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Context: Observational studies have suggested a relationship between vitamin D status and asthma-related respiratory outcomes. The benefit of vitamin D supplementation for pulmonary function, symptoms and exacerbations is not well established. Objective: To systematically review paediatric clinical trials investigating the role of vitamin D on asthma-related respiratory outcomes. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched until January 2014. No date or language restrictions. Study selection: Clinical trials reporting asthma-related respiratory outcomes following vitamin D administration at a dose equal or greater than 500 IU per day were included and reviewed independently by two authors for full systematic review eligibility. Data extraction: Two reviewers independently extracted and verified pre-defined data fields. Results: We identified five studies that met study eligibility and assessed final data synthesis. The median trial size was 48 participants (range 17-430) and the average daily dose of cholecalciferol ranged from 500 to 2000?IU/day. Overall study methodological quality was high, but some heterogeneity in population and vitamin D dosing regimen was evident. Meta-analysis suggested a statistically significant reduction (RR 0.41, CI 0.27-0.63) in asthma exacerbation with vitamin D therapy. Limitations: Due to variability in outcome selection and missing data, it was not possible to perform meta-analysis for pulmonary function testing and asthma symptom scores. Vitamin D-related adverse events were not considered in four of five papers. Conclusions: Available evidence from this systematic review suggests that high dose vitamin D may prevent asthma exacerbation. This should be confirmed through larger well-designed randomised controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First Nations and Inuit Children are disproportionately affected by respiratory infections such as viral bronchiolitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis. Rates of long-term lung disease following severe respiratory infections early in life, such as bronchiectasis, are also elevated. In contrast, rates of asthma may be somewhat less than in other Canadian children, although rates of poor asthma control are increased. Causes for the high rates of infections include poverty, overcrowding, housing in need of major repairs and better ventilation, and increased exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Improving these issues will require addressing the social origins of health in First Nations and Inuit communities, including poverty and employment, building more and improving existing housing, and will likely require developing enhanced immunization and surveillance strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the summary of recommendations from the Canadian Asthma Consesus Guidelines 2003 and Canadian Pediatric Asthma Consensus Guidelines, 2003. Definition of asthma; General management and diagnosis of asthma; Prevention strategies and pharmacotherapy; Inhaled devices for the treatment of asthma.

Looks at the creation of Internet Web sites by physicians to meet the demand of patients for health-related information. Designing a Web page using hypertext documents with hyperlinks; Legal aspect to physicians' Web pages; The issue of credibility of information; Debugging,publishing, and promoting the site; The cost of creating a small Web site.

Objectives: We evaluated what proportion of families have a consumer-grade pulse oximeter, why they bought one, and how they choose to use it., Working Hypothesis: We hypothesized that children followed in cardiorespiratory clinics would be more likely to have an oximeter than children attending a more general clinic., Study Design and Subject Selection: We carried out a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of children attending a respirology, cardiology, or gastroenterology clinic at a children's hospital. Consenting guardians completed a survey., Results: Two-hundred families completed the survey. Fifty-three (26.5%; 53/200) had an oximeter at home. The proportion of children attending a cardiorespiratory clinic who had an oximeter was higher than another clinic (p = 0.08), but 15.5% of children attending the latter also had access to one. Of devices not funded by government insurance, over 80% of devices were "fingertip" clamp-style oximeters, and 50% were purchased online. Most devices were used only when the child was ill (83.7%; 36/43). Only about 1/3 of families had received education about using an oximeter, and a similar proportion had compared their oximeter to a medical-grade device. Only 2.4% (1/42) respondents did not feel that their device was "somewhat" or "very" accurate. The oxygen saturation that would prompt seeking emergency care was similar to most pediatric acute care guidelines., Conclusions: Many children, particularly those with cardiorespiratory conditions, have access to consumer-grade pulse oximeters. Asking about the presence of an oximeter should be part of the pediatric history, and families responding affirmatively should be offered education., (© 2024 The Author(s). Pediatric Pulmonology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Inuit children in Nunavut, Canada, have high rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) early in life. Whether this commonly results in chronic respiratory symptoms later in life is unknown., Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 3- to 5-years-old Inuit children was conducted in all three regions of Nunavut, as part of the "Qanuippitali, what about us, how are we?" survey., Results: Reported chronic cough and wheezing were common in preschool Inuit children, although reported asthma diagnosed by a healthcare professional was uncommon. The presence of smokers in the home tended to be associated with severe LRTI in the first 2 years of life. Reported wheezing as well as reported bronchitis or pneumonia in the previous 12 months was significantly associated with severe LRTI in the first 2 years of life. Reported wheezing was also strongly associated with reported bronchitis or pneumonia in the past 12 months. The prevalence of chronic moist cough could not be clearly assessed, due to limitations in the questionnaire., Interpretation: Severe LRTI in the first 2 years of life was associated with ongoing respiratory morbidity in preschool Inuit children, although symptoms appeared to lessen in severity over time.