口服氟康唑在预防早产儿深静脉置管时真菌感染中的临床意义

Objective With the widespread application of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the incidence of invasive fungal infections increased significantly than ever. The present study aimed to explore the clinical significance of oral fluconazole in premature infants with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 grams who had catheter insertions. Method This study enrolled 118 infants admitted between January 2006 and December 2007 who did not receive fluconazole prophylaxis (control group) and 106 infants admitted between January 2008 and June 2009 who received oral fluconazole prophylaxis (prophylaxis group). Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS 11.5 software. The clinical characteristics and the risk factors for invasive fungal infection between the two groups were compared. Liver functions ( alanine transaminase, ALT and direct bilirubin) were monitored to evaluate the safety of fluconazole prophylaxis. Result Except for the proportion of infants bom via vaginal delivery in the control group (56/118, 47. 5% ) was significantly lower than that in prophylaxis group (69/106, 65.1%, P = 0.007), there were no significant significant differences in the demographics and other baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the risk factors for invasive fungal infection between the two groups either.Nine infants developed invasive fungal infection in control group (7. 6% ), while no invasive fungal infection was found in prophylaxis group (0%, P=0.01 ). Compared to infants in control group, those in prophylaxis group showed no significant changes in alanine transaminase ALT and direct bilirubin levels at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after fluconazole prophylaxis: the incidences of abnormal ALT and direct bilirubin levels were 8. 5%(10/118) and6.8% (8/118) in control group compared to 11.3% (12/106) and 8.5% (9/106) in prophylaxis group after 2 weeks ( P = 0. 47 and 0. 63 ); the incidences of abnormal ALT and direct bilirubin levels were 3.4% (4/118) and 3.4% (4/118) in control group compared to 5.7% (6/106) and 8.5%(9/106) in prophylaxis group after 4 weeks (P = 0. 62 and 0. 15). Conclusion For infants with PICC insertions and gestational ages at birth ≤32 weeks and/or low birth weight ≤ 1500 grams, oral fluconazole is effective to prevent invasive fungal infection. Oral fluconazole in premature infants neither affected the liver function, nor increased the incidence of cholestasis.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid prevention on cholestasis associated with total parenteral nutrition in preterm infants:a randomized trial

Background Preterm infants with long-term parenteral nutrition(PN)therapy are at risk for cholestasis associated with total parenteral nutrition(PNAC).This study examined the safety and efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)in preventing PNAC in preterm infants.Our research aimed to investigate the prophylactic effect of preventive oral UDCA on PNAC in preterm infants.Methods We compared oral administration of UDCA prophylaxis with no prophylaxis in a randomized,open-label,proof-of-concept trial in preterm neonates with PN therapy.The low-birth-weight preterm infants(<1800 g)who were registered to the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)within 24 hours after birth were randomized.The main endpoint was the weekly values of direct bilirubin(DB)of neonates during the NICU stay.Results Eventually,a total of 102 preterm neonates from January 2021 to July 2021 were enrolled in this prospective study(42 in the UDCA group and 60 in the control group).Notably,the peak serum level of DB[13.0(12-16)vs.15.2(12.5-19.6)μmol/L,P<0.05]was significantly lower in the UDCA group than that in the control group without prevention.The peak serum level of total bilirubin(101.1±34 vs.116.5±28.7μmol/L,P<0.05)was also significantly lower in the UDCA group than in the control group.Furthermore,the proportion of patients who suffered from neonatal cholestasis(0.0%vs.11.7%,P<0.05)in the UDCA group was significantly lower.Conclusion UDCA prophylaxis is beneficial in preventing PNAC in NICU infants receiving prolonged PN.     

