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OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of nocturnal hypoxemia and its association with pulmonary function, nutritional status, sleep macrostructure, and obstructive respiratory events during sleep in a population of clinically stable children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 67 children and adolescents with CF between 2 and 14 years of age. All of the participants underwent polysomnography, and SpO2 was measured by pulse oximetry. We also evaluated the Shwachman-Kulczycki (S-K) scores, spirometry findings, and nutritional status of the patients. RESULTS: The study involved 67 patients. The mean age of the patients was 8 years. The S-K scores differed significantly between the patients with and without nocturnal hypoxemia, which was defined as an SpO2 < 90% for more than 5% of the total sleep time (73.75 ± 6.29 vs. 86.38 ± 8.70; p < 0.01). Nocturnal hypoxemia correlated with the severity of lung disease, FEV1 (rs = −0.42; p = 0.01), FVC (rs = −0.46; p = 0.01), microarousal index (rs = 0.32; p = 0.01), and apnea-hypopnea index (rs = 0.56; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of patients with CF and mild-to-moderate lung disease, nocturnal oxygenation correlated with the S-K score, spirometry variables, sleep macrostructure variables, and the apnea-hypopnea index.

BackgroundGroup A Streptococcus (GAS) strain diversity varies across different regions of the world, according to low versus high-income countries. These differences may be related to geographic, environmental, socioeconomic, or host-related factors. However, local factors may also affect strain diversity. We compared the emm types of GAS isolates from children with and without sore throat in one large urban setting in Brazil.MethodsChildren 3-15 years of age were consecutively recruited from slum and non-slum pediatric outpatient clinics between April-October, 2008. Throat cultures were performed and data intake forms were completed. GAS isolates were typed by emm sequencing.ResultsFrom 2194 children, 254 (12%) GAS isolates were obtained. Of 238 GAS isolates that were emm-typed, 61 unique emm types were identified. Simpson's diversity index of the emm types was higher among isolates from slum children [97% (96%-98%)] than those of non-slum children [92% (89%-96%)]. Two emm types (66.0, 12.0) were more frequently isolated from children with sore throat (p < 0.05), and one emm type (27G.0) demonstrated a protective effect.ConclusionsThe emm type diversity from children attending slum clinics resembled the emm diversity of low income countries rather than that of children attending a non-slum clinic in the same city. Local factors, such as crowding, may enhance the frequency of GAS transmission and horizontal gene transfers that contribute to increased strain diversity in the slums. GAS vaccine coverage and control of GAS infections will need to take these local factors and strain differences into consideration.

