Markers of Intestinal Permeability and Inflammation in Enterally Fed Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) results in non-progressive damage to the central nervous system, leading to functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and requiring enteral nutrition via gastrostomy in some patients. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of enteral nutrition on intestinal inflammation expressed by stool calprotectin and intestinal permeability determined by fecal zonulin and IFABP, and to determine whether CP affects these parameters. The study group consisted of 30 children with CP, fed enterally (Cerebral Palsy Enteral Nutrition-CPEN), and two reference groups: 24 children with CP, fed orally with a standard diet (CPC-Cerebral Palsy Controls) and 24 healthy children (HC-healthy controls).

Home Enteral Nutrition in Patients with Cerebral Palsy in the Years 2012-2022: A Longitudinal Analysis of Data from the National Health Fund of Poland.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) often correlates with a higher risk of malnutrition, negatively affecting the quality of life of patients and their families. Enteral nutrition via a feeding tube should be considered to improve the nutritional status of CP patients. To date, there has been no nationwide registry of patients with CP in Poland.

No Impact of Enteral Nutrition on Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Bacteria can impact the host organism through their metabolites, with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) being the most important, including acetate (C2), propionate (C3), butyrate (C4), valerate (C5n), and isovalerate (C5i). This study aimed to identify the impact of enteral nutrition on SCFAs in children with cerebral palsy and to test the hypothesis that the type of nutrition in cerebral palsy affects gut SCFA levels. Cerebral palsy is a heterogeneous syndrome resulting from non-progressive damage to the central nervous system.

High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry as a Screening Tool for Hirschsprung's Disease: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis.

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is characterized by a congenital absence of enteric ganglion cells in the intestine, posing challenges in diagnosis, particularly in pediatric patients. The gold standard, rectal suction biopsy (RSB), carries risks, prompting an exploration of non-invasive alternatives such as high-resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) for HD screening. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 136 patients suspected of HD between 2018 and 2022, which were stratified into three age groups: ≤12 months, ≤24 months, and >24 months.

Does Massive Bowel Resection in Newborns Affect Further Immunity in Children?

Background: The massive resection of the small intestine leading to short bowel syndrome (SBS) deprives an organism of many immunocompetent cells concentrated in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, the largest immune organ in humans. We have aimed to access the influence of bowel resection on adaptive immunity in children, based on peripheral lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulins.

Methods: 15 children who underwent bowel resection in the first months of their life and required further home parenteral nutrition were enrolled into the study.

Pediatric endoscopy in times of pandemic: A nationwide retrospective analysis.

Background: Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure that carries an increased risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection to medical staff. In patients, COVID-19 is a risk factor for adverse events of medical procedures. This study analyzed the real-life risk of, and factors contributing to, infection transmission to endoscopic personnel, and possible adverse events of the endoscopy procedure and anesthesia in children with COVID-19.

Changes in Body Composition and Physical Performance in Children with Excessive Body Weight Participating in an Integrated Weight-Loss Programme.

The problem of overweight and obesity is a growing phenomenon in the entire population. Obesity is associated with many different metabolic disorders and is directly associated with an increased risk of death. The aim of the study was to assess the changes in body composition and physical fitness in children participating in an integrated weight-loss programme and to analyse the possible relationship between changes in body composition and improvements in fitness.

Analysis of frequency and risk factors for complications of enteral nutrition in children in Poland after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the complication rate and identify whether age, nutritional status, and history of respiratory aspiration prior to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) are risk factors for post-PEG placement complications in Polish children. In addition, the safety of two enteral feeding methods (3 h vs. 8 h) after PEG insertion in children was compared.

Home Artificial Nutrition in Polish Children: An Analysis of 9-Year National Healthcare Provider Data.

Background: Home artificial nutrition (HAN) is a developing method of treatment that reduces the need for hospitalizations. The epidemiology of pediatric HAN in Poland has not yet been covered in detail. This study is a longitudinal nationwide analysis of incidence, prevalence, and patients' profile for HAN in Polish children.

No Evidence for Sex-specificity in Vitamins C, E, and Fatty Acid Content of Human Milk from Healthy Polish Mothers.

Objectives: Human milk (HM) is a complex fluid that meets the nutritional needs of infants. Its composition is associated with environmental, maternal, and fetal variables. It provides nutrients and bioactive substances, including cytokines, immunoglobulins, and constituents with antioxidative properties.

Serum chemerin level, cytokine profile and nutritional status in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by malnutrition and chronic inflammation predominantly occurring in lungs. Evidence suggests a relation between inflammatory activity and nutritional status. Proinflammatory cytokines, playing crucial role in pulmonary destruction in CF, are regarded as a component of the pathogenesis of illness-related malnutrition.

Higher Absorption of Vitamin C from Food than from Supplements by Breastfeeding Mothers at Early Stages of Lactation.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of vitamin C supply in the diet of lactating women on vitamin C concentrations in human milk (n = 97) sampled at different stages of lactation. Vitamin C levels were measured by liquid chromatography. Dietary intake of vitamin C was determined based on 3-day food dairies kept by breastfeeding mothers.

Graves' disease, Celiac disease and liver function abnormalities in a patient--clinical manifestation and diagnostic difficulties.

