Search

Thirteen centres studied the efficacy and safety of nebulized cromolyn solution in 53 asthmatic children (36 m., 17 f.; mean age 4.8 +/- 1.7 years). During a fiveweek treatment period a significant reduction of asthmatic symptoms was observed by investigators daily symptom scores, as assessed by the parents, also showed a significant improvement during treatment period. In addition, there was also a marked decrease in the use of other anti-asthmatic medication (beta 2-sympathomimetics, theophylline and antihistamines). There were no side effects of nebulized cromolyn solution treatment.

Local and central European weather, pollen (Castanea and Poaceae) and spore (alternaria and cladosporium) counts, and asthmatic complaints and drug requirements (expressed as "attack score") were correlated in a group of 40 asthmatic children (21 with recurrent symptoms) during a summer holiday camp for 6 weeks. It was shown that there are significant correlations between the cumulative 24-hour pollen count over 6 weeks and the attack frequency. 2-Hourly counts or daily counts did not correlate with complaints. Consecutive 10-day averages of attacks and pollen and spore counts showed good agreement. The influence of local weather was negligible. Low pressure gradients or high atmospheric pressure was not beneficial. Improvements of lung function are ascribed to training effects.

The efficacy of Cephalexin--an oral cephalosporine--was assessed in 20 children with pulmonary infections including bronchopneumonia and infiltrative peribronchitis in an open study. In 16 patients prompt resolution of clinical and radiological signs was observed. The drug was well tolerated, there were no side effects or allergies to be demonstrated. Among the therapeutic agents for infections of the respiratory tract cephalexin should be considered among the antibiotics of first choice.

This report describes the results of a systematic development screening of high risk infants in a provincial district over a period of three and a half years. Criteria for neurological research during the first year of life and organizing problems are presented. Low frequency of medical care during pregnancy seems to be a main factor predetermining cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. An optimal transport system seems to be a supporting factor for the prevention of such motoric and mental derangements, especially in children, who initially show no pulmonary or cardiac problems.

A 4-year-old girl with congenital dysgenesis of the thyroid gland is reported. The girl's appearance was that of hypothyroidism in childhood but the classical symptoms of constipation and cerebral retardation were missing. Thus it is assumed that relative insufficiency of the ectopic thyroid at the base of the tongue produced manifestations only a short time before diagnosis, having had no influence on cerebral maturity.

40 children with clinical diagnosis of bronchial asthma aged 8--14 years, 39 with allergic disposition, were investigated. Acute therapeutic and protective effect on frequency of asthmatic attacks, pulmonary auscultation and lung function (FEV1, PF, FVC) by application of Fenoterol and Ipratropium as combination aerosol were registered. Over a period of 4 weeks we could reduce the frequency of attacks nearly to the half. 10 and 20 minutes after aerosol application we showed a good improvement of pulmonary ventilation. Only on children with severe asthma bronchiale an exclusive treatment with Berodual seems to be of modest protective effect.

37 children suffering from asthma had to be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) with an interval of only 10 days between the first two vaccinations. Sufficient antibodies were detected in samples taken 14 days after the second injection. No differences were found between the results in this group of asthmatic children and in children who were vaccinated with the usual interval of 1 to 3 months elapsing between the first two injections. The asthmatic children tolerated the vaccination very well, moreover the indicence of side reactions was not different from that of the control group.