Allergic children have more numerous and severe respiratory infections than non-allergic children

Allergic disorders are characterized by Th2-polarization, and hence physiological Th1-dependent mechanisms for fighting respiratory infections (RI) may be defective. This study aimed at evaluating the number and duration of RI in allergic and non-allergic children suffering from recurrent RI. One hundred seventeen children (4.02 +/- 1.0 yr, 72 males and 45 females) were studied during the spring, 46 were allergic. Allergic children showed a significantly higher number (mean 1.26 +/- 0.73) and longer duration of RI (8.92 days) in comparison with non-allergic group (0.94 +/- 1.37 and 4.85 days) (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.009, respectively). In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that allergic children have more numerous and severe RI than non-allergic children.     

Serum C-reactive protein and C3 complement protein levels in severely malnourished Nigerian children with and without bacterial infections

Bacterial infections are the major determinants of fatality in severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Unfortunately, these infections are difficult to diagnose clinically. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined in 17 infected and 10 non-infected Nigerian children with severe PEM and compared with age/ sex-matched apparently healthy controls. The aim was to study the response of this acute phase protein to bacterial infections as well as to assess its value in the diagnosis of infections in severe PEM. C3 complement protein levels were also determined in the same group of subjects. The major organisms isolated in samples from these subjects were S. aureus and the coliforms. Mean CRP level in the non-infected children with severe PEM was 13.8 ± 6.21 mg/1 and rose to 159.83 ± 124.07 mg/1 in the presence of infection. The mean value in healthy non-infected controls was 2.01 ± 0.96 mg/1. The difference in the mean CRP levels between the infected and non-infected PEM children was statistically significant at p < 0.01. The mean difference between the non-infected and the control subjects was not significant. Using a diagnostic level of 20.00 mg/1 of CRP gave a sensitivity of 85.0% and a specificity of 80.0%. This CRP level is a useful index of bacterial infections in severe PEM. C3 complement protein was low in the non-infected malnourished group, but rose significantly in the presence of infection to values similar to that of the healthy controls. C3 protein thus behaves as an acute phase reactant in the presence of infection in severe PEM, and does not appear to be consumed, probably due to a deficiency in the early components of the complement cascade. This suggests a role for C3 measurement in the monitoring of bacterial infections in severe PEM.     

Consequences of infections for three-month length increment in young children in rural Zambia

It was the aim of this study to describe the relationship of infections with subsequent 3-mo length increment in children below 2 y of age in rural Zambia. Children aged 6-9 mo ('infants'; n = 84) and 14-20 mo ('toddlers'; n = 81) attending Mother-and-Child Health clinics, were included and followed up after 3.0 mo (min-max; 2.1-3.7 mo). Anthropometric measurements were taken at each visit. At baseline, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), retinol and malaria parasitaemia were assessed. Length increment during the 3.0+/-0.5 mo was 1.0+/-0.5 cm/mo for infants and 0.6+/-0.4 cm/mo for toddlers; 50-71% of the children showed increased acute phase proteins, 79-83% had malaria parasitaemia and 55-64% had low serum retinol concentrations. In the total group of children, serum AGP concentrations (r = -0.18; p = 0.03) and serum CRP concentrations (r = -0.15; p = 0.05) showed a negative relation with length increment. After correcting for micronutrient status, dietary intake and maternal height, results of multiple regression analyses showed that the relation between serum AGP concentration and subsequent length increment remained significant. We conclude that, within the multifactorial model, presence of infections in these Zambian children contributes to the short-term retardation of linear growth.     

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??Objective??In order to understand the epidemiological and virologic characteristics of WU Polyomaviruses ??WUPyV?? and KI Polyomaviruses ??KIPyV?? infection in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection ??ARTI?? in Changsha. Methods??A total of773 nasopharyngeal aspirates ??NPA?? specimens were collected from hospitalized children with ARTI between September 2007 and March 2008 inChangsha. Specimens were screened for WUPyV and KIPyV by nested polymerase chain reaction. All positive amplification products were confirmedby sequencing and compared with those in GenBank. Results??Polyomaviruses were detected in 53 patients ??6.8%?? out of the 773 children ??WUPyV was 5.0%??KIPyV was 1.8%??. The patients were from 20 days to 5 years. Similarity of WUPyV and KIPyV with those published in the GenBank at nucleotide levels was 93%??100% and 95%??100%?? respectively. Conclusion??WUPyV and KIPyV may be important pathogens in children with acute lower respiratory tract infection and associated with lower respiratory diseases.     

