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The article presents information on a study which analyzed pediatric deaths related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection from June 26, 2009 to March 22, 2010 in England. It describes the methods, setting and design of the study. It discusses the observation of increased childhood mortality rate among Bangladeshi children and Pakistani children. Findings highlighted the importance of early pre-hospital supportive and therapeutic care.

Subjects with severe and unstable asthma are at high risk of fatal asthma attack. We describe a case of fatal childhood asthma in an 11-year old girl whose asthma was apparently stable with supranormal lung function and identify additional characteristics that should be considered as increasing the risk for fatal asthma. This opportunity was provided by this girl's participation in the Isle of Wight Whole Population Birth Cohort Study. Prospectively collected data identified her as an early-onset persistent wheezer with significant allergic comorbidity. She was highly atopic with multiple allergen sensitization and a total IgE exceeding 5000 Ku/L (normal range: 0-180 ku/l) at 10 years. Additionally at that age, whilst possessing normal lung function (FEV1 2.15 Litres; 110% predicted), she was found to have marked bronchial hyper-responsiveness (PC20 Methacholine 1.71 mg/ml). At the age of 11 years, despite apparent clinical stability and use of regular controller asthma therapy, she suffered a fatal acute asthma attack that may have been related to acute allergen exposure. This report provides further insight into factors associated with fatal childhood asthma. We propose that highly atopic children with early onset persistent asthma are at a higher risk of fatal asthma even if their asthma is apparently stable and lung function is normal. Marked bronchial hyper-responsiveness provides a clue and should be assessed if there is concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compares general-practitioner consultation rates in children living in communities close to and away from open-cast mines in northern England. Similarity of consultation rates; Higher consultations in the open-cast communities for respiratory, skin and eye conditions; Use of pairs of communities matched on socioeconomic factors; Incorporation of household-level variables in the analysis.

ABSTRACT. A postal questionnaire, completed by parents, was used to study the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in 250 children with atopic dermatitis who had attended pediatric dermatology clinics in London within the past 5 years. A response rate of 84% was achieved. Each child had a control matched for age and sex, whose parents filled in an identical questionnaire. The prevalence of wheezing was 76% in the atopic dermatitis group and 12% in the control group. Of the children with atopic dermatitis who wheezed, 87% had been given a diagnosis of asthma by a doctor, compared with 40% of the control children who wheezed. Overall, 68% of the children with atopic dermatitis had been given a diagnosis of asthma by a doctor. This prevalence of respiratory symptoms and of diagnosed asthma is substantially higher than has been shown in previous studies. As the test population consisted of children who had been referred to a tertiary center for management of their skin disease, this higher prevalence may partially reflect the increased severity of atopic dermatitis in the study group, as well as the heightened awareness of the association between these two diseases by their parents and physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors comment on the study "Paediatric mortality related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection in England: an observational population-based study," by Nabilah Sachedina and Liam Donaldson, published within the issue. A brief description of the methodology is offered. The observations that mortality rate was higher in children with H1N1 infection than those with seasonal influenza are considered. The authors contend that the study support anecdotal and published studies of rapid clinical decline in previously healthy children.

This article presents abstracts related to respiratory diseases in children presented at the 8th Spring meeting of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of York in York, England during March 29 to April 1, 2004. Some children suffer from chronic severe asthma, despite maximal inhaled therapy. Children were treated with three or more monthly injections of intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide. It was reviewed whether any beneficial effect persisted after 4 weeks, a period beyond the expected duration of effect of intramuscular steroid. Recurrent cough and/or wheeze requiring treatment are frequently reported at follow up of very prematurely born infants.

There is estimated to be over a million new cases of paediatric tuberculosis (TB) globally every year. Children usually acquire TB infection from smear positive adult family contacts, a high proportion going on to develop disease. Childhood disease reflects recent infection and therefore paediatric TB represents continuing transmission in the population. In England and Wales, TB notifications declined from 7406 cases in 1982 to 5085 in 1987, rising to 6087 cases in 1998. In London notifications increased from 1445 in 1987 to 2414 in 1998, representing 16% and 40% of the national total respectively in those years.

Examines the association between parental smoking and the development of respiratory diseases in children in London, England. Factors influencing the development of respiratory diseases; Genetic factors of the disease; Influence of atmospheric conditions of the respiratory tract of infants.

British guidelines on asthma recommend nurse delivered structured discharges for all children with asthma. This study carried out a postal and telephone survey to investigate the provision of this service. Twenty out of 34 (59%) hospitals in the Northern and Yorkshire regions do not have a recognised paediatric respiratory nurse post to facilitate this aspect of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the reduced mortality rates of pediatric respiratory illnesses in England and Wales.

Examines the outcome of respiratory illness presented by a birth cohort of infants in the first year of life in London, England. Aim to identify groups of children at risk of chronic lung disease; Measurement of the ventilatory capacity of the children; Association between respiratory illness with peak flow.