Clinical profile of children with bronchiectasis undergoing flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and chest computed tomography scans (CT) in the northern territory: Prospective cross-sectional 10-year study (2007-2017)

Abstract

Introduction/Aim: Indigenous children in the Northern Territory (NT) have high rates of repeated acute lower respiratory infections, associated with a future diagnosis of bronchiectasis. There is however, little data among non-Indigenous children and the trend over the years is unknown. We aimed to determine whether the clinical profile of children investigated for suspected bronchiectasis has changed between 2007-11 and 2012-17. Methods: Demographics, clinical and medical history were obtained in children aged 3 months to 10 years undergoing FB and CT scans at the Royal Darwin Hospital. Results: 304 children were enrolled (n=126 - 2007-11; n=178 - 2012- 17); median age 2.4 years (IQR 1.6-3.9). CT confirmed bronchiectasis and age remained similar. However, the number of children with suppurative airways (p=0.02), chronic cough (p=0.008) and non-Indigenous ethnicity (p=0.04) increased (Table) between the two cohorts. In 2012-17, doctor visits for cough in the past year was high with 75% with >5 visits (5-10 visits=45/127, 35%; 10-20 visits=29/127, 23%; >20 visits=9/127, 7%). (Table presented) Conclusion: The persistently high frequency of bronchiectasis in Indigenous children, increasing number of non-Indigenous children with bronchiectasis, higher prevalence of children with chronic cough, suppurative airways and frequent doctor visits in the later cohort require further evaluation and resources in the NT. This includes education at the primary care level for parents/carers and health professionals.L6220913502018-05-16 <br />