05-08 July 2008
San Servolo, Venice, Italy
This event was organized by EAACI Pediatric and Asthma Sections in one of the most famous places in the World –Venice. Prominent scientists all over Europe were invited by pediatric and asthma sections to give talks on various aspects of allergy and asthma in childhood. Junior Members of European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and number of senior doctors attended this activity.The scientific session started with a talk about risk factors for asthma, including genetic, environmental with an accent on dampness and smoking. Many studies are focused on the detection of specific factors even in the cord blood to make prediction of the diagnosis in the early childhood. Diagnostic criteria and clinical index to define an asthma risk and severity score are very helpful to make correct diagnoses. Keeping high quality of life of the patients is the primary goal of treatment measures in children.
Inflammation and remodeling due to impaired repair of epithelial damage are the targets of treatment. There are three asthma phenotypes in children: transient wheezing, nonatopic whizzing of the toddler and pre school children, IgE mediated wheezing. Transient whizzing is usually observed in the first 3-5 years of life. Viral infection is an important trigger factor affecting around 60-80% of patients at all ages. A strong synergy between allergy and virus infection has been found to exist. Although there is still not enough hard evidence that viruses can cause asthma/allergy it is proved that they amplify the risk and induce airway damage. Allergic rhinitis and asthma may be induced by food as well. The molecular basis of food allergy, the algorithm for diagnosis and the current methods of managing food reactions were presented by Dr Antonella Muraro.
The interest of the attendees was easily kept by skillful speakers who used interactive sessions and involved audience to participate in voting and discussions.
The practical side of this school was on a very high level. Organizers made an interview with an asthmatic child as a real example of managing a patient with asthma. The boy and his mother spoke English fluently and all participants had the opportunity to ask questions and join the interview. It was very interesting and useful for clinical practice.
Treatment protocols were given for asthma exacerbations and new therapeutic approaches, as anti-IgE were discussed for severe and therapy resistant asthma. Tests for exercise induced asthma, preventive and treatment measures were also mentioned as they are very important aspects and are especially frequent used in studies during the Olympic Games.
What is though the optimal treatment for pediatric asthma? This question is always in minds of doctors, patients and their parents. The advised formula of optimal treatment is a combination of different treatment factors: allergen avoidance, patient education, specific immunotherapy and pharmacological treatment.Video presentation of a teenage girl interview and case reports presented by juniors and commented by senior professors were very educational. The difficulty of asthma treatment in children and the necessity to persuade a child or a teenager to follow the treatment recommendations and to take the prescribed medications were in the scope of the session. Taking their medication in the presence of their peers and talking to their doctor about the symptoms that limit their activities are quite difficult issues for a child. This allergy school really helped participants to improve their clinical practice, refresh knowledge and get new up to date information on relevant research data. It also gave them the opportunity to meet each other, make new friends, exchange their ideas regarding research projects and also visit Venice.
Michael Rudenko & Mara Xatzipsalti
Official Representatives of EAACI
ENT and Pediatric sections
Junior Member Working Group
Last updated 20 October 2014