Associate Professor
Pediatric Pulmonology
Hadassah University Hospital
Ein-Karem, Jerusalem.
Telephone (h): 02-5342704
(w): 02-6777782
Cellular: 064-639963
Fax: 02-6435897
E-mail: avital@hadassah.org.il
Personal Details
Date of birth: October 1, 1946
Country of birth: Morocco
Year of Immigration: 1964
Nationality: Israeli
Marital status: married
No. of children: 3
Military service: Israel, 1973-1978
Academic Education
1966-1972 – Hebrew University – Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
1973 – Internship, Meir Hospital, Kfar Sava, Israel
1973 – 1977 Army physician, Israel Defense Force
1978 – 1983 Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem.
1988-1990 Pediatric Pulmonology, HSC, Winnipeg, Canada. Specialist
Appointments at the Hebrew University
1/4/85 Lecturer in Pediatrics
28/6/92 - Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics
01/10/2002 Associate Professor in Pediatrics
Miscellaneous
2002-2003- Secretary of the Israeli Pediatric Pulmonology Association
Research Grants
1999 Ministry of Health, Israel 60000 IS 2 years Aspiration in Hamsters
2001 US-Israel Binational 49000 $ 3 years Exhaled NO in Pediatrics
Supervision of Advanced Students (last 5 years)
Doctoral Students
1. Goldberg Shmuel, 1993: The correlation between peak flow measurements and small airway function in asthmatic children (Co-supervisor Bar-Yishay E.). #45
2. Preminger Avia, 1996: Chloroquine prevents bleomycin-induced lung injury in mice (Co-supervisor Springer C).
3. Shapiro Eli, 2001: The use of polystyrene microspheres as a marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters (Co-supervisor Springer C). #49
4. Dinerstein Arik, 2001: The indications of flexible bronchoscopy in cases of low probability of foreign body aspiration in children (Co-supervisors Springer C. and Godfrey S.).
5. Gutman Dafna, 2002: Exhaled nitric oxide in wheezy infants and acute bronchiolitis (Co-supervisor Springer C).
Courses Taught
a. Fourth year students
Introduction to Pediatrics (Fourth year): Congenital Malformations of the Respiratory System
Pediatrics: (Fourth year): Cystic Fibrosis
Asthma and Bronchial Hyperreactivity in Childhood
Recurrent Pneumonia in Children
b. Sixth year students
Questions and Answers in Pediatric Pulmonology
c. Fellows in Pediatric Pulmonology
Teaching Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship including laboratory techniques, bronchial challenges and bronchoscopy techniques.
Certifications
1983 - Israeli Board of Pediatrics
1994 -Israeli Board of Pediatric Pulmonology
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
Doctoral Dissertation
Renal handling of the third (C3) and fourth (C4) components of the complement system in the nephrotic syndrome. Supervisor: Prof. A. Klajman; 1973, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel; 1 publication.
Chapters
1. Avital, A. and Chernick, V. Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency and emphysema. In: Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children. Eds. Kendig EL Jr. and Chernick V, 6th edition. WB Saunders Company, 1998, p. 675-688.
2. Avital, A. and Chernick, V. Psittacosis. Ornithosis. In: Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children. Eds. Kendig EL Jr. and Chernick V, 6th edition. WB Saunders Company, 1998, p. 988-991.
3. Avital, A., Springer, C., Godfrey, S. Interstitial lung diseases in childhood. Eur Respir Mon, 2002, 19:1-12.
Papers In Peer-Reviewed Journals
a) Original Research Articles
1. Klajman, A., Avital, A., Myers, B.D. (1976). Renal handling of the third (C3) and fourth (C4) components of the complement system in the nephrotic syndrome. Nephron 16:333‑343.
2. Eyal, F., Sagi, E., Arad, I., Avital, A. (1982). NEC in very low birth weight infant: Expressed breast milk feeding compared with parenteral feeding. Arch Dis Child 57:274‑276.
