Browsing by Author "Gray, Diane"

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    Bronchiectasis in African children: disease burden, aetiology and clinical spectrum at a paediatric tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa
    (2023) Mapani, Muntanga-Mapani; Gray, Diane; Githinji, Leah
    Childhood bronchiectasis is a common cause of chronic lung disease globally, particularly in lower-middle-income countries (LMIC). Data from LMIC is lacking. We aimed to describe the disease burden, aetiology, and clinical spectrum of bronchiectasis in children attending a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods Data was collected by chart review of all patients 3 months to 15 years attending the respiratory clinic at red cross war memorial children's hospital between January – December 2019. We included children who had a diagnosis of bronchiectasis based on history of a recurrent (> 3 episodes/year) or persistent (> 4 weeks) wet cough, a clinical phenotype characterized by any of; exertion dyspnea, recurrent chest infections, growth failure, finger clubbing and chest deformity associated with radiographic features of bronchiectasis on plain chest radiography or HRCT reported by a paediatric radiologist. Patients with cystic fibrosis were excluded. Results Of 337 children seen during the study period, 58 (17.2%) had bronchiectasis that was diagnosed at a mean age of 34 months (SD 26). There were 32 (55.0%) female participants. The commonest causes of bronchiectasis were post-infectious (25, 43.1%), and underlying immunodeficiencies (19, 32.8%) including 16/58 (27.6%) who were HIV-infected and 3 (5.1 %) with primary immunodeficiency. Other causes included aspiration syndrome (8, 13.8 %) and anatomical abnormalities (4, 6.9%). Of the participants with post infectious bronchiectasis, tuberculosis was the commonest organism that was isolated (16, 64.0%) and commonest in children living with HIV (11/16, 68.8%). Cough was common (48, 82.8%) with wet cough being predominant (41, 85.4%), course crepitations accounted for 37 (63.8%), hyperinflation 24 (41.4%) finger clubbing 21 (36.2%), wheeze 16 (29.3%) and exertional dyspnea in 7 (12.0%). Conclusion: Bronchiectasis is a common cause of chronic lung disease in South African children mostly resulting from previous pneumonias, with tuberculosis being the commonest infective cause. The importance of identifying underlying treatable causes is highlighted.
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    Cystic fibrosis in black African children in South Africa: a case control study
    (2020) Kwarteng, Owusu Sandra; Zampoli, Marco; Vanker, Aneesa; Gray, Diane
    Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is described more commonly in Caucasian populations in whom p.Phe508del is the most common mutation. There is a paucity of data of CF in black African children. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the presentation and outcomes of black African children with CF to those with p.Phe508del genotype. Methods A retrospective case-controlled study was conducted from January 2000 – March 2018 of children with CF attending two CF centres in South Africa. Presentation, genotype, nutrition and pulmonary function outcomes of black African children were compared to matched controls with the p.Phe508del mutation. Results Thirty-four black African children (cases) with median age of diagnosis (5.5 months, IQR 2.0- 15.0) were matched to 34 controls. Among cases, 3120+1G->A CFTR mutation was most commonly identified; homozygous n=22 (64.7%) and heterozygous=7(20.5%). Compared to controls, cases at diagnosis were more malnourished and fewer presented with neonatal bowel obstruction [cases n=2 (5.9%) vs. controls n=10 (29.4%); p = 0.03]. Nutrition and pulmonary function (FEV1 in children ≥ 6 years) outcomes and changes over time from ages 3-16 years were similar in both groups; median FEV1 z-score at age 6,10 and 14 years was -0.9 (±1.5), -1.8 (±2.0) and -1.8 (±1.9) respectively for all patients. Deaths were recorded in three cases (8.8%) and one control (2.9%) (p = 0.6). Conclusion Black African children with CF were more malnourished at diagnosis, and fewer presented with neonatal bowel obstruction. Cases and controls had comparable nutritional, pulmonary function and early mortality outcomes.
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    Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia in Children: A Systematic Review and Case Series from South Africa
    (2018) Marangu, Diana Mwendwa; Zampoli, Marco; Gray, Diane; Vanker, Aneesa
    Background and objective: To describe the clinical-radiological-pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of childhood exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) and elucidate oil administration practices. Methods: A retrospective study of children with histologically-confirmed ELP at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, South Africa. Caregivers were interviewed to understand oil administration practices. Results: Twelve children of Zimbabwean heritage aged 2.1-10.8 months were identified between 2012 and 2017. Repeated oral administration of plant-based oil for cultural reasons was reported by 10/11 caregivers. Cough (12/12), tachypnea (11/12), hypoxia (9/12) and diffuse alveolar infiltrates on chest radiography (12/12) were common at presentation. Chest computed tomography revealed ground glass opacification with lower zone predominance (9/9) and interlobular septal thickening (8/9). All bronchoalveolar lavage specimens appeared cloudy/milky, with abundant lipid laden macrophages and extracellular lipid on Oil-Red-O staining and documented polymicrobial (6/12) and Mycobacterium abscessus (2/12) co-infection. Antibiotics, systemic corticosteroids and therapeutic partial lung lavage were interventions in all, 8 and 5 patients respectively. Median time to clinical resolution was 1.1 months IQR (0.5-8.0) with radiological resolution only in 2/12 cases. Conclusions: Paediatric ELP resembles pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Health workers should explicitly probe for a history of oil administration in children with non-resolving pneumonia and consider the diagnosis of ELP in settings where this is a common practice.
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    Lung function in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Cape Town, South Africa
    (2019) Githinji, Leah Nyawira; Zar, Heather; Gray, Diane
    Background: Lung disease is a common complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children and adolescents. As antiretroviral programmes have strengthened and HIV diagnosed earlier, survival of perinatally HIV-infected children has improved. Therefore, an increasing number of perinatally HIV-infected children are surviving into adolescence, with development of chronic multisystem disease including chronic lung disease (CLD). However, there is limited information on the determinants, spectrum and progression of lung disease. Lung function testing, an objective, non-invasive, reproducible tool, is useful in characterising CLD and in monitoring disease progression. Aim: To investigate the spectrum, determinants and progression of lung function in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Cape Town, South Africa. Specific objectives included describing the spectrum and determinants of lung function; investigating cardiopulmonary dysfunction and investigating progression of lung function over two years. Methods: The study population was from a prospective cohort, the Cape Town Adolescent Anti-retroviral cohort (CTAAC), that enrolled 515 perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on ART and 110 age-matched HIV-uninfected adolescents followed six-monthly for two years in Cape Town, South Africa. Eligibility criteria were adolescents, aged 9-14 years, with perinatally acquired HIV, who had been on ART for at least six months. Comprehensive lung function testing was done, and clinical and lung function data collected at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Results: At baseline, HIV-infected adolescents had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, respiratory system compliance and functional residual capacity; and higher airway resistance and lung clearance index compared to HIV-uninfected adolescents, p< 0.05 for all. At 24 months, FEV1 and FVC remained lower in the HIV-infected compared to the uninfected, p< 0.05 for both. Impaired cardiopulmonary function was detected in 13% of HIV-infected adolescents and 8% of HIV-uninfected adolescents, p=0.136. Past PTB was significantly associated with a low cardiopulmonary function, OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.2-4.4. Conclusion: Perinatally HIV-infected adolescents had lower lung function and higher resistance and ventilation inhomogeneity compared to age-matched HIV-uninfected adolescents at baseline. Lung function tracked, remaining lower at two years. Previous PTB or severe LRTI were predictors of lower lung function. Co-existent cardiopulmonary dysfunction occurred in a minority. These data highlight respiratory disease risk in this vulnerable group and may inform policy to strengthen strategies to prevent and manage HIV-associated lung or cardiopulmonary disease. Four of the chapters (2-5) of this thesis are presented as published manuscripts. Chapter 1 encompasses an overview of the burden of HIV disease and the spectrum of HIV associated chronic lung disease in adolescents and the utility of lung function in the diagnosis of chronic lung disease. Study methodology is also detailed in this chapter. Chapter 2 (published manuscript) comprises a comprehensive review of published data on lung function (over and above the literature included in the individual papers) in HIV infected children and adolescents and summarises studies that have been done in Africa, USA, Europe and Asia. Chapter 3 (published manuscript) describes the spectrum and determinants of comprehensive lung function parameters (flow, volume, compliance, resistance, ventilation inhomogeneity) in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents with a comparator group of age-matched HIV-uninfected adolescents. Chapter 4 (published manuscript) further explores the prevalence and determinants of coexistent cardiopulmonary dysfunction in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on ART. Chapter 5 (published manuscript) describes the progressive changes in spirometry over two years in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents compared to HIV-uninfected age matched controls. It also addresses the associations of low lung function, factors amenable to public health interventions. Chapter 6 is a summary of the study findings and recommendations.
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    The Clinical Spectrum, Aetiology and Disease Progression of Children with Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans at Tertiary Paediatric Pulmonology Service in Cape Town, South Africa
    (2021) Yassin, Aamir; Vanker, Aneesa; Gray, Diane
    Introduction: There is limited literature on chronic obstructive airway disease in the paediatric age group. Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a cause of obstructive airway disease children, with limited data in African children. Aim: To describe the clinical spectrum, aetiology, and disease progression of children with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans. Methodology: This is a cross sectional descriptive study included all patients aged 6 months to 15 years with PIBO attending a tertiary paediatric pulmonology service in Cape Town, South Africa over period of one year (November 2019 to October 2020). Results: Fifty-one patients with PIBO were enrolled, 78% were males, median age 60 months (IQR 33-107). The median age at disease presentation was 6 months (IQR 3-12), 80% initially presented with cough. Ninety-four percent of patients required hospital admission, 76% were admitted to ICU, 92% required supplemental oxygen therapy and 75% required ventilatory support. Reported cigarette smoke exposure was high (47%). Adenovirus was the most common cause of initial infection 59%. Lung hyperinflation (84%) and air trapping (78%) were the most common current chest radiographic findings; bronchiectasis in 45% of patients. Spirometry showed mixed (41.4%) or obstructive (27%) patterns, mean (SD) FEV1 z-score - 3.3(±1.4), FVC z-scores -2.4(±1.6) and FEV1/FVC z-score -3.1(±2.4). Corticosteroids were used during initial presentation in 92% of patients. Seventy six percent of patients required two or more hospital admissions. Cough (43%) and wheeze (39%) were the commonest reported current symptoms. Lung function impairment was associated with younger age at first presentation and recurrent hospital admissions. Children with higher BMI at presentation had higher FEV1/FVC z-score in later life. Improvement of symptoms over time was reported among 82% of patients. Conclusion: PIBO is a relatively common cause of chronic lung disease in South African children, with adenovirus being the commonest preceding illness. Symptoms of airway obstruction persist over time, but showed improvement with treatment, which included corticosteroids.