Clinical characteristics and etiologies of bronchiectasis in Korean children: A multicenter retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by progressive and irreversible bronchial dilatation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the etiologies and clinical features of bronchiectasis in Korean children. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records for children diagnosed with bronchiectasis between 2000 and 2017 at 28 secondary or tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Results: A total of 387 cases were enrolled. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.2 ± 5.1 years and 53.5% of the patients were boys. The most common underlying cause of bronchiectasis was preexisting respiratory infection (55.3%), post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (14.3%), pulmonary tuberculosis (12.3%), and heart diseases (5.6%). Common initial presenting symptoms included chronic cough (68.0%), recurrent pneumonia (36.4%), fever (31.1%), and dyspnea (19.7%). The most predominantly involved lesions were left lower lobe (53.9%), right lower lobe (47.1%) and right middle lobe (40.2%). No significant difference was observed in the distribution of these involved lesions by etiology. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) levels were lowest in cases with interstitial lung disease-associated bronchiectasis, followed by those with recurrent aspiration and primary immunodeficiency. Conclusions: Bronchiectasis should be strongly considered in children with chronic cough and recurrent pneumonia. Long-term follow-up studies on pediatric bronchiectasis are needed to further clarify the prognosis and reduce the disease burden in these patients.

Follow-up on the therapeutic effects of a budesonide, azithromycin, montelukast, and acetylcysteine (BAMA) regimen in children with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans

“…PIBO seriously worsens the quality of life of affected children (15). At present, there is no accepted best treatment for children with PIBO, who mainly receive anti-inflammatory treatment.…”

Long-term macrolide treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in children: a meta-analysis

“…Bronchiectasis (BE) is a chronic lung disease characterized by an irreversible dilatation and distortion of the small airways including cartilage accompanied by a hyperconcentrated airway mucus 1 , 2 . Diverse diseases associated with respiratory infections can cause non-cystic fibrosis BE in children 3 . With an increasing awareness of the disease and accessibility of medical resources, BE is no longer considered an orphan disease as the prevalence of BE is increasing 4 .…”

“…With an increasing awareness of the disease and accessibility of medical resources, BE is no longer considered an orphan disease as the prevalence of BE is increasing 4 . BE is a burdensome condition because it is accompanied by frequent exacerbations 3 . The quality of life of patients is significantly reduced due to repeated hospitalizations secondary to frequent exacerbations, especially in children, which also affects the quality of life of the entire family.…”

Long-Term Macrolide Treatment for Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis in Children: A Meta-Analysis

“…1,2 Diverse diseases associated with respiratory infections, can cause non-cystic brosis BE in children. 3 With the increasing awareness of disease and accessibility of medical resources, BE is no longer considered an orphan disease as the prevalence of BE is increasing. 4 BE is a troublesome condition because it is accompanied by frequent exacerbation.…”

“…4 BE is a troublesome condition because it is accompanied by frequent exacerbation. 3 The quality of life for patients is signi cantly reduced because hospitalization is repeated due to frequent deterioration, especially in children, the quality of life for the whole family is also reduced. Families with BE pediatric patients may experience school/work losses and are therefore a signi cant disease in terms of the burden of disease.…”