bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal Hemochromatosis
Authors: Jonas Maureen M. , Kavveblum Yosef Aaron , Fojaco Rita 
Published: January 2024

SummaryWe describe a premature neonate with severe hepatic dysfunction from birth which progressed to fatal hepatic failure at 3 months of age. The diagnosis of a familial disorder, neonatal hemochromatosis, was made, and therapy was attempted with deferoxamine. Features of iron metabolism are presented, and this infant's illness is contrasted with other liver diseases of infancy associated with hepatic iron overload.
Immunosuppressive Therapy of HBsAg‐Positive Chronic Active Hepatitis in Childhood
Authors: Giusti G. , Piccinino F. , Sagnelli E. , Ruggiero G. , Galanti B. , Gallo C. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryWe analyzed retrospectively the effect of immunosuppressive therapy in 139 children with HBsAg‐positive chronic active hepatitis (CAH) observed in four liver units in Italy from 1974 to 1982. All children had been observed for at least 12 months. Of these 139 patients, 38 were treated with steroids (prednisolone or prednisone from 1 to 2 mg/kg daily), 78 with combination therapy (prednisolone or prednisone 1 mg/kg daily in combination with azathioprine, 2 mg/kg daily) and 23 were not treated. The outcome of the disease was assessed by evaluating clinical, biochemical, and histological parameters on the basis of preselected criteria. Untreated patients deteriorated more frequently than those treated with steroids (34.8% versus 13.2%, p < 0.05) or those receiving combination therapy (34.8% versus 10.3%, p < 0.01). Remission or improvement was observed more frequently in steroid‐treated and combination‐treated patients than in the untreated ones (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). At the end of the study, only one untreated patient had died of liver failure. Remission was observed in about 10% of patients in the two groups of treatment, but in the untreated one, this event never occurred. Although this study is retrospective and presents some shortcomings, the data clearly indicate that steroid and combination therapy are not deleterious, and are possibly helpful, to children with HBsAg‐positive CAH. Considering that this treatment clearly ameliorates the course of the disease in some patients, and that no other treatment has been conclusively demonstrated to be efficient in favorably modifying the course of the illness, we suggest that prednisolone alone or in combination with azathioprine still be considered for treating children with severe HBsAg‐positive CAH without cirrhosis.
Acute Non‐A, Non‐B Hepatitis in Childhood
Authors: Bortolotti F. , Cadrobbi P. , Armigliato M , Crivellaro C. , Cavinato G. , Realdi G 
Published: January 2024

SummaryA prospective study of acute symptomatic viral hepatitis in childhood was started at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Padua (Italy) in 1978. During an 8‐year period, 93 consecutive patients (aged 3 months to 12 years) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria, including five (5.5%) cases classified as non‐A, non‐B hepatitis. This figure is lower than that generally reported in adult patients, probably because of a lower exposure of children to blood and contaminated materials. Two of the five children with non‐A, non‐B hepatitis had received blood transfusions, while three had no history of parenteral exposure. Although the outcome of the illness was favorable in all five patients, a variety of clinical features could be observed: two children had a mild, short‐lasting disease, anicteric in one case, while three had a polyphasic pattern of transaminases with delayed biochemical resolution, including one patient with deep jaundice and severe early phase features. These findings suggest that in children, as well as in adults, non‐A, non‐B hepatitis is probably a heterogeneous entity induced by different agents with different modes of transmission.
Age and Diet Effects on Fecal Bile Acids in Infants
Authors: Hammons J. L. , Jordan W. E. , Stewart R. L. , Taulbee J. D. , Berg R. W. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryFecal bile acid patterns and concentrations have been determined for 28 infants who were followed from average ages of 3–11 months. Half were solely breast‐fed and half were solely formula‐fed at the beginning of the study. Breast‐fed infants were found to have significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations of cholic acid than the formula‐fed group, up to an average age of 5 months. Concentrations of deoxycholic and lithocholic acids were directionally lower in breast‐fed infants at all ages. Concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid were similar for both groups throughout the study. At the end of the study, breast‐fed infants were excreting 17% of their total bile acids in the form of secondary acids, compared to 33% for formula‐fed infants. This pattern persisted long after the infants began weaning. Formula‐fed infants were found to have lithocholic acid in their stools at a significantly (p < 0.05) earlier age than breast‐fed infants. Appearance of deoxycholic acid was at similar ages for both groups. Both of these secondary acids were found to occur at much younger ages (approximately 2 months) than has been previously reported. These observed differences are attributed to the distinct intestinal microbial populations encouraged by the different diets.
Incidence of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Sleep, Awake, Fasted, and Postcibal Periods in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Infants
Authors: Vandenplas Yvan , De Wolf Daniel , Deneyer Michel , Sacre Liliane 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants has been shown to be dependent on different factors, e.g., position, feeding, age. Using continuous esophageal pH monitoring, we examined 30 asymptomatic (15 were 1.5–2.5 months old; 15 were 2.5–4.5 months old) and 20 symptomatic infants (1.5–4.5 months old) for GER. The occurrence of GER was analyzed in different periods of interest: awake, asleep, fasted, and postcibal periods. The increasing incidence of GER we reported previously in asymptomatic infants according to their age appeared to be due to an increased occurrence in the awake (and postcibal) periods. In symptomatic infants, however, the increase was noticed mostly during the sleep (fasted) periods as far as the reflux index, the duration of the longest reflux episode, and the number of reflux episodes of >5 min are concerned.
Handling of Gliadin Peptides B1‐B4 and of Cow's Milk Proteins by Rat Jejunum Gut Sacs
Authors: Melter Michael , Belitz Hans‐Dieter , Gellermann Barbara , Wieser Herbert , Stern Martin 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe rat everted gut sac was used as a model of intestinal protein and peptide handling to study small intestinal binding and uptake of different gliadin peptide fractions (B1, B2, B3, B4) in comparison with bovine serum albumin (BSA), α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA), and a BSA peptide fraction (BSA‐P). Not only binding curves, but also uptake curves of BSA, α‐LA, and BSA‐P were run in parallel between 1 and 30 min. Binding and uptake obviously depended on molecular weight. BSA‐P binding was found to be highest of all. Binding of BSA was significantly lower. After 20 and 30 min, significantly more α‐LA and BSA‐P were taken up than was BSA. There was no difference in handling of the gliadin peptide fractions tested by the gut mucosal surface. Binding of B1‐B4 was significantly higher than binding of BSA and was significantly lower than binding of BSA‐P. No difference was found between binding of B1‐B4 and a‐LA. There was a consistently higher uptake of all gliadin peptide fractions, independent of molecular weight. Slopes for uptake curves of B1‐B4 were steeper than those of BSA, α‐LA, and BSA‐P. Crossing of uptake over binding curves was consistently observed with gliadin fractions, but never with cow's milk proteins/peptides. Differences in uptake between gliadin peptide fractions and cow's milk proteins/peptides might be based on a specific interaction between gliadin peptides and the gut surface.
The Effect of Feeding Four Different Formulae on Stool Weights in Prolonged Dehydrating Infantile Gastroenteritis
Authors: Rajah Rashid , Pettifor John M. , Noormohamed Madni , Venter André , Rosen Eric U. , Rabinowitz Leslie , Stein Harry 
Published: January 2024

SummaryProlonged diarrhea following an acute episode of dehydrating gastroenteritis in infants is often treated by the empirical removal of both cow's milk protein and lactose from the feed, as they both have been implicated in the prolongation of diarrhea. In order to assess the efficacy of this policy and to determine whether there are any advantages in using a lactose‐free semi‐elemental feed in this situation, infants with prolonged dehydrating gastroenteritis from a developing community in South Africa were studied. Male black children between the ages of 6 weeks and 2 years with prolonged dehydrating gastroenteritis (requiring intravenous fluids for longer than 72 h to maintain hydration) were randomly assigned to receive one of four feeds if the stool weight was greater than 30 g/kg body weight/24 h on the fourth day of admission. The four formula feeds were a partially modified cow's milk formula; a lactose‐free, casein‐containing formula; a lactose‐free, soy‐protein‐containing formula; and a lactose‐free, whey‐hydrolysate‐containing formula. Stool weights were measured for the following 3 days. Seventy‐two children were enrolled into the study. Stool weights were similar in the four groups at the start of the trial, and fell significantly over the trial period in those groups receiving the lactose‐free feeds. Mean stool weight in the cow's milk formula group did not change. Thus, it appears that the continued feeding of a cow's milk‐based lactose‐containing formulae to infants with prolonged dehydrating gastroenteritis adversely affects their recovery. Whether the responsible factor was the presence of lactose or a fraction of cow's milk protein could not be determined in this study. Furthermore, the use of a semi‐elemental feed does not appear to have any advantages over the cheaper lactose‐free formulae in this situation.
L‐Carnitine Supplementation of a Soybean‐Based Formula in Early Infancy
Authors: Novak Milan , Monkus Ellen F. , Buch Maria , Silverio John , Clouston Ofelia M. , Cassady Janet C. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe absence of carnitine in the diet of normal infants results in marked reduction of plasma carnitine levels. In order to evaluate the effects of L‐carnitine supplementation of soybean formula, plasma and urine levels of free carnitine and acylcarnitine were compared in infants receiving carnitine‐free soybean protein‐based formula and the same formula supplemented with 50 and 250 nmol/ml L‐carnitine. In infants receiving soybean formula with 50 nmol/ml L‐carnitine, the plasma levels of free carnitine were not significantly different from those in infants receiving formula with 250 nmol/ml L‐carnitine; however, urine levels of free carnitine were significantly increased when the infants received formula with 250 nmol/ml L‐carnitine. In normal full‐term infants, supplementation of soybean formula with 50 nmol/ml L‐carnitine was sufficient to maintain normal plasma levels that were comparable to breast‐fed infants.
Endotoxemia in Protein‐Energy Malnutrition
Authors: Klein Kenneth , Fuchs George J. , Kulapongs Panja , Mertz Gregory , Suskind Robert M. , Olson Robert E. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe plasma endotoxin levels of 16 severely malnourished Thai children were determined by the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Endotoxemia was present in seven children (44%) on admission to the hospital and was associated with the coexistence of vitamin A deficiency. Protein‐energy malnutrition is associated with the presence of endotoxemia.
Infrared Analysis for Determining Macronutrients in Human Milk
Authors: Michaelsen Kim F. , Pedersen Steen B. , Skafte Lisbeth , Jæger Per , Peitersen Birgit 
Published: January 2024

SummaryInfrared (IR) analysis is widely used for routine analysis of cow milk in dairies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of an IR analyzer (Milko‐scan 104) for measuring protein, fat, carbohydrate, and, indirectly, the energy content of human milk. The results of the IR analysis were compared with those of the following reference methods: protein—Kjeldahl (nitrogen minus nonprotein nitrogen); fat—Roese Gottlieb; carbohydrate—lactose enzymatic assay; energy—bomb calorimetry. The precision (repeatability coefficient of variation) of the IR results was high for all four components: protein 0.4%, fat 1.0%, carbohydrate 0.2%, and energy 0.1%. There was a close linear covariation between IR results and reference results. [Protein content was determined with an error (SD) of 0.01 g/100 ml and fat with an error of 0.03 g/100 ml.] The covariation between IR carbohydrate results and the results of the lactose assay was poor, probably because the oligosaccharides in the milk were included in the results from the IR analysis and not in the results from the lactose assay. IR analysis is a valuable method in research, especially in epidemiological surveys, in which large numbers of samples are analyzed, and for continuous monitoring of the nutritional value of human milk in milk banking programs.
[15N]Methacetin Urine Test to Measure Liver Function
Authors: Krumbiegel P. , Teichmann B. , Faust H. , Braun W. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryA simple, noninvasive test is proposed to measure the activity of the hepatocellular monooxygenase system in vivo. Elimination rates of the stable isotope 15N are measured in urine after an oral dose of the 15N‐labeled phenacetin homologue [15N]methacetin. Different forms of obtaining and expressing results are investigated in order to determine optimum methodology and differentiation for clinieal application in pediatrics. The best dis criminating power and reliability of results are seen with the measurement of 15N elimination half‐life. For follow‐up, a more easily measured parameter eliminated dose over 9 h is sufficient. In the latter case, only total nitrogen and 15N contents of a collective urine sample are measured.
