儿童结核性脑膜炎抗结核治疗中发生类赫反应的危险因素

目的探讨儿童结核性脑膜炎(TBM)抗结核治疗中出现类赫反应(PR)的临床特征、危险因素及对预后的影响。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2018年12月在遵义医科大学附属医院儿科收治的TBM患儿的临床资料及随访情况;根据是否发生PR分组,采用单因素分析选出PR的影响因素后,引入多因素Logistic回归分析找出PR的独立危险因素;评估PR对随访≥9个月预后的影响。结果纳入87例TBM,其中31例(35.6%)发生PR,男16例,女15例,中位年龄92个月(8~168个月)。在抗结核治疗中位时间33 d(15~180 d)出现PR,表现为原有症状加重或复现(22/31例,71.0%),脑脊液(CSF)恶化(25/31例,80.6%)及脑影像恶化(16/31例,51.6%)。单因素分析显示PR与临床分期Ⅱ期、肢体瘫痪、颅神经损害、结核感染检测(T-SPOT)阳性、CSF乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平升高、基底脑膜强化、中枢神经系统外结核有关(均P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示肢体瘫痪、颅神经损害、LDH水平升高及T-SPOT阳性是PR的独立危险因素(均P<0.05)。PR与预后无关(P=0.165)。结论TBM患儿抗结核治疗中35.6%发生PR,与肢体瘫痪、颅神经损害、CSF-LDH水平升高、T-SPOT阳性有关,与预后无关。识别PR极其重要,可避免一些临床误区。     

伴头面部软组织转移神经母细胞瘤患儿临床特征及近期疗效分析——单中心10年诊治总结

目的总结伴头面部软组织转移神经母细胞瘤(NB)患儿的临床特点,分析其近期疗效。方法连续纳入首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院血液中心2007年3月-2017年5月收治的伴头面部软组织转移NB患儿,回顾性分析临床表现、实验室检查、影像学检查等临床特征,评价近期疗效,分析比较同期不伴有头面部软组织侵犯的高危NB患儿的生存率。随访至2018年4月30日。结果 39例符合入组标准,占同期诊断诊治患儿的6. 5%(39/601)。其中男30例,女9例,中位发病年龄31. 5(5～132)个月。其中26例眶周软组织转移、8例额颞部软组织转移、6例鼻咽部软组织转移、6例颌面部软组织转移、5例头皮软组织转移。首发症状为头面部肿物者15例(38%)、发热9例(23%)、肢体疼痛9例(23%)、腹痛4例(10%)、乏力3例(8%)、面色苍白3例(8%)、腹部包块2例(5%)、颈部包块2例(5%)、打鼾1例(3%)。原发瘤灶为腹膜后来源者18例、肾上腺来源者17例、后纵隔来源者3例、颅底来源者1例。INSS分期:IV期38例、IVs期1例。危险度分组:高危(HR)37例、中危(MR)1例、低危(LR)1例。伴N-myc基因扩增者16例(41%)。初诊时所有患儿血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)及血清神经元烯醇化酶(NSE)均高于正常范围,其中血清LDH大于1000U/L者占54%,血清NSE大于检测上限(370ng/mL)者占51%。所有患儿均存在3个及以上部位的转移,除1例IVs期患儿外,均存在骨骼转移(97%),且均为多发骨转移,33例(85%)伴有骨髓转移。1例LR(IVs期)给予手术联合化疗(CBVP及CADO方案交替进行,共4疗程),随访1年,目前完全缓解(CR)。1例MR患儿给予化疗联合手术治疗,随访2. 3年,目前CR。37例HR患儿给予化疗联合手术、自体外周血造血干细胞移植和13-顺式维A酸维持治疗,中位随访时间13(4～126)个月;9例目前CR,1例随诊5年后失访,6例停药后复发,21治疗中进展,中位进展时间8(4～15)个月。5年EFS 13%,5年OS 14%。同期收治的不伴头面部软组织转移的高危NB患儿5年EFS43%,5年OS45%。结论头面部软组织转移为NB患儿全身广泛转移的表现之一,85%的患儿同时伴有骨骼及骨髓转移,N-myc基因扩增率高。在高危NB患儿中,伴有头面部软组织转移者预后较不伴头面部软组织转移者更差。     

