Candidate gene analysis in pathogenesis of surgically and non-surgically treated necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most severe and unpredictable complications of prematurity. There are two possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of NEC: individual inflammatory response and impaired blood flow in mesenteric vessels with secondary ischemia of the intestine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between polymorphisms: Il-1β 3953C>T, Il-6 -174G>C and -596G>A, TNFα -308G>A, and 86 bp variable number tandem repeat polymorphism of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Il-1RN VNTR 86 bp) and three polymorphisms that may participate in arteries tension regulation and in consequence in intestine blood flow impairment: eNOS (894G>T and -786T>C) and END-1 (5665G>T) and NEC in 100 infants born from singleton pregnancy, before 32 + 0 weeks of gestation, exposed to antenatal steroids therapy, and without congenital abnormalities.

Are there any factors influencing the course of multistage treatment in Hirschsprung's disease?

Introduction: Surgical treatment of Hirschsprung's disease may be performed in a single step, or in stages with a temporary stoma. The therapy depends on the clinical condition of the patient and the severity of symptoms. Planned multistage treatment is carried out in two or three steps.

A 15-Year Experience with the One-Stage Surgery for Treatment of Hirschsprung's Disease in Newborns, Infants, and Young Children.

The treatment of Hirschsprung's disease has changed over the past several years. Significant modifications occurred after the implementation of surgery without laparotomy, using transanal access. The type of this surgery depends on the condition and the age of a child.

Congenital midgut volvulus associated with fetal anemia.

Congenital volvulus is a life-threatening condition, both for the fetus and for the newborn. A volvulus is a twist of small bowel loops or a proximal part of the colon around the mesenteric artery or its branches. The potential consequences of volvulus are ileus and necrosis of the intestinal wall.

The changing face of the exocrine pancreas in cystic fibrosis: pancreatic sufficiency, pancreatitis and genotype.

(Table is included in full-text article.)Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent cause of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in childhood. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene encodes CFTR protein that functions as cyclic AMP-dependent chloride channel allowing the passage of anions and secondarily water into the lumen of pancreatic ducts.

Fecal pyruvate kinase: a potential new marker for intestinal inflammation in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children creates diagnostic and clinical challenges. Clinical data, endoscopic appearance and the histopathological assessment of biopsies are essential for diagnosis. However, new methods are required for non-invasive follow-up.

Congenital heart defect with associated malformations in children.

Background: Children with multisystem involvement including congenital heart defect (CHD) are a very salient problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of CHD associated with malformations of other systems and to assess the modalities of treatment and perioperative mortality among patients referred to the department of pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods: The medical records of 1856 children were reviewed retrospectively from 1997 to 2002 to establish CHD and types of associated malformations.

[Lymphangioma--the care and treatment in neonates and babies--Part two].

Lymphangioma or cystic hygroma (CH) in neonates is a rare congenital malformation (1:12000 live births), its etiology is unknown. It often occurs in head and neck region. Initial diagnosis based on physical examination is next to be confirmed by MR and CT imaging.

[Lymphangioma--prenatal and perinatal aspects--Part one].

Lymphangioma or cystic hygroma is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system which has been commonly associated with fetal aneuploidy, hydrops, structural malformations and intrauterine death. In this paper we would like to report two cases of lymphangioma diagnosed prenatally in the third trimester in the fetuses with normal karyotype, normal NT in the first trimester and without other structural anomalies and with good perinatal outcome.

[Congenital diaphragmatic hernia--diagnostic and therapeutic procedures].

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is connected with a high risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity, which are caused mostly by lung hypoplasia. Frequency of these congenital malformations is 1: 2000-3000 live birth. CDH can be isolated, but in as many as 23% of cases, it co-exists with other fetal anomalies.

[Clinical investigations of children with chronic renal failure and peritonitis treated with peritoneal dialysis].

Unlabelled: Peritonitis and catheter-related infection are the most-common complications of peritoneal dialysis treatment. The aim of study was to analyse frequency causes, effectiveness of therapy and risk factors of peritonitis in patients treated with continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We described 13 patients aged 6-21 years, mean 12 years, who initiated CAPD between 1995 to 2000.