早产儿霉菌感染分析

Objective To stuay the features of fungal infection by analyzing the preterm inpatient in our departrment retrospectively.Methods All preterm(1716 babies)inpatient in our department were ealtrolled between April 2005 to January 2008,and the assessment ofinfection was taken by elinical symptom and laratory examillation.The infected babies were give.flueonazol 6mg/(kg·d)by intravenous drip,and amphoteriein B and ganmla globulin would be used for those babies who were still sick.Results A total of 11 cases were diagnod as fungus infection.and another 26 cases of suspected fungus infecdon for a total of37 cases.accounting forthe total number of premature infants 2.16 percents;the death ofthree cases Qfinfection case-fatality rate was 8.1%.The average gestational age was(30.7±2.3)weeks,and 31 cases were less than 32 weeks,aceoundng or 83.78%.The average age ofinfecdon was(19.21±8.02)days;All babies were given two ormoire anubiodes,and used in part ortotal parenteral nutrition,and the number of babies had been conducted with invasive operation was 29.accounting for 78.38%.Conclusion Applicadon of a wide range of broad-spectnlm antibiotie,combined with a variety of antiNodes,invasive treatment in premature infants are nosoeomial fungal infection of the main faetors,the smaller gestational age,the more possibility fungal infoetion.Fluconazole is effective for fungal infection of newborns,and can be comidered as first.line drug.For premature infants,the longer-term(14 days or above)use of antifungal agents may be more appropriate treatment cycle.     

早产儿霉菌感染分析

Objective To stuay the features of fungal infection by analyzing the preterm inpatient in our departrment retrospectively.Methods All preterm(1716 babies)inpatient in our department were ealtrolled between April 2005 to January 2008,and the assessment ofinfection was taken by elinical symptom and laratory examillation.The infected babies were give.flueonazol 6mg/(kg·d)by intravenous drip,and amphoteriein B and ganmla globulin would be used for those babies who were still sick.Results A total of 11 cases were diagnod as fungus infection.and another 26 cases of suspected fungus infecdon for a total of37 cases.accounting forthe total number of premature infants 2.16 percents;the death ofthree cases Qfinfection case-fatality rate was 8.1%.The average gestational age was(30.7±2.3)weeks,and 31 cases were less than 32 weeks,aceoundng or 83.78%.The average age ofinfecdon was(19.21±8.02)days;All babies were given two ormoire anubiodes,and used in part ortotal parenteral nutrition,and the number of babies had been conducted with invasive operation was 29.accounting for 78.38%.Conclusion Applicadon of a wide range of broad-spectnlm antibiotie,combined with a variety of antiNodes,invasive treatment in premature infants are nosoeomial fungal infection of the main faetors,the smaller gestational age,the more possibility fungal infoetion.Fluconazole is effective for fungal infection of newborns,and can be comidered as first.line drug.For premature infants,the longer-term(14 days or above)use of antifungal agents may be more appropriate treatment cycle.     

A case-control study on mixed infection in infants with pertussis北大核心CSCD

Objective To examine whether the mixed infection rate in pertussis infants is significantly higher than that in non-pertussis infants with respiratory tract infection, to explore the mixed infection pathogen distribution in pertussis infants, and to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 118 nasopharyngeal swabs collected from infants who applied for clinical pertussis etiological testing (culture and specific nucleic acid detection of Bordetella pertussis) in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital and Wuhu No.1 People′s Hospital from August 2018 to January 2021.According to the pertussis etiological testing results, the patients were divided into the pertussis group (65 cases) and non-pertussis group (53 cases). Thirty-three pairs of cases were matched according to age, onset season and city.All nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for infections of other pathogens using FilmArray RP2, which can detect 21 respiratory infection pathogens.The mixed infection rate was compared between groups by Chi-square test. Results According to the FilmArray RP2 test results, 56.9%(37/65) cases in pertussis group and 15.1%(8/53) cases in the non-pertussis group were positive for multiple pathogens, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=21.651, P<0.001). The top 5 mixed infection pathogens in pertussis infants were human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/EV) (38.5%, 25/65), parainfluenza virus (PIV) (18.5%, 12/65), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (10.8%, 7/65), coronavirus (Cov) (10.8%, 7/65), and adenovirus (ADV) (7.7%, 5/65). The mixed infection rates of the pertussis group in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 46.2% (6/13), 58.3%(14/24), 55.6%(5/9), and 63.2%(12/19), respectively.Comparison of matched and unmatched cases achieved similar results. Conclusions Among clinical suspected pertussis infant specimens, the mixed infection rate in confirmed cases is tremendously higher than that in non-pertussis infants.The main mixed infection pathogens in pertussis infants are HRV/EV, PIV, RSV, Cov, and ADV.Mixed infection in pertussis children commonly occurs in four seasons, with the highest incidence in winter. © 2023 Journal of Chinese Agricultural Mechanization. All rights reserved.     

