Treatment of recurrent upper respiratory infection in children.

The care of a child with recurrent upper respiratory infections can be a frustrating experience for the physician, parent and patient.In this presentation, the history, age incidence, etiology and therapy of recurrent respiratory infection are discussed. As in other conditions the importance of the history cannot be over-emphasized. This alone may indicate the appropriate form of therapy. The age incidence in 32 pediatric patients is presented. Regular daily administration of sulfonamide can be an effective prophylaxis. The indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are discussed, and a respiratory vaccine has also been found effective.When these measures were unsuccessful, a trial of sodium cromoglycate was undertaken in 32 children, approximately 60 percent of whom improved within ten days. Repeated respiratory infection in children may sensitize the mucosa of the respiratory tract with consequent liberation of histamine.