An epidemic of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis among Aboriginal children

Objective: To describe an epidemic of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) that occurred in Aboriginal children in three remote Aboriginal communities in Far North Queensland between July and October, 1993.
Methodology: Children at the communities aged between 2 and 14 years were screened so as to identify all cases of APSGN. Parenteral penicillin was administered to all 583 children who presented for the screening procedure.
Results: APSGN was diagnosed in 58 (10%) of the 583 children. A further 142 (24%) children had microscopic haematuria. Children aged 5-8 years had the highest APSGN attack rate, and the highest prevalence of microscopic haematuria. Of all 583 children, 34% had skin sores, and group A streptococci (GAS) were isolated from 71% of the skin swabs. The prevalence of both skin sores and GAS were greater in the children with APSGN, and in those with microscopic haematuria, than in children with normal urine. A marked decline in the number of cases of APSGN occurred after the mass administration of penicillin.
Conclusions: The epidemic of APSGN was associated with GAS skin infections. The mass use of penicillin may have had an effect in reducing the transmission of the nephritogenic strain of GAS. Microscopic haematuria was a significant finding in many of the children, and further prospective studies are required to understand the significance of this finding.     

Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine and use among children in South Australia

AIM: To determine the use of complementary and alternative medicines and therapies (CAM) and common treatment modalities in children. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 2985 adult and 911 children aged 15 years or less, conducted in South Australia in Spring 2004. The outcome measures are CAM use in children in the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Overall, the 12-month prevalence of CAM use in children was 18.4% (95% confidence interval 15.9-21.0). A wide variety of CAM modalities were used by children including ingestible therapies (33%), chiropractic (34%) and massage (20%). Common reasons for use of CAM were to prevent illness or to maintain health (39%) and for musculoskeletal conditions (22%), respiratory problems (20%) and skin complaints (18%). There was little difference in the use of CAM treatment modality across child ages. CONCLUSION: Approximately one in five children used CAM in the past 12 months in South Australia. Our findings further highlight the importance of increasing public awareness about the need to inform doctors and primary health-care providers of CAM use in children. Health professionals working with children should ask parents about their children's use of CAM. There is a need for further research examining the safe and judicious use of CAM in children.     

Gastroenteritis and environmental health among Aboriginal infants and children in Western Australia

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively examine rates of hospitalization of infants and children in Western Australia for gastroenteritis from 1994 through 2000. METHODOLOGY: Analysis of hospital separations data from the Hospital Morbidity Data System of the Department of Health, Western Australia. RESULTS: Rates of hospitalization of Aboriginal infants and children for gastroenteritis from 1994 to 2000 in Western Australia were approximately seven times higher than for their non-Aboriginal peers. This was despite some decline in Aboriginal hospitalization rates over the study period. This may have been due to a simultaneous decline in hospital admissions of non-Aboriginal infants and children. Rates of hospitalization of Aboriginal infants and children were much higher in non-metropolitan rather than in metropolitan regions. There was a remarkable fall in the deaths of Aboriginal infants and children from gastroenteritis between 1970 and 2000. There were no deaths recorded in Western Australian hospitals from this disease from 1990 to 2000.     

Lower respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections among mature babies in Japan

Background: Epidemiologic evidence regarding the background factors of childhood infections in Japan is scarce. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the rates and associated factors of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and gastrointestinal infections (GII) among children with birthweight ≥2500 g and ≥37 weeks of gestational age. Method: The data for the study were collected at 18‐month health checkups in one city in Japan. The community database included information on the main outcome (past hospitalization) and 16 host, environmental, and parenting factors. The Kaplan–Meier method and log–rank test were used to determine sex differences in hospital admission for infection, and the Cox regression model to analyze sex‐specific factors associated with the hospitalization. Results: The proportion of children who were admitted to hospital before their 18‐month checkup was 7.1% for LRTI and 2.2% for GII. Hospital admission for LRTI among boys was higher than girls. Multivariate analysis indicated the following LRTI‐associated factors: child‐care attendance (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.97) and three or more adults living together (HR = 2.63) for boys; and child‐care attendance (HR = 4.30) and two or more children living together (HR = 4.57) for girls. GII‐associated factors were maternal age <25 years (HR = 3.45) for boys, and hand washing by caregivers after lavatory use and diaper changing (HR = 6.93) for girls. Conclusions: One out of 11 children was hospitalized because of LRTI or GII during their first 18 months, which was associated with a biologic factor (sex), environmental factors (child‐care attendance and family size), and parenting practices (shorter duration of exclusive breast‐feeding and caregivers' unfavorable hygiene practices).     

