bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elemental versus polymeric enteral nutrition in paediatric Crohn's disease: a multicentre randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ludvigsson JF , Krantz M , Bodin L , Stenhammar L , Lindquist B 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of an elemental and a polymeric diet as the primary therapy for active Crohn's disease in children. Methods: In a randomized, non‐blind, multicentre, controlled trial in Sweden, 16 children with Crohn's disease received Elemental 028 Extra (E028E) and 17 Nutrison Standard (NuS). Remission rates (Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) < 10 or a PCDAI decrease of 40% or 15 points of initial level) were compared at 6 wk. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in remission rate at 6 wk (intent‐to‐treat analysis): E028E 11/16 (69%) and NuS 14/17 (82%) (p= 0.438). There was no difference in the decrease in PCDAI and CDAI between patients treated with E028E and those treated with NuS from 0 to 6 wk. Patients treated with NuS gained significantly more weight than patients treated with E028E (+2.5 kg; 95% CI 0.9, 4.1; p= 0.004), this difference remained when adjusting for maximum caloric intake per kilogram bodyweight (+2.9 kg; 95% CI 1.4, 4.5; p= 0.001). Concomitant disease, complications and side effects were seen in 5/33 patients (pyelonephritis, pneumonia, intraabdominal abscess, perianal abscess and borborygmi). Conclusion: E028E and NuS did not differ in terms of remission rate. Patients treated with NuS gained more weight than patients with E028E. Polymeric diet may be superior to elemental diet in the treatment of paediatric Crohn's disease where the primary aim is to increase the patient's weight.
Cot‐nursing using a heated, water‐filled mattress and incubator care: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gray PH , Paterson S , Finch G , Hayes M 
Published: August 2010

Aims: To evaluate the thermal responses and weight gain in preterm infants nursed in a cot on a heated, water‐filled mattress (HWM) compared with infants receiving care in an air‐heated incubator and to compare mothers' stress, anxiety levels and perceptions of their infants in the two groups. Methods: Stable preterm infants weighing 1300 to 1500 g were enrolled, being randomly allocated to either the study group (n= 41) receiving care in a cot on an HWM, or the control group (n= 33) receiving incubator care. The mean daily body temperature and episodes of cold stress and hyperthermia were recorded. Weight gain (g kg−1 body weight d−1) was also calculated. The mothers completed questionnaires on their perceptions of their infants, and their anxiety and stress levels before randomization, and 2–3 wk later during the trial. Results: The mean body temperature was similar for the first week of the trial (study group 36.9°C vs controls 36.9°C). There were no significant differences in the incidence of cold stress, while more hyperthermic episodes were seen in the study group (p= 0.03). There were no significant differences in weight gain during the first (study group 21.4 g vs controls 19.6 g) or second weeks of the trial (study group 20.5 g vs controls 19.2 g). Neonatal morbidity did not differ between the groups. There were no differences in mothers' perceptions of their babies, or feelings of stress or anxiety. Conclusion: There were no differences between infants cot‐nursed on an HWM and those receiving incubator care, with the exception of episodes of high temperature. The results suggest that the HWM may be used safely for low‐weight preterm infants.
Evaluation of an amikacin loading dose for nosocomial infections in very low birthweight infants
Authors: Berger A , Kretzer V , Gludovatz P , Heinze G , Haiden N , Pollak A 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To develop a simplified amikacin dosage regimen for nosocomial infections in preterm infants including a loading dose in order to achieve therapeutic Maximum Serum Concentrations early in the course of therapy. Methods: Open, non‐comparative study during November 2000 to April 2001. The modified amikacin dosing and monitoring protocol included a loading dose of 10mg/kg in the first week of life, followed by a maintenance regimen of 7.5 mg/kg every 24 h. After the first week of life the corresponding doses were 17 mg/kg (loading) and 15 mg/kg (maintenance). A peak level was measured 30 min after the second dose, a trough level immediately before the third dose. Results: Twenty‐five very low birthweight infants (median birthweight 739 g, median gestational age 25 wk) who had 34 episodes of amikacin treatment were included in the analysis. Median amikacin peak and trough values were 37.1 μmol/1 and 6.3 μmol/1, respectively. Twenty‐nine of all peak levels (85%) and 30 of all trough levels (88%) were within the targeted range of >35 μmol/1 and <8.5 μmol/1, respectively. All patients with elevated trough levels were of extremely low birthweight and were born in the 24th week of gestation. Hearing evaluations were performed in 17 of 19 surviving infants at discharge home, all of which gave normal results. Conclusion: The new amikacin dosing protocol yielded targeted peak and trough concentrations in a high percentage of very low birthweight infants with nosocomial infection after the first week of life. Our simplified dosage regimen achieved acceptable serum concentrations in all birthweight and gestational age groups, with the exception of extremely low birthweight infants weighing less than 700 g and/or with a gestational age of 24 wk or less. Only limited information can be gained from our data regarding the use of amikacin during the first week of life.
Long‐term follow‐up of otherwise healthy term infants with marked hyperbilirubinaemia: should the limits of exchange transfusion be changed in Turkey?
Authors: Duman N , Özkan H , Serbetçioglu B , Ögün B , Kumral A , Avci M 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To evaluate prospectively non‐haemolytic term infants with marked hyperbilirubinaemia treated by phototherapy only for evidence of bilirubin toxicity at 2–6 y of age, and to determine the suitability for Turkish children of the exchange transfusion limits recently reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Methods: The study group included a total of 30 children, aged 2–6 y, who had developed marked hyperbilirubinaemia (20–24 mg dl−1, 342–410 μmol l−1) during the newborn period (gestational age >37wk, birthweight >2500 g) and were treated without exchange transfusion because intensive phototherapy, instituted during the preparations for exchange transfusion, was successful in decreasing their serum bilirubin levels. The control group consisted of 30 children of the same age group without clinical jaundice in the newborn period. Physical and neurological examinations, brainstem auditory‐evoked potentials (BAEPs) and developmental tests for Turkish children were performed in both the study and control children. Results: There was no difference between the groups with regard to mean BAEP latencies and developmental scores. None of the infants had hearing loss, developmental delay or abnormal neurological findings. Conclusion: The results suggest that successful intensive phototherapy without exchange transfusion in otherwise healthy term newborn infants with marked hyperbilirubinaemia (20–24 mg dl−1, 342–410 μmol l−1) might not increase the risk of bilirubin brain injury and that the conventional limit of 20 mg dl−1 (342 μmol l−1) could be changed to 22–24 mg dl−1 (376–410 μmol l−1) for healthy term infants in Turkey. These limits, however, address only infants who do not have haemolytic disease, and the data are not sufficient to draw conclusions on the safety of even higher bilirubin levels (i.e. >24 mg dl−1, 410 μmol l−1) in this population.
Cross‐sectional study of allergic disorders in relation to familial factors in Japanese adolescents
Authors: Miyake Y , Yura A , Iki M 
Published: August 2010

