The antioxidative-prooxidative balance in children with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting β2-agonists

The aim of study was to analyze the effect of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting ß2-agonists on antioxidative-prooxidative balance in children with asthma. Material and methods: Twenty children with newly diagnosed asthma before treatment (group I), fourteen children with diagnosed asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting β2-agonists and 57 healthy children were ioncluded in the study. In all cases plasma protein carbonyls and activity of erythrocyte SOD was assayed. Results: Plasma protein carbonyls in both group I (1,01 nmol/g of protein, SD=0,30) and group II (0,94; SD=0,15) was significantly higher than in group III (0,85; SD=0,24) (I vs. III

Evaluation of CD40 and CD80 receptors in the colonic mucosal membrane of children with inflammatory bowel disease

[b][/b][b]Introduction. [/b]The most prevalent inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Immune processes play a vital role in the etiopathogenesis of these conditions, involving both cellular and humoral response mechanisms. The aim of this study was to quantify CD40- and CD80-positive cells in the biopsy specimens of large intestinal mucosa from children with IBD. [b]Materials and method. [/b]The study comprised 38 children aged between 3–17 years (mean 11.5±3.7 years) – 20 boys (52.6 %) and 18 girls (47.4%). Eighteen patients were diagnosed with UC on the basis of clinical manifestation, endoscopic and histopathological findings. Mean age of this subgroup was 11.55±4.07 years. A group of 10 children (mean age 12.30±2.83) diagnosed with CD was also included. The control group comprised 10 IBD-free children (mean age 10.28±4.07 years). The surface expressions of CD40 and CD80 were analyzed in large intestine mucosa biopsy specimens, fixed in formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, and cut with a microtome into 4 µm slices. [b]Results. [/b]The number of CD40- and CD80-positive cells in the large intestinal mucosa of children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis was significantly higher than in the controls. The highest number of CD40+ and CD80+ cells was observed in the caecal mucosal membrane of Crohn’s disease patients and in the rectal mucosa of individuals with ulcerative colitis. [b]Conclusion.[/b] IBD is characterized by elevated, segment-specific, expression of CD40 and CD80

Home enteral nutrition in children—2010 nationwide survey of the polish society for clinical nutrition of children

Published epidemiologic data on the administration rates of enteral/parenteral home nutrition is very limited. The aim of this first nationwide study was to assess the availability of pediatric home enteral nutrition (HEN) services in Poland. The questionnaire was sent to all regional centers providing pediatric HEN services in Poland (n = 14). The analysis included the number of pediatric patients who received HEN in 2010, their demographic characteristics and geographical distribution. Furthermore, the distributions of indications and methods of enteral nutrition administration were analyzed, along with the reasons of withdrawal from the HEN program. The number and fraction of children receiving HEN increased in 2010, from 433 (11.34 per 1 million inhabitants) on January 1st to 525 (13.75) on December 31st. Marked differences were observed in geographical distribution of this parameter, from zero to up to 30 pediatric patients per 1 million inhabitants. Median age of patients was 6 years (range: 9 months–18 years). In most cases, HEN was prescribed due to neurological disorders (n = 337, 64.2%), and administered by means of gastrostomy (n = 450, 85.71%). This study revealed the dynamic development of pediatric HEN services in Poland but also documented their potential regional shortages

Long-term effects of 12-month integrated weight-loss programme for children with excess body weight- who benefits most?

The aim of the study was to assess long-term effects of the 12-month integrated weight-loss programme in children with excess body weight. We also attempted to identify the determinants of intervention effectiveness. Two groups were included in the analysis: 241 children with excess body weight who participated in the full 12-month intervention (full participation group) and 891 children with excess body weight who did not participate in the intervention (no participation group). Changes in BMI SDS, SBP SDS, DBP SDS and post-exercise HR with a follow-up period of 4 years between this groups were compared. In the full participation group, the reduction in mean BMI SDS was greater, we also observed significantly higher decrease in DBP SDS. Subgroup analysis by age category and sex showed a significant difference in the change in mean BMI SDS (from baseline to follow-up) in the subgroup of younger children and in the subgroup of younger girls. In the subgroup of younger girls significantly higher decrease in DBP SDS and SBP was also observed. Younger children, who participated in the intervention at age 6, particularly girls, benefited the most

Reactive oxygen species and antioxidative barrier in asthma

Reaktywne formy tlenu (RFT) są zaangażowane w przewlekły proces zapalny, między innymi w astmie. Wzrost produkcji RFT z jednej strony, z drugiej zaś zaburzenia wydolności bariery antyoksydacyjnej w przebiegu astmy prowadzą do powstania stresu oksydacyjnego, czego wyrazem jest nasilenie uszkodzeń oksydacyjnych w organizmie. Dlatego też coraz większe nadzieje wiąże się z możliwym wykorzystaniem antyoksydantów w terapii astmy.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in chronic inflammation, e.g. asthma. Augmented ROS production and deteriorated antioxidative barrier on the other hand leads to oxidative stress and increased oxidative damage as a result. Therefore antioxidants may be used in therapy of asthma