Prevalence of food allergy among preschool children in northern Thailand

Background: The epidemiology and clinical spectrum of food allergies (FA) confirmed by oral food challenge tests (OFC) in the Southeast Asian countries are limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of FA among preschool children in northern Thailand. Methods: Five hundred and forty‐six children aged 3–7 years living in Chiang Mai, Thailand participated in this study. A cross‐sectional parent questionnaire survey was conducted. Families with children reporting FA were invited to undergo further investigations with skin prick testing, serum specific IgE, and OFC. Results: A total of 452 out of 546 questionnaires (82.8%) were returned. Forty‐two children (9.3%) were reported to have FA. The five leading allergic foods reported were shrimp, cow's milk, fish, chicken eggs, and ant eggs. The most commonly reported symptom was a skin rash (78.0%), followed by abdominal pain and vomiting (31.1%). Anaphylaxis was found in two children (3.4%), from ant eggs allergy. Eighteen children underwent OFC; five of them were positive to shrimp, fish, and crab. Either skin prick test or serum‐specific IgE was positive in these children. Factors associated with parent‐reported FA included personal and family history of atopic dermatitis. Conclusions: The prevalence of IgE‐mediated FA confirmed on OFC was ≥1.11% (95% confidence interval: 0.41–2.98%). The most common causative food was shrimp. Ant eggs were a unique food allergen causing severe reactions in preschool children in northern Thailand.     

Relation of subepicardial adipose tissue thickness and clinical and metabolic parameters in obese prepubertal children

HızlıŞ, Özdemir O, Abacı A, Razi CH and Kabakuş N. Relation of subepicardial adipose tissue thickness and clinical and metabolic parameters in obese prepubertal children. Background: The measurement of subepicardial adipose tissue thickness (SATT) has been found to be related to insulin resistance (IR) in adults. Until now, the association between SATT and IR has not been evaluated in obese prepubertal children. We aimed to determine the relation of SATT with clinical anthropometric and metabolic parameters and to provide cutoff value of SATT associated with IR in obese prepubertal children. Methods: Fifty‐two obese (mean age: 9.5 ± 1.6 years, 29 female) and 31 lean prepubertal age‐ and gender‐matched subjects (mean age: 9.2 ± 1.4 years, 12 female) were evaluated by echocardiography. SATT was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: SATT (6.54 ± 1.38 mm) and homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (3.2 ± 2) values of obese prepubertal subjects were significantly higher than those of the lean subjects (3.72 ± 0.57 mm and 1.6 ± 1) in the control group (both p < 0.001). Bivariate correlation analysis showed significant correlation between SATT, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), mid‐arm circumference (MAC), triceps skin fold (TSF) thickness, insulin, and HOMA‐IR (r = 0.547, r = 0.524, r = 0.543, r = 0.431, r = 0.289, r = 0.402, r = 0.400, r = 0.328, r = 0.289, p < 0.05, respectively). As an optimal cutoff point, an SATT of 4.33 mm determined IR with 93.3% sensitivity and 51% specificity. Conclusions: Our study on obese prepubertal children showed that SATT was significantly correlated with age, BMI, WC, HC, MAC, TSF, insulin, and HOMA‐IR.     

北京地区急性呼吸道感染婴幼儿中人副流感病毒感染状况的研究

目的了解北京地区急性呼吸道感染患儿中人副流感病毒（HPIV）的感染状况。方法（1）根据HPIV血凝素蛋白（HA）的基因保守区序列,合成能够区分HPIV 1～4型的多重巢式PCR引物,并用多种呼吸道病毒的标准毒株确定多重PCR方法的特异性;（2）收集2003年8月-2006年4月急性呼吸道感染患儿的临床标本3519例,应用逆转录多重PCR方法,对标本同时进行HPIV 1～4的检测。（3）随机选取不同型别的HPIV基因检测阳性标本共10例,对其PCR扩增产物直接进行核苷酸序列测定,并将所测到的序列与GenBank中的基因序列进行比较。结果（1）多重PCR方法的特异性检测显示,HPIV的分离株cDNA有预期大小的扩增片段,与其他常见呼吸道病毒无交叉反应性。（2）3519例标本中多重PCR检测阳性的为349例,占本组检测标本的9．9％（349／3519）,明显高于间接免疫荧光方法和（或）病毒分离4．8％的阳性率（170／3519）;应用多重PCR方法还检测到HPIV1与HPIV3以及HPIV3与HPIV4的混合感染;在上呼吸道及下呼吸道感染的患儿中均有较高的HPIV阳性检出率;季节性分布分析显示,HPIV感染无明显的规律性,以HPIV1、3为主,HPIV2、4仅散发存在。（3）序列分析结果提示,所选取的多重PCR方法检测阳性的10例标本确实是HPIV阳性,其中有两份分别属于HPIV4A、4B亚型。结论HPIV在儿童感染中除了单．亚型感染外还可存在混合型感染。未发现其感染的季节性特点。所应用的逆转录多重RT-PCR方法不仅检出率高于常用的方法（间接免疫荧光方法和病毒分离）,而且能够直接进行亚型分析。除了检出常见的1、2、3型外,还检出了较少见的4型,属国内首次报道。     

