1,721,096 research outputs found
Pearls and pitfalls of bathing in atopic dermatitis
No full textThe latest guidelines of the American Academy of Dermatology suggest bathing as an advantageous nonpharmacologic intervention for regular skin care of patients with atopic dermatitis. Regular bathing with water can hydrate the skin, remove scale, crust, irritants, and allergens, enhance penetration of topical agents, and potentially reduce bacterial colonization. However, it is still unclear whether the addition of oils, emollients, and other additives to bath water may produce further benefits for the management of atopic dermatitis. This article will review current pearls and pitfalls of adding salts and nonirritating, nonsensitizing substances to water baths for the long-term maintenance treatment of atopic dermatitis in children
Monoclonal antibodies targeting small airways: a new perspective for biological therapies in severe asthma
No full textSmall airway dysfunction (SAD) in asthma is characterized by the inflammation and narrowing of airways with less of 2 mm in diameter between generations 8 and 23 of the bronchial tree. It is now widely accepted that small airways are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and are a major determinant of airflow obstruction in this disease. In recent years, specialized tests have been developed, such as Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) and Multiple Breath Nitrogen Washout (MBNW) tests, which have been deemed more accurate in detecting SAD than conventional spirometry. Clinical studies show that SAD is associated with more severe bronchial hyperresponsiveness, worse asthma control, and a higher risk of exacerbations. Recent data from a large cohort study showed that the prevalence of SAD in asthma patients increases with asthma severity. Overall, SAD seems to represent a treatable trait, which makes it appealing for asthma control optimization and exacerbation rate reduction, especially in moderate-to-severe asthma. Biologic agents are now available for the treatment of different severe asthma phenotypes and endotypes. However, the effect of these therapies on SAD remains poorly characterized. Literature showing that biologic agents can also favorably improve small airway function is accumulating. In particular, anti-IL5 agents (mepolizumab and benralizumab) seems to have a greater impact on SAD as compared to other biological agents, but direct comparisons in prospective randomized controlled trials are lacking. In this mini-review article, we address the latest evidence on the effect of biological therapies on SAD in patients with severe asthma
Lysinuric protein intolerance can be misdiagnosed as food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome.
No full textFood protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a rising non-IgE-mediated food allergy triggered by specific food proteins (cow's milk, soy, and grains are the common offending foods)
Pediatric asthma in developing countries: challenges and future directions
No full textAsthma continues to be a significant health problem worldwide, and epidemiological studies in the last few decades have consistently shown a marked increase in childhood asthma prevalence. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed significant geographic variability in prevalence, and larger associations with morbidity and mortality in low-middle income countries (LMICs). The Global Burden of Disease estimated that 420,000 deaths occurred globally from asthma in 2016, and although asthma prevalence is higher in high-income countries, most asthma-related mortality occurs in LMICs. The general health of a population is measured, in part, by the under-5 childhood death rate, and developing countries still account for more than 80 percentage of child deaths in the world, highlighting the need for efforts to reduce disease burden in these regions
Application of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in pediatric asthma
No full textPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fractional concentration of Nitric Oxide in the exhaled air (FeNO) is a moderately good biomarker of type-2 airway inflammation, and its measurement is feasible also in children. The available evidence is still not enough to support the routine use of FeNO to diagnose or manage asthma in every patient in clinical practice. However, its role in identifying asthma with eosinophilic inflammation is of particular interest in the management of severe asthma.RECENT FINDINGS: In healthy subjects, FeNO levels increase with age and height, particularly in males, and are also influenced by ethnicity. FeNO measurement can support asthma diagnosis and help in predicting asthma development later in life in young children with recurrent wheezing. FeNO-guided asthma management is effective in reducing asthma exacerbations but may result in a higher daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids. FeNO can also be used as a marker to evaluate adherence to asthma treatment and predict response to different biologicals, especially Omalizumab and Dupilumab.SUMMARY: This review outlines recent data on the application of FeNO in childhood-onset asthma diagnosis and management, as well as in phenotyping subjects with severe asthma who may benefit from monoclonal antibodies administration
The role of atopy in asthma development and persistence
No full textAsthma is the most common chronic disease in pediatric age. Childhood-onset asthma, as opposed to adult-onset asthma, is typically characterized by a personal and often a family history of atopy and related markers of type 2-mediated inflammation. However, the interplay between atopy and asthma development is more complex than a linear dose-response relationship
Lack of iron, zinc, and vitamins as a contributor to the etiology of atopic diseases
No full textMicronutritional deficiencies are common in atopic children suffering from atopic dermatitis, food allergy, rhinitis, and asthma. A lack of iron, in particular, may impact immune activation with prolonged deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin D associated with a Th2 signature, maturation of macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), and the generation of IgE antibodies. In contrast, the sufficiency of these micronutrients establishes immune resilience, promotion of regulatory cells, and tolerance induction. As micronutritional deficiencies mimic an infection, the body’s innate response is to limit access to these nutrients and also impede their dietary uptake. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the physiological function of iron, zinc, and vitamins A and D in relation to immune cells and the clinical consequences of deficiencies in these important nutrients, especially in the perinatal period. Improved dietary uptake of iron is achieved by vitamin C, vitamin A, and whey compounds, whereas zinc bioavailability improves through citrates and proteins. The addition of oil is essential for the dietary uptake of beta-carotene and vitamin D. As for vitamin D, the major source comes via sun exposure and only a small amount is consumed via diet, which should be factored into clinical nutritional studies. We summarize the prevalence of micronutritional deficiencies of iron, zinc, and vitamins in the pediatric population as well as nutritional intervention studies on atopic diseases with whole food, food components, and micronutrients. Dietary uptake via the lymphatic route seems promising and is associated with a lower atopy risk and symptom amelioration. This review provides useful information for clinical studies and concludes/emphasizes that a healthy, varied diet containing dairy products, fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables as well as supplementing foods or supplementation with micronutrients as needed is essential to combat the atopic march
Asthma and viruses: is there a relationship?
No full textAsthma is a multifactorial disease in which many factors play a role in its development and exacerbations. Viral infections are known to be the main cause of asthmatic exacerbations and are often the first manifestation of asthma in preschool age. However, there is much evidence suggesting a role of viral infections even in asthma development. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). has been first associated with an increased risk to develop asthma, but recently new viruses have been proposed to be involved in asthma pathogenesis. Further studies will be needed to demonstrate a causative role of viral infections in asthma development, in order to implement preventive strategies in high-risk children
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