儿童重症监护病房侵袭性真菌感染危险因素分析

Objective To analyze the incidence,clinical feature and the risk factors of invasive fungal infection in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods We retrospectively summaried the invasive fungal infection in our PICU from Jan 2007 to Dec 2009 in order to analyze the incidence, clinical feature and the risk factors of invasive fungal infection in PICU. Multiple clinical data were collected such as pediatric critical illness score, mechanical ventilation, urinary drainage tube, indwelling gastric canal and continuous blood purification. Results ( 1 ) The incidence rate of invasive fungal infection was 1.65 % ( 35/2 116 ). The morbidity was 20. 00% ( 7/35 ). ( 2 ) Mean infected day was ( 10. 4 ±- 8. 3 ) d after admission. The clinical manifestations included fungal pneumonia( 60. 0% ), peritonitis ( 14. 3% ), urinary tract infection ( 11.4% ),intestinal tract infection(8. 6% ) ,sepsis(2. 9% ) and meningitis(2. 9% ). All of the patients had used broad spectrum antibiotic. (3) The risk factors of invasive fungal infection included lower pediatric critical illness score, mechanical ventilation, indwelling gastric tube, urinary drainage tube and continuous blood purification.(4) Candia albicans was the predominant pathogen in invasive fungal infection. Conclusion Invasive fungal infection has become one of the main nosocomial infection in PICU. Lung is most commonly involved and candida albicans is the major pathogen. Using antibiotics appropriately, decreasing unnecessary invasive performance,and rationally using antifungal agent mi.ght be effective strategy for invasive fungal infection in PICU.     

Investigation on epidemiology of nosocomial sepsis of premature infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks in Shaanxi province北大核心CSCD

Objective To investigate the epidemiological data of nosocomial sepsis of premature infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks and the distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in Shaanxi province. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of premature infants born with gestational age < 34 weeks born between January 1 and December 30,2018 in Neonatal Intensive Care Units(NICU) in 4 Grade A Class Three hospitals in Shaanxi province was performed. The high risk factors and pathogenic bacteria were analyzed by using chi - square test and t test for statistical analysis. Results Totally 823 infants were included in this study,among whom,73 patients developed nosocomial sepsis,and the incidence was 8. 9%. The mean gestational age of the 73 patients with nosocomial sepsis was (30. 6 ±2.2) weeks and mean birth weight was (1 320. 3 ± 450. 5) g. The rate of invasive ventilator was 23.4% (52/222 cases).The rate of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was 20. 1% (61/303 cases). The rate of early antibiotic use was 8. 1 % (39/481 cases) and breast feeding rate was 9. 3% (63/675 cases). The rate of PICC and ventilator use were statistically different between the non-infection group and the infection group (all P < 0.05). There were 31 strains of pathogenic bacteria, among which gram-negative bacilli was the most common (22 strains,70. 9%), which mainly were klebsiella pneumoniae strains (15 strains,48. 4%), and 6 strains(19. 4%) of Fungus was detected. Conclusions The incidence of nosocomial sepsis in NICU in Shaanxi province is higher,gram -negative bacilli was the most common pathogenic bacteria, among which, klebsiella pneumoniae was main, it is necessary to strengthen the regular monitoring and analysis of nosocomial infection in NICU in order to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection and sepsis. © 2019 Authors. All rights reserved.     

影响早产儿20项行为神经评分的危险因素分析

Objective To analyze the characteristic of twenty-item premature behavioral neurological assessment,and to assess the risk factors of neonatal behavioral neurological assessment(NBNA) in premature infants. Methods Total two hundred and seventy-four premature infants hospitalized in Guangzhou Children's Hospital were assessed with the NBNA after correcting age 40 weeks,premature infants were divided into two groups:normal group (n =221 ) and abnormal group (n =53) according to NBNA. The birth history, mother pregnancy situation, the disease during neonatal period and results in hospital were reviewed,and the risk factors of NBNA in premature infants were assessed. Results There were significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, head circumference, body height, Apgar score, resuscitation time, hospitalization time and total gastrointestinal nutrition time between the two groups( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The incidences of superfoetation,hyaline membrane disease, hemorrhagic and hypoxic brain injury, severe infection, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia and chronic lung disease were different between the two groups( P ＜ 0. 05 ). There were no differences in gender, antenatal hormone use, anaemia, hypotension and evoked potential abnormality (P ＞0. 05 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of NBNA score in premature infants would include low Apgar score, low birth weight, hyaline membrane disease, hemorrhagic and hypoxic brain injury, severe infection, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia and chronic lung disease. Conclusion Although the premature infants corrected age 40 weeks,but the capability and initiative muscular tension are still lower than term infant. Low Apgar score, low birth weight, hyaline membrane disease, hemorrhagic and hypoxic brain injury ,severe infection ,hyperbilirubinemia,hypoglycemia and chronic lung disease are important risk factors related to premature behavioral neurological assessment.     