长沙地区急性下呼吸道感染住院儿童人博卡病毒感染的初步研究

目的 了解人博卡病毒(HBoV)在长沙地区急性下呼吸道感染住院儿童中的流行情况及临床特征,比较分析其区域流行特点.方法 收集2007年9月 - 2008年3月长沙地区773份急性下呼吸道感染住院儿童鼻咽抽吸物(nasopharyngeal aspirates,NPAs)样本进行HBoV病毒NP1基因检测,将PCR阳性产物测序,并将所测序列在GenBank中进行比较分析.结果 773例样本中,HBoV阳性例数87例,HBoV感染患儿年龄为18 d ～ 64个月,冬春季节流行,主要的临床诊断与症状是支气管肺炎与咳嗽;所测序列与GenBank公布的不同地区的HBoV NP1基因核苷酸序列同源性达99.53%,氨基酸序列同源性达99.8%,对核苷酸序列作基因进化树分析显示属于1种基因型.结论 长沙地区部分急性下呼吸道感染儿童与人博卡病毒有关,且HBoV 感染在低年龄组的儿童中更常见;一种基因型在长沙地区流行.     

Evaluation of HOMA and QUICKI as measures of insulin sensitivity in prepubertal children

Abstract: Background: Simple fasting sample methods to measure insulin sensitivity (S_I) such as homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (QUICKI) have been widely promoted in adult studies but have not been formally evaluated in children. The aim of this study was to compare HOMA and QUICKI to the minimal model as measures of S_I in prepubertal children. Method: The study population consisted of twins (n = 44), premature (n = 17), small for gestational age (SGA) (15), and normal (n = 3) prepubertal children. The insulin‐sensitivity index derived by the minimal model (S_IMM) was calculated by the minimal model with plasma glucose and insulin data from a 90‐min frequently sampled intravenous glucose test with tolbutamide. The HOMA resistance index (R_HOMA) and QUICKI were calculated from fasting plasma glucose and insulin values. Results: The correlation between R_HOMA and S_IMM (r = ?0.4, p < 0.001) was no better than that between fasting insulin and S_IMM (r = ?0.4, p < 0.001). QUICKI was poorly correlated with S_IMM (r = 0.2, p = 0.02). The correlation between S_IMM and R_HOMA is largely confined to low S_I values (<10 × 10^?4/min µU/mL). In seven SGA subjects, the introduction of growth hormone treatment led to an expected fall in S_IMM by 8.2 ± 2.8 × 10^?4/min µU/mL (p = 0.02) that was not detected by either R_HOMA (p = 0.1) or QUICKI (p = 0.2). Similarly, S_IMM values were lower in obese (n = 9) compared to non‐obese subjects (p = 0.04); however, no difference was found between these two groups with either R_HOMA (p = 0.21) or QUICKI (p = 0.8). Conclusion: As measures of S_I in prepubertal children, R_HOMA is no better than fasting insulin and QUICKI, a poor measure. Neither R_HOMA nor QUICKI was able to detect changes in S_I induced by either obesity or growth hormone therapy.     

Prevalence of potential respiratory disease bacteria in children in Ethiopia. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the pathogens and use of antibiotics among the children

Acute respiratory infections are primary causes of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries. This project was designed to investigatc antimicrobial susceptibility of respiratory tract pathogens isolated from children in rural and city areas, and to contribute to the rational choice of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in children in Ethiopia. Nasopharynx and throat cultures were taken from all children under five years of age in three study areas representing different levels of contact with health care and accessibility to modern drugs, such as antibiotics. In all, 1126 children were cultured. Huemophilus influence and Streptococcus pneumonicie w ere both found in 85–90% of the children, and beta-haemolytic streptococci group A in 12%. The level of antimicrobial resistance was low. None of the 954 strains of H. irfluence were beta-lactamase producers. Pneumococci were susceptible to penicillin. The use of antibiotics was also low; 11 of 1126 children had antibiotics on the day of culture or the day before. The choice of antibiotics was not limited by resistance, and emphasis could be put on low cost, minimizing adverse drug reactions and ecological impact.     

