Increased release of interleukin-6 by oesophageal mucosa in children with reflux oesophagitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by oesophageal mucosa and to establish the serum levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma fibrinogen in children with reflux oesophagitis. DESIGN: In a prospective study, IL-6 release by tissue fragments obtained from oesophageal biopsies was determined and serum IL-6 and CRP as well as plasma fibrinogen were analysed. METHODS: The study population comprised ten children with reflux oesophagitis, diagnosed on the basis of 24 h oesophageal pH monitoring and endoscopy with biopsies. Ten children with recurrent abdominal pain were studied for comparative purposes. Biopsy tissue fragments were processed to obtain a cell suspension and the release of IL-6 was determined in culture medium. Serum IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA, serum CRP by turbidimetry, and plasma fibrinogen by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Oesophageal cells obtained from reflux oesophagitis patients synthesize and release in vitro a significantly higher amount of IL-6 than controls (71.26+/-19.5 versus 31.67+/-8.02 pg/10(6) cells; P<0.01). Serum IL-6, serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen levels were not statistically different between patients with reflux oesophagitis and controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a short-term action of IL-6 since its effects could be exerted only in the microenvironment of the oesophageal mucosa.

Exertional chest pain in child due to gastroesophageal reflux with a family history of rumination.

A child affected by exertional chest pain secondary to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease is reported. Family history revealed the presence of rumination in two members. In our patient, heart diseases as well as other causes of chest pain were excluded. An ultrasound examination of the gastro-esophageal junction, performed in the first 15 minute of the post-prandial period, showed a pathological number of GER episodes. The patient was treated with cisapride (0.2 mg/kg t.i.d. per os). At follow-up, after three months, he was symptom-free. We repeated an ultrasound examination, which resulted normal. Ours is the first paediatric case characterized by exertional chest pain secondary to GER disease.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane in human milk. A review.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) are the most frequent chemical contaminants present in human milk. Factors involving the levels of PCBs and DDT in human milk are revised. Allowable daily intake of both contaminants is indicated as well as their effect on human exposure are discussed. Since available data suggest that these contaminants are available for redistribution to the lactating mammary gland, we stress the importance of a dietary regimen to breast fed mothers in order to prevent the mobilization of body fat stores for milk fat synthesis.

[Orbital cellulitis in pediatric age. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Cellulite orbitaria in età pediatrica. Descrizione di un caso e rassegna della letteratura.

The authors report about 2-year-old female affected by orbital cellulitis. The most recent advances about physiopathology, diagnosis and therapy of orbital cellulitis are described.

Primary gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable oesophagus syndrome as causes of recurrent abdominal pain in children.

Cases of two adolescents with recurrent abdominal pain, localized in the periumbilical area, due to primary oesophageal disorders are reported. Food allergy or intolerance, as well as other paediatric causes, were not involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent abdominal pain in these two patients. Case 1 was affected by primary gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: upper endoscopy with biopsies and oesophageal 24-hour pH-monitoring showed mild oesophagitis and pathological reflux index, respectively. Case 2 was affected by "irritable oesophagus syndrome": upper endoscopy with biopsies was normal and oesophageal 24-hour pH-monitoring showed a close correlation between gastro-oesophageal reflux and recurrent abdominal pain episodes. Both patients were successfully treated with cisapride (0.2 mg/kg t.i.d.) and ranitidine (2.5 mg/KG b.i.d.). These reports suggest that primary gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable oesophagus syndrome may cause recurrent abdominal pain in children.

Delayed gastric emptying in an infant with Sandifer syndrome.

The case of an infant with Sandifer syndrome is reported. Real-time ultrasonography showed delayed gastric emptying time, which returned to normal when the patient was asymptomatic. The importance of gastric motility investigations in Sandifer syndrome is stressed since delayed gastric emptying could play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Irritable oesophagus syndrome as cause of chronic cough.

Case of an infant with chronic cough is reported. The most frequent causes of chronic cough were ruled out. Twenty-four hour oesophageal pH-monitoring showed a close correlation between gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes and cough attacks. The patient was successfully treated with cisapride (0.3 mg/kg t.i.d.). These findings show that irritable oesophagus syndrome can cause chronic cough.

Positive association between Helicobacter pylori infection and food allergy in children.

BACKGROUND: In children Helicobacter pylori has been involved as a pathogenetic factor in gastritis and duodenal ulcer and as a cofactor in protein-losing enteropathy, chronic diarrhoea, short stature, and gastritis lymphoproliferative disease. A subset of an H. pylori strain possesses an antigen, CagA, as a virulence factor. In the present study we determined anti-H. pylori IgG and anti-CagA IgG titres in children with food allergy. METHODS: Ninety paediatric patients were studied: 30 with food allergy, 30 with atopic asthma, and 30 with inflammatory bowel disease. Anti-H. pylori IgG and anti-CagA IgG were determined in all children by means of a commercial enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). RESULTS: The anti-H. pylori IgG titre was significantly higher in allergic patients than in the other two groups. The anti-CagA IgG titre did not differ significantly between the patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show a positive association between H. pylori infection and food allergy in children. We hypothesize that virulence factors other than CagA may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in paediatric patients with food allergy.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome: in vitro nitric oxide and interleukin-6 release by esophageal and gastric mucosa.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting with complete resolution of symptoms between attacks. Nitric oxide plays a critical role in regulating several components of gastrointestinal mucosal defense and injury. Interleukin-6 has a wide variety of actions in the gastrointestinal apparatus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the synthesis and release of nitric oxide and interleukin-6 by the esophageal and gastric mucosa in 10 children with cyclic vomiting syndrome, during symptom-free periods, and in 10 controls. The nitric oxide and interleukin-6 release by esophageal mucosa cells obtained from cyclic vomiting patients was quite similar to that in controls, but the release of nitric oxide from gastric mucosa cells of patients was significantly higher than that of controls. Conversely, no interleukin-6 was detectable in gastric mucosa cell supernatants in any of the patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between factors triggering cyclic vomiting syndrome and the release of nitric oxide and interleukin-6 by gastric mucosa.

Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in children with atopic dermatitis as sole manifestation of food allergy.

A positive association between Helicobacter pylori antibodies and food allergy presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms has recently been reported. A subset of a H. pylori strain possesses an antigen, CagA, as a virulence factor. Anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA IgG titre have been determined in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) as the sole clinical manifestation of food allergy. In this study, thirty patients with AD as the sole clinical manifestation of food allergy were examined (group A). For comparative purposes, 30 patients affected by food allergy with gastrointestinal symptoms (group B) and 30 affected by atopic asthma (group C) were studied. Anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA immunoglobulin G (IgG) were determined in all individuals by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The anti-H. pylori IgG titre was significantly higher in group A and group B vs. group C (p < 0.05); no significant difference was detected between group A and group B (p > 0.05). No significant difference in anti-CagA titre was found between the groups. These data demonstrate a positive association between H. pylori antibodies and AD as the sole manifestation of food allergy. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the cause-effect relationship between H. pylori seropositivity and AD.