儿童Burkitt淋巴瘤远期疗效分析

目的回顾性评价61例儿童Burkitt淋巴瘤远期疗效及影响预后因素。方法 2009年12月—2019年12月我科符合入组标准病例纳入研究,2009—2014年期间采用改良NHL-BFM95方案、2015—2019年后采用改良B-NHL2015国内方案,用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析疗效及COX多因素分析预后因素。结果 61例患儿中位年龄7.9(1.8-15.5)岁,男50例(82%),女11例(18%),男、女比4.5∶1。5年EFS为(84.7±4.7)%,5年OS(91.2±3.8)%。Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期患儿的5年EFS分别为100%、(88.7±5.3)%、(70.5±11.3)%; 5年OS分别为100%、(94.4±3.8)%、(79±10.8)%。Ⅲ期组单纯化疗患儿11例,联合利妥昔单抗25例,两组5年ESF分别为(72.7±13.4)%和(95.7±4.3)%(P=0.037),5年OS分别为(81.8±11.6)%和100%(P=0.029)。COX多因素分析LDH 4倍正常值(HR=2.702,95%CI:1.070～6.822,P=0.035)、侵犯脏器数≥4个(HR=6.562,95%CI:1.343～32.062,P=0.02)是影响儿童Burkitt淋巴瘤预后的独立危险因素。结论高剂量短疗程方案治疗Burkitt淋巴瘤疗效满意,联合利妥昔单抗可提高Ⅲ期患儿疗效。侵犯脏器数目≥4个和LDH4倍正常值是预后不良的独立危险因素。     

伴有肝脏受累的神经母细胞瘤患儿临床特点及预后分析——单中心10年诊治总结

目的分析并总结单中心10年诊治的伴有肝脏受累的神经母细胞瘤(neuroblastoma,NB)患儿临床特点及预后,为进一步修订完善NB的诊疗方案提供依据。方法连续纳入2007年4月—2017年5月间于我院血液肿瘤病房就诊的、伴有肝脏受累的NB患儿临床资料。随访截止日期为2017年12月31日。采用χ~2检验进行临床特点分析,采用Kaplan-Meier进行生存分析。结果伴有肝脏转移NB患儿共77例,占13%(77/603),中位年龄为31(2～132)个月,男性41例,女性36例,肿瘤原发部位包括腹膜后(69例,占90%),纵膈(6例,占8%),其他部位(2例,占3%)。危险度分组:高危64例(83%),中危4例(5%),低危9例(12%)。影像学表现为肝转移(64%)或肝脏直接浸润(36%)。骨转移发生率为70%,骨髓转移发生率62%,肿瘤邻近脏器受累发生率为52%,进行MYC基因检测的患儿29%伴有MYC基因扩增,17%患者丙氨酸氨基转氨酶升高,18%患儿谷氨酰转移酶升高。77例患儿中59例(77%)规律接受BCH-NB危险度分组分层治疗,中位随访时间为19(6～122)个月。59例患儿5年累积总生存率为52%。单因素分析表明年龄≥12个月、LDH≥上限2倍、伴有N-MYC扩增、危险度分组为高危组患儿预后较差,5年总生存率差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。结论伴有肝脏血行转移且年龄≥12个月NB患儿更易发生远处转移,伴肝脏直接浸润NB患儿更易发生邻近器官的侵犯。丙氨酸氨基转氨酶及谷氨酰转肽酶均不能作为肝脏受累的酶学指标。肿瘤侵袭性强及肿瘤负荷高是影响这类患儿预后的重要因素。     

儿童白血病中枢神经系统恶性疾病的处理及挑战(下)

(续第5期第240页) 4 初诊患儿的中枢神经系统(CNS)针对性治疗 4.1 颅脑放疗颅脑放疗是一种非常有效的CNS针对性治疗方法,但其作用却因为继发性肿瘤、众多内分泌疾病、神经认知障碍以及神经毒性效应而被削弱.对既往放疗患儿的调查表明,10年无事件的儿童ALL存活者在之后的20年(即诱导缓解后30年)内,继发肿瘤的累积危险度为20.9%(标准误3.9%),死亡率远高于普通人群.如随访时间延长,继发第二肿瘤的累积危险度还将继续增高.针对继发肿瘤者的研究发现,CNS放疗是CNS肿瘤或癌症亚组中继发肿瘤的唯一危险因素.最近Geenen等发现,儿童癌症幸存者发生不良事件的比率有所增高(尤其是放射治疗后),包括肥胖和内分泌失调.     

