In asthmatic children with uncontrolled asthma serum hs-CRP was increased compared to children with controlled asthma. Although F(E)NO values were also increased (insignificantly) and inversely correlated with hs-CRP they were probably reflecting different etiology underlying the loss of control. The role of peripheral blood biomarkers in asthmatics is still poorly investigated so new studies are required.

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IntroductionAlthough pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are relatively rare disorders, they are an important part of the differential diagnosis of common pulmonary problems, such as hypoxemia, dyspnea on exertion and pulmonary nodules.Case presentationAn 11-year-old Croatian boy of Mediterranean origin with a history of asthma since childhood was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of difficult-to-control asthma during the previous six months. A chest X-ray showed a homogeneous soft tissue mass in the lingual area. Computed tomography angiography of the thorax showed two pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, one on each side of the lungs. Diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia was made clinically by Curaçao criteria. Genetic analysis revealed a mutation in the endoglin gene. The patient was treated with embolotherapy with good clinical outcome.ConclusionWe present a case of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations masquerading as refractory asthma.

In our study, EBC urates were found to be the best single predictor of asthma control and underlying airway inflammation. Our results provide evidence supporting the potential utility to use EBC urates as an additional non-invasive biomarker of control in childhood asthma.

Lower concentration of magnesium may indicate its role in bronchoconstiction.

Purpose Data on the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) in infants is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring in infants who have experienced BRUE. Methods We conducted a prospective study of infants who were hospitalized on account of BRUE and required 24-hour MII-pH monitoring. Results Twenty-one infants (mean age, 4.7 months; range, 0.9–8.9 months; male/female, 11/10) participated in this study. BRUE symptoms associated with GER were found in 10 infants (47.6%). Based on the RI on pH-metry alone, only 7 (33.3%) infants were diagnosed with GERD. More than 100 GER episodes detected by MII were found in 10 (47.6%) infants. Nineteen percent of infants were diagnosed with GERD based on both pH and MII. Conclusion Both acid and non-acid reflux seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of GER-related BRUE in infants.

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Patient: Male, 8Final Diagnosis: Ataxia-telangiectasiaSymptoms: Ataxia • sinopulmonary infection • telangiectasiae • wheezingMedication: —Clinical Procedure: IVIG supstitutionSpecialty: Pediatrics and NeonatologyObjective:Rare diseaseBackground:Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive disease that consists of progressive cerebellar ataxia, variable immunodeficiency, sinopulmonary infections, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, radiosensitivity, early aging, and increased incidence of cancer.Case Report:We report the case of an 8-year-old boy affected by A-T. At 12 months of age, he had a waddling gait, with his upper body leaning forward. Dystonic/dyskinetic cerebral palsy was diagnosed at the age of 3 years. At age 6 he was diagnosed with asthma based on recurrent wheezing episodes. A-T was confirmed at the age 8 years on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory findings (increased alpha fetoprotein - AFP, immunodeficiency, undetectable ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein on immunoblotting, and identification A-T mutation, 5932G>T).Conclusions:The clinical and immunological presentation of ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is very heterogeneous and diagnostically challenging, especially at an early age, leading to frequent misdiagnosis.