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for early-onset necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants with very/extremely low birth weight北大核心CSCD

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for early-onset necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants with very/extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 194 VLBW/ELBW preterm infants with NEC who were admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2021. These infants were divided into early-onset group (onset in the first two weeks of life; n=62) and late-onset group (onset two weeks after birth; n=132) based on their onset time. The two groups were compared in terms of perinatal conditions, clinical characteristics, laboratory examination results, and clinical outcomes. Sixty-two non-NEC infants with similar gestational age and birth weight who were hospitalized at the same period as these NEC preterm infants were selected as the control group. The risk factors for the development of early-onset NEC were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Compared with the late-onset group, the early-onset group had significantly higher proportions of infants with 1-minute Apgar score ≤3, stage III NEC, surgical intervention, grade ≥3 intraventricular hemorrhage, apnea, and fever or hypothermia (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that feeding intolerance, blood culture-positive early-onset sepsis, severe anemia, and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus were independent risk factors for the development of early-onset NEC in VLBW/ELBW preterm infants (P<0.05). Conclusions VLBW/ELBW preterm infants with early-onset NEC have more severe conditions compared with those with late-onset NEC. Neonates with feeding intolerance, blood culture-positive early-onset sepsis, severe anemia, or hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus have a higher risk of early-onset NEC. © 2023 Xiangya Hospital of CSU. All rights reserved.     

High-mobility group box-1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products in preterm infants with brain injury

Background:High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein acts as an important pro-inflammatory mediator,which is capable of activating inflammation and tissue repair.HMGB1 can bind to its receptor such as advanced glycation end products (RAGE).RAGE,in turn,can promote the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is a truncated form of the receptor comprising the extracellular domain of RAGE and can inhibit RAGE-activation.The objective of this study was to investigate whether HMGB1 and RAGE are involved in the development of brain injury in preterm infants.Methods:In total,108 infants ≤34 weeks gestation at birth were divided into 3 groups according to cranial altrasound scan:mild brain damage (n=33),severe brain damage (n=8) and no brain damage (n=67).All the placentas were submitted for pathologic evaluation.Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) was defined as neutrophil infiltration of amniotic membranes,umbilical cord or chorionic plate.Expressions of HMGB1 and RAGE proteins were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis.The concentration of HMGB1 and sRAGE in umbilical cord blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:The frequency of HCA was 30.12％.HCA was associated with elevated concentrations of HMGB1 and decreased sRAGE in umbilical cord blood.The severe brain injury group demonstrated higher cord blood HMGB1 concentrations (P＜0.001) and lower sRAGE concentrations (P＜0.001) than both other groups.Brain injury in the premature infants was linked to intense staining for HMGB1/RAGE,particularly in inflammatory cells.Conclusions:Changes of cord blood HMGB1 and sRAGE of premature infants had direct relationship with the degree of inflammation and severity of brain damage.Monitoring sRAGE and HMGB1 levels may be helpful to predict intrauterine infection and brain injury in premature infants.     

Allergic factors associated with the development of asthma and the influence of cetirizine in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial: First results of ETA®

