Evaluation of Bronchiectasis in Children

<bold>Introduction:</bold> It was aimed to evaluate the clinical features of cystic fibrosis(CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis(BE) in children <bold>Method:</bold> Between 2006 and 2023, all patients aged 0-18 years admitted with BE detected on CT were included. Data were retrospectively recorded. BE severity was scored according to the total Bhalla score(TBS) as mild, moderate, or severe. <bold>Results:</bold> 157 patients were included, 51% were female. The most common etiologies were CF, post-infectious, immunodeficiency, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and others. In CF (Group1), patients had lower initial visit age, height, BMI z-score compared to non-CF (Group 2)(p <0.001), whereas no difference was found in final z-scores (p>0.05). There was an increase in final height, weight and BMI z-scores compared to the initial visit in Group 1 (p<0.05). There was no difference in initial and final growth z-scores in Group 2 (p>0.05). In Group 1, the mean age at the first visit was younger and follow-up period was longer (p <0.05). No difference between the groups was found in mean diagnosis age, final visit FEV1, and FVC values. According to the TBS 27.0% of Group 1 were classified as mild, 37.8% moderate, and 35.1% severe, while in Group 2, 61.7% were mild, 33.3% moderate, and 5% severe. Severe scores were more common in Group1 (p <0.001). There was a positive correlation between TBS and initial and final visit height, weight, and BMI z-scores, final FEV1, FVC(p <0.05). <bold>Discussion:</bold> Although severe scores were more common in CF, no difference in final spirometry parameters between CF and non-CF patients suggests that the increase in follow-up height, weight, and BMI z-scores may be due to earlier monitoring and longer follow-up. Spirometry and growth z-scores were associated with radiological scores.