theophylline, (1,3-dimethylxanthine) is widely used as a smooth muscle relaxant, myocardial stimulant and a diuretic agent. the most frequent use of theophylline is in treatment of acute and chronic asthma as a bronchodilator. to determine the effect of theophylline on serum electrolyte and uric acid, 21 asthmatic children (age range 1,5-7 years) with severe acute asthma and 25 patients with ch...

The aims of this study were: to assess the safety of a sputum induction method using inhaled normal saline in children with acute asthma; and to investigate changes in sputum cell counts between acute exacerbations of asthma and its resolution. Ultrasonically nebulized normal saline was used to induce sputum from children (n = 8) presenting with acute asthma within 1 h of arrival and again at l...

www.aafp.org/afp Volume 88, Number 2 ◆ July 15, 2013 Not all acute wheezing is caused by asthma or bronchospasm, particularly in children younger than 2 years. If bronchodilators do not improve symptoms, alternative diagnoses (e.g., infection, foreign body) should be considered. Although no evidence exists to support the use of oxygen in acute asthma, it is known to be effective and should be a...

BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae infection can cause acute respiratory illnesses (including sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia) that are sometimes associated with wheezing. Little is known about whether acute infection in a previously unexposed, nonasthmatic individual can produce persistent wheezing leading to a diagnosis of chronic asthma. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether patients ...

BACKGROUND Inhaled corticosteroids, known to be effective as a maintenance medication in chronic asthma, have also been suggested as a therapy for acute asthma when given at high doses. METHODS A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in children aged 2 to 12 years with moderate or severe acute asthma, as determined based on a clinical score of 5 to 15 points, where ...

BACKGROUND Acute asthma exacerbations remain a common cause of hospitalisation and healthcare utilisation in South African children. AIM To update the South African paediatric acute asthma guidelines according to current evidence, and produce separate recommendations for children above and below 2 years of age. METHODS A working group of the South African Childhood Asthma Group was establis...

Asthma is one of the most common chronic pediatric diseases. Patients with asthma often present to the emergency department for treatment for acute exacerbations. These patients may not have a primary care physician or primary care home, and thus are seeking care in the emergency department. Asthma care in the emergency department is multifaceted to treat asthma patients appropriately and provi...