There is a common progression known as the allergic march from atopic dermatitis to allergic asthma. Cetirizine has several antiallergic properties that suggest a potential effect on the development of airway inflammation and asthma in infants with atopic dermatitis. Methods. Over a two year period, 817 infants aged one to two years who suffered from atopic dermatitis and with a history of atopic disease in a parent or sibling were included in the ETAC^® (Early Treatment of the Atopic Child) trial, a multi-country, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The infants were treated for 18 months with either cetirizine (0.25mg/ kg b.i.d.) or placebo. The number of infants who developed asthma was compared between the two groups. Clinical and biological assessments including analysis of total and specific IgE antibodies were performed. Results. In the placebo group, the relative risk (RR) for developing asthma was elevated in patients with a raised level of total IgE (≥ 30 kU/I) or specific IgE (≥ 0.35 kUA/I) for grass pollen, house dust mite or cat dander (RR between 1.4 and 1.7). Compared to placebo, cetirizine significantly reduced the incidence of asthma for patients sensitised to grass pollen (RR = 0.5) or to house dust mite (RR = 0.6). However, in the population that included all infants with normal and elevated total or specific IgE (intention-to-treat - ITT), there was no difference between the numbers of infants developing asthma while receiving cetirizine or placebo. The adverse events profile was similar in the two treatment groups. Discussion. Raised total IgE level and raised specific IgE levels to grass pollen, house dust mite or cat dander were predictive of subsequent asthma. Cetirizine halved the number of patients developing asthma in the subgroups sensitised to grass pollen or house dust mite (i.e. 20% of the study population). In view of the proven safety of the drug, we propose this treatment as a primary pharmacological intervention strategy to prevent the development of asthma in specifically sensitised infants with atopic dermatitis.     

Resurgence of measles in Singapore: profile of hospital cases

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the profile of cases of measles seen at a general hospital during a recent outbreak that occurred despite a measles vaccination program. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study from January 1991 to March 1998. All patients with measles (ICD code 055. 9) seen at the emergency unit or as inpatients were included. RESULTS: There were 87 cases identified. The diagnosis was clinical in all and proven serologically in 71%. Eighty-five per cent of the cases occurred between January 1997 and March 1998. There was a bi-modal age distribution with peaks in the very young (相似文献   

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孤独症谱系障碍(autistic-spectrum disorders,ASDs)近年来患病率逐年攀升至1%左右,其症状往往伴随终生,成为严重威胁儿童健康和发展的神经发育性疾患;注意缺陷多动障碍(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,ADHD)是儿童期最常见的精神障碍,国内报道患病率为4.13%～5.83%,其症状可延续至青少年期,甚至到成年期[1]。这两类精神障碍在成年期的临床表现、共患病、治疗策略和预后与儿童期有哪些不同呢?本文通过回顾相     

EXCITING NEW TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR PATHYPHYSIOLOGIC MECHANISMS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

During the past several decades, our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of vasoocclusion associated with sickle cell disease has improved greatly. Interaction of genes, hemoglobin molecules, red cell membrane and metabolic changes, cell-cell interactions and cell-plasma interactions, red cell adhesion to vascular endothelium, activation of coagulation, and vascular reactivity play a role in vaso occlusion. Penicillin prophylaxis of pneumococcal infections and appropriate use of blood transfusions and other supportive measures improved survival of sickle cell patients. Hydroxyurea made a major impact on sickle cell therapy when it was shown to decrease acute painful episodes, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusion in adults. Significant experience in the use of hydroxyurea has been accumulated in older children. The benefits and risks of hydroxyurea for younger children and long-term risks in all patients will be evaluated in future investigations. Other promising therapies include butyrate compounds, clotrimazole, magnesium supplementation, poloxamer 188, antiadhesion agents, anticoagulant approaches, and nitric oxide. Hemopoietic transplantation remains the only curative therapy. However, several transgenic mouse models are available for studies of gene therapy or other treatment approaches on biochemical, cellular, and pathologic effects of mutant genes.     

Infiltrations of Epstein-Barr virus-carrying cells in granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders corresponding to chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection

A 21-year-old man with granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders (GLPD) associated with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is described. Chromosomal analyses revealed several clonal abnormalities and two of them were mainly repetitious. High copy numbers of monoclonal EBV genome were also detected in the proliferative large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), indicating the monoclonal expansion of EBV-infected LGLs. The patient had an indolent course for several years, and there was no evidence of infiltrations of his bone marrow until the end stage. At autopsy, microscopic studies revealed marked infiltrations of LGL in the liver and spleen, and the infiltrating cells were NK-cell immunophenotype. The infiltrated LGLs showed latency I.     

