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We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the associations between domestic pets and respiratory health in children. We randomly recruited 11,611 school children from Zhongshan, a southern city in China. Information about the respiratory symptoms and disease history of the recruited children, the status of domestic pets, and other related risk factors were collected from March to July 2016. We identified cat-keeping at home increases the risk of persistent cough (OR, 1.77; 95%CI, 1.03���3.05); poultry-keeping at home increases the risk of current asthma (OR, 3.87; 95%CI, 1.08���13.92) and allergic rhinitis (OR, 1.84; 95%CI, 1.01���3.37); sleeping with pets increases the risk of persistent phlegm (OR, 5.04; 95%CI, 1.05���24.28), doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR, 3.35; 95%CI, 1.31���8.57) and current asthma (OR, 4.94; 95%CI, 1.05���23.31) in children. Cat-keeping and molds on the wall of the house had the multiplicative and additive interaction in doctor-diagnosed asthma. In conclusion, pet-keeping increased the risk of respiratory symptoms in children.

Background Many of the acute alterations after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) may be of little clinical significance, while others may herald major clinical problems. The question whether pneumomediastinum/pneumoperitoneum is a normal postoperative finding after POEM, or should be regarded as a sign of a complication needs to be evaluated. Familiarity with these findings in computed tomography (CT) is essential for radiologists. Purpose To evaluate whether or not pneumomediastinum/pneumoperitoneum detected by chest CT is a sign of a complication after POEM using CO2 insufflation for esophageal achalasia. Material and Methods One hundred and eight patients with esophageal achalasia who underwent chest CT within 30 hours after POEM were included. CT findings were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists in consensus. The correlation between pneumomediastinum and/or pneumoperitoneum shown on CT and the development of complications was analyzed. Results Abnormal findings were identified on post-treatment CT, including pneumomediastinum and/or pneumoperitoneum (53.7%, 58/108), pneumothorax (0.9%, 1/108), subcutaneous emphysema (29.6%, 32/108), pleural effusion (69.4%, 75/108), segmental atelectasis of lung tissue (29.6%, 32/108), minor inflammation of lungs (69.4%, 75/108), and ascites (0.9%, 1/108). Pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum were observed simultaneously in 29 cases. The incidence rate of mild complications was high (79.6%, 86/108), while the rate of severe complications was low (2.8%, 3/108). There was no significant correlation between the occurrence of pneumomediastinum and/or pneumoperitoneum on CT and the development of complications ( P = 0.542), or the development of severe complications including delayed hemorrhage, esophageal perforation, and retroperitoneal abscess. Conclusion Pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum detected by CT occur frequently after POEM and may be regarded as normal postoperative changes.