Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome in Israel-Novel Findings from a New National Center.

Background: Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder of the autonomic nervous system that results from mutations in the gene. A national CCHS center was founded in Israel in 2018. Unique new findings were observed.

A Magnetically and Electrically Powered Hybrid Micromotor in Conductive Solutions: Synergistic Propulsion Effects and Label-Free Cargo Transport and Sensing.

Electrically powered micro- and nanomotors are promising tools for in vitro single-cell analysis. In particular, single cells can be trapped, transported, and electroporated by a Janus particle (JP) using an externally applied electric field. However, while dielectrophoretic (DEP)-based cargo manipulation can be achieved at high-solution conductivity, electrical propulsion of these micromotors becomes ineffective at solution conductivities exceeding ≈0.

Respiratory effects of acute milk consumption among asthmatic and non-asthmatic children: a randomized controlled study.

Background: A commonly held public belief is that cow's milk products increase mucus production and respiratory symptoms. Dietary milk elimination is often attempted despite lack of evidence. Our objective was to investigate whether a single exposure to cow's milk is associated with respiratory symptoms and changes in pulmonary functions in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.

Eosinophil cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in early childhood wheezing: is it predictive of future asthma?

: Increased eosinophil level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) characterizes asthma in school-age children and adults and has been suggested as a marker for disease severity and response to treatment. We aimed to investigate the occurrence and yield of BALF eosinophil cell count in preschool children with recurrent wheezing and its possible relation to future diagnosis of asthma. : BALF was retrospectively studied in young wheezy children and its relation to asthma at age 6 years was evaluated.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: Severe disease caused by co-occurrence of two PHOX2B variants inherited separately from asymptomatic family members.

Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disease characterized by autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Central hypoventilation is the most prominent and clinically important presentation. CCHS is caused by mutations in paired-like homeobox 2b (PHOX2B) and is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Laryngeal ultrasound for the diagnosis of laryngomalacia in infants.

Introduction: Laryngomalacia is the most prevalent cause of congenital stridor. Flexible laryngobronchoscopy (FLB) is the gold standard for diagnosis. However, FLB requires venous access, deep sedation or general anesthesia, and is associated with patient's and parental discomfort and a considerable cost.

Variability in anesthesiologists' approach to the preoperative management of asthmatic children.

Objective: No consensus guidelines exist for the preoperative treatment of asthmatic children referred for elective surgery. We investigated the attitude of pediatric anesthesiologists to this issue.

Design: A questionnaire survey was conducted.

Alveolar ventilation in children during flexible bronchoscopy.

Background: Hypoxia and hypercarbia complicate flexible bronchoscopy (FB). Unlike oxygenation by pulse-oximetry, alveolar ventilation is not routinely monitored during FB. The aim of this study was to investigate ventilation in children undergoing FB by measuring carbon-dioxide (CO ) levels using the transcutaneous technique.

Adenoidectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children.

Study Objective: Adenotonsillectomy is the recommended treatment for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Since adenoidectomy alone may be associated with significantly lower morbidity, mortality, and cost, we aimed to investigate whether adenoidectomy alone is a reasonable and appropriate treatment for children with OSA.

Methods: Five-hundred fifteen consecutive children diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index > 5) based on polysomnography and who underwent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy were reevaluated after 17-73 months (mean 41) for residual or recurrent OSA using a validated questionnaire (Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, PSQ).

Low parental tolerance for infant crying: an underlying factor in infant sleep problems?

Parenting behaviours play a major role in the evolution of infant sleep. Sleep problems in infancy have been associated with excessive parental involvement at night-time, and with shorter delays in response to infant night wakings and signalling. Infant crying and sleep problems are linked, yet little is known about the impact of parental responses to crying on infant sleep patterns.

Pulmonary functions in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: To investigate fractional exhaled nitric-oxide (FeNO) levels in children with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and their correlation to disease activity.

Materials And Methods: Children with CD and UC (aged 8-18 years) and age-matched healthy controls without respiratory symptoms were recruited. Disease activity was assessed using validated scores.

