Gene Polymorphisms and Salbutamol Responsiveness in Serbian Children with Asthma.

Inhaled β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonists are the mainstay of asthma therapy. The β2-AR protein is encoded by the gene and variants within this gene can have significant consequences for modulating the response to asthma therapy. This cross-sectional study performed at the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade, included 54 children with asthma.

Influence of the Polymorphism C-509T in the Gene Promoter on the Response to Montelukast.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) is a multifunctional cytokine with a key role in asthma airway inflammation and remodeling. Since elevated levels of this cytokine in airways might be associated with response to asthma therapy, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of the polymorphism C-509T in the promoter of the gene is associated with response to montelukast. A group of 102 asthmatic patients was genotyped for the presence of the C-509T polymorphism by DNA sequencing and subjected to induced sputum sampling.

Neutrophil elastase gene polymorphisms: modulators of response to therapy in childhood bronchiectasis?

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphisms in the promoter region of the neutrophil elastase (ELANE) gene as potential modulators of the therapeutic response in children with idiopathic bronchiectasis.

Methods: The study included 48 children between 5 and 17 years old who were diagnosed with idiopathic bronchiectasis based on high-resolution computed tomography of the thorax. In all patients therapy included administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, expectorants, and postural drainage.

Complications of mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients in Serbia.

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a frequently applied therapy in critically ill children and can be lifesaving in many cases. Clinical use of this technique has well documented benefits, but can be associated with different complications and adverse physiologic effects.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the complications and clinical outcome of mechanical ventilation in Serbian pediatric patients.

Presentation of an infant with nutritional deficiency dermatitis as the initial manifestation of cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic autosomal recessive disease most frequently recognized by characteristic respiratory and/or digestive manifestations. Exceptionally rare, as is the case with the infant we are presenting, the initial sign of the disease can be nutritional deficiency dermatitis (NDD).

Case Outline: A three-month-old male infant of young and healthy non-consanguineous parents, born at term after the first uneventful pregnancy, was hospitalized due to atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin changes, failure to thrive and normochromic anemia (Hb 60 g/L).