3. Avital, A., Maayan, C., Goitein, K.J. (1982). Incidence of convulsions and encephalopathy in childhood Shigella infections: Survey of 117 hospitalized patients. Clin Ped 21:645‑648.
4. Avital, A, Tamir, S., Faran, M., Steinitz, M. (1983). A sensitive assay to evaluate antistreptococcal antibodies using an in vitro produced monoclonal rheumatoid factor. Diag Immunol 1:75‑79.
5. Steinitz, M., Avital, A. (1984). Production of human monoclonal anti bodies by EBV transformed cell lines. Antibacterial antibodies. Immunol Hematol Res Mono 2:337‑341.
6. Avital, A., Steinitz, M. (1984). Production of human monoclonal antibodies by Epstein‑Barr virus transformed cell lines. Harefuah 107:167‑168 (in Hebrew).
7. Avital, A., Tamir, S., Steinitz, M. (1985). Continuous in vitro production of IgA by a human colostral immortalized cell line. Immunol Letters 9:23‑27.
8. Godfrey, S., Springer, C., Maayan, Ch., Avital, A, Vatashky, E., Beilin, B. (1987). Is there a place for rigid bronchoscopy in the management of pediatric lung disease? Pediatr Pulmonol 3:179‑184.
9. Springer, C., Avital, A., Maayan, C., Rosler, A., Godfrey, S. (1987). Comparison between budesonide and beclomethasone diproprionate in the treatment of asthma. Arch Dis Child 62:815‑819.
10. Avital, A., Bar‑Yishay, E., Springer, C., Godfrey, S. (1988). Bronchial provocation tests in young children using tracheal auscultation. J Pediatr 112:591‑594.
11. Amirav, I., Amitai, Y., Avital, A., Godfrey, S. (1988). Enhancement of theophylline clearance by intravenous albuterol. Chest 94:444‑445.
12. Avital, A., Shulman, D.L., Bar‑Yishay, E., Noviski, N., Schachter, J., Godfrey, S. (1989). Differential Lung Function in an Infant with Swyer‑James syndrome. Thorax 44:298‑302.
13. Voss, R., Ben‑Simon, E., Avital, A., Godfrey, S., Zlotogora, J., Dagan, J., Tikochinski, Y., Hillel, J. (1989). Isodisomy of chromosome 7 in a patient with cystic fibrosis: could uniparental disomy be common in humans? Am J Hum Genet 45:373‑380.
14. Amitai, Y., Avital, A., Zilber‑Katz, E., Zangen, D., Noviski, N., Godfrey, S. (1990). Serum lidocaine concentrations in children following bronchoscopy with topical anesthesia. Chest 98:1370‑1373.
15. Springer, C., Bar‑Yishay, E., Uwyyed, K., Avital, A., Vilozni, D., Godfrey, S. (1990). Corticosteroids do not affect clinical or physiological status of infants with bronchiolitis. Pediatr Pulmonol l9:181‑185.
16. Avital, A., Noviski, N., Bar‑Yishay, E., Springer, C., Levy, M., Godfrey, S. (1991). Non specific bronchial reactivity in asthmatic children depends on severity but not on age. Am Rev Respir Dis 144:36‑38.
17. Noviski, N., Cohen, L., Springer, C., Bar‑Yishay, E., Avital, A., Godfrey, S. (1991). Bronchial provocation determined by breath sounds compared with lung function. Arch Dis Child 66:952‑955.
18. Godfrey, S., Springer, C., Noviski, N., Maayan, CH., Avital, A. (1991). Exercise but not methacholine differentiates asthma from chronic lung disease in children. Thorax 46:488‑492.
19. Avital, A., Steljes, D.G., Pasterkamp, H., Kryger, M., Sanchez, I., Chernick, V. (1991). Sleep quality in children with asthma treated with theophylline or cromolyn sodium. J Pediatr 119: 979-984.
20. Avital, A., Sanchez, I., Holbrow, J., Kryger, M., Chernick, V. (1991). Effect of theophylline on lung function tests, sleep quality and nighttime SaO2 in children with cystic fibrosis. Am Rev Respir Dis 144:1245-1249.
