Changes in red cell phosphate metabolism of preterm and fullterm infants with perinatal problems during their first month of life.

The effects of perinatal problems on red cell phosphate metabolism were studied in two groups of infants (preterms B and fullterms D) during the first month of life. All infants started milk feeding from day three after birth. The results were compared to those of healthy preterms (A) and fullterms (C), respectively.

Pertussis vaccine and infantile spasms.

The boy (case 1) at the age of 12 weeks started having attacks and jercked after the first injection of triple vaccine (diphtheria, retanus and whole cell pertussis) The electro-encephalogram (EEG) confirmed the typical features of hypsarrhythmia. Intramuscular ACTH was commenced for 2 weeks. No problem was reported until the age of 9 years when he started having attacks of jercking.

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism in infants and children under intravenous corticosteroid therapy.

The short-term effects of corticosteroids (CS) administered intravenously (IV) on biochemical parameters of bone metabolism were followed in infants and children. Forty-nine patients from 2 months to 10 years of age, admitted to Pediatrics Department for bronchiolitis, viral-associated wheezing and croup, were treated with IV hydrocortisone or methylprednisolone (10 or 2 mg/Kg/day, respectively) for 3 days. Blood and fasting urine were collected on admission (day 1), 2 days later (day 3) and 12 days after the end of therapy (day 15).

Effects of intranasal salmon calcitonin in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an observational study.

The aim of this study was to follow the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in 10 children (7.5-17.5 years of age) with severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), during a 3-year therapy with salmon calcitonin (100 IU/day 2 months on and 2 off for a year and 200 IU/day for 2 years) and calcium (500 mg/day).