than the US child rate, especially in the Alaska and Southwest regions. The residual disparity is likely multi-factorial and partly related to household crowding, indoor smoke exposure, lack of piped water and poverty. Implementation of interventions proven to reduce LRTI is needed among AI/AN children.

Health of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous populations worldwide are experiencing social, cultural, demographic, nutritional, and psychoemotional changes that have a profound impact on health. Regardless of their geographical location or sociopolitical situation, health indicators are always poorer for indigenous populations than for nonindigenous ones. The determinants of this gap are multiple and interactive, and their analysis requires a biocultural framework. Indigenous populations suffer from lower life expectancy, high infant and child mortality, high maternal morbidity and mortality, heavy infectious disease loads, malnutrition, stunted growth, increasing levels of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, substance abuse, and depression. The devastating effects of colonization, the loss of ancestral land, and language and cultural barriers for access to health care are among the most salient themes characterizing the poor health situation of indigenous people. Anthropology is extremely well suited to address the interplay among social, economic, and political forces that shape the local experiences of illness.

Indigenous children from three countries with non-cystic fibrosis chronic suppurative lung disease/bronchiectasis

OBJECTIVE

Indigenous children in developed countries are at increased risk of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), including bronchiectasis. We evaluated sociodemographic and medical factors in indigenous children with CSLD/bronchiectasis from Australia, United States (US), and New Zealand (NZ).

METHODS

Indigenous children aged 0.5-8 years with CSLD/bronchiectasis were enrolled from specialist clinics in Australia (n = 97), Alaska (n = 41), and NZ (n = 42) during 2004-2009, and followed for 1-5 years. Research staff administered standardized parent interviews, reviewed medical histories and performed physical examinations at enrollment.

RESULTS

Study children in all three countries had poor housing and sociodemographic circumstances at enrollment. Except for increased household crowding, most poverty indices in study participants were similar to those reported for their respective local indigenous populations. However, compared to their local indigenous populations, study children were more often born prematurely and had both an increased frequency and earlier onset of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs). Most (95%) study participants had prior ALRI hospitalizations and 77% reported a chronic cough in the past year. Significant differences (wheeze, ear disease and plumbed water) between countries were present.

DISCUSSION

Indigenous children with CSLD/bronchiectasis from three developed countries experience significant disparities in poverty indices in common with their respective indigenous population; however, household crowding, prematurity and early ALRIs were more common in study children than their local indigenous population. Addressing equity, especially by preventing prematurity and ALRIs, should reduce risk of CSLD/bronchiectasis in indigenous children.

Respiratory health outcomes 1 year after admission with severe lower respiratory tract infection

Severe lower respiratory infection (LRI) is believed to be one precursor of protracted bacterial bronchitis, chronic moist cough (CMC), and chronic suppurative lung disease. The aim of this study was to determine and to describe the presence of respiratory morbidity in young children 1 year after being hospitalized with a severe LRI. Children aged less than 2 years admitted from August 1, 2007 to December 23, 2007 already enrolled in a prospective epidemiology study (n = 394) were included in this second study only if they had a diagnosis of severe bronchiolitis or of pneumonia with no co-morbidities (n = 237). Funding allowed 164 to be identified chronologically, 131 were able to be contacted, and 94 agreed to be assessed by a paediatrician 1 year post index admission. Demographic information, medical history and a respiratory questionnaire was recorded, examination, pulse oximetry, and chest X-ray (CXR) were performed. The predetermined primary endpoints were; (i) history of CMC for at least 3 months, (ii) the presence of moist cough and/or crackles on examination in clinic, and (iii) an abnormal CXR when seen at a time of stability. Each CXR was read by two pediatric radiologists blind to the individuals' current health. Results showed 30% had a history of CMC, 32% had a moist cough and/or crackles on examination in clinic, and in 62% of those with a CXR it was abnormal. Of the 81 children with a readable follow-up X-ray, 11% had all three abnormal outcomes, and 74% had one or more abnormal outcomes. Three children had developed bronchiectasis on HRCT. The majority of children with a hospital admission at <2 years of age for severe bronchiolitis or pneumonia continued to have respiratory morbidity 1 year later when seen at a time of stability, with a small number already having sustained significant lung disease.

Childhood asthma in low income countries: an invisible killer?