Endoscopic Laser Therapy for Gastrointestinal Bleeding from Congenital Vascular Lesions
Authors: Noronha Peter A. , Leist Michael H. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryEndoscopic laser therapy may be useful in controlling upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to vascular abnormalities. This report presents the case of an 11‐year‐old boy with an unusual vasculocutaneous disorder complicated by chronic recurrent bleeding that necessitated frequent blood transfusions. Of a number of investigative tests, only endoscopy was diagnostic in determining that the bleeding was secondary to multiple gastric vascular lesions. Moreover, laser photocoagulation of the identified lesions resulted in a dramatic decrease in both transfusion requirements and hospitalization.
Case Control Study on Nutritional Risk Factors in Celiac Disease
Authors: Greco L. , Auricchio S. , Mayer M. , Grimaldi M. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThis study explored whether risk or protective nutritional factors have a role in childhood celiac disease. The effect of bottle feeding and early introduction of gluten to the diet was evaluated in a case control study. For each case, about 10 controls were recruited: sample size was determined as required for the evaluation of the study hypothesis. Patients were significantly less breast fed than were controls. Bottle‐fed children had an earlier introduction of gluten to the diet than did controls, but when early gluten introduction was analyzed across strata of breast‐fed or bottle‐fed children, no risk was attributed to it. Bottle feeding appeared to be a significant risk factor in children who received gluten early as well as in those who received gluten later. Breast‐feeding rates for patients and controls were equal at birth, but lower for patients by the age of 1 month: from then onward, there was a constant difference between patients and controls regarding the percentage still at breast. Interruption of breast feeding was a risk factor in celiac disease, but early gluten introduction did not appear to be a similar risk factor in the present study.
Hypertrophic Gastritis in Association with Sepsis and Death in a Two‐Month‐Old Infant
Authors: Ana Votava Fedor Raiyĉ , Tambiĉ Lana , Manojlović Snjeĉana 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe article reports the case of a 2‐month‐old infant with Ménétrier's disease. Clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and roentgenologic diagnostics of this disease are presented. The child died with the clinical signs of cardiorespiratory insufficiency, and the diagnosis of Ménétrier's disease was established postmortem.
Severity and Extent of Upper Small Bowel Mucosal Damage in Cow's Milk Protein‐Sensitive Enteropathy
Authors: Iyngkaran N. , Yadav M. , Boey C. G. , Lam K. L. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryA series of 31 infants, 28 with cow's milk protein sensitive enteropathy (CMPSE) and 3 controls, was studied for severity and extent of mucosal damage of the upper small bowel in relation to the development of clinical symptoms. Following challenge with the offending cow's milk, 18 infants (Group I) developed severe mucosal changes at both the proximal and distal small bowel mucosa and all of these infants presented with clinical symptoms. The other 10 infants (Group 2) who did not develop clinical symptoms following the challenge had less severe damage to the distal small bowel mucosa as compared to the proximal region. The histological score of both the proximal and distal postchallenge biopsies were significantly lower in Group 2 as compared to Group I infants. The mucosal disaccharidase and alkaline phosphatase levels were depleted in both the proximal and distal biopsies following challenge but the depletion was greater in the proximal than the distal biopsies. It is suggested that the extent and severity of mucosal damage to the proximal duodenum and jejunum have a critical bearing on the development of clinical symptoms.
Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Children Receiving Long‐Term Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Dahlström Karl Anders , Ament Marvin E. , Laidlaw Stewart A. , Kopple Joel D. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryPlasma amino acid concentrations were measured in 15 children aged 4–65 months who received home parenteral nutrition (PN) and in 10 normal controls. In seven patients (Group I). PN was the only source of nutrition. Eight patients (Group II) ingested 30%–70% of their total energy requirements and received the remainder intravenously. Group I and Group II patients received PN for 25.6 × 14.4 (SD) and 25.7 × 19.1 months, respectively. In comparison to controls. Group I had significantly decreased plasma concentrations of total essential amino acids, the three branched chain amino acids. cystine, tyrosine, and the three major urea cycle amino acids. Group II children displayed decreased plasma concentrations of two branched chain amino acids. leucine and valine, as well as cystine and tyrosine. Taurine was decreased in both groups. The presence of liver disease did not have a major effect on amino acid levels. These data indicate that children receiving long‐term parenteral nutrition will develop abnormalities in their plasma amino acid concentrations even though they appear to receive adequate amounts of amino acids in their intravenous solutions. Further studies will be necessary to assess whether modifying the intravenous intake of amino acids will normalize plasma amino acid concentrations in these children.
In Vitro Intestinal Processing of Prostaglandin F2α in Rats
Authors: Bedrick Alan D. , Johnson Susanne M. , Koldovsky Otakar 
Published: January 2024

SummaryCytoprotective prostaglandins (PGs) such as PGF2α are present in milk and can be absorbed intact from the gastrointestinal tract. Developmental differences in gastrointestinal PG metabolism in vivo have been previously reported. To evaluate the role of small intestinal tissue. detailed analysis of PG processing in vitro of small intestinal segments of suckling and weanling rats using everted sacs was performed. Sacs were incubated in Krebs‐Ringer bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4, at 37°C. Bathing mucosal fluid contained [H]PGF2α. Proximal and middle intestinal segment everted sacs of suckling rats exhibited greater transfer of radioactivity in comparison with those of weanling rats. Whereas in suckling rats transfer of radioactivity decreased from proximal to distal regions of the intestine, no segmental differences were seen in weanlings. Maturational differences were also present in the capacity for PG catabolism. Suckling rat everted sacs had a greater proportion of radioactivity present as intact, unmetabolized PGF2α present in sac tissue and serosal fluid in all intestinal segments in comparison with those of weanling rats. Weanling everted sacs contained greater amounts of less polar metabolites. These results indicate that there are quantitative and qualitiative age‐related differences in transfer and processing of exogenous PGF2α in small intestinal tissue of developing rats.
Doxycycline‐Induced Hemorrhagic Esophagitis
Authors: Kato Seiichi , Kobayashi Mayumi , Sato Hiroshi , Saito Yasutoshi , Komatsu Kazuhisa , Harada Yoshinori 
Published: January 2024

SummaryEsophagitis induced by medications has been recognized in adults but rarely in children. A child with hemorrhagic esophagitis resulting from taking doxycycline tablets for treatment is described and the pathophysiology of this condition is diseussed. In pediatric cases treated by tablets or capsules, the possibility of medication‐induced esophagitis should always be considered.
Lactose Malabsorption and Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Italian Children
Authors: Ceriani R. , Zuccato E. , Fontana M. , Zuin G. , Ferrari L. , Principi N. , Paccagnini S. , Mussini E. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThe role of lactose malabsorption (LM) was investigated in 32 children (mean age 8.13 ± 2.46 years) with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). LM was detected in 75% of them by a lactose breath hydrogen test (LBHT) after a 2‐g/kg (max 50‐g) load. Of the 18 malabsorbers who participated in a 3‐month lactose‐free diet (LFD), 14 were judged “improved” and reported lower pain frequency (p < 0.001). The malabsorbers who improved versus the not improved had comparable past lactose ingestion but were distinguishable on the basis of their lactose absorption capacity (0.36 vs. 0.81 g/kg; p < 0.01), as subsequently determined by multiple LBHTs with 25‐, 12.5‐, and 6‐g loads. The ratio between past lactose ingestion and lactose absorption was 1.89 in the improved and 0.55 in the not improved groups (p < 0.01), retrospectively indicating lactose as a possible cause of the symptoms in the improved group. The reintroduction of lactose in amounts not exceeding the absorption capacity into the diet of each malabsorber who had improved with LFD caused relapse in none of the 14 subjects monitored for 2–6 months. In conclusion, LM seems an important cause of symptoms in Italian children with RAP. Assessment of the lactose absorption threshold of each subject of LBHTs provides a basis for reintroduction of “calibrated” amounts of lactose‐containing foods (e.g., milk) into the diet.