FREQUENTLY ILL CHILDREN: WHAT ELSE BESIDES INFECTIONS?

Abstract

An original concept of differential diagnostics of various conditions, referred by practitioners as «frequently ill children», is shown in this article, which represents a literature review and the authors’ own data. The followed-up «frequently ill children» are referred as heterogeneous group of patients according to the high rate (20–40%) of atopic diseases (allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma) and variable frequency of primary immunodeficiency. The authors offered simple criteria for differential diagnostics and a scheme of history collection of frequently ill children, which contribute to timely diagnostics of allergic disorder or immunodeficiency. The article contains description of recurrent respiratory tract infections. The ontogenetic and constitutional prerequisites and mechanisms of development of recurrent respiratory infections in children are given in detail. Treatment and prophylactic measures are explained according to the group of frequently ill children and heterogeneity of recurrent respiratory infections causes.

Keywords

• frequently ill children, recurrent respiratory infections, bronchial asthma, primary immunodeficiency