Aim: The roles of heredity and the household environment in the development of allergic disorders are not clearly established. This study examined the relationship between selected familial factors and the prevalence of symptoms of wheeze, atopic eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis in Japanese adolescents. Methods: Study subjects were 5539 students aged 12–15 y in Suita City. A questionnaire ascertained gender, grade, number of older siblings, maternal age at childbirth, smoking in the household, domestic pets and parental history of allergy, as well as signs and symptoms of allergy in the previous 12 mo. The latter were based on diagnostic criteria from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Results: Male gender was independently associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze and a decreased prevalence of atopic eczema. The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis, but not wheeze or atopic dermatitis, significantly increased with advancing grade. A significant inverse dose‐response relationship between the number of older siblings and the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis, but not wheeze or atopic dermatitis, was observed. Maternal age at childbirth, smoking in the household and domestic pets were not apparently related to any of the allergic disorders. A positive maternal allergic history was more evidently associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis, but not atopic eczema, than a positive paternal allergic history. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the factors associated with allergic disorders in Japan are largely the same as those already identified in Western populations.
Urinary and faecal incontinence: a population‐based study
Authors: Söderstrom U , Hoelcke M , Alenius L , Söderling A‐C , Hjern A 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To investigate the coexistence of urine and faecal incontinence in Swedish schoolchildren. Methods: Cohort study of all schoolchildren in the first and fourth grades in the city of Eskilstuna. A questionnaire was used, in which parents reported the prevalence of urine and faecal incontinence for their children, with a response rate of 67%. Data were analysed with multiple logistic regression. Results: Daytime urinary incontinence (at least once a month) was reported in 6.3% of the first graders and 4.3% of the fourth graders, while bedwetting (at least once a month) was reported in 7.1% and 2.7% and faecal incontinence in 9.8% and 5.6%, respectively. Daytime urinary incontinence was strongly associated with faecal incontinence; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.2 (p < 0.001) as well as with bedwetting; OR 4.1 (p < 0.001), whereas faecal incontinence and bedwetting lacked a significant association (OR 1.2). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that soiling and daytime urinary incontinence often coexist in Swedish schoolchildren. Collaborative treatment strategies with gastroenterological and urological content need to be developed for these children.
Serosurveillance for Japanese encephalitis in children in several districts of West Bengal, India
Authors: Chatterjee S , Chattopadhyay D , Bhattacharya MK , Mukherjee B 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to flaviviruses, particularly Japanese encephalitis (JE) in children. Methods: Virological and serological investigations were conducted into JE, along with dengue 2 (Den2) and West Nile viruses, in the Flavivirus group. The paediatric age group (up to 10 y), in the districts of Burdwan, Bankura, Midnapore and Purulia of West Bengal, India, was assessed for recent activity of these viruses, for 4 consecutive years from 1996 to 1999. In total, 2260 sera samples were collected, of which 204 were from acute fever cases; only 72 paired sera were available. There was a significantly higher incidence of fever cases in children belonging to the schedule caste and schedule tribes. These communities occupy the lowest level in the society and are closely associated with pigs. Results: No virus could be isolated from the sera collected from fever cases. The results of the serological survey showed the presence of antibodies to JE virus in only 13.3% of the contact sera, 33.3% of acute sera and 22.1% of convalescent sera investigated. Only 3.1% of the contact sera had antibodies to Den2 and no antibodies were found against West Nile virus. This indicates that the JE virus is in recent circulation in the population of these four districts, and as the majority of children lack substantial immunity to JE virus, they may be affected by an epidemic. Conclusion: Children up to 10 y of age in the four districts of West Bengal are mostly non‐immune to JE virus. If an outbreak occurs, the majority of these populations may be affected.
Follow‐up of acute pulmonary complications in cystic fibrosis by magnetic resonance imaging: a pilot study*
Authors: Hebestreit A , Schultz G , Trusen A , Hebestreit H 
Published: August 2010