Autoimmune diseases due to probable common pathogenesis tend to coexist in some patients. Complex clinical presentation with diverse timing of particular symptoms and sophisticated treatment with numerous side effects, may cause diagnostic difficulties, especially in children. The paper presents diagnostic difficulties and pitfalls in a child with Graves' disease, celiac disease and liver function abnormalities.

Reorganization of nutritional therapy can markedly reduce the rate of catheter-related blood stream infections in pediatric patients receiving parenteral nutrition - a 7-year prospective follow-up study.

Background: Implementation of hygienic measures and simple changes in the structure of medical team may considerably reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in parenterally nourished patients.

Aim: To analyze the effects of organizational changes in parenteral nutrition services on the CRBSI rates in pediatric patients.

Methods: We compared the CRBSI rates documented prior to, during and after the implementation of the organizational changes (introduction of a nutritional support team and related procedures, medical staff training).

Maternal smoking modulates fatty acid profile of breast milk.

Aim: We hypothesized that the fatty acid composition of breast milk can be affected by a smoking habit in the mother. Consequently, this study verified whether maternal smoking modulates, and if so to what extent, the breast milk fatty acid profile.

Methods: The study included 20 postpartum women who declared smoking more than five cigarettes daily throughout a period of pregnancy and lactation, and 136 nonsmoking postpartum women.

Cytokine profile of mature milk from smoking and nonsmoking mothers.

We verified whether smoking during lactation influences breast milk cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α) levels 30 to 32 days after delivery. The study group comprised 24 postpartum women who declared smoking >5 cigarettes per day. The control group included 45 nonsmoking postpartum women.

Concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols in human breast milk during the first months of lactation and in infant formulas.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherols in human breast milk samples from different periods of lactation and to compare them with tocopherol content in commercially available formulas for infants at corresponding ages. The study included 93 breast milk samples obtained on the 2nd (colostrum, n = 17), 14th (n = 30), 30th (n = 27) and 90th day of lactation (n = 19), along with 90 samples of commercially available initial and follow-on infant formulas. Concentrations of tocopherols were determined using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

[Reliability of self-reported maternal smoking during early lactation period].

Unlabelled: Smoking cigarettes is very common among lactating women. The objective evaluation of an exposure to cigarette smoke is needed, as cotinine concentration. On many research a questionnaire is the only determinant of fact and intensification of smoking.

Maternal smoking does not influence vitamin A and E concentrations in mature breastmilk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of maternal smoking on the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the concentrations of vitamins A and E in human breastmilk.

Methodology: The study group (n=20) comprised postpartum women who declared smoking more than five cigarettes per day (confirmed by urinalysis of the cotinine concentration). The control group included 25 nonsmoking postpartum women.

Longitudinal study of vitamins A, E and lipid oxidative damage in human milk throughout lactation.

Background: Little is known about the intensity of oxidative damage in human milk resulting from maternal oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to explore the changes in Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and concentrations of antioxidative vitamins and isoprostanes (markers of oxidative stress) in human colostrum and mature milk.

Methods: The study included 49 postpartum women with normal, spontaneous full term delivery.

[Fatty acid composition in breast milk of women from Gdansk and the surrounding district in the course of lactation].

Unlabelled: Breastfeeding is the optimal way of feeding infants and young children. For the human infant, very important ingredients of milk are fatty acids (FA), including long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids LC-PUFA, which are necessary for the development of human nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the content and composition of FA in the fat of human milk in the course of lactation, taking into account the composition of FA in mothers' diet.

[Gene polymorphism of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the pathogenesis and clinical course of chronic hepatitis in children].

Unlabelled: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a cytokine modulating the immune response. The role of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms in the incidence and modification of the clinical course of these diseases has been recently evaluated. THE AIM of the study was to assess the relation between TGF-beta1gene polymorphism and the incidence of chronic hepatitis, the course of the disease, TGF-beta1 level in plasma and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in liver tissue.

TGF-beta(1), IL-10 and IL-4 in colostrum of allergic and nonallergic mothers.

Objective: To determine transforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1), interleukin (IL) 4, and IL-10 concentrations in human milk and to assess the relationship between allergic disorders in mothers and the content of the interleukins in their milk.

Material And Methods: Thirty allergic and 46 healthy mothers were included in the study. Colostrum was collected 2-3 days after delivery.

[Vasculitis in children].

Vasculitis is a group of rare diseases of unknown etiology, characterised by inflammation and necrosis of blood vessels, contributing to various clinical consequences. The variety of clinical symptoms and presence of symptoms from various syndromes often make the diagnosis difficult. Until now no causal treatment has been established.

[Therapy of chronic viral hepatitis type B in children after previous ineffective interferon-alpha treatment].

Unlabelled: THE AIM of this study was to estimate the efficacy of nucleoside analogue (lamivudine) in the therapy of chronic viral hepatitis type B in children, after previous, ineffective treatment with interferon-alpha.

Patients And Methods: we analyzed 53 children with chronic viral hepatitis type B, who had not responded to Interferon-alpha treatment conducted 1-7,5 years before this study (mean 4,0 +/- 7,5; median 4 years). Inclusive criteria to re-therapy with lamivudine were as follows: increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity, detected at least three times during 6 months before treatment, HBsAg and HBeAg present in the blood, viral HBV DNA detected for at least 6 months before the beginning of lamivudine therapy (above 200 genome copies per mL) and inflammation activity observed in liver biopsy specimen (biopsy performed within previous 24 months).