[Development of the digestive system. Medico-dietetic implications in infants]. / Desarrollo del aparato digestivo. Implicaciones médico-dietéticas en lactantes.

The development of the human gastrointestinal tract starts in early intrauterine life. In spite of this early start of the functional differentiation of its tissues, the GI tract function is still incomplete at the end of gestation. This report reviews the physiological and biochemical aspects of the gastrointestinal ontogeny which have medical and dietetical implications in the first year of life of infants.

[Secondary lactase deficiency in children and its epidemiologic implications]. / