[Recurrent lower respiratory tract infection in children: when and how should they be investigated?].
Children with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections are often a challenge for their physicians. This article reviews the differential diagnosis of recurrent cough, bronchopneumonia and/or pneumonia in children and emphasizes on the necessity of preventing long-term complications of these infections. It also suggests a step-wise immunological work-up, which includes investigating a possible immune maturation delay or deficiency which could explain these symptoms. This work-up focuses on measuring antibody responses to pneumococci, followed by immunization when necessary, to rule out B cell dysfunction. Finally, this article also describes an upcoming study in Switzerland which will evaluate in 2005 the clinical and immunological outcome of these young patients.
Pósfay Barbe
K M
KM
Département de pédiatrie, Hôpital des enfants, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14. Klara.PosfayBarbe@hcuge.ch
Barazzone-Argiroffo
C
C
Siegrist
C A
CA
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial