[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.
Servizio di Pronto Soccorso e Primo Accoglimento, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo di Trieste, Italia.
M
M
Canciani
A G
AG
Marchi
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.