Evaluation of treatment and long-term management of anaphylaxis in pediatric departments of Greece: a 2-year nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis proportions of incidence are increasing globally. However, limited data are available regarding anaphylaxis in the pediatric population of Greece. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate management of anaphylaxis in Greek pediatric departments. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire-based study of children aged less than 16 years presenting with anaphylaxis in 10 national pediatric hospitals over a period of 2 years. Management of anaphylaxis was assessed prior to and after an informative intervention. RESULTS: In all, 127 cases of anaphylaxis were identified. Epinephrine was administered in almost half of all cases (51.2%), predominantly through intramuscular route (88.5%), while the majority of anaphylaxis patients were treated with antihistamines (92.9%) and corticosteroids (70.1%). Epinephrine was more likely administered by physicians if the elicitor was a drug (P < 0.003). Regarding long-term management, an epinephrine auto-injector was prescribed in 66.9% of patients. Follow-up information was available for most of the patients (92.9%), the majority of whom (76.3%) were referred to an allergist. More than half of these patients (63.6%) had a documented allergy follow-up, which identified a causative allergen in 53.3% of cases. No statistically significant differences were recorded prior to and after the intervention regarding management of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide study highlighted the necessity of further improvement in terms of anaphylaxis treatment and secondary prevention measures. This presupposes appropriate education and training of healthcare professionals, thus contributing to proper and comprehensive care of the pediatric population.

How Different Are the Influences of Mediterranean and Japanese Diets on the Gut Microbiome?

The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem, mainly composed of bacteria, that performs essential functions for the host. Its composition is determined by many factors; however, diet has emerged as a key regulator. Both the Mediterranean (MD) and Japanese (JD) diets have been associated with significant health benefits and are therefore considered healthy dietary patterns. Both are plant-based diets and although they have much in common, they also have important differences mainly related to total calorie intake and the consumption of specific foods and beverages. Thus, it has been hypothesized that they exert their beneficial properties through different nutrients and bioactive compounds that interact with gut microbes and induce specific changes on gut metabolic pathways. In this review, we present current data on the effects of the MD and JD on the gut microbiome. Furthermore, we aim to examine whether there are differences or shared effects on the gut microbiome of people who adhere to these dietary patterns.

Evalúan las variaciones producidas durante 27 años en la hospitalización de niños asmáticos / Hospitalizations for childhood asthma in athens, greece from 1978 to 2005

Antecedentes: Las tendencias en las tasas de ingresos por asma entre los niños han mostrado distintos patrones en diferentes países en las últimas décadas. Nosotros llevamos a cabo este estudio para determinar las tendencias temporales en los ingresos y reingresos por asma de niños en el área metropolitana de Atenas, Grecia, durante el período de 1978 a 2005. Materiales, métodos y resultados: Se obtuvieron datos de registros hospitalarios de los tres principales hospitales de niños de Atenas de 1978 a 2005. Se incluyeron niños que ingresaron con diagnóstico de asma, bronquitis asmática o bronquitis con sibilancias. Se observó un aumento paralelo y continuo en las tasas de ingresos y reingresos por asma en el área de Atenas durante toda la década de 1980 seguido por una estabilización durante los últimos años de los ’90 y un regreso impresionante a las tasas de comienzos de la década de 1980 durante el período 2001-2005. Existe una variabilidad estacional constante, y se presentan una relativa humedad y presión atmosférica como las variables meteorológicas más importantes,y el dióxido de azufre, el humo negro y el monóxido de carbono son los principales contaminantes ambientales implicados en los ingresos por asma entre los niños pequeños. Conclusión: Los ingresos y reingresos por asma entre los niños de Atenas mostraron una elevación brusca durante la década de 1980, una estabilización hacia fines de la década de 1990 y una disminución hasta las tasas de comienzos de la década de 1980 durante el último período.

Background: Trends in rates of asthma admissions amongchildren have shown a variety of patterns in differentcountries in the last decades. We undertook the presentstudy to determine the time trends in asthma admissionsand readmissions of children in metropolitan Athens area,Greece, during the 1978-2005 period. Material, methodsand results: Data were obtained from hospital registriesof the three main children’s hospitals in Athens from 1978to 2005. Children admitted with the diagnoses of asthma,asthmatic bronchitis or wheezy bronchitis were included.A continuous parallel increase in asthma admission andreadmission rates in the greater Athens area throughoutthe 1980s followed by stabilization during the late 1990sand an impressive comeback to the rates of early eightiesduring the 2001-2005 period was observed. A constantseasonal variability does exist, with relative humidity andatmospheric pressure appearing to be the most importantmeteorological variables, and sulphur dioxide, blacksmoke and carbon monoxide the main ambient airpollutants implicated in asthma admissions amongyounger children. Conclusion: Asthma admissions amongchildren and readmissions in Athens showed a sharp riseduring the 1980s, stabilization during the late 1990s anda decrease to the rates of the early eighties during thelast period.