[Eosinophilia as a possible heart damaging factor in systemic scleroderma in children].

Altogether 173 children with systemic scleroderma (SSD) were examined. Of these, 45 were with eosinophilia. It was discovered that associated SSD and eosinophilia ran a course marked by more well-defined exudative reactions, with the heart being injured more frequently and gravely.

[Clinical significance of the determination of total serum IgE in periarteritis nodosa in children].

The content of IgE was measured over time in 14 children with periarteritis nodosa. No significant relation was established between allergic reactions in the anamnesis and IgE elevation in periarteritis nodosa. A relationship was discovered between the rise of IgE content and disease activity, the intensity of the clinical manifestations, vascular ones in particular.

[Echocardiographic study of the heart in children with mitral valve prolapse and connective tissue dysplasia].

Altogether 125 children with connective tissue dysplasia and mitral valve prolapse were subjected to clinical and echographic examinations. Dilation of the aortic root, elevation of pulmonary artery pressure and derangement of myocardial contractility were discovered. These disorders occurred as a result of disseminated connective tissue abnormalities.

[Bicuspid and tetracuspid aortic valve].

Seven children with bi and 1 with tetracuspid aortal valve were examined. It was discovered that abnormalities of the aortal valves were associated with connective tissue dysplasias, hereditary syndromes and infectious endocarditis. The problem of bicuspid valve inheritance, prevalence and complications prophylaxis are under discussion.

[Current methods of research in early diagnosis of cor pulmonale in children with diffuse connective tissue diseases].

Twenty children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 13 children with systemic scleroderma were examined by electrocardiography, tetrapolar chest rheography, rheopulmonography and echocardiography. Half of the cases manifested pulmonary hypertension, which was more appreciable in SLE patients. The results of rheopulmonographic and echocardiographic research methods turned out highly comparable.

[Neurologic manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].

Neurologic manifestations were examined in 25 patients with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Injuries to vessels of the brain and spine, arteriovenous malformation, muscular and vertebrogenic lesions, headaches, and vegetative disorders were diagnosed. The clinical and laboratory data are provided whatever the presence or lack of neurologic symptomatology.

Main manifestations of carditis in diffuse connective tissue diseases in children.

238 children with diffuse connective tissue diseases were clinically examined with the use of echography. The presence was documented of characteristic morphofunctional changes in the heart in collagen diseases. Characteristic haemodynamic changes (predominantly contraction disturbances in systemic lupus erythematodes and dermatomyositis, and relaxation disturbances in systemic scleroderma) were identified.

[Neurologic manifestations of the Marfan syndrome].

Examination of 37 patients with Marfan's syndrome has revealed acute disorders of the cerebral circulation, aneurysms of the spinal vessels, varicose spinal veins, myopathy-like syndrome, atlantal semiluxation, spondylolisthesis, epilepsy and cephalgia. The data of additional examinations conducted in patients with Marfan's syndrome with and without neurological symptomatology are presented. The questions concerning the prevention, pathogenesis and therapy of neurological disturbances associated with Marfan's syndrome are considered.

[Morphological and endoscopic characteristics of chronic gastroduodenitis in children with lesions of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas].

Morphological and endoscopic features of a chronic gastroduodenitis combined with dyskinesia of bile ducts and pathology of hepatobiliary system and pancreas (chronic cholecystocholangitis, cholecystopancreatitis, "reactive" pancreatitis) are studied in 72 children. The most severe changes in the duodenal mucosa (chronic atrophy or, less frequently, diffuse duodenitis) were found in patients with dyskinesia of bile ducts and with disturbances of hepatobiliary system and pancreas. A characteristic feature of chronic duodenitis in patients with diseases of hepatobiliary system and pancreas lymphangiectasia in the villi.