Can Lactose Intolerance Be a Cause of Constipation? A Narrative Review

Lactose intolerance and constipation are common in children and impact everyday life, not only for patients but also their families. Both conditions can be comorbid with other diseases or form a part of their clinical presentation, but constipation is not usually associated with lactose intolerance. The typical symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal pain, bloating, flatus, diarrhoea, borborygmi, and less frequently nausea and vomiting. In approximately 30% of cases, constipation can be a symptom of lactose intolerance. Constipation is characterized by infrequent bowel movements, hard and/or large stools, painful defecation, and faecal incontinence, and is often accompanied by abdominal pain. This paper provides a narrative review on lactose intolerance, its epidemiology, pathogenesis, the correlation between lactose intolerance and constipation in children, and potential mechanisms of such association

Reaktywne formy tlenu i bariera antyoksydacyjna w astmie

Reaktywne formy tlenu (RFT) są zaangażowane w przewlekły proces zapalny, między innymi w astmie. Wzrost produkcji RFT z jednej strony, z drugiej zaś zaburzenia wydolności bariery antyoksydacyjnej w przebiegu astmy prowadzą do powstania stresu oksydacyjnego, czego wyrazem jest nasilenie uszkodzeń oksydacyjnych w organizmie. Dlatego też coraz większe nadzieje wiąże się z możliwym wykorzystaniem antyoksydantów w terapii astmy

Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children—Clinical Prevalence and Risk Factors

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide. Some obese children can go on to develop metabolic syndrome (MetS), but exactly who among them remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to indicate predisposing factors for metabolic syndrome, especially those that can be modified. The study comprised 591 obese children aged 10–12 years. They were all Caucasian residents of Gdańsk, Poland, with similar demographic backgrounds. Clinical examination, anthropometry, biometric impedance analysis, blood tests (including oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and insulinemia), and dietary and physical activity evaluation were conducted. The results of our study show that the risk factors for MetS or any of its components include male sex, parental (especially paternal) obesity, low body mass at birth, as well as omitting breakfast or dinner. There are few risk factors for metabolic syndrome both in obese adults and children. Some of these predictors can be modified, especially those in relation to lifestyle. Identifying and then influencing these factors may help to reduce the development of metabolic syndrome and consequently improve health and quality of life

Zaburzenia stanu odżywienia u dzieci w przebiegu mukowiscydozy — przegląd piśmiennictwa

Dzieci chorujące na mukowiscydozę ze względu na specyfikę choroby i związane z nią ryzyko niedożywienia wymagają pogłębionej oceny stanu odżywienia, na przykład przy użyciu metod antropometrycznych, bioimpedancji, DEXA, badań biochemicznych oraz immunologicznych. Pogłębiona ocena stanu odżywienia jest pomocna w ustaleniu wskazań do interwencji żywieniowej oraz monitorowania przebiegu terapii. Na podstawie dostępnego piśmiennictwa omówiono rodzaje, znaczenie i interpretację parametrów stanu odżywienia, które powinny znaleźć zastosowanie w ocenie stanu odżywienia dzieci chorych na mukowiscydozę. Forum Medycyny Rodzinnej 2011, tom 5, nr 2, 137–14

High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry as a Screening Tool for Hirschsprung’s Disease: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis

Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) is characterized by a congenital absence of enteric ganglion cells in the intestine, posing challenges in diagnosis, particularly in pediatric patients. The gold standard, rectal suction biopsy (RSB), carries risks, prompting an exploration of non-invasive alternatives such as high-resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) for HD screening. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 136 patients suspected of HD between 2018 and 2022, which were stratified into three age groups: ≤12 months, ≤24 months, and >24 months. Criteria for suspicion included delayed meconium passage, unresponsive chronic constipation, and abnormal prior test results. HR-ARM, supplemented by additional tests, confirmed 16 HD cases. HR-ARM exhibited 93.75% sensitivity, 89.47% specificity, 99.03% negative predictive value (NPV), and 55.56% positive predictive value (PPV). Notably, HR-ARM consistently performed well in patients ≤ 2 years old but demonstrated reduced efficacy in older children, which was likely due to complications from chronic constipation. This study underscores HR-ARM’s promise as a non-invasive HD screening tool, especially in younger patients. However, its limitations in older children warrant consideration. Establishing standardized protocols, particularly for assessing the recto-anal inhibitory reflex, is crucial. Further research is imperative to optimize HR-ARM’s diagnostic role across varied age groups in HD assessment