The aim of this pilot study was to obtain information on the value of MRI in the follow‐up of atelectasis and pneumonic infiltrates in cystic fibrosis (CF). Six patients aged 5–15 y were initially examined using chest X‐ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both methods provided identical information. During follow‐up, MRI proved suitable to monitor pulmonary complications. Conclusion: MRI of the lung is feasible and valuable in the follow‐up of atelectasis and pulmonary infiltrates in CF.
The number of authors of scientific publications
Authors: Zetterström Rolf 
Published: August 2010

As in most other scientific journals, the number of authors per paper published in Acta Paediatrica is gradually increasing. In the 2003 volume, the number of authors was six or more in about one‐third of the Regular papers and Clinical observations. The editorial board has handled several conflicts of interest due to disputes about authorship. Conclusion: Editors of scientific journals should promote a policy with the aim of creating a true balance between authorship and originality of papers.
N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide: reference plasma levels from birth to adolescence. Elevated levels at birth and in infants and children with heart diseases
Authors: Nir A , Bar‐Oz B , Perles Z , Brooks R , Korach A , Rein AJJT 
Published: August 2010

Aim: Determination of plasma levels of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (N‐BNP) in infants and children with and without heart diseases. Methods: Plasma N‐BNP was measured in 78 infants and children without heart disease and in 55 infants and children with heart disease causing volume and pressure overload. Heart diseases included chronic dilated cardiomyopathy, acute left ventricular dysfunction, and congenital cardiac anomalies resulting in left and right ventricular volume or pressure overload. The Mann‐Whitney rank‐sum test and the ANOVA for ranks test were used to compare two or more groups, respectively. Results: N‐BNP levels were elevated in the first days of life but were not significantly different in children from 4 mo to 15 y old. The upper limit in children older than 4 mo with no heart disease was 349 pg/ml. In patients with heart disease, N‐BNP levels were significantly higher than in control children (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: N‐BNP levels are elevated in the first days of life and are stable from age 4 mo to adolescence. Elevated N‐BNP levels reflect cardiac dysfunction in infants and children.
Lung volume and the response to high volume strategy, high frequency oscillation
Authors: Dimitriou G , Cheeseman P , Greenough A 
Published: August 2010