The history of primary snoring in children: the effect of adenotonsillectomy.

Unlabelled: Primary snoring (PS) is considered as the most benign form of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and treatment is usually not prescribed. Studies suggest that PS may not be as benign as had formerly been considered. We aimed to investigate the natural history of PS in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and compare those who underwent adenotonsillectomy (AT) with those who did not.

Nasal nitric oxide in sleep-disordered breathing in children.

Background: Inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis and consequences of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses produce high levels of nitric oxide (NO). In asthma, exhaled NO is a marker of airway inflammation.

Surgical treatment for cervicomedullary compression among infants with achondroplasia.

Purpose: Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism. Respiratory failure is responsible for most deaths among these children and is often related to cervicomedullary compression (CMC). We present our experience with early cervicomedullary decompression in infants with achondroplasia.

The effect of maternal sleep-disordered breathing on the infant's neurodevelopment.

Objective: We sought to examine the effect of maternal sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on infant general movements (GMs) and neurodevelopment.

Study Design: Pregnant women with uncomplicated full-term pregnancies and their offspring were prospectively recruited from a community and hospital low-risk obstetric surveillance. All participants completed a sleep questionnaire on second trimester and underwent ambulatory sleep evaluation (WatchPAT; Itamar Medical, Caesarea, Israel).

Pediatric pulmonologists approach to the pre-operative management of the asthmatic child.

Objective: No consensus guidelines exist for the respiratory treatment of asthmatic children referred for elective surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude of pediatric pulmonologists regarding the pre-operative management of these children.

Methods: A survey of pre-operative management of asthmatic children was conducted.

Oxidative stress in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Study Objectives: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardiovascular consequences, including accelerated atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Increased lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative stress, has been identified in adults with OSA in a severity-dependent manner, with attenuation following treatment with continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Studies on oxidative stress in children with OSA are sparse and results are inconclusive.

Are frequency and severity of sleep-disordered breathing in obese children and youth with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus different?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults. Data in children are limited. The aim was to study the frequency and severity of OSA and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents with and without T2DM.

The effect of seasonality on sleep-disordered breathing severity in children.

Objective: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a common disorder associated with substantial morbidity that occurs in otherwise healthy children. Atopy, asthma, and viral upper respiratory tract infections are known risk factors for pediatric SDB that exhibit seasonal variability. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of seasonality on SDB severity in children and adolescents referred for polysomnographic evaluation for suspected SDB and to examine the effect of atopy/asthma on this variability.

Fiber-optic sleep endoscopy in children with persistent obstructive sleep apnea: inter-observer correlation and comparison with awake endoscopy.

Objective: Evaluate the inter-observer correlation of sleep endoscopy findings in children with persistent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with awake office fiber-optic endoscopy.

Design: retrospective case series; blinded review.

Setting: tertiary care children's hospital.

Maternal cognitions and depression in childhood behavioral insomnia and feeding disturbances.

Objectives: To investigate (1) maternal cognitions regarding infant's sleep and feeding and maternal depression among mothers of children with behavioral insomnia, feeding disturbances and healthy controls, and (2) the association between maternal cognitions about sleep and those about feeding.

Methods: Children 6-36 months of age with either behavioral insomnia or feeding disorders were recruited. Children 6-36 months of age who attended the well-baby clinics were recruited and served as controls.

The effect of a single dose of acetaminophen on airways response in children with asthma.

Unlabelled: Accumulating evidence suggests that the use of acetaminophen increases the risk of developing asthma and that its widespread use has contributed to the increasing prevalence of asthma.

Study Design: To investigate the immediate effect of a single dose of acetaminophen on airways reactivity and inflammation in asthmatic and controls. A double blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 42 asthmatic children and 21 healthy age-matched controls.

Respiratory Involvement in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are systemic diseases with a variety of extra-intestinal manifestations. Respiratory involvement, whether clinically symptomatic or latent, may be more common than previously thought. As opposed to adults, most of the cases in children involve Crohn's disease.