New methods to detect early manifestations of adverse side effects of glucocorticosteroids in children

Introduction: The article focuses on the early manifestations of adverse side effects in children with nephrotic syndrome receiving glucocorticosteroids. The search for criteria of early side effect manifestations is a real challenge nowadays. The authors developed new diagnostic criteria for early detection of pharmacotherapeutical side effects in children with nephrotic syndrome. Objective: The aim of the study was to develop integral quantitative diagnostic criteria for early detection of side effects of glucocorticosteroids when treating nephrotic syndrome in children. Materials and Methods: The study included 58 in-patients, aged 1-18. All the children had been thoroughly examined and their parameters had been investigated: height and body mass by calculating Z-scores (WHO ANTHRO Plus) and body mass index (BMI), a biochemical blood test, a full blood count by studying the total number of leukocytes, the percentage of neutrophils and monocytes in peripheral blood, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results and Discussion: The parameters that changed in the patients with nephrotic syndrome taking corticosteroids are referred to as diagnostic criteria. They included leukocytes, neutrophils and monocytes parameters in the full blood count, blood glucose and amylase level, patients’ body mass, BMI, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. The authors defined the change range of the parameters under study in the children with nephrotic syndrome based on the obtained findings. Conclusion: The authors conclude that application of the developed indices will make it possible to diagnose early metabolic, cardio-vascular and immunologic changes in patients with nephrotic syndrome taking glucocorticoids and perform their individual pharmacological correction in a timely manner

Comparative characteristics of children physical development in Voronezh Region of the Russian Federation for 15 years

The aim of our study was to compare height and weight parameters of the children aged 1-14 years old in Voronezh region of the Russian Federation for the following periods: 1997-1999 and 2011-2014. Material and Methods ― The research was held for 4,940 healthy children in 2011-2014 and 10,247 children in 1997-1999. Body height and weight were examined using standard methods. The percentile method was used to determine percentile corridors as follows: 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th and perfom comparative analysis. Results ― The children of Voronezh region in 2011-2014 had higher rates of growth reference in comparison with the same data in 1997-1999. The biggest difference in the parameters of height of boys and girls was at 1.0-4.5 years-old group (p<0.05). The most significant difference in weight was at the age of 4-10 years old. It is interesting that growth reference of girls at the puberty period (14 years old) does not change in comparison with 1997-1999 period. Conclusion ― We found that today decade weight of children is significantly higher than that of the children at the end of the previous century. These data reflect fact of acceleration and obesity and overweight problem among the children in the modern world

A non-interventional, prospective, multicenter study for evaluation of the use of the herbal medicinal product Canephron® N in the pediatric outpatient population in Russia

Abstract Background A herbal medicinal product (HMP) with centaury, lovage, and rosemary as active ingredients (brand name: Canephron® N) has been widely used for treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other urinary system disorders. Non-clinical in vitro and in vivo data indicate its diuretic, spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and analgesic effects. The purpose of this non-interventional, prospective, multicenter study was to collect data on the use of the HMP in the Russian pediatric outpatient population. Results In total, 636 outpatients aged 1–17 years were enrolled. Of these, 634 received at least one dose of the HMP and were included in the safety set, which was used for analysis. 61 patients were 12–23 months, 227 were 2–5 years, 234 were 6–11 years and 112 were 12–17 years of age. The oral solution of the HMP was prescribed in 66.4%, and tablets (dragées) in 33.6% of the patients. For 48% of the patients the HMP was prescribed to treat an acute or chronic disease, 25% of the patients received it for prophylaxis, and 27% for both. More than half of the patients (53%) received the HMP as monotherapy. Main treatment indications were UTIs (34.1%) and pyelonephritis (30.0%). The proportion of UTIs was the highest within the youngest age group (51%), while the proportion of different cystitis forms increased in patients older than 2 years. Relevant proportions of different nephritis forms and urolithiasis were only observed in patients aged 12–17 years. Forms of cystitis were more frequent in female than in male patients (15% vs. 1%), while forms of nephritis, urolithiasis, and dysmetabolic nephropathy / crystalluria were more frequent in male patients. At the end of the observational period, 20% of the patients were reported as recovered from their disease, and 65% were reported to show improvements. For 91% of all patients with HMP monotherapy the investigators evaluated the effectiveness of the HMP as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Nearly all patients (99%) evaluated the tolerability as ‘good‘or ‘very good‘. Five adverse drug reactions were observed. Conclusions The treatment of children aged 1–17 years with the HMP is safe and well tolerated. The study results support the use of the HMP for treatment and prophylaxis of urinary system diseases