Atopy with recurrent wheezy bronchitis in children
Grzelewska-Rzymowska, I.; Kowejsza, A.; Kwiatkowska, S.
Pneumonologia i Alergologia Polska 69(1-2): 73-83
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0867-7077 PMID: 11475561 Document Number: 531579
Childhood asthma and wheezy bronchitis are the most frequent chronic diseases of childhood. Unfortunately their clinical symptoms are similar--which makes it difficult to distinguish between the two, and therefore decide on proper treatment of patients. The aim of the study was to establish the parameters leading to right diagnosis. The study was performed in 50 children aged 3-7 years with recurrent wheezy bronchitis. All patients underwent allergological examinations (skin tests with inhaled allergens, personal and family history and serum total and specific IgE levels). 42 of them were tested for ventilatory parameters with bronchodilatation test. Three features of atopy were found in 21 (42%) patients, two features in 7 (14%) patients. In 31 (62%) children at least one feature of atopy was shown. 7 (17%) of the examined children had significant bronchodilatation after salbutamol inhalation. Finally in 24 (48%) of children suffering from wheezy bronchitis, bronchial asthma was diagnosed. The diagnosis was confirmed by antiasthma tic treatment with cromones or inhaled corticosteroids. In great majority (88%) of patients bronchial asthma was atopic. In 23% wheezy bronchitis children not diagnosed with bronchial asthma features of atopy were observed. They are of bronchial asthma risk group.