October 19, 2020

Study Probes Links in Asthma, Food Sensitivity and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

MONDAY, Oct. 12, 2020 -- Teens who had asthma and food hypersensitivity when they were younger are at increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), researchers report.

For the study, the investigators examined the health of 2,770 children from birth to age 16. Kids with IBS at age 16 were more likely to have had asthma at age 12 (about 11% versus 7%).

September 29, 2020

First Trial of Gene-Targeted Asthma Rx in Kids Shows Promise

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 -- Asthma treatments tailored to the genes of kids and teens could help improve control of their symptoms, new research suggests.

The study included 241 adolescents, aged 12 to 18, who were randomly selected to receive either traditional asthma treatment or "personalized medicine" -- treatment based on their individual genetics.

September 2, 2020

One Pandemic Silver Lining: Fewer Severe Asthma Attacks in Kids

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2020 -- After stay-at-home orders were issued this spring because of COVID-19, doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia noticed a dramatic drop in the number of patients who were being admitted for asthma emergencies or seeing their doctors for outpatient visits.

In a new study, doctors there noted the drops were significant: the hospital and its care network witnessed a 60% decrease in daily asthma health care visits and an 83% decrease in steroid prescriptions. In-person visits, partially offset by new telehealth and phone appointments, decreased by 87% for outpatient visits and 84% for hospital visits.

September 2, 2020

Don't Count on Vitamin D to Ease Childhood Asthma

TUESDAY, Aug. 25, 2020 -- Vitamin D supplements don't prevent severe asthma attacks in at-risk children, according to a study that challenges previous research.

"The reason that's important is there are colleagues around this country and worldwide who are testing vitamin D levels for kids with asthma and giving them vitamin D," said study lead author Dr. Juan Celedón. He's chief of pediatric pulmonary medicine at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.