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To determine the association between blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts with asthma control.This retrospective study, conducted in tertiary care hospital of western India, evaluated the hospital electronic medical record (HEMR) of children aged 5 to 18 y who were diagnosed with asthma as per the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines in the pediatric chest clinic (PCC). Eosinophil and neutrophil counts were recorded from HEMR and asthma control was determined as per the GINA guidelines on follow-up.A total of 742 children attended the PCC in the last 2 y from March 2017 to February 2019; out of which, blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts were done in 116 children with asthma. The median eosinophil and neutrophil count were 0.46 (0.13, 0.78) × 10High lung function is associated with good asthma control. Although not independently associated, the high absolute eosinophil counts (AEC) is associated with better asthma control, while high absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) is associated with poor asthma control.

To explore the association of symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) with asthma control in Indian children. This study was carried out in the pediatric chest clinic of a tertiary care center in western India. Children from 6 to 18 y of age with a physician-diagnosed case of asthma were included in the study. A validated pediatric sleep questionnaire, SRBD scale, was used to screen the symptoms of SRBD. At the same time, Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) was administered to assess asthma control. A total of 207 (73% boys) children with asthma were enrolled; the median age was 10 (7, 13) y. Asthma symptoms were well controlled (ACQ ≤ 0.75) in 102 (49.3%) and partly or poorly controlled (ACQ > 0.75) in 105 (50.7%) children. Inattention and/or hyperactivity was the most common SRBD symptom observed in 125 (60.4%) children; daytime sleepiness, mouth breathing, snoring, and night-time breathing problems were observed in 92 (44.5%), 91 (44%), 77 (37.2%), and 68 (32.8%) children, respectively. SRBD score showed a near-linear correlation with ACQ score (r = 0.28, p

To assess if telemedicine can be used successfully for follow-up care of children with respiratory illnesses. The authors also assessed problems faced by the doctors and satisfaction of caregivers of these patients with telemedicine.The authors conducted an ambispective observational study. Data related to demographic details and diagnoses of patients who had telemedicine consultation (teleconsultation) appointments between 2nd April 2020 to 15th May 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. They noted proportion of patients having successful prescription. To assess problems faced by doctors and satisfaction of caregiver of patients with teleconsultation, a prospective questionnaire was sent via Google Forms 6-10 wk after the initial appointment date. Those who did not respond to Google Forms were called by phone to assess the same.A total of 188 patients received teleconsultation during the study period. Team was able to prescribe treatment in 181 (96.3%) patients via teleconsultation and other seven (3.7%) required physical evaluation. Mean (SD) age of patients was 9.7 (4.9) y, range 3 mo to 18 y. There were 117 (62.2%) boys and 71 (37.8%) girls. Majority (58%) of the patients were asthmatics. The team advised refill prescription in 83% patients as symptoms were controlled. Three out of five residents faced minor problems while providing teleconsultation. In satisfaction assessment, 78% of caregivers rated teleconsultation 8 or more, out of 10 points, suggesting that most of them were satisfied with telemedicine.In majority of children with respiratory illnesses, successful follow-up care can be provided by telemedicine.