title: Wheezing and respiratory infections in Brazilian children: does a standard management work?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wheezing associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) is responsible for unnecessary use of antibiotics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the response of children with ARI and wheezing managed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of children aged 2-59 months conducted in a Brazilian pediatric public hospital. Children showing fast breathing received inhalations of bronchodilator. Those who persisted with fast breathing had chest radiographs taken. When appropriate, oral antibiotics were prescribed for pneumonia. Audible wheezing was also registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 217 children: mean age 25.7 months (SD = 17.5) with 54.4% (118/217) being males. Audible wheezing was detected in 18.6% (40/217). In 87.6% (190/217) of children normal respiratory rates were reached after inhalations. In cases of pneumonia, 26% (7/27) persisted with fast breathing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A good response using WHO protocol suggests its usefulness in emergency rooms, although few cases will continue to receive antibiotics unnecessarily.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Jose Ledo
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Alves da Cunha
authors.forename: Márcia Garcia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Alves Galvão
authors.forename: Marilene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents