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Background: Rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among First Nations (FN) children living in Canada are elevated. We aimed to quantify indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in the homes of FN children in isolated communities and evaluate any associations with respiratory morbidity. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of 98 FN children (81 with complete data) aged 3 years or younger, living in 4 FN communities in the Sioux Lookout region of Northern Ontario. We performed medical chart reviews and administered questionnaires. We performed a housing inspection, including quantifying the interior surface area of mould (SAM). We monitored air quality for 5 days in each home and quantified the contaminant loading of settled floor dust, including endotoxin. We analyzed associations between IEQ variables and respiratory conditions using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: Participants had a mean age of 1.6 years and 21% had been admitted to hospital for respiratory infections before age 2 years. Houses were generally crowded (mean occupancy 6.6 [standard deviation 2.6, range 3-17] people per house). Serious housing concerns were frequent, including a lack of functioning controlled ventilation. The mean SAM in the occupied space was 0.2 [m.sup.2]. In multivariable modelling, there was evidence of an association of LRTI with log endotoxin (p = 0.07) and age (p = 0.02), and for upper respiratory tract infections, with SAM (p = 0.07) and age (p = 0.03). Wheeze with colds was associated with log endotoxin (p = 0.03) and age (p = 0.04). Interpretation: We observed poor housing conditions and an association between endotoxin and wheezing in young FN children living in Northern Ontario., Young First Nations (FN) children in Canada have high rates of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with 44 hospital admissions for LRTI per 1000 infants younger [...]

The cases Billy, who is 2 years old, presents to the physician's office with his fourth episode of wheezing in the past 18 months. He was admitted to hospital at [...]

ABSTRACT Background: Inuit infants have the highest reported rate of hospital admissions because of lower respiratory tract infections in the world. We evaluated the prevalence of reduced ventilation in houses [...]

Congenital esophageal atresia (EA) and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) are common congenital anomalies. Respiratory and GI complications occur frequently, and may persist lifelong. Late complications of EA/TEF include tracheomalacia, a recurrence [...]

Previously published at www.cmaj.ca Air travel has become increasingly difficult, with tightened security restrictions and a decreased number of services. It should not include easily avoidable health risks. But it [...]