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Background: Bronchiectasis is characterized by irreversible dilatation of the bronchial tree. Though cystic fibrosis (CF) is the commonest cause in the western world, non-CF causes are the major contributors in South Asia and are a major contributor to chronic respiratory morbidity. Objectives:To analyse a group of children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis diagnosed in a resource poor setting regarding aetiology, clinical profile and outcome. Method:A chart review of 32 children presented /referred to a single unit over a period of 18 months were diagnosed by high resolution CT scan. Lung functions were assessed using spirometry. Results:Thirty two children (girls 20) with non-CF bronchiectasis with a mean age of 7.7 years (SD =3.42) were studied. Bilateral lung involvement was seen in 10 patients. Restrictive lung disease was seen at spirometry in 11. An identifiable aetiology was found in 24 children out of which 16 were thought to be post infective. Postural drainage was satisfactory in 15 and 3 children were dependent on home oxygen. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest Personal funding was used for the project.

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Introduction: Acute asthma is commonly treated with beta agonist therapy in the form of inhaled salbutamol. Clinicians are reluctant to use intravenous (IV) salbutamol in acute management due to the possibility of tachyarrhythmia. Objective: To describe the effects of IV salbutamol on the heart rate and to describe any cardiac rhythm abnormalities or cardiac toxicity (ischaemia) associated with IV salbutamol therapy. Method: A prospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted at the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), Colombo on all children admitted with acute severe asthma from August to December 2015 who required IV salbutamol therapy. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The Wilcoxon significant rank test was utilized in statistical analysis. Results: During the study period 30 patients were admitted to the MICU for continuous IV salbutamol therapy. The mean heart rate on admission was 197.67±15.61. An 18% reduction (197.67 to 161.53, p=0.000; p<0.001) of heart rate was observed after introduction of IV salbutamol. Mean heart rate at the end of 12 hours of IV salbutamol was 113.20±9.05 (p=0.000; p<0.001). Neither cardiac arrhythmias nor elevated Troponin levels were observed in any of the patients. There was no significant hypokalaemia noted, the lowest serum potassium being 3.2meq/L.