[Bronchial asthma in a pediatric emergency service].
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, clinical patterns and treatment of asthma in a well-defined area near the North East Italian border (Province of Trieste, 212 kmq, 30,000 inhabitants aged 0-15 years), served by only one children's hospital. The study was carried out from January to December 1991, in the Emergency Department (ED). 118 patients aged from 3 months to 16 years (mean age 5 years) presented bronchial asthma (0.7% of total ED consultation, 6.2% of acute respiratory tract disease). 29 (24.6%) were first diagnosis, 89 (75.4%) were formerly diagnosed. 57% of patients came to the ED in autumn and winter, 36% in spring and 7% in summer; 19.5% of patients came to the ED during the night. Main presentation symptoms were cough (66%), dyspnea (46%), fever (24%). Treatment consisted of aerosolized salbutamol (50%), associated with oral corticosteroids (31%), iv corticosteroids (3%), aerosolized beclomethasone (10%); 6% of patients received only oral salbutamol. 21 patients were hospitalized, all but one in the ED. In all cases hospitalization lasted less than 2 days and therapy was similar to that of non hospitalized patients, except for administration of aminophylline and iv corticosteroid in 5% of patients. ED consultation and hospitalization for bronchial asthma are low in our area, probably due to good working of the Allergologic Centre and to good connection of this structure with paediatricians.
Canciani
M
M
Servizio di Pronto Soccorso e Primo Accoglimento, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo di Trieste, Italia.
Marchi
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AG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000336:Aerosols; D000367:Age Factors; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000336:Aerosols; D000628:Aminophylline; D001507:Beclomethasone; D000420:Albuterol
L'asma bronchiale in un pronto soccorso pediatrico.