Bacterial pneumonia has hitherto been considered the key cause of the high respiratory morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age (under-5s) in low-income countries, while asthma has not been stated as a significant reason. This paper explores the definitions and concepts of pneumonia and asthma/wheezing/bronchiolitis and examines whether asthma in under-5s may be confused with pneumonia. Over-diagnosing of bacterial pneumonia can be suspected from the limited association between clinical pneumonia and confirmatory test results such as chest x-ray and microbiological findings and poor treatment results using antibiotics. Moreover, children diagnosed with recurrent pneumonia in infancy were often later diagnosed with asthma. Recent studies showed a 10-15% prevalence of preschool asthma in low-income countries, although under-5s with long-term cough and difficulty breathing remain undiagnosed. New studies demonstrate that approximately 50% of acutely admitted under-5s diagnosed with pneumonia according to Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses could be re-diagnosed with asthma or wheezing when using re-defined diagnostic criteria and treatment. It is hypothesised that untreated asthma may contribute to respiratory mortality since respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory death in childhood, and asthma in under-5s is often exacerbated by viral infections, including RSV. Furthermore, acute respiratory treatment failures were predominantly seen in under-5s without fever, which suggests the diagnosis of asthma/wheezing rather than bacterial pneumonia. Ultimately, underlying asthma may have contributed to malnutrition and fatal bacterial pneumonia. In conclusion, preschool asthma in low-income countries may be significantly under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed as pneumonia, and may be the cause of much morbidity and mortality.

Azithromycin for Indigenous children with bronchiectasis: study protocol for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD) and bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis (CF) among Indigenous children in Australia, New Zealand and Alaska is very high. Antibiotics are a major component of treatment and are used both on a short or long-term basis. One aim of long-term or maintenance antibiotics is to reduce the frequency of acute pulmonary exacerbations and symptoms. However, there are few studies investigating the efficacy of long-term antibiotic use for CSLD and non-CF bronchiectasis among children. This study tests the hypothesis that azithromycin administered once a week as maintenance antibiotic treatment will reduce the rate of pulmonary exacerbations in Indigenous children with bronchiectasis.

METHODS/DESIGN

We are conducting a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand. Inclusion criteria are: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Maori or Pacific Island children aged 1 to 8 years, diagnosed with bronchiectasis (or probable bronchiectasis) with no underlying disease identified (such as CF or primary immunodeficiency), and having had at least one episode of pulmonary exacerbation in the last 12 months. After informed consent, children are randomised to receive either azithromycin (30 mg/kg once a week) or placebo (once a week) for 12-24 months from study entry. Primary outcomes are the rate of pulmonary exacerbations and time to pulmonary exacerbation determined by review of patient medical records. Secondary outcomes include length and severity of pulmonary exacerbation episodes, changes in growth, school loss, respiratory symptoms, forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV(1); for children ≥6 years), and sputum characteristics. Safety endpoints include serious adverse events. Antibiotic resistance in respiratory bacterial pathogens colonising the nasopharynx is monitored. Data derived from medical records and clinical assessments every 3 to 4 months for up to 24 months from study entry are recorded on standardised forms.

DISCUSSION

Should this trial demonstrate that azithromycin is efficacious in reducing the number of pulmonary exacerbations, it will provide a much-needed rationale for the use of long-term antibiotics in the medical management of bronchiectasis in Indigenous children.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000383066.

Trends in lower respiratory tract infection hospitalizations among American Indian/Alaska Native children and the general US child population

OBJECTIVE

To describe trends in the rate of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and the general US population of children aged <5 years.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective analysis of trends and hospitalization rates for LRTI-associated hospitalizations in 1998-2008 among AI/AN children aged <5 years using the Indian Health Service direct/contract inpatient data, and also among the general population of US children aged <5 years using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

RESULTS

The 2006-2008 LRTI-associated hospitalization rate for AI/AN children aged <5 years (21.8 per 1000/year) was 32% lower than the 1998-1999 rate, and 1.6-fold higher than the general US children rate (13.8 per 1000/year; 95% CI, 12.8-14.8). Higher rates were seen in AI/AN children aged <5 years in the Alaska and the Southwest regions of the United States (41.2 and 28.0 per 1000/year, respectively). In infants, these rates were 136.4 and 82.4 per 1000/year, respectively, exceeding the rate in the general US infant population (37.1 per 1000/year; 95% CI, 34.3-40.0). The greatest disparity in the LRTI-associated hospitalization rate between AI/AN infants and the general US infant population was seen for pneumonia, with a 3-fold higher rate in AI/AN infants (36.2 per 1000/year vs 12.7 per 1000/year; 95% CI, 11.8-13.6).

CONCLUSION

The LRTI-associated hospitalization rate is higher in AI/AN children, particularly infants from Alaska and the American Southwest, compared with the general US child population. Closing this gap will require addressing housing and sanitation inequities and ensuring high immunization rates and access to care.

High prevalence of acute respiratory tract infections among Warao Amerindian children in Venezuela in relation to low immunization coverage and chronic malnutrition

BACKGROUND

Higher prevalence rates of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) have been described in Australian and Canadian indigenous populations than in nonindigenous age-matched counterparts. Few studies on ARTIs in South American indigenous populations have been published. We performed a cross-sectional survey to describe the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections and acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) and associations with malnutrition and immunization status.

METHODS

From December 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010, 487 Warao Amerindian children 0 to 59 months of age living in the Delta Amacuro in Venezuela were included in a cross-sectional survey. Data were obtained through parent questionnaires, vaccination cards, and physical examinations including anthropometric measurements.

RESULTS

Of the 487 children, 47% presented with an ARTI. Of these, 60% had upper respiratory tract infections and 40% were ALRTI. Immunization coverage was low, with only 27% of all children presenting a vaccination card being fully immunized. The prevalence of malnutrition was high (52%), with stunting (height-for-age <-2 standard deviations) being the most frequent presentation affecting 45% of children. ARTI and ALRTI prevalence diminished with increasing age (odds ratio for ALRTI in children 25-59 months of age vs. children younger than 12 months, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.93). Furthermore, significant differences in ARTI prevalence were seen between villages. No significant associations between immunization status or malnutrition and ARTI or ALRTI prevalence were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of ARTIs and chronic malnutrition in combination with a low immunization status highlights the need for an integrated approach to improve the health status of indigenous Venezuelan children.

Respiratory infections in Tamariki (children) and Taitamariki (young people) Māori, New Zealand

The Māori population is young, with 53% aged less than 25 years and with a higher prevalence of both acute (bronchiolitis, pneumonia, pertussis, tuberculosis) and chronic (bronchiectasis) respiratory tract infections than non-Māori. Environmental, economic and poorer access to health promotion programmes and health care rather than specific or genetic underlying disorders appear to contribute to this burden. While new initiatives are needed, we can do better with current public health programmes and building on regional initiatives that have already proven successful.

The study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a family-centred tobacco control program about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) to reduce respiratory illness in Indigenous infants

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory illness (ARI) is the most common cause of acute presentations and hospitalisations of young Indigenous children in Australia and New Zealand (NZ). Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) from household smoking is a significant and preventable contributor to childhood ARI. This paper describes the protocol for a study which aims to test the efficacy of a family-centred tobacco control program about ETS to improve the respiratory health of Indigenous infants in Australia and New Zealand. For the purpose of this paper 'Indigenous' refers to Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when referring to Australian Indigenous populations. In New Zealand, the term 'Indigenous' refers to Māori.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study will be a parallel, randomized, controlled trial. Participants will be Indigenous women and their infants, half of whom will be randomly allocated to an 'intervention' group, who will receive the tobacco control program over three home visits in the first three months of the infant's life and half to a control group receiving 'usual care' (i.e. they will not receive the tobacco control program). Indigenous health workers will deliver the intervention, the goal of which is to reduce or eliminate infant exposure to ETS. Data collection will occur at baseline (shortly after birth) and when the infant is four months and one year of age. The primary outcome is a doctor-diagnosed, documented case of respiratory illness in participating infants.

DISCUSSION

Interventions aimed at reducing exposure of Indigenous children to ETS have the potential for significant benefits for Indigenous communities. There is currently a dearth of evidence for the effect of tobacco control interventions to reduce children's exposure to ETS among Indigenous populations. This study will provide high-quality evidence of the efficacy of a family-centred tobacco control program on ETS to reduce respiratory illness. Outcomes of our study will be important and significant for Indigenous tobacco control in Australia and New Zealand and prevention of respiratory illness in children.