21. Springer, C., Avital, A., Noviski, N., Maayan, CH., Ariel, I., Mogle, P., Godfrey, S. (1992). The role of infection in the right middle lobe syndrome in asthma. Arch Dis Child 67:592-594.
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22. Avital, A., Sanchez, I., Chernick, V. (1992). Efficacy of salbutamol and ipratropium bromide in decreasing bronchial hyperreactivity in children with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 13:34-37.
23. Abeliovich, D., Pashut Lavon, I., Lerer, I., Cohen, T., Springer, C., Avital, A., Cutting, G.R. (1992). Screening for five mutations detects 97% of cystic fibrosis (CF) chromosomes and predicts a carrier frequency of 1:29 in the Jewish Ashkenazi population. Am J Hum Genet 51:951-956.
24. Maayan, CH., Avital, A., Elpeleg, O.N., Springer, C., Katz, S., Godfrey, S. (1993). Complications following oat head aspiration. Pediatric Pulmonology 15:52-54.
25. Springer, C., Viliozni, D., Bar-Yishay, E., Avital, A., Noviski, N., Godfrey, S. (1993). Comparison of airway resistance and total respiratory system resistance in infants. Am Rev Respir Dis 148:1008-1012.
26. Sanchez, I., Avital, A., Wong, I., Tal, A., Pasterkamp, H. (1993). Acoustic vs. spirometric assessment of bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in children. Pediatr Pulmonol 15:28-35.
27. Avital, A., Jansen, A.H., Sitar, D.S., Chernick, V. (1993). Influence of prolonged adenosine receptor blockade on fetal sleep and breathing patterns. Respir Physiol 91:227-236.
28. Avital, A., Godfrey, S., Schachter, J., Springer, C. (1994). Protective effect of albuterol via spacer device (Babyhaler) against methacholine induced bronchoconstriction in young wheezy children. Pediatr Pulmonol 17:281-284.
29. Goren, A., Noviski, N., Avital, A., Maayan Ch., Stahl, E., Godfrey, S., Springer, C. (1994). Assessment of the ability of young children to use a powder inhaler device (Turbuhaler). Pediatr Pulmonol 18:77-80.
30. Kramer, M.R., Springer, C., Berkman, N., Bar-Yishay, E., Avital, A., Mandelberg, A., Effron, D., Godfrey, S. (1994). The effect of natural oxygen enrichment at low altitude on oxygen-dependent patients with end stage lung disease. Ann Intern Med 121:658-662.
31. Avital, A., Godfrey, S., Maayan, Ch., Diamant, Y., Springer, C. (1994). Chloroquine treatment of interstitial lung disease in children. Pediatr Pulmonol 18:356-360.
32. Avital, A., Springer, C., Bar-Yishay, E., Godfrey, S. (1995). Adenosine, methacholine, and exercise challenges in children with asthma or paediatric chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thorax 50:511-516.
33. Avital, A., Uwyyed, K., Picard, E., Godfrey, S., Springer, C. (1995). Sensitivity and specificity of oropharyngeal suction versus bronchoalveolar lavage in identifying respiratory tract pathogens in children with chronic pulmonary infection. Pediatr Pulmonol 20:40-43.
34. Avital, A., Picard, E., Uwyyed, K., Springer, C. (1995). Comparison of adenosine and methacholine for the differentiation of asthma from chronic airway diseases using the auscultative method in very young children. J Pediatr 127:438-440.
35. Uwyyed, K., Springer, C., Avital, A., Bar‑Yishay, E., Godfrey, S. (1996). Home recording of PEF in young asthmatics - does it contribute to management? Eur Respir J 9:872-879.
36. Soferman, R., Neeman, Z., Livne, M., Avital, A., Spirer, Z. (1996). Familial nasal acilia syndrome. Arch Dis Child 75:76-77.
37. Springer, C., Godfrey, S., Vilozni, D., Bar-Yishay, E., Noviski, N., Avital, A. (1996). Comparison of respiratory inductance plethysmography with thoraco-abdominal compression in bronchial challenges in infants and young children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 154:665-669.
