Vitamin D supplementation in primary allergy prevention: Systematic review of randomized and non-randomized studies.

BACKGROUND: To date, a systematic review of the evidence regarding the association between vitamin D and allergic diseases development has not yet been undertaken. OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation when compared to no supplementation in pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children for the prevention of allergies. METHODS: Three databases were searched through January 30, 2016, including randomized (RCT) and nonrandomized studies (NRS). Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the certainty in the body of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: Among the 1932 articles identified, one RCT and four NRS were eligible. Very low certainty in the body of evidence across examined studies suggests that vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants may not decrease the risk of developing allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (in pregnant women), allergic rhinitis (in pregnant women and infants), asthma and/or wheezing (in pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants), or food allergies (in pregnant women). We found no studies of primary prevention of allergic diseases in children. CONCLUSION: Limited information is available addressing primary prevention of allergic diseases after vitamin D supplementation, and its potential impact remains uncertain.

Prebiotics for the prevention of allergies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of allergic diseases in infants is approximately 10% reaching 20 to 30% in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Prebiotics are selectively fermented food ingredients that allow specific changes in composition/activity of the gastrointestinal microflora. They modulate immune responses, and their supplementation has been proposed as an intervention to prevent allergies. OBJECTIVE: To assess in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants (populations) the effect of supplementing prebiotics (intervention) versus no prebiotics (comparison) on the development of allergic diseases and to inform the World Allergy Organization guidelines. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of studies assessing the effects of prebiotic supplementation with an intention to prevent the development of allergies. RESULTS: Of 446 unique records published until November 2016 in Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, 22 studies fulfilled a priori specified criteria. We did not find any studies of prebiotics given to pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. Prebiotic supplementation in infants, compared to placebo, had the following effects: risk of developing eczema (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.15), wheezing/asthma (RR, 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.80), and food allergy (RR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08 to 1.00). There was no evidence of an increased risk of any adverse effects (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.10). Prebiotic supplementation had little influence growth rate (MD: 0.92 g per day faster with prebiotics, 95% CI: 0 to 1.84) and the final infant weight (MD: 0.10 kg higher with prebiotics, 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.29). The certainty of these estimates is very low due to risk of bias and imprecision of the results. CONCLUSIONS: Currently available evidence on prebiotic supplementation to reduce the risk of developing allergies is very uncertain.

Early manifestations of autism spectrum disorders. Experience of 393 cases in a paediatric neurology.

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorders are group of conditions characterised by qualitative impairments in social communication, interaction, and imagination, and by a restricted range of interests and typical repetitive behaviours. Frequently, there is a delay in the age of detection, and therefore in starting multidisciplinary evaluations and interventions, which may result in a poorer prognosis and reduced quality of life for both children and parents. The aim of our study was to describe clinical and epidemiological data including the age of detection and main initial complaints present in children with autism disorders referred to a paediatric neurology centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 393 medical records of consecutive cases diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder were reviewed. RESULTS: Autism was diagnosed in 82.1% of the cases, unspecified pervasive disorder in 9.9%, Asperger syndrome in 4.8%, and Rett syndrome in 3%. Sixty percent of autistic children presented with a language disorder as their main complaint. The average age of detection was 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other countries, age of detection is delayed. Primary care-based screening and surveillance are required in order to improve prognosis and quality of life of children with an autism spectrum disorder.

[Total white blood cell count, erythrosedimentation rate and C-reactive protein for the detection of serious bacterial infections in 0- to 90-day-old infants with fever without a source]. / Leucocitos en sangre, eritrosedimentación y proteína C reactiva en pacientes de 0 a 90 días de edad con fiebre sin focalización.

INTRODUCTION: Total white blood cell count (WBC), erythrosedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are frequently used by primary care physicians attending infants < 90 days old with fever without localizing signs to distinguish those with a serious bacterial infection (SBI). The main objective of this study was to obtain the diagnostic values of these parameters in infants with fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed previously healthy infants aged 0 to 90 days old and fever with no source of infection admitted to the emergency room and/or hospitalized. The main outcome measure was the presence or absence of a SBI (urinary tract infection, bacteremia, meningitis, pneumonia, enteritis) and diagnostic values of WBC, ESR and CRP. RESULTS: A total of 103 infants met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 22 infants (21.3%) had a SBI, the most common being urinary tract infection. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and WBC had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.6 (95% CI: 0.46-0.73) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.44-0.68) respectively. An ANC>or=10,000/microl had a sensitivity and specificity of 9% (95% CI: 1-21) and 92.5% (95% CI: 86-98) respectively. A WBC>or=15,000/microl had a sensitivity and specificity of 13.6% (95% CI: 1-28) and 85% (95% CI: 77-93) respectively. CRP showed an AUC of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.55-0.86) and a best cut-off point of 2 mg/dL (sensitivity 53% [95% CI: 29-76] and specificity of 85% [95% CI: 75-94]). ESR>or=20 mm/hour had an AUC, sensitivity and specificity of 0.53 (95% CI: 0.37-0.7), 38% (95% CI: 16-62) and 75% (95% CI: 65-85) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: None of these parameters alone, commonly used by physicians, is a reliable diagnostic tool to rule out SBI in infants<90 days old with fever without source of infection.

[Gastric lavage in healthy term newborns: a randomized controlled trial]. / Lavado gástrico en recién nacidos sanos: un ensayo clínico aleatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric lavage is still used in Mexico and other countries without evidence to support this practice. We performed a randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that elimination of amniotic fluid from the stomach of the newborn reduces nausea and vomiting and improves tolerance on the first feedings of breast or formula milk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted in a rural general hospital in the north of Mexico. Eligible healthy term newborns were randomly allocated to receive gastric lavage (n = 63) or observation (n = 61). The primary outcome measures were the presence of nausea and/or emesis in the first 24 hours of life and the breastfeeding failure rate, evaluated by a nurse blinded to the group assignment. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients in the gastric lavage group, 13 had at least one episode of nausea or vomiting compared with 15 out of 61 patients in the control group (relative risk: 0.84; 95 % CI: 0.43 to 1.61). Breastfeeding failure occurred in seven mother-child pairs in the gastric lavage group compared with five in the control group (P = 0.8; relative risk: 0.96; 95 % CI: 0.86 to 1.08). Other variables such as sex or cesarian section rate were unrelated to outcome. There were no complications that could be attributed to the procedure. All the newborn infants were discharged without problems. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric aspiration or lavage in the healthy full-term newborn is a common procedure that should be abandoned as it confers no advantages.

[The Ottawa ankle rules: evaluation in a pediatric emergency setting in Mexico]. / Los criterios de Ottawa para tobillo: valoración en un servicio de urgencias en México.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric ankle injuries are a common complaint in the emergency setting. The objective of this study was to prospectively validate the Ottawa ankle rules (OAR) in children in Mexico. This could reduce costs and waiting times in the emergency room. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors applied the OAR to all patients aged 0 to 18 years old with an acute ankle injury. The main outcome measure was radiograph and/or clinical outcome determined through telephone contact. The presence of fracture was considered an adverse outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients, aged 3-18 years, were enrolled. The prevalence of fractures was 15 %. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of the OAR were 100 %. Use of the OAR would have reduced the radiography rate by 5.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity and applicability of the OAR in children in Latin-America are confirmed, although reduction in the use of radiography is lower than in other countries.