Evaluating Pulmonary Function in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients Experiencing Acute Wheezing/Asthma Exacerbation

Authors

  • Rabia Riaz
  • Tahir Mehmood Bangash
  • Sajid Shamim
  • Zahid Rashid
  • Muneeba Iqbal
  • Zafar Iqbal Bhatti

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1996/pjcm.v28i2.830

Abstract

Background: Asthma poses a substantial worldwide health issue, particularly during childhood, where it stands as the most common chronic condition. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) have been designed to assess children's tidal breathing, which may have limited cooperation due to their age or respiratory condition.Objective: The present study aimed to assess the pulmonary function in pediatric emergency department patients, experiencing acute wheezing/asthma exacerbation.Methodology: This prospective observational study investigated 52 acute wheezing/asthma exacerbations in the Emergency Department of Children's Hospital, Lahore from November 2020 to October 2021. All patients aged 2-16 years presented with wheezing or asthma exacerbation as a chief complaint were enrolled. Pulmonary function tests were conducted initially, before initiating the standard care treatment (specifically, protocol- driven care for patients with asthma). The primary metrics evaluated included the feasibility of testing, patient compliance, and the tests' ability to predict whether the patient should be admitted to the hospital or discharged.Results: Of the total 52 patients, there were 33 (63.5%) male and 19 (36.5%) females. The overall mean age was 8.8±4.7 years. The incidence of mild, moderate, and severe asthma patients were 53.8% (n=28), 28.8% (n=15), and 17.3% (n=9) respectively. Admitted patients exhibited elevated heart rates, higher phase angle, labored breathing index, and asthma score. Based on prior history of patients, asthma/wheezing, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and smoke exposure were found in 18 (34.6%), 14 (26.9%), 9 (17.3%), and 4 (7.7%) respectively. Among 52 patients, the admitted and discharged patients were 19 (36.5%) and 33 (63.5%) respectively.Conclusion: The current study endorsed the use of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) as an objective assessment tool for evaluating asthma/wheezing severity and exacerbation in an Emergency Department.Keywords: Acute Wheezing/Asthma, Pulmonary Function Test, Pediatric patients

Author Biographies

Rabia Riaz

Department of Paediatric, Mohuidin Teaching Hospital, Mirpur – AJK

Tahir Mehmood Bangash

Pediatric Emergency Department, Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital, Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Sajid Shamim

Department of Paediatrics, Frontier Medical and Dental College, Abbottabad – Pakistan

Zahid Rashid

Department of Paediatrics, Avicenna Medical College, Lahore – Pakistan

Muneeba Iqbal

Department of Paediatrics, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi – Pakistan

Zafar Iqbal Bhatti

Department of Paediatrics, Niazi Medical and Dental College, Sargodha – Pakistan

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Published

2022-06-02

How to Cite

Rabia Riaz, Tahir Mehmood Bangash, Sajid Shamim, Zahid Rashid, Muneeba Iqbal, & Zafar Iqbal Bhatti. (2022). Evaluating Pulmonary Function in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients Experiencing Acute Wheezing/Asthma Exacerbation. Pakistan Journal of Chest Medicine, 28(2), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.1996/pjcm.v28i2.830

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Original Article

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