Elevated salt and nitrate levels in drinking water cause an increase of blood pressure in schoolchildren.

Aim: To assess the influence on blood pressure in schoolchildren, of elevated sodium (Na(+)) and nitrate (NO(-)(3)) levels in the drinking water.

Methods: The blood pressure was recorded in three groups of age- and weight-matched schoolchildren (fourth and fifth graders) ingesting differing Na(+) and NO(-)(3) concentrations with their drinking water. Group 1 (n = 452) imbibed high-Na(+), high-NO(-)(3) water (196 and 49 mg/l, respectively); group 2 (n = 418) consumed low-Na(+), high-NO(-)(3) water (25 and 49 mg/l, respectively) and group 3 (n = 86) drank low-Na(+), low-NO(-)(3) water (35 and 25 mg/l, respectively).

Childhood brucellosis in Israel.

Background: Brucellosis has become a major medical problem in Israel particularly in the Muslim Arab population.

Methods: Eighty-eight children with acute brucellosis are described. Sixty-seven were studied retrospectively during 1987 through 1988, and 21 children were studied prospectively during 1989 through 1992.