Biomedical subjects

A L Foo

Publications and source records attributed to A L Foo.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Efficacy of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis.

UNLABELLED: Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection affecting young children. Much controversy revolves around the efficacy of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis. This study was conducted to address this issue. AIM: To determine the efficacy of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis. METHOD: All children less than 2 years old with bronchiolitis were randomly assigned to receive nebulisations of Salbutamol, Ipratropium bromide or normal saline. A fourth group given only humidified oxygen without nebulisation were used as a control. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 120 patients. Fifty-one (42%) had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolated from their nasopharyngeal aspirates. The demographic characteristics of the 4 groups were similar. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of severity score, number of nebulisations required in the nebulised groups and the outcome as measured by the length of hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: The use of bronchodilators did not alter the course of the disease and is therefore not effective in the treatment of bronchiolitis.

Albuterol↗

PubMed1993

Congenital tuberculosis.

A neonate presented with poor feeding, jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly. He was in liver failure with disseminated coagulopathy. Post-mortem liver biopsy revealed discrete granulomas with central necrosis and acid-fast bacilli on Ziehl-Nielsen's stain. The mother had active tuberculosis at delivery. The principal characteristics of congenital tuberculosis are reemphasized in this observation.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

The effect of nedocromil sodium on histamine responsiveness in clinically stable asthmatic children.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was undertaken in 120 clinically stable asthmatic children (aged 6-19 years) to determine the ability of 8 weeks of treatment with nedocromil sodium (4 mg, three times a day) to reduce the level of histamine responsiveness. Despite the subjects being clinically stable and reporting few asthma symptoms, approximately one-third had abnormal pulmonary function on enrollment into the study. Statistically significant increases in pulmonary function were seen in the group treated with nedocromil sodium but not in the control group (p = 0.01). Furthermore, 52% of the individuals with abnormal pulmonary function returned to normal following treatment with nedocromil sodium compared to 11% of those with abnormal pulmonary function who received placebo. However, there were no differences in the level of histamine responsiveness between the two treatment groups at baseline or after 4 or 8 weeks of treatment with nedocromil sodium or placebo. These data suggest that the level of histamine responsiveness is not intimately related to the level of asthma control in children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Mycoplasma infection in children.

One hundred and eleven children with Mycoplasma pneumonia infection were studied. Their mean age was 6.2 +/- 3.1 years. The two commonest symptoms were cough (98%) and fever (95%). Only 23% of children had cough of greater than one week's duration. Ninety one per cent had positive chest signs. Radiological abnormalities were seen in 95% of chest x-ray. Complications included dermatological (10%), pleural effusion (5%), neurological disorder (3%), septicaemia (1%), bronchiectasis (1%). Two children with Down's Syndrome died. A rare case of Mycoplasma bronchitis with Reye's Syndrome was observed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1992

Complications of severe lower respiratory tract infections in Singapore children.

Over one year period, 240 children with severe lower respiratory infection was admitted to a general paediatric department. The mortality was 1.6%. Apart from pleural effusions and skin exanthems, several major complications were noted. These were septicaemia (1), apnoea (2), encephalopathy (3), meningitis (1), Stevens Johnson Syndrome (1), bronchiectasis (1) and lung abscess (1).

Child↗

PubMed1992

Efficacy of Zaditen (ketotifen) in wheezy infants and young children.

This was a double-blind, randomised evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Zaditen in comparison with placebo in infants and young children (aged 6-36 months). These children either had (i) at least 2 episodes of wheezing over 8 weeks, or (ii) persistent wheeze over 4 weeks, prior to entering into the study. In the doctor's opinion, the group treated with Zaditen had more improvement in symptomatology (p < 0.05). They were more likely to have reduced or discontinued bronchodilators. They showed trends of improvement of symptom scores in night cough, wheeze and sputum production. These differences, however, did not reach statistical significance. There were no major adverse reaction of note.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1992

Etiology of acute severe lower respiratory tract infection in hospital-based patients.

Acute respiratory infections are common childhood illnesses. Most are mild and self-limiting. Five percent are lower respiratory tract diseases and are potentially serious. A prospective study was conducted to ascertain the etiology of community-acquired severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in hospital based patients. Mycoplasma was the most frequently identified agent (33%). This was followed by viruses (28%) and bacteria (15%). Twenty-four percent of children had no identified causative agent.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

Pulmonary function in a hospital population of asthmatic children.

Traditionally, assessment of control of pediatric asthma has relied on symptoms reported by the child and his or her family, and on clinical examination at office visits. A survey of the pulmonary function of 100 clinically stable asthmatic children, recruited from the outpatient clinics of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia for a clinical drug trial was performed. Correlation of baseline pulmonary function with symptom scores recorded at home and home monitoring of peak expiratory flow variability (PEFV) found that a third of these clinically stable asthmatic children had an abnormal FEV1 and half had an abnormal FEF25-75; however, there was no correlation between symptom scores and FEV1 or PEFV. Objective measurements of pulmonary function are needed to ensure good asthma control. Home monitoring of peak expiratory flow can provide a valuable aid for the management of pediatric asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1991

Severe bronchiolitis in children.

Acute viral bronchiolitis is one of the most common causes of paediatric respiratory disease, especially in the first year of life. Young infants and those with pre-existent cardiorespiratory problems are at an increased risk of acute respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation. A prospective study was carried out from November 1988 to October 1989, to analyse the clinical features, aetiology and outcome of patients with severe bronchiolitis. 52 (29.9%) out of 174 cases of acute bronchiolitis admitted were found to be severe. A virus aetiology was identified in 75% of the cases, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being the commonest agent. 88.5% of the patients were less than 1 year of age, with a male preponderance of 1.4:1. There was a higher incidence in the Malay ethic group. Despite the viral aetiology, 88.2% were treated with a course of antibiotics. There was one death, and 2 patients had apnea requiring mechanical ventilation.

Acute Disease↗