M-CHAT-R/F Validation as a screening tool for early detection in children with autism spectrum disorder. / Validación del M-CHAT-R/F como instrumento de tamizaje para detección precoz en niños con trastorno del espectro autista.

INTRODUCTION: Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) increases early detection, allowing early interventions and improving prognosis. This tool is part of the management in case of suspected ASD in several clinical guidelines. The objective of this article was to conduct the concurrent and discrimi nant validation and the reliability analysis of M-CHAT-R/F in the Chilean population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This is the second stage of the cross-cultural adaptation of cross-sectional design. M-CHAT- R/F was applied to a sample of 20 children with suspected ASD and 100 randomly selected healthy control children, aged between 16-30 months. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), considered as reference, was applied to the 20 patients of the clinical sample, to 20 children of the healthy control sample and to those cases of the healthy control sample with M-CHAT-R/F positive. Cronbach alpha was calculated, as well as M-CHAT-R/F and ADOS-2 correlation, sensitivity, and specificity analyses. RESULTS: In the healthy sample, M-CHAT-R/F was positive in two patients, with one of them positive and the other one negative for ASD with ADOS-2 test. In the clinical sample, M- CHAT-R/F was positive in all cases, three of them were negative in the ADOS-2 test. The Alfa relia bility of M-CHART-R/T was 0,889, the discriminant sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 98%, and the concurrent ones were 100% and 87.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Chilean M-CHAT- R/F version was reliable, sensitive and specific, similar to the original test, which opens the possibility for its use in clinical samples and for research. Validating M-CHAT-R/F is an ongoing process which must be further developed.

[Early child development inequalities and associated factors between public and private providers at metropolitan region in Chile]. / Desigualdades en desarrollo infantil temprano entre prestadores públicos y privados de salud y factores asociados en la Región Metropolitana de Chile.

Early child development is a population determinant of physical, mental and social health. To know the base line situation prior to the implementation of "Chile grows with you" (Chile Crece Contigo) is key to its evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To compare early child development and associated factors at baseline in pre-school children from public and private health sectors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The sample consisted of 1045 children aged 30-58 months, 52% male, and 671 from the public and 380 from the private sector of the metropolitan region in Chile were evaluated using Battelle Developmental Inventory-1 and a household interview of primary carer. RESULTS: Abnormal child development was found in 14.4% of children in the private sector compared to 30.4% in the public sector. There were no differences in adaptive area (26.3% vs 29.2%), but there were statistically significant differents in cognitive (8.8% vs 12.1%), social-personal (13.2% vs 32.5%), motor (19.2% vs 35.3%), and communication (19% vs 36.8%) development. The logistic regression showed that, independent of socioeconomic level, the risk factors are: Apgar<7 (OR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.24-23.84); having childhood chronic diseases (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.11-1.42). Protective factor is: home with resources to learn and play (OR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.76-0.89). CONCLUSION: These results are another input about early child development situation and its importance for paediatric social policy.

A Pilot Study to Improve Cognitive Performance and Pupil Responses in Mild Cognitive Impaired Patients Using Gaze-Controlled Gaming.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may progress to severe forms of dementia, so therapy is needed to maintain cognitive abilities. The neural circuitry for oculomotor control is closely linked to that which controls cognitive behavior. In this study, we tested whether training the oculomotor system with gaze-controlled video games could improve cognitive behavior in MCI patients. Patients played a simple game for 2-3 weeks while a control group played the same game using a mouse. Cognitive improvement was assessed using the MoCA screening test and CANTAB. We also measured eye pupil and vergence responses in an oddball paradigm. The results showed an increased score on the MoCA test specifically for the visuospatial domain and on the Rapid Visual Information Processing test of the CANTAB battery. Pupil responses also increased to target stimuli. Patients in the control group did not show significant improvements. This pilot study provides evidence for the potential cognitive benefits of gaze-controlled gaming in MCI patients.

[Oral polio vaccine in infants does not interfere in detection of enterovirus in blood]. / La vacuna polio oral en lactantes no interfiere con la detección de enterovirus en sangre.

INTRODUCTION: There is not known if a viraemia post-oral polio vaccine (OPV) is detectable by modern molecular techniques. Such viraemia could affect the performance of the real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for non polio enterovirus (EV) detection, technique of growing clinical use for the study of febrile infants. OBJECTIVE: To determine viraemia post-first dose of OPV in healthy infants, by molecular techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 infants less than three months without previous VPO were randomized in 5 groups: a control group with pre-vaccination blood sample (BS), group 1 BS at day 2, group 2 BS at day 4, group 3, BS at day 6 and group 4, BS at day 8 post-vaccination. Conventional and specific PCR for poliovirus and real time PCR for non polio EV were performed in BS and in OPV samples. RESULTS: No genetic material of poliovirus was detected in any infant, while in 9 of them (18%) non polio EV was identified. Real time PCR for EV did not amplify poliovirus from OPV samples. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that no post VPO viraemia detectable by molecular methods exists. Considering that real time PCR for EV does not allow to identify polio virus, no false positives of the test are expected as a result of a recent VPO vaccination. We documented presence of non polio EV in blood of healthy asymptomatic infants.

Altered Vergence Eye Movements and Pupil Response of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment During an Oddball Task.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive deterioration of cognitive functions and may be preceded by mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Evidence shows changes in pupil and vergence responses related to cognitive processing of visual information. OBJECTIVE: Here we test the hypothesis that MCI and AD are associated with specific patterns in vergence and pupil responses. METHODS: We employed a visual oddball task. In the distractor condition (80%of the trials), a blue stimulus was presented whereas in the target condition (20%of trials) it was red. Participants (23 Controls, 33 MCI patients, and 18 AD patients) were instructed to press a button when a target appeared. RESULTS: Participants briefly converged their eyes 200 ms after stimulus presentation. In controls, this transient peak response was followed by a delay response to targets but not to distractor stimuli. In the patient groups, delay responses to distractors were noticed. Consequently, the differential vergence response was strong in the control group, weak in the MCI group, and absent in the AD group. Pupils started to dilate 500-600 ms after the appearance of a target but slightly contracted after the presentation of a distractor. This differential pupil response was strongest in the AD group. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the idea of a role of vergence and pupil responses in attention and reveal altered responses in MCI and AD patients. Further studies should assess the value of vergence and pupil measurements as an objective support tool for early diagnosis of AD.

Adverse effects, pharmacological interactions, and cardiovascular drugs in COVID-19 treatment.

In severe coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 patients, an extraordinary systemic inflammatory response is seen. It could impact in multiple organ disorders, specially a severe myocardial injury, an acute myocarditis results in focal or global myocardial inflammation and necrosis. Those events can be present in healthy subjects or cardiovascular (CV) patients. It is clinically associated with ventricular dysfunction exacerbation or worsening and tachyarrhythmias. It is also related to a poor outcome for CV patients with ischemic heart disease, hypertensión, and heart failure. COVID-19 patients require multiple and complex treatment that alleviates symptoms, the vast variety of agents interacts with diseases and CV drugs. Our purpose is to correlate in guidance synopsis: Adverse effects, pharmacological interactions, and CV drugs in COVID-19 treatment.

En pacientes con COVID-19 grave se ha observado una extraordinaria respuesta inflamatoria sistémica. Este impacto se traduce en múltiples trastornos de órganos, especialmente cardíacos, por lesión miocárdica grave, miocarditis aguda que resulta en inflamación focal o miocárdica global, necrosis cardiaca. Estos tremendos eventos son observados en sujetos sanos como pacientes cardiovasculares. Clínicamente asociados con nueva presentación o empeoramiento de la disfunción ventricular y taquiarritmias. Relacionado a un predictor principal de malos resultado en pacientes cardiovasculares (CV), especialmente en aquellos con cardiopatía isquémica, hipertensión e insuficiencia cardíaca. Los enfermos con COVID-19 requieren múltiples y complejos tratamientos que alivien los síntomas, esta gran variedad de agentes interactúa con enfermedades y medicamentos CV. Nuestro propósito es correlacionar, en una guía sinóptica: efectos adversos, interacciones farmacológicas y fármacos cardiovasculares en el tratamiento del COVID-19.

[Interactive, semi-automatized and open source computational model applied to respiratory viruses surveillance]. / Modelo computacional interactivo, semi-automatizado y de código abierto aplicado a la vigilancia de virus respiratorios.

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting mainly children and the elderly. They are associated with a high economic burden, increased number of medical visits and hospitalizations. The surveillance of the circulation of respiratory viruses can reduce the health care associated costs, and to optimize the health response. A platform based on R and its package Shiny was designed, to create an interactive and friendly web interface for gathering, analysis and publication of the data. The data from the Chilean metropolitan respiratory viruses surveillance network, available since 2006, was uploaded into the platform. Using this platform, the researcher spends less than 1 minute to upload the data, and the analysis and publication is immediate, available to be seen by any user with a device connected to Internet, who can choose the variables to be displayed. With a very low cost, in a short time, and using the R programming language, it was possible to create a simple, and interactive platform, considerably decreasing the upload and analysis time, and increasing the impact and availability of this surveillance.

Eye vergence responses in children with and without reading difficulties during a word detection task.

Vergence eye movements are movements of both eyes in opposite directions. Vergence is known to have a role in binocular vision. However recent studies link vergence eye movements also to attention and attention disorders. As attention may be involved in dyslexia, it is sensible to guess that the presence of reading difficulties can be associated with specific patterns in vergence responses. Data from school children performing a word-reading task have been analysed. In the task, children had to distinguish words from non-words (scrambled words or row of X's), while their eye positions were recorded. Our findings show that after stimulus presentation eyes briefly converge. These vergence responses depend on the stimulus type and age of the child, and are different for children with reading difficulties. Our findings support the idea of a role of attention in word reading and offer an explanation of altered attention in dyslexia.

Is there an association between indoor allergens and the severity of atopic dermatitis?

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disease with frequent hypersensitivity to allergens. However, the role of exposure to indoor allergens on AD severity is unclear. METHODS: Children aged 0-17 years with active AD from central Chile were recruited; disease severity was evaluated with SCORAD and POEM scores. A home environment survey was applied to parents. Bedroom dust samples were collected for all subjects and analyzed by multiplex assay to quantify dust mite (Der p1, Der f1), dog (Can f1), cat (Fel d1), and alternaria alternata (Alt a1) allergens. RESULTS: Twenty-five children aged 3.9 ± 3.8 years were included. Fifty-two percent were female. Mean SCORAD was 29 ± 14 (range 11-61), and mean POEM was 10.7 ± 6.2. No direct association was found between tobacco exposure, pet ownership, aerosol use, visible dust, or home carpets/rugs with SCORAD (all P > 0.05). Dust samples from all homes had Can f1 and Fel d1 allergens, regardless of pet ownership. Homes that had indoor dogs or cats had significantly higher amounts of these allergens (P < 0.001). Forty percent of homes had dust mite allergens, and none had alternaria alternata. Children with AD living in homes with elevated dust mite and animal dander allergen concentrations had higher SCORAD than those from homes with low allergen concentrations (40 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13, P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: High concentrations of indoor allergens may influence AD severity in children. Further studies assessing indoor allergens and allergen sensitization are warranted to fully evaluate the role of indoor allergens on AD.

[Altered expression of survival (CD127) and death (Fas) receptors in total, naïve and memory CD8 T lymphocytes from human immunodeficiency virus infected patients: possible implications for progression of infection]. / Expresión alterada de receptores de supervivencia (CD127) y de muerte (Fas) en linfocitos T CD8 totales, virgenes y de memoria de pacientes infectados por el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana: posibles implicaciones para la progresión de la infección.

We studied the ex vivo and in vitro expression of CD95/Fas and CD127 receptors in total, naive and memory CD8+ T cells from HIV infected patients with different blood counts of CD4+ T cells. In addition, spontaneous and induced apoptosis were determined in vitro using a viral antigen (Env), along with an evaluation of their specific proliferative capacity. The obtained results demonstrated that patients with low counts of CD4+ T cells (CD4 < 250/microL), showed ex vivo, a high expression of CD95/Fas and a low expression of CD127 in all CD8+ T cell subgroups, as compared with patients with bigger counts of CD4+ T cells in blood (CD4> 250/microL). In vitro analyses using Env antigen showed that CD8+ T cells displayed a similar expression of both receptors, with a higher incidence of spontaneous and induced apoptosis and a diminished proliferative capacity as compared with controls. Results indicate how the progression of VIH infection in non-treated patients is related to a decrease of CD8+ T cells in blood, characterized by failures in their proliferative capacity and apoptosis frequency, which is demonstrated by the altered expression of CD127 and CD95/Fas expression.

Well-Being and Agency in Parents of Children With Congenital Heart Disease: A Survey in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Parents of children having congenital heart diseases (CHDs) develop symptoms of depression, distress, anxiety, and hopelessness more frequently than parents of healthy children. Associated with the described symptoms, parents may experience a lack of control and disempowerment, which decreases the parent's agency, a construct from development studies, and which may have negative consequences on adherence to treatment. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of medical treatment on well-being and agency in parents of children having CHDs, in Chile, and to compare it with reference values. METHODS: Forty parents of children having CHDs (before surgery and before hospital discharge) and 115 parents of healthy children were surveyed. The following scales were applied to this population: the General Health Questionnaire, the Basic Psychological Needs Scales, the Self-Determination Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and a socioeconomic survey. RESULTS: Children's surgery decreased parents' hopelessness (3.13 ± 0.35 and 2.18 ± 0.40, P = .04), and no significant differences were found in the remaining scales. Parents of children with CHDs scored significantly worse than parents of healthy children on the General Health Questionnaire (13.82 ± 1.03 and 9.21 ± 0.64, P = .001). This difference was not found using the others scales. CONCLUSION: Children's surgery has a positive effect on parent's hopelessness, but it does not have any impact on their well-being nor agency. Parents of children with CHD have a decreased well-being compared to parents of healthy children but have a similar level of agency. Socioeconomic level and gender may influence this association.

Imaginarios, creencias y actitudes que influyen en la consulta odontopediátrica en menores de 3 años / Social imaginary, beliefs and attitudes that influence the pediatric dental consultation in children under 3 years old

Los niños menores de 3 años son llevados a la consulta médica de forma rutinaria. Sin embargo, la consulta odontológica es muy infrecuente a esta edad. Por otro lado, los elementos que median en la decisión de consultar o no al dentista en esta etapa son hasta el momento poco conocidos. El objetivo de este estudio cualitativo fue identificar imaginarios, creencias y actitudes que podrían intervenir en la decisión de realizar una consulta odontopediátrica en pacientes menores de 3 años. Se aplicaron 10 entrevistas semi-estructuradas a mujeres profesionales, madres de niños entre 8 y 36 meses. Luego, se realizaron 4 entrevistas grupales en profundidad a 13 mujeres que no habían participado en la entrevista inicial. A pesar del alto nivel educativo de las madres se detectó un importante desconocimiento en temas de salud oral. Las madres sub-dimensionan el potencial de la consulta odontopediátrica en esta etapa. En segundo lugar, las madres consideran que una consulta odontopediátrica en este período es abrumadora considerando las altas demandas de esta etapa de la maternidad. Es importante mejorar los conocimientos de salud oral en este grupo de la población y modificar estrategias de prevención y promoción de la salud en preescolares.

Parents of children under 3 years old frequently take their children to medical check-ups. However, dental check-ups are infrequent at this age. The reasons behind this behavior are not well known. The present qualitative study aimed to identify social imaginary, attitudes and beliefs that may influence the decision to consult a pediatric dentist in parents of children under 3 years old. Semi-structured interviews were applied to 10 working mothers that had children between 8 and 36 months. These interviews allowed the identification of the most significant issues to be explored in this study. Afterwards, a total of 13 mothers who did not participate in the initial interviews were divided in 4 groups and in-depth group interviews were performed. Mothers involved in this study had a high educational level. However, their knowledge concerning oral health issues was very poor. Moreover, a frequent finding in this study was the notion that a dental consultation at this stage is considered to be overwhelming by these women because of their very demanding duties . It is important to increase the knowledge regarding oral health topics in this group and to modify policies about oral health at this stage of a child's life.

Modelo computacional interactivo, semi-automatizado y de código abierto aplicado a la vigilancia de virus respiratorios / Interactive, semi-automatized and open source computational model applied to respiratory viruses surveillance

Resumen Las infecciones respiratorias agudas (IRA) causadas por virus son una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo, afectando principalmente a niños y adultos mayores. Se asocian a un alto número de consultas y hospitalizaciones, a una significativa sobrecarga del sistema de salud y a un alto costo económico. La vigilancia de virus respiratorios tiene el potencial de ayudar a optimizar la respuesta sanitaria, garantizar la disponibilidad de recursos humanos, racionalizar los recursos y disminuir los costos asociados a la atención en salud. Con el objetivo de optimizar la recolección y visualización de los datos de nuestro actual sistema de vigilancia de virus respiratorios, se diseñó una plataforma basada en R y sus paquetes Shiny, que permite la creación de una interfase web interactiva y amigable para la recolección, análisis y publicación de los datos. Se ingresaron a esta plataforma los datos de la red de vigilancia metropolitana de virus respiratorios disponibles desde 2006. En esta plataforma, el investigador demora menos de un minuto en registrar los datos. El análisis y publicación es inmediato, llegando a cualquier usuario con un dispositivo conectado a Internet, quien puede elegir las variables a consultar. Con un costo muy bajo, en poco tiempo y utilizando el lenguaje de programación R, se logró crear un sistema simple e interactivo, disminuyendo el tiempo de carga y análisis de datos de forma considerable, posiblemente aumentando el impacto y la disponibilidad de esta vigilancia.

Abstract Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting mainly children and the elderly. They are associated with a high economic burden, increased number of medical visits and hospitalizations. The surveillance of the circulation of respiratory viruses can reduce the health care associated costs, and to optimize the health response. A platform based on R and its package Shiny was designed, to create an interactive and friendly web interface for gathering, analysis and publication of the data. The data from the Chilean metropolitan respiratory viruses surveillance network, available since 2006, was uploaded into the platform. Using this platform, the researcher spends less than 1 minute to upload the data, and the analysis and publication is immediate, available to be seen by any user with a device connected to Internet, who can choose the variables to be displayed. With a very low cost, in a short time, and using the R programming language, it was possible to create a simple, and interactive platform, considerably decreasing the upload and analysis time, and increasing the impact and availability of this surveillance.

COVID-19: abordaje terapéutico y recomendaciones de la Sociedad Venezolana de Infectología

Alrededor del 80 % de los casos sintomáticos de COVID-19 tienen una enfermedad leve a moderada, que no suele progresar a fases más avanzadas. El 14 % de los casos pueden progresar en unos 7 a 10 días a un cuadro severo pulmonar, mientras que un 6 % siguen deteriorándose en el tiempo ante una respuesta hiperinflamatoria o de tormenta de citoquinas, que conlleva a shock y falla de múltiples órganos. En general tienen mayor riesgo de progresión los individuos con factores de riesgo como edad mayor de 60 años, género masculino, obesidad, diabetes, hipertensión, inmunosupresión, trasplante de órganos sólidos, enfermedad renal, tabaquismo; pero eso no descarta la posibilidad aislada que individuos aparentemente sanos puedan presentar una evolución severa o diversas complicaciones pulmonares, renales, cardiovasculares, neurológicas, endocrinológicas, entre otras. Este consenso busca orientar al personal de salud en Venezuela en el abordaje terapéutico y la atención de las personas con COVID-19, estableciendo recomendaciones con base a la mejor evidencia para la fecha. Las recomendaciones no solo se limitan a definir qué opciones terapéuticas han mostrado mayor eficacia y seguridad, sino que determina cuáles drogas carecen todavía de suficiente evidencia, y qué alternativas no deberían utilizarse por carecer de beneficios y/o de seguridad establecida. La medicina basada en la evidencia busca fundamentar las decisiones clínicas con base en evidencias; que son todos los elementos y hechos que demuestran jerárquicamente el nivel de veracidad y validez de diversos planteamientos en medicina. El mayor nivel de evidencia terapéutica se construye por medio de metaanálisis y revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura con base en estudios clínicos controlados, prospectivos, con asignación al azar por doble ciego, y con una muestra lo suficientemente importante; y es este tipo de evidencia la que se ha considerado más relevante para establecer las recomendaciones.

About 80 % of symptomatic COVID-19 cases have mild to moderate illness, which does not usually progress to more advanced stages. 14 % of cases can progress in about 7 to 10 days to a severe pulmonary condition, while 6 % continue to deteriorate over time in the face of a hyperinflammatory response or cytokine storm, which leads to shock and failure of multiple organs. In general, individuals with risk factors such as age over 60 years, male gender, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, immunosuppression, solid organ transplantation, kidney disease, smoking, generally have a higher risk of progression. but that does not rule out the isolated possibility that apparently healthy individuals may present a severe evolution or various pulmonary, renal, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrinological complications, among others. This consensus seeks to guide health personnel in Venezuela in the therapeutic approach and care of people with COVID-19, establishing recommendations based on the best evidence to date. The recommendations are not only limited to defining which therapeutic options have shown greater efficacy and safety, but also determine which drugs still lack sufficient evidence, and which alternatives should not be used due to lack of benefits and / or established safety. Evidence-based medicine seeks to base evidencebased clinical decisions; which are all the elements and facts that hierarchically demonstrate the level of veracity and validity of various approaches in medicine. The highest level of therapeutic evidence is constructed through meta-analysis and systematic reviews of the literature based on controlled, prospective clinical studies, with double-blind randomization, and with a sufficiently large sample; and it is this type of evidence that has been considered most relevant to establish the recommendations.

Validación del M-CHAT-R/F como instrumento de tamizaje para detección precoz en niños con trastorno del espectro autista / M-CHAT-R/F validation as a screening tool for early detection in children with autism spectrum disorder

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tamizaje de los Trastornos del Espectro Autista (TEA) mediante el Modified Chec klist for Autism in Toddlers - Revised with Follow Up (M-CHAT-R/F) aumenta la detección precoz, posibilitando intervenciones tempranas y mejorando el pronóstico. Este instrumento es parte del algoritmo de manejo ante la sospecha de TEA en diversas guías clínicas. El objetivo fue realizar la validación concurrente, discriminante y el análisis de confiabilidad del M-CHAT-R/F en una pobla ción chilena. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Esta es la segunda etapa de la adaptación transcultural, de diseño transversal. Se aplicó M-CHAT-R/F a una muestra de 20 niños con sospecha de TEA y 100 niños de control sano seleccionados al azar, de 16-30 meses de edad. Se aplicó Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), considerado como referencia, a los 20 pacientes de la muestra clínica, a 20 niños de la muestra de control sano y a aquellos casos de la muestra de control sano con M-CHAT-R/F po sitivo. Se calculó alfa de Cronbach, análisis de correlación de M-CHAT-R/F y ADOS-2 y sensibilidad y especificidad. RESULTADOS: En el grupo de control sano, M-CHAT-R/F resultó alterado en 2 pacien tes, siendo uno positivo y otro negativo para TEA con ADOS-2. En muestra clínica el M-CHAT-R/F fue positivo en todos, con test de ADOS-2 negativo en 3 casos. La confiabilidad Alfa del M-CHAT- R/F fue =0,889, la sensibilidad y especificidad discriminante de 100 y 98% y la concurrente 100% y 87,5% respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: M-CHAT-R/F en su versión chilena resultó fiable, sensible y específico de manera similar al original, lo cual abre la posibilidad de su utilización en población clínica y para investigación. La validación es un proceso continuo que se debe profundizar.

INTRODUCTION: Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) increases early detection, allowing early interventions and improving prognosis. This tool is part of the management in case of suspected ASD in several clinical guidelines. The objective of this article was to conduct the concurrent and discrimi nant validation and the reliability analysis of M-CHAT-R/F in the Chilean population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This is the second stage of the cross-cultural adaptation of cross-sectional design. M-CHAT- R/F was applied to a sample of 20 children with suspected ASD and 100 randomly selected healthy control children, aged between 16-30 months. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), considered as reference, was applied to the 20 patients of the clinical sample, to 20 children of the healthy control sample and to those cases of the healthy control sample with M-CHAT-R/F positive. Cronbach alpha was calculated, as well as M-CHAT-R/F and ADOS-2 correlation, sensitivity, and specificity analyses. RESULTS: In the healthy sample, M-CHAT-R/F was positive in two patients, with one of them positive and the other one negative for ASD with ADOS-2 test. In the clinical sample, M- CHAT-R/F was positive in all cases, three of them were negative in the ADOS-2 test. The Alfa relia bility of M-CHART-R/T was 0,889, the discriminant sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 98%, and the concurrent ones were 100% and 87.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Chilean M-CHAT- R/F version was reliable, sensitive and specific, similar to the original test, which opens the possibility for its use in clinical samples and for research. Validating M-CHAT-R/F is an ongoing process which must be further developed.

Profile of inflammatory mediators in tonsils of patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the levels of white blood cells and profile of proinflammatory Th1, Th2, Th17, and T regulatory tissue cytokines in the tonsils of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) patients to contribute to the pathophysiological understanding of the PFAPA syndrome. A cohort of PFAPA patients who had tonsillectomy during 2010 and 2011 was included and compared to control patients who had tonsillectomy for tonsillar hypertrophy. White blood cell counts were measured during flares in PFAPA patients and before tonsillectomy in the control group. Cytokine gene expression was analyzed in removed tonsils by real-time PCR. Nine PFAPA patients with a median age of 5.3 years (1.7-8 years) and 17 hypertrophic tonsils of patients with a median age of 4.8 years (2.3-8.4 years) participated in this study. Tonsillectomy was performed during afebrile period between PFAPA flares. Three of the nine patients had recurrent episodes of aphthous stomatitis without fever after tonsillectomy. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts were higher in PFAPA patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Eosinophil counts were lower in PFAPA patients during flares (p = 0.006). IL-1ß, TNF-α, TGF-ß, IL-17, and IFN-γ levels were similar in the tonsils of patients and controls. IL-4 gene expression in the tonsils was lower in PFAPA patients compared to those of the controls (p = 0.04). Proinflammatory, effector, and regulatory cytokine gene expression in tonsil tissue of PFAPA children removed in a noninflammatory asymptomatic interval and in control patients were similar. However, IL-4 cytokine gene expression in the tonsils and peripheral blood eosinophils were lower in the PFAPA patients suggesting a potential pathogenesis pathway based on an inhibition of Th2 responses.

Environmental pediatrics: an emerging issue.

OBJECTIVE: To review the most relevant articles regarding environmental pediatrics, its potential effects on health, and especially its advances in prevention. SOURCES: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed and SciELO databases. Articles from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed, in addition to book chapters related to environmental pediatrics. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: There is a significant variety of factors that make children highly vulnerable to environmental hazard exposure, which are mainly associated with children's comparatively greater consumption of water, food, and air in relation to body weight. According to the World Health Organization, every year more than 3 million children under the age of 5 die because of environment-related conditions. Approximately 30 to 40% of pediatric diseases are related to environmental factors. Children are constantly exposed to various environmental health hazards, among which the following stand out: contaminated water, lack of adequate sanitation facilities, air pollution, disease vectors, chemical hazards, injuries, and accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, pediatricians are challenged to address environmental pediatrics health care needs. The pediatric health history needs to be more comprehensive by adding pointed questions to help identify potential environmental risks. Awareness and understanding of the noxious effects of various environmental conditions and knowledge of the related prevention measures will result in timely and adequate interventions that will improve our children's health and development.

Desigualdades en desarrollo infantil temprano entre prestadores públicos y privados de salud y factores asociados en la Región Metropolitana de Chile / Early child development inequalities and associated factors between public and private providers at metropolitan region in Chile

El desarrollo infantil temprano es un determinante de la salud física, mental y social de poblaciones. Conocer la situación de desarrollo de base, previo a la instalación de «Chile Crece Contigo¼, es clave para efectos de su evaluación. Objetivo: Comparar el desarrollo infantil temprano y factores asociados de preescolares del sector público y del sector privado de salud en la línea de base. Pacientes y método: Una muestra de 1.045 niños de la Región Metropolitana, de 30 a 58 meses, 52% hombres, 671 del sector público y 380 del privado de salud. Se evaluaron mediante el Inventario de Desarrollo Battelle-1 y una encuesta psicosocial en sus hogares aplicada al cuidador principal. Resultados: El 14,4% del sector privado y el 30,4% de la red pública tenían desarrollo alterado. No hubo diferencias en el área adaptativa entre ambos grupos (26,3% vs 29,2%). En las áreas cognitiva (8,8% vs 12,1%), personal-social (13,2% vs 32,5%), motriz (19,2% vs 35,3%) y comunicación (19,0% vs 36,8%) las diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas. Mediante regresión logística se determinó que, independiente del nivel socioeconómico, son factores de riesgo: Apgar < 7 (OR: 5,4; IC 95%: 1,24-23,84), tener enfermedades crónicas de la infancia (OR: 1,3; IC 95%: 1,11-1,42); protector es: hogar con recursos para el aprendizaje y juego (OR: 0,8; IC 95%: 0,76-0,89). Conclusión: Estos resultados son un aporte al conocimiento de la situación del desarrollo infantil y para relevar su importancia para las políticas sociales en pediatría.

Early child development is a population determinant of physical, mental and social health. To know the base line situation prior to the implementation of "Chile grows with you" (Chile Crece Contigo) is key to its evaluation. Objective: To compare early child development and associated factors at baseline in pre-school children from public and private health sectors. Patients and method: The sample consisted of 1045 children aged 30-58 months, 52% male, and 671 from the public and 380 from the private sector of the metropolitan region in Chile were evaluated using Battelle Developmental Inventory-1 and a household interview of primary carer. Results: Abnormal child development was found in 14.4% of children in the private sector compared to 30.4% in the public sector. There were no differences in adaptive area (26.3% vs 29.2%), but there were statistically significant differents in cognitive (8.8% vs 12.1%), social-personal (13.2% vs 32.5%), motor (19.2% vs 35.3%), and communication (19% vs 36.8%) development. The logistic regression showed that, independent of socioeconomic level, the risk factors are: Apgar < 7 (OR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.24-23.84); having childhood chronic diseases (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.11-1.42). Protective factor is: home with resources to learn and play (OR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.76-0.89).

Analysis of a learning assessment system for pediatric internship based upon objective structured clinical examination, clinical practice observation and written examination.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze three tools used in the assessment system applied to the pediatric internship over a 7-year period at the School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. METHODS: Retrospective observational research design for the assessment modalities implemented in the pediatric internship from 2001 through 2007. The tools were as follows: objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), written examination and daily clinical practice observation guidelines (DCPOG). The assessment methods were applied to the sixth-year pediatric internship with a total of 697 students. Statistical analysis included a descriptive assessment, with correlation and simple linear and multiple regressions (ANOVA), Bonferroni test and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: OSCE success scores were reached in 75.7+/-8%, with a better mean among females (p < 0.001). OSCE scores improved after the third year of implementation. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.11-0.78. Written examination had a mean score of 79.8+/-10% and there were no sex differences. Mean DCPOG score was 97.1+/-3% and the results were better among females (p < 0.005). Correlation between the three assessment methods showed a moderate positive relationship except in the year of 2007, where the correlation was higher (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the learning assessment system was performed using OSCE, written examination and DCPOG, which are complementary to each other, and yielded good results.