497例儿童少年急性白血病髓外浸润特点

目的 　分析儿童少年急性白血病 (AL)髓外浸润临床特点 ,指导临床治疗 ,提高长期生存率。方法 　回顾性分析 4 97例儿童少年AL ,为 1 996年 5月～ 2 0 0 3年 5月我院初诊住院的急性白血病患儿。结果 　 1 7岁以下儿童少年AL中 ,ALL占 6 3% ,ANLL 33%。ALL初诊者髓外浸润中以纵隔浸润最多见 ,并多见于T -ALL患儿。髓外浸润在ALL高危组中的发生率最高。ANLL初诊时的髓外浸润常见部位为CNS、皮肤、眼部、胸膜等 ,多发生于M2b、M4 和M5型患儿。初诊时CNS浸润ANLL比ALL常见 ,中位年龄 1 2岁 ,男性高白细胞者多发 ,发生CNS浸润最常见的是M2b型 ,均有染色体t( 8;2 1 )异常。治疗中髓外复发主要在ALL患儿的CNSL ,发病率 1 4 .5%。结论儿童少年AL髓外浸润多见于T -ALL及M2b患儿 ,与预后不良有关。早期发现 ,积极治疗 ,可降低儿童少年AL的CNSL发病率。     

肺炎支原体肺炎患儿气道黏液栓形成的危险因素

目的 探讨肺炎支原体肺炎(MPP)患儿气道黏液栓形成的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析2012年5月至2014年1月收治的行纤维支气管镜治疗的116例MPP患儿的临床资料.根据患儿纤维支气管镜下黏膜损害情况分为黏液栓组(67例)和对照组(49例),对两组患儿的性别、发病年龄、热程、有无胸腔积液、血常规白细胞计数及中性粒细胞比例、C反应蛋白(CRP)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、发病后开始使用大环内酯类药物时间、首次行纤维支气管镜时间等,进行单因素分析及logistic回归分析;绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,评价logistic回归模型的预测能力.结果 单因素分析结果显示,黏液栓组的年龄、总热程、CRP和LDH水平、合并胸腔积液比例均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05).logistic回归分析显示,年龄≥3岁(OR=7.45,95%CI:1.52~36.71),热程≥10 d(OR=4.01,95%CI:1.58~10.20), CRP≥40 mg/L(OR=5.41,95%CI:1.87~15.67)和LDH≥350 U/L(OR=3.63,95%CI:1.35~9.75)是MPP患儿气道黏液栓形成的独立危险因素;ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.846(95%CI:0.773~0.919,P=0.000).结论 当MPP患儿年龄≥3岁、热程≥10 d、CRP≥40 mg/L、LDH≥350 U/L时,有气道内黏液栓形成的可能.     

神经母细胞瘤中枢转移3例并文献复习

目的探讨神经母细胞瘤(neuroblastoma,NB)中枢转移的发生率、临床表现、影像学特征、病理及基因特征,以提高临床医生的认识。方法回顾分析2005年1月-2009年12月在北京儿童医院血液肿瘤中心治疗的3例NB中枢转移患儿的临床资料及其诊疗情况。结果 3例患儿的中枢转移分别表现为脑实质的孤立病灶、脑膜的弥漫转移和实质、脑膜均受累。3例患儿均有骨髓浸润、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)升高,1例存在MYCN基因扩增,另2例未做。例1在常规化疗和手术治疗后获得部分缓解,无进展时间10个月,中枢为首次复发部位,例2、3在初诊时就存在中枢转移;例1、2最终放弃治疗,例3经过联合化疗,瘤灶切除以及自体干细胞移植等综合治疗后获得完全缓解。结论我院的NB中枢转移率为3.125%。NB中枢转移患儿通常存在骨髓浸润、LDH水平增高和不良的基因学特征。诊断依赖于临床表现和影像学检查,故定期的头颅MRI或CT检查非常必要。虽然预后很差,但积极治疗仍有希望完全缓解。     