38. Springer, C., Stahl, E., Schachter, J., Avital, A.C (1996). Terbutaline given via Turbuhaler and in nebulised form in children with acute asthma. Eur J Clin Res 8:163-169.
39. Godfrey, S., Avital, A., Maayan, Ch., Rotschild, M., Springer, C. (1997). Yield from flexible bronchoscopy in children. Pediatr Pulmonol 23:261-269.
40.Godfrey, S., Springer, C., Bar-Yishay, E., Avital, A. (1999). Cut-off points defining normal and asthmatic bronchial reactivity to exercise and inhalation challenges in children and young adults. Eur Respir J 14:659-668.
41. Springer, C., Godfrey, S., Picard, E., Uwyyed, K., Rotschild, M., Hananya, S., Noviski, N., Avital, A. (2000). Efficacy and safety of methacholine bronchial challenge performed by auscultation in young asthmatic children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 162:857-860.
42.Wilschanski, M., Famini, C., Blau, H., Rivlin, J., Augarten, A., Avital, A., Kerem, B., Kerem, E. (2000). A pilot study of the effect of gentamicin on nasal potential difference measurements in cystic fibrosis patients carrying stop mutations. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 161:860-865.
43. Avital, A., Godfrey, S., Springer, C. (2000). Exercise, methacholine and adenosine 5’-monophosphate challenges in children with asthma: relation to severity of the disease. Pediatr Pulmonol 30:207-214.
44. Avital, A., Uwyyed, K., Berkman, N., Godfrey, S., Bar-Yishay, E., Springer, C. (2001). Exhaled nitric oxide and asthma in young children. Pediatr Pulmonol 32:308-313.
45. Goldberg, S., Springer, C., Avital, A., Godfrey, S., Bar-Yishay, E. (2001). Can peak expiratory flow measurements estimate small airway function in asthmatic children? Chest 120:482-488,
46. Shapira, M.Y., Ben-David, G., Berkman, N., Avital, A., Bardach, E., Breuer, R. (2002). Short term acupuncture therapy is of no effect in patients with moderate persistent asthma. Chest 121:1396-1400.
47. Avital, A., Gozal, D., Uwyyed, K., Springer, C. (2002). Retrieval of aspirated foreign bodies in children using a flexible bronchoscope and a laryngeal mask airway. J Bronchol 9:6-9.
48. Avital, A., Sherman, Y., Springer, C. (2002). Charcoal is a sensitive, specific and stable marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters. Pediatr Res 51:397-401.
49. Avital, A., Shapiro, E., Doviner, V., Sherman, Y., Margel, S., Tsuberi, M., Springer, C. (2002). Polystyrene microspheres as a specific marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 27:511-4.
50. Springer, C., Avital, A. (2003). A simple and specific test for the diagnosis of aspiration into the airways using a corn flour-milk mixture in a hamster model. Pediatr Pulmonol 35:400-404.
51. Berkman, N., Avital, A., Bardach, E., Springer, C., Breuer, R., Godfrey, S. (2003). The effect of montelukast on bronchial provocation tests and exhaled nitric oxide levels in asthmatic patients. Isr Med Assoc J 5:778-781.
52. Avital, A., Uwyyed, K., Berkman, N., Bar-Yishay, E., Godfrey, S., Springer, C. (2003) Exhaled nitric oxide is age dependent in asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol 36:433-438.
53. Godfrey, S., Uwyyed, K., Springer, C., Avital, A. (2004). Is clinical wheezing reliable as the end-point for bronchial challenges in pre-school children? Pediatr Pulmonol: 37:193-200.
54. Picard E, Aviram M, Yahav Y, Rivlin J, Blau H, Bentur L, Avital A, Villa Y, Schwartz S, Kerem B, Kerem E. (2004). Familial concordance of phenotype and microbial variation among siblings with CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. Oct;38(4):292-7.
