Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare, genetically diverse lung disease, causes persistent upper and lower airway illness in adults and children. Respiratory distress in newborns is the initial sign of lower respiratory tract infection, followed by pneumonia, persistent cough, and treatment-resistant wheezing. Children can acquire bronchiectasis, although adults mostly do. Primary ciliary dyskinesia in Iraqi patients was unknown. Objective: To research primary ciliary dyskinesia patients' demographics, clinical aspects, investigative and treatment lines, and follow-up data.

Method: A study included 9 patients with Ct chest bronchiectasis and PICADAR score ≥10 who visited the respiratory clinic at Al Dowaly private hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from March to December 2023. Patients were classified by socio-demographic factors, pulmonary and extra-pulmonary symptoms, personal and family history, radiographic, and investigative techniques.

Results: At diagnosis, patients had a mean age of 14.33±4.770 years, with a median of 14 years and a range of 5-20 years. Males (N=5, 55.6%) are somewhat more prevalent than females (N=4, 44.4%). chronic productive cough in all patients, persistent perennial rhinits (88.9%), chronic ear symptoms (77.8%), shortness of breath (44.4%), hemoptysis (44.4%). Past asthma (55.6%), newborn respiratory distress (88.9%). Congenital cardiac disease (22.2%), infertility (66.7%), situs inversus (77.8%).

Conclusion: The uncommon, genetically diverse lung illness primary ciliary dyskinesia affects adults and children. Despite a significant prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms, Iraqi healthcare resources for screening and diagnosis may hinder illness recognition. To improve early detection and management, healthcare personnel should be well-versed in the disease's clinical spectrum.