先天性低促性腺激素性性腺功能减退男童的临床及遗传学特征分析

目的分析先天性低促性腺激素性性腺功能减退(CHH)男童的临床及遗传学特征。方法横断面研究, 回顾性分析。收集2019年12月至2023年2月在深圳市儿童医院内分泌专科就诊, 最后基因确诊为CHH的27例男性患儿的临床资料、实验室数据及基因结果。分析其临床表现、激素水平及其基因变异情况。非正态分布采用中位数表示, 非正态分布数据两组间比较采用秩和检验。结果基因确诊为CHH男性患儿共27例, 初诊年龄为0.3～16.6岁, 患儿均表现为小阴茎(占100%), 合并隐睾16例(占59.3%), 合并小睾丸9例(占33.3%), 单纯性小阴茎7例(占25.9)%, 无单纯性隐睾, 3例患儿合并心脏异常;基础血清黄体生成素(LH)水平中位数为0.09 IU/L, 92.5%(25/27)的患儿基础LH<1.00 IU/L, 促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)兴奋后LH峰值的中位数为1.42 IU/L, 96.2%(26/27)的患儿LH峰值<4.00 IU/L;血清抑制素B的中位数为41.15 μg/L;血清抗苗勒管激素(AMH)的中位数为12.62 mg/L;合并隐睾的患儿血清AMH水...     

儿童急性髓系白血病的疗效及预后相关因素分析

目的评价除急性早幼粒细胞白血病(APL)外的儿童急性髓系白血病(AML)的疗效并探讨其预后相关因素。方法 2000年-2013年间诊断的非APL的AML患儿61例,采用统一的治疗方案,分析其临床特征、诱导缓解情况、远期疗效及预后影响因素。结果(1)61例患儿中位随访时间36(1.1~186.2)个月,5年无事件生存率(EFS)为56.5%±7.1%,5年总生存率(OS)为69.6%±6.4%。(2)61例患儿分为低、中、高危组,5年OS率分别为72.7%±10.8%、74.1%±8.5%、42.9%±18.7%,两两相比差异无显著性(P0.05)。(3)单因素分析显示,初诊时存在髓外浸润、免疫表型CD56阳性患儿的远期疗效较差(P值分别为0.03和0.04)。1疗程获得缓解(CR)的患儿获得更高的OS值(P=0.03)。(4)多因素分析显示,初诊时存在髓外浸润、免疫表型CD56阳性、1年内复发、1疗程未获得CR是影响5年EFS的危险因素。(5)初诊时存在髓外浸润、1疗程未获得CR为复发的主要危险因素。结论非APL的儿童AML初诊时存在髓外浸润、免疫表型CD56阳性患儿预后较差,获得CR的疗程数是影响预后和复发的危险因素,降低复发是提高远期生存情况的关键。高危组患儿长期生存情况明显低于低、中危组患儿,应加强高危组患儿的化疗强度或早期行造血干细胞移植。     

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.     

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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.     

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   

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.     

Overcoming surfactant inhibition with polymers

Inhibition of the function of pulmonary surfactant in the alveolar space is an important element of the pathophysiology of many lung diseases, including meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The known mechanisms by which surfactant dysfunction occurs are (a) competitive inhibition of phospholipid entry into the surface monolayer (e.g. by plasma proteins), and (b) infiltration and destabilization of the surface film by extraneous lipids (e.g. meconium-derived free fatty acids). Recent data suggest that addition of non-ionic polymers such as dextran and polyethylene glycol to surfactant mixtures may significantly improve resistance to inhibition. Polymers have been found to neutralize the effects of several different inhibitors, and can produce near-complete restoration of surfactant function. The anti-inhibitory properties of polymers, and their possible role as an adjunct to surfactant therapy, deserve further exploration.     

Understanding infant formula

The World Health organisation recommends breast feeding infants for the first six months of life. When this breast feeding does not occur either through parental choice or medical need, infant formulas will be required. There is a bewildering array of formulas on the UK market for many different requirements. When faced with an unsettled infant many parents (and healthcare professionals) will experiment with the infant formula available and then attend the paediatric clinic looking for help and advice. It is therefore essential that paediatricians understand what milks are available and what the key differences between different products are. This review attempts to provide a simple guide through many of the formulations currently available in the UK; and offers advice for the dietary management of the child with extra calorie requirements, infants with cow's milk protein allergy, gastro oesophageal reflux disease, apparent unresolved hunger and infantile colic. Whatever the underlying condition, there is likely to be an infant formula that is suitable in this generation of ever expanding formulations.