2005年苏州地区呼吸道感染儿童中流感病毒的检测与分析

目的对2005年苏州地区呼吸道感染儿童中流感病毒进行流行季节的监测和分析。方法用直接免疫荧光法（DFA）结合胶体金免疫技术对患儿鼻咽分泌物进行流感病毒A、B型抗原检测（DFA同时也检测呼吸道合胞病毒RSV等病毒抗原）;用一步法逆转录聚合酶链（RT-PCR）反应对上述两法同时检出流感病毒A型者标本进行亚型鉴定;同时对确诊流感患儿血清用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）进行肺炎支原体（MP）抗体滴度测定。结果746例标本共检出流感病毒58株,其中A型47株（H1亚型28株、H3亚型19株）,B型11株（1株为A与B混合）,总阳性检出率7.77%,与2001年（16.75%）比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;流感病毒与RSV等混合感染率为18.97%、与MP混合感染率为27.59%;2005年流感病毒检出率女童高于男童（P〈0.05）,高发年龄集中于3～7岁。结论2005年苏州地区儿童流感发病较稳定,10月份后优势株由H3亚型转为H1亚型;流感病毒易出现与MP、RSV混合感染现象;2005年苏州地区流感儿童发病以3岁以上女童占明显优势,与往年无明显性别差异。     

The prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in children with asplenia or hyposplenia: practice considerations at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

Children born without a spleen or who have impaired splenic function, due to disease or splenectomy, are at significantly increased risk of life-threatening bacterial sepsis. The mainstays of prevention are education, immunization, and prophylactic antibiotics. The availability of conjugate 7-valent pneumococcal vaccines for use in children to age 9 years at least, as well as conjugate meningococcal C vaccine in some countries, for use beginning in infancy, appear to represent beneficial additions, but not substitutions, to previous recommendations for the use of polysaccharide 23-valent pneumococcal and quadrivalent A, C, Y, W-135 vaccines. Routine immunization against H. influenzae type b should continue with non-immunized children older than age 5 years receiving two doses 2 months apart, similar to children who have not previously received conjugate pneumococcal vaccine in infancy. Annual influenza immunization, which reduces the risk of secondary bacterial infection, is also recommended for asplenic children and their household contacts. Many experts continue prophylaxis indefinitely although prophylaxis of the penicillin allergic child remains suboptimal.     

Prevalence of potential respiratory disease bacteria in children in Ethiopia. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the pathogens and use of antibiotics among the children

Acute respiratory infections are primary causes of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries. This project was designed to investigatc antimicrobial susceptibility of respiratory tract pathogens isolated from children in rural and city areas, and to contribute to the rational choice of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in children in Ethiopia. Nasopharynx and throat cultures were taken from all children under five years of age in three study areas representing different levels of contact with health care and accessibility to modern drugs, such as antibiotics. In all, 1126 children were cultured. Huemophilus influence and Streptococcus pneumonicie w ere both found in 85–90% of the children, and beta-haemolytic streptococci group A in 12%. The level of antimicrobial resistance was low. None of the 954 strains of H. irfluence were beta-lactamase producers. Pneumococci were susceptible to penicillin. The use of antibiotics was also low; 11 of 1126 children had antibiotics on the day of culture or the day before. The choice of antibiotics was not limited by resistance, and emphasis could be put on low cost, minimizing adverse drug reactions and ecological impact.     

Clinical and laboratory findings in children with adenovirus infections

The hospital records of 49 children with adenovirus infection were reviewed. Diagnosis was made by virus isolation from the airways in 73%, the stools in 44%, the conjunctiva in 2% and by serology in 14% of the patients. Most children were less than 3 years of age. The peak indidence of virus isolation occurred during the month of April. Pharyngotonsillitis was the most frequent main diagnosis (49%), followed by pneumonia (14%), gastroenteritis (10%) and bronchitis (8%). Fever was the most frequent main symptom (43%), and 96% of the patients had fever at some time during the illness. The average fever temperature was 39.6°C with a mean duration of 5.9 days. An obvious bacterial superinfection could be demonstrated in three patients: two had otitis media and one had pneumonia with pleural effusion. All three had more than 3 band forms per 100 peripheral white blood cells, whereas only 1 out of 46 children without demonstrable superinfection had an elevated band count. Other laboratory tests were not useful in detecting bacterial superinfection. That 71% of all children received antibiotics at some time during their illness, reflects the difficulty of excluding bacterial disease.