[Left ventricular mass in children in relation to body surface area].

Background: In spite of growing interest in the problem of left ventricular hypertrophy in children there is relatively little published data on normal values of the left ventricular mass (LVM) among data on normal values in the developmental age.

Aim: To determine the normal values of LVM in infants and children in relation to body surface area (BSA), age (in months) and gender.

Material And Methods: This study was carried out on 773 children (403 girls and 370 boys, aged from 2 weeks to 18 yrs).

[The influence of delivery and perinatal risk factors on the concentration of cystatine C in umbilical cord blood].

Unlabelled: Cystatin C--a low molecular protein, recognized as a sensitive marker of glomerular filtration rate and inhibitor of the lisosomal proteolitic enzymes in the organism. It is produced continuously and released to biological fluids. The concentration of cystatin C in the cord blood is higher and more diverse than in the peripheral blood with children and adults.

[The influence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk factors on health, growth and development in the first year of life. A preliminary report].

Aim: To establish the occurrence of SIDS risk factors (including 'removable' ones) and the incidence of the ecg long QT interval (accepted as a risk factor) and their influence upon infants development and morbidity.

Material And Methods: A group of 98 infants from normal birth at term to the end of first year of life was observed. The data sources were as follows: 1) a questionnaire filled by mothers before discharge front maternity ward, 2) records of four consecutive medical examinations (including ecg records) performed on 3rd day and 3rd, 6th and 12th month of life.

[Limulus amebocyte lysate test use in clinical diagnostic in children with infectious diseases--preliminary report].

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was (1) to evaluate the usefulness of the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test as a diagnostic tool in pediatric clinic, and (2) to examine the serum ET levels in hospitalized patients.

Material And Methods: Bacterial blood endotoxin (ET) was measured in 50 children with infections of different etiology and localization. A Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test was used.

[The evaluation of natural anticoagulants in systemic lupus erythematosus in children].

Thromboembolic complications in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are described in literature. We intended to investigate the activity of natural anticoagulants, such as C protein. S protein and antithrombin III (AT III) in children with SLE to obtain data concerning activity of the disease and thrombotic complications.

[Natural coagulation inhibitors; antithrombin III, protein C, protein S in children with hypercoagulation due to nephrotic syndrome].

Unlabelled: Activity of AT HI, protein C and protein S was evaluated in 58 children with nephrotic syndrome aged between 2-17 years and in 50 healthy children aged between 2-16 years serving as a control group. In children with nephrotic syndrome measurements were conducted at three different stages of disease: onset, improvement and remission. The aim was to assess the effect of steroid therapy on activity of the above inhibitors.

[Apnea states in infants, anxiety of parents and pediatricians, and home monitoring of respiration in children].

In order to determine parental reasons of the use of home apnea/respiration monitors and to estimate the grounds of these decisions correspondence contact was achieved with the parents of 71 infants monitored by means of the APNEAL-1 device. Filled up questionnaires were the source of data regarding the families (structure, health practices, mothers' age and education, course of pregnancy and delivery), monitored infants (birth weight, Apgar score, apnea events) and the reasons of monitoring. Also opinions concerning monitor usefulness and performance were gathered.

[Changes in the blood coagulation and fibrinolysis systems in newborn infants with infections and normal and low birth weight].

The blood clotting and fibrinolysis systems were examined in 97 newborns hospitalized for diseases caused by infection. Two groups were isolated on the basis of differences in birth weight: group A with normal birth weight and group B with low birth weight. The observation of changes developing in the blood clotting and fibrinolysis systems during infection was confirmed.