LUTEINIZING HORMONE RECEPTOR MUTATIONS IN DISORDERS OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT AND CANCER

Human male sexual development is regulated by chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Aberrant sexual development caused by both activating and inactivating mutations of the human luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) have been described. All known activating mutations of the LHR are missense mutations caused by single base substitution. The most common activating mutation is the replacement of Asp-578 by Gly due to the substitution of A by G at nucleotide position 1733. All activating mutations are present in exon 11 which encodes the transmembrane domain of the receptor. Constitutive activity of the LHR causes LH releasing hormone-independent precocious puberty in boys and the autosomal dominant disorder familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP). Both germline and somatic activating mutations of the LHR have been found in patients with testicular tumors. Activating mutations have no effect on females. The molecular genetics of the inactivating mutations of the LHR are more variable and include single base substitution, partial gene deletion, and insertion. These mutations are not localized and are present in both the extracellular and transmembrane domain of the receptor. Inactivation of the LHR gives rise to the autosomal recessive disorder Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) and male hypogonadism or male pseudohermaphroditism. Severity of the clinical phenotype in LCH patients correlates with the amount of residual activity of the mutated receptor. Females are less affected by inactivating mutation of the LHR. Symptoms caused by homozygous inactivating mutation of the LHR include polycystic ovaries and primary amenorrhea.     

A profile of respiratory symptoms in urban and rural South Australian school children

This report describes the cross-sectional analyses of data from the first year of a longitudinal study using questionnaire and respiratory function data over a 5 year period from a sample of rural South Australian school children. The cumulative or lifetime prevalences of respiratory symptoms were estimated in 825 rural and 1261 urban school children aged between 5 and 15 years in order to determine if the prevalence rates differed between rural and urban school children. The study found the overall cumulative prevalence of asthma and/or wheezy breathing (AWB) to be 24.1% in the rural school children compared to 27.6% in the urban school children. Most children developed AWB symptoms before the age of 7 years, with 20% reporting moderately severe symptoms and 10% having more than one attack per fortnight. The cumulative prevalence of bronchitis, loose/rattly cough (BLRC) differed significantly between the rural school children (34.1%) and urban school children (47.9%). The BLRC symptoms preceded the development of AWB in many cases. Urban school children also reported a higher prevalence of atopic conditions.     

Personality profiles and heart rate variability (vagal tone) in children with recurrent abdominal pain

The aim of the study was to explore psychological factors and autonomic activity in children with recurrent abdominal pain and to compare them with those in a control group of healthy children. The Personality Inventory for Children was used for assessment of developmental, emotional and psychosocial factors in 25 children with recurrent abdominal pain (age, 7-15 y). Parasympathetic and sympathetic functions in these children and in 23 healthy control subjects (age, 7-13 y) were also investigated, non-invasively using a computerized polygraph. Vagal tone (parasympathetic function) was indexed by calculation of respiratory sinus arrhythmia in beats/min. Skin conductance (sympathetic function) was recorded by the constant current method. On the Personality Inventory for Children, 16 patients had high scores on somatic concern. Several patients had scores in the clinical range for depression, withdrawal and anxiety, but the mean scores for these personality profile scales were well within the normal range of healthy children. Interestingly, there was a spike on the L (Lie)-scale for most of the patients and 15 patients had scores above or close to the clinical cut-off value. As compared with the scores in healthy children, vagal tone and sympathetic tone were normal. Conclusion: Many children with recurrent abdominal pain have scores in the clinical range for depression, withdrawal, anxiety and L-scale indicating coping problems, denial and a trend towards somatic concern that may contribute to the evolution of abdominal pain. Autonomic nerve activity was not disturbed in these children.     

Hauttemperaturen verschiedener Körperoberflächenareale des Rumpfes bei Säuglingen

Summary In two groups of infants (3–53 weeks old) skin temperatures were controlled in different areas of the trunk—i.e.: regions of sternum, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys—at different room-temperatures (group I: 21–25°C; group II: 29–32°C). Rectal temperatures of some probands in both groups also had been controlled simultaneously. A definite change in the reaction to heat was proofed in different periods of the first year of life. In higher environmental temperatures the skin temperature was almost constant at every controll-point of the skin, even in older infants. In lower environmental temperatures the skin temperatures lowered continuously with age till 7. to 9. moth. From 10. to 12. month the lowering of skin temperature discontinued. The rectal temperatures were relatively constant in all infants. Only in infants from 7. to 12. month, whose skin temperatures were controlled in lower as well as in higher environmental temperatures, a tendency to higher rectal temperatures was proofed in warmer environmental temperatures.The significance of these results is discussed.

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Untersuchungen mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.