55. Barak A, Wexler ID, Efrati O, Bentur L, Augarten A, Mussaffi H, Avital A, Rivlin J, Aviram M, Yahav Y, Kerem E. (2005). Trampoline use as physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. Jan;39(1):70-3.
56. Koplewitz BZ, Springer C, Slasky BS, Avital A, Uwyyed K, Piccard E, Bar-Ziv J. (2005). CT of hemangiomas of the upper airways in children. AJR Am J Roentgenol. Feb;184(2):663-70.
57. Godfrey S, Cohen S, Avital A, Springer C. (2005). Timing and nature of wheezing at the endpoint of a bronchial challenge in preschool children. Pediatr Pulmonol. Mar;39(3):262-7.
58. Cohen S, Springer C, Avital A, Perles Z, Rein AJ, Argaman Z, Nir A. (2005). Amino-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide: heart or lung disease in pediatric respiratory distress? Pediatrics May;115(5):1347-50.
59. Berkman N, Avital A, Breuer R, Bardach E, Springer C, Godfrey S. (2005). Exhaled nitric oxide in the diagnosis of asthma: comparison with bronchial provocation tests. Thorax. May;60(5):383-8.
60. Springer C, Benita S, Sherman Y, Gursoy N, Gilhar D, Avital A. (2005). Poly-lactic-glycolic acid microspheres: a biodegradable marker for the diagnosis of aspiration in hamsters. Pediatr Res. Sep;58(3):537-41.
61. Falk B, Nini A, Zigel L, Yahav Y, Aviram M, Rivlin J, Bentur L, Avital A, Dotan R, Blau H. (2006). Effect of low altitude at the Dead Sea on exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary response to exercise in cystic fibrosis patients with moderate to severe lung disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. Mar;41(3):234-41.
More in PubMed
b) Clinical Observations
1. Amitai, Y., Schwartz, D., Avital, A., Bassan, M. (1982). Benign course of severe Digoxin poisoning in a child. Harefuah 102:455. (in Hebrew).
2. Avital, A., Alpan, G., Goitein, K.J. (1984). Encephalopathy and shock in Shigella dysentery in a child. Harefuah 106:5:240. (in Hebrew).
3. Alpan, G., Avital, A., Peleg, O., Dgani, Y. (1984). Late presentation of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Arch Dis Child 59:482‑483.
4. Alpan, G., Goder, K., Glick, B., Peleg, O., Avital, A., Eyal, F. (1985). Pneumopericardium during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in respiratory distress syndrome. Crit Care Med 12:1080‑1081.
5. Avital, A., Springer, C., Mogle, P., Godfrey, S. (1989). Successful treatment of a child after "drowning" in sand. Arch Dis Child 64:615‑616.
6. Ephros, M., Engelhard, D., Maayan, S., Bercovier, H., Avital, A., Yatsiv, I. (1989). Legionella gormanii pneumonia in a child with chronic granulomatous disease. Pediatr Inf Dis J 8: 726‑727.
7. Avital, A., Springer, C., Meyer, J.J., Godfrey, S. (1992). Hollow bone in the bronchus or the danger of chicken soup. Respiration 59:62-63.
8. Avital, A., Udassin, R., Bar-Ziv, J., Schachter, J., Godfrey, S., Springer, C. (1993). Bronchogenic cyst associated with left lower lobe bronchiectasis. Pediatr Pulmonol 16:323-325.
9. Kapelushnik, J., Springer, C., Naparstek, E., Drakos, P., Peled, N., Picard, E., Delukina, M., Avital, A. (1994). Tracheoesophageal fistula induced by aspergillus infection following bone marrow transplantation. Pediatr Pulmonol 17:202-204.