SNHL is a common complication in SCA; furthermore, this study identified a significant association between ED and SNHL. Damage to the vascular endothelium because of inflammation in SCA reduced blood flow in the inner ear. Thus, this circulatory disorder culminates in vaso-occlusive process and induces auditory disorders, such as SNHL.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia; to investigate possible associations between the presence of more than five episodes of tonsillitis in the last 12 months and episodes of painful crises in the same period; and to compare the mean annual hemoglobin level in children and adolescents with and without obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Methods:Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study involving 85 children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia. All patients answered a questionnaire and underwent a standard otolaryngology examination, including endoscopic endonasal approach. The diagnosis of obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy was made according to the Brodsky scale. Results:The prevalence of obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy was 55.3%. Obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy was associated with history of difficulty in eating (76.7 vs. 23.5%, p = 0.003), presence of more than five episodes of tonsillitis in the last 12 months (70.6 vs. 29.4%, p = 0.021), loud snoring (73.0 vs. 27.0%, p = 0.004), and sleep apnea (71.8 vs. 28.2%, p = 0.005). Patients with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy had more episodes of recurrent upper airway tract infection (62.5 vs. 37.5; p = 0.010). The presence of more than five episodes of tonsillitis in the last 12 months was associated with episodes of painful crises (median = 12 vs. 2, p = 0.017). There was no significant difference between mean annual hemoglobin levels of patients with obstructive adenotonsilar hypertrophy vs. nonobstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy: 7.6 vs. 8.2 g/dL, p = 0.199. Conclusion:The prevalence of obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy was 55.3% in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia; the presence of more than five episodes of tonsillitis in the last 12 months was associated with episodes of painful crises in the same period; there was no difference in the mean annual hemoglobin value among those with or without obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2009;85(3):249-253:Tonsil, tonsillitis, hemoglobin, children, adolescents, sickle cell disease. ResumoObjetivos: Determinar a prevalência da hipertrofia adenotonsilar obstrutiva em crianças e adolescentes portadores de anemia falciforme; investigar possível associação entre presença de mais de cinco episódios de tonsilite nos últimos 12 meses e episódios de crise álgica no mesmo período; e comparar a hemoglobina anual média entre os que apresentam e os que não apresentam hipertrofia adenotonsilar obstrutiva.Métodos: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo, observacional do tipo corte transversal, com 85 crianças e adolescentes com anemia falciforme. Todos responderam questionário e avaliação otorrinolaringológica, incluindo endoscopia nasossinusal. Para o diagnóstico da hipertrofia adenotonsilar obstrutiva foram adotados os critérios de Brodsky.Resultados: A prevalência da hipertrofia adenotonsilar obstrutiva foi de 55,3%. A hipertrofia adenotonsilar obs...

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA); to investigate the possible correlation between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO 2 < 90%, as well as between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO 2 < 80%; and to investigate the possible correlation between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and painful crisis. Methods: The study involved 85 patients with SCA. The patients completed a questionnaire, were submitted to polysomnography and underwent clinical evaluation (by a pediatrician and an otolaryngologist). An AHI > 1 was considered indicative of a diagnosis of OSAS. Results: The prevalence of OSAS was 10.6%. We found a negative correlation between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO 2 < 90% (r = −0.343; p = 0.002), as well as between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO 2 < 80% (r = −0.270; p = 0.016). There was no association between AHI and painful crisis. Conclusions: The prevalence of OSAS in this population was high (10.6%). Therefore, it is important to identify signs of OSAS as soon as possible and to determine the mean annual hemoglobin level because of the inverse correlation between that level and the total sleep time with SpO 2 < 90% or < 80%.Keywords: Prevalence; Sleep apnea, obstructive; Anemia, sickle cell; Polysomnography; Sleep apnea syndromes. ResumoObjetivo: Estimar a prevalência da síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS) em crianças e adolescentes com anemia falciforme (AF) e investigar a possível correlação entre hemoglobina anual média e tempo total de sono com SpO 2 < 90% e tempo total de sono com SpO 2 < 80%, assim como investigar a possível correlação entre o índice de apneia-hipopneia (IAH) e episódios de crise álgica. Métodos: Participaram 85 pacientes com AF, que responderam a um questionário, foram avaliados por um pediatra e um otorrinolaringologista, e submetidos a estudo polissonográfico. O diagnóstico de SAOS foi definido como IAH > 1. Resultados: A prevalência da SAOS foi 10,6%. Observou-se uma correlação negativa entre hemoglobina anual média e tempo total de sono com SpO 2 < 90% (r = −0,343; p = 0,002) e tempo total de sono com SpO 2 < 80% (r = −0,270; p = 0,016). Não foi observada associação entre IAH e episódios de crise álgica. Conclusões: A prevalência da SAOS nesta população foi alta (10,6%). Portanto, é importante identificar precocemente os sinais de SAOS e avaliar hemoglobina anual média, devido à correlação inversa entre essa e o tempo total de sono com SpO 2 < 90% ou < 80%.

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Group G Streptococcus has been implicated as a causative agent of pharyngitis in outbreak situations, but its role in endemic disease remains elusive. We found an unexpected inverse association of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis colonization and sore throat in a study of 2,194 children of 3 to 15 years of age in Salvador, Brazil.