Background: Infants with severe respiratory failure are frequently transferred to high volume strategy, high frequency oscillation (HFO). Mean airway pressure (MAP) is then elevated, the aim being to open up atelectatic lungs and hence improve gas exchange. Aim: To test the hypothesis that lung volume prior to transfer would predict the response to high volume strategy HFO and identify which factors related to poor outcome (death). Methods: Lung volume was assessed by measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC) and the response to HFO determined by the change in the alveolar arterial gradient (AaDO2) on transfer from conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) to the optimal MAP on high volume strategy HFO. Patients: Forty‐two infants with a median gestational age of 28 (range 23 to 40) wk were studied. Results: FRC prior to transfer correlated significantly with the change in MAP necessary to optimize oxygenation (p= 0.012), but not the change in AaDO2 in response to HFO. There were no significant differences in the lung volumes of survivors and non‐survivors, but those who died were more immature (p= 0.0009) and had a smaller response to HFO (p= 0.035). Conclusion: Lung volume prior to transfer to high volume strategy HFO might be helpful to guide oscillatory settings, but is a poor predictor of the response to high volume strategy HFO.
Whole blood interleukin 8 and plasma interleukin 8 levels in newborn infants with suspected bacterial infection
Authors: Franz AR , Sieber S , Pohlandt F , Kron M , Steinbach G 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To evaluate a new micro‐method technique for measurement of interleukin 8 in detergent‐lysed whole blood (whole blood IL‐8) applicable to capillary blood sampling as a test for bacterial infections in neonates. Methods: Whole blood IL‐8 was measured at the first suspicion of infection along with IL‐8 determined in plasma (plasma IL‐8), C‐reactive protein and blood cultures in 154 consecutive newborn infants with clinical signs of bacterial infection. Only 20 μl of whole blood were required for the new assay. Results: Blood culture‐proven infections were diagnosed in six infants and clinical infection (defined as a combination of clinical and laboratory signs) in 20 infants. 1000 pg/ml was determined as the suitable threshold for whole blood IL‐8 by ROC‐curve analysis. At that threshold, whole blood IL‐8 detected blood culture‐proven infections with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 67%. The areas under the ROC curves were similar for whole blood IL‐8 and plasma IL‐8. Conclusions: Compared with plasma IL‐8, whole blood IL‐8 offers the advantages that measurements of whole blood IL‐8 require a smaller blood sample volume and are not altered by haemolysis. The diagnostic accuracy of whole blood IL‐8 remains to be studied in more detail in the future.
Plasma protein Z levels in healthy and high‐risk newborn infants
Authors: Jr F Schettini , Laforgia N , Altomare M , Mautone A , Del Vecchio GC 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To evaluate plasma protein Z (PZ) levels in healthy and high‐risk newborn infants. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: healthy term and pre‐term newborns normal for gestational age and newborns belonging to one of the following groups: newborns small for gestational age (SGA), newborns affected by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), newborns from mothers with pre‐eclampsia. Newborns with sepsis, congenital malformation or haemorrhagic disorders were excluded. Plasma PZ levels, protein C (PC) concentration, PC activity and protein‐induced vitamin K absence levels were measured. Results: 53 newborns were enrolled into the study. PZ and PC antigen levels varied significantly among analysed subgroups on day 1 (p < 0.01): lower levels of these inhibitors were found in RDS newborns (group C), newborns from mothers affected by pre‐eclampsia (group D) and SGA newborns (group E) than in healthy term and preterm newborns (groups A and B). Conclusion: PZ deficiency occurs in newborns affected by severe RDS, in newborns from pre‐eclamptic mothers and in SGA newborns, probably owing to activated coagulation in the first two conditions and to reduced PZ synthesis in the last condition.
The use of in‐line intravenous filters in sick newborn infants
Authors: van Lingen RA , Baerts W , Marquering ACM , Ruijs GJHM 
Published: August 2010

Aim: This study assesses the improvement in outcome for newborn infants by decreasing major complications associated with intravenous fluid therapy by using an in‐line filter, and evaluates the economical impact this might have in relation to daily changing of i.v. lines. Methods: In a prospective controlled study, 88 infants were randomly assigned to receive either filtered (except for lipids, blood and blood products) or non‐filtered infusions via a central catheter. Main outcome measures such as bacteraemia, phlebitis, extravasation, thrombosis, septicaemia and necrosis were all scored. The costs attributable to patients during a standard 8‐day stay were also recorded. Results: Significant reductions were found in major complications such as thrombi and clinical sepsis (control group (21), filter group (8); p < 0.05). Bacterial cultures of the filters showed a contamination rate on the upstream surface of 15/109 filters (14%). The mean costs of disposables were less in the filter group, showing a reduction from ±31.17 to ±23.79. Conclusions. The use of this in‐line filter leads to a significant decrease in major complications and substantial cost savings.
Feeding problems in nursery children: prevalence and psychosocial factors
Authors: Esparó G , Canals J , Jané C , Ballespí S , Viñas F , Domenèch E 
Published: August 2010

Aim: In this study we analyze the prevalence of feeding problems in a sample of nursery children and examine the environmental and psychopathological factors related to such problems. Methods: We used the Early Childhood Inventory—Parents Checklist to assess 851 Spanish children aged between 3 and 6 years from both urban and rural samples. This screens emotional and behavioural problems and is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV. We collected sociodemographic data and information about life events and the psychopathology of the children's parents (General Health Questionnaire‐28). Results: Our results showed that the prevalence of feeding problems was 4.8% and that there were no differences between gender. Sample subtype, socioeconomic level and family characteristics were not linked to feeding problems. Children with feeding problems had significantly more symptoms of psychological problems and somatic complaints and had experienced more life events in the previous 12 months. The psychopathology of the mother, especially in terms of anxiety problems, increased the risk of feeding problems in children. Conclusion: When there are complaints of feeding problems in preschools, the psychological problems of children and their mothers should be taken into consideration during paediatric consultation, irrespective of gender or socioeconomic status.