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News
A new study finds that about a third of children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis have bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and those kids show significantly worse lung function. Surprisingly, BHR didn't correlate with asthma symptoms, allergies, or CT scan findings — meaning it can easily go undetected. Researchers say routine lung function testing is key to catching and treating this hidden problem.
A French retrospective study of 65 children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) found that roughly one in three — 32.3% — had bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), a condition where airways overreact to stimuli. Among kids who already had baseline airway obstruction, that number jumped to 62%. The findings, published in Pediatric Pulmonology, highlight a clinically significant but often overlooked complication in this pediatric population.
What makes this particularly tricky: BHR showed no link to classic asthma symptoms, atopy (allergic markers), exacerbation rates, or CT imaging findings. In other words, you can't spot it by symptoms alone — you have to test for it.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: Since BHR doesn't announce itself through typical asthma-like symptoms, children with NCFB could be undertreated without routine spirometry. The authors stress that systematic lung function testing is essential to tailor treatment and prevent further respiratory decline in this vulnerable group.