10. Einav, S., Braverman, I., Yatsiv, I., Avital, A., Rotschild, M. (2000). Airway burns and atelectasis in an adolescent following aspiration of molten wax. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 109:687-9,
11. Avital, A., Godfrey, S., Bortz, R., Uwyyed, K., Springer, C. (2002). Gavaging the infant lung. Pediatr Pulmonol 34:388-90,
12. Bromiker, R., Neeman, Z., Bar-Oz, B., Avital, A., Bar-Ziv, J., Springer, C. (2002). Early diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia in a newborn without situs inversus. Acta Paediatr 91:1002-1005.
c) Letters
1. Godfrey, S., Avital, A., Rosler, A., Mandelberg, A., Uwyyed, K. (1987). Nebulised budesonide in severe infantile asthma. Lancet 2:851‑852.
d) Reviews
1. Avital, A., Springer, C., Godfrey, S. (2000). Pulmonary haemorhagic syndrome in children. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews 1:266-273.
2. Godfrey, S., Bar-Yishay, E., Avital, A., Springer, C. (2003). What is the role of tests of lung function in the management of infants with lung disease? Pediatr Pulmonol 35:1-9.
ABSTRACTS
1. Barasch D, Gur I, Springer C, Avital A, Godfrey S. Foreign body aspiration in infants. Isr J Med Sci 1986;22:612.
2. Avital A, Bar‑Yishay E, Godfrey S. Bronchial provocation tests in young children using tracheal breath sound recording. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1987;79:144.
3. Avital A, Noviski N, Bar‑Yishay E, Levy M and Godfrey S. Effect of age and severity of disease on methacholine challenge in asthmatic children. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989;139:A129.
4. Avital A, Noviski N, Bar‑Yishay E and Godfrey S. Sensitivity of exercise and methacholine challenge tests in the detection of bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatic children. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989;139:A563.
5. Pasterkamp H, Avital A, Rashed N, Tal A. Density dependence of flow standardized tracheal and lung sounds. Am Rev Respir Dis 1990; 141:A709.
6. Noviski N, Cohen L, Springer C, Bar-Yishay E, Avital A, Godfrey S. Bronchial provocation determined by tracheal auscultation compared with lung function in young children. SEP-SEPCR, 1990.
7. Godfrey S, Springer C, Noviski N, Maayan CH, Avital A. Exercise but not methacholine differentiates asthma from chronic lung disease in children. Am Rev Respir Dis 1991;143:A23.
8. Avital A, Springer C, Schachter J, Godfrey S. Bronchoprotective effect of salbutamol delivered via a Babyhaler spacer device against methacholine induced bronchoconstriction in young wheezy children. Eur Resp J 1992;5:510s.
9. Springer C, Goldberg S, Avital A, Bar-Yishay E, Godfrey S. Can peak flow measurements estimate small airway function in asthmatic children? Am Rev Respir Dis 1993;147:A268.
10. Kramer MR, Springer C, Berkman N, Bar-Yishay E, Avital A, Mandelberg A, Godfrey S. Effect of lowering altitude on arterial oxygenation and exercise performance in patients with end stage lung disease. Am Rev Respir Dis 1993;147:A867.
11. Kramer MR, Springer C, Berkman N, Bar-Yishay E, Avital A, Efron D, Godfrey S. Natural oxygen (O2) enrichment in patients with end stage lung disease at the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Chest 1993;103:179S.
12. Avital A, Springer C, Bar-Yishay E, Godfrey S. Bronchial challenge with adenosine is more sensitive than exercise and more specific than methacholine for the diagnosis of asthma in children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994;149:A1050.
13. Avital A, Springer C, Picard E, Uwyyed K, Godfrey S. Adenosine is more specific than methacholine for the differentiation of asthma from chronic airway diseases using the auscultative method in very young children. Eur Resp J 1995;8:131s.
14. Uwyyed K, Springer C, Avital A, Bar-Yishay E, Godfrey S. Home recording of PEF in young asthmatics - does it contribute to management? Eur Resp J 1995;8:11s
15. Godfrey S, Avital A, Rotschild M, Springer C. Yield from bronchoscopy in children. Thorax 1995; 50 (Suppl 2):A42.
16. Godfrey S, Uwyyed K, Springer C, Avital A. Is clinical wheezing reliable as the end-point for bronchial challenges in pre-school children? Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 167:A506.
Invited Lectures