Pulmonary Function Tests: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV 1)

FEV 1
With the help of well-trained and experienced pulmonary function technicians, children as young as 4 to 5 years of age should be capable of performing spirometry. Spirometry measures forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), the ratio of FEV 1 /FVC, as well as other measures of airflow including the forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25–75 ). The FEV 1 is the most commonly used and reproducible measure of pulmonary function, whereas the FEF 25–75 demonstrates much more intrapatient variability. (more…)

Allergic Reactions To Penicillin and Skin Test Evaluation via Intradermal Injection

Intradermal Injection
This study compared the diagnostic value of intradermal tests and patch tests in 20 patients with non-immediate reactions to penicillin (none had IgE antibodies to benzylpenicillin or amoxicillin detectable using a commercial RAST [radioallergosorbent test] method), using 30 patients tolerant to penicillin as controls. Intradermal tests assessed reactivity to injection of major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin and ampicillin. Allergy patch testing involved the same hapten solutions used for intradermal testing, either embedded in a patch disk or mixed with petrolatum. (more…)

Classification of Asthma & Chronic Airway Obstruction

Asthma Chronic Airway
Classification of bronchial asthma can be based on age, etiology, associated characteristics, or severity. Classifications based on severity have been primarily designed as an approach to asthma treatment. Thus, management of mild intermittent disease may require only bronchodilator treatment, but frequent attacks with or without persistent mild symptoms require a comprehensive approach to controlling inflammation as well as bronchodilator treatment. Severe asthma can become a major clinical problem that requires specialist care and many different approaches to asthma attack treatment. (more…)

Allergic Asthma In Children: Risk Factor Asthma In Childhood

Allergic Asthma In Children
The two strongest risk factors for asthma in childhood are a family history and immediate hypersensitivity to common allergens. This immune response includes both IgE antibodies and helper T cells type 2 (Th2), both of which are thought to contribute to the inflammation in the respiratory tract. Children with asthma who mount an immune response to inhalant allergens have an increased risk of developing asthma because of this combination of genetics and exposure. However, it is sensitization to indoor allergens (e.g. dust mites, cats, dogs, and cockroaches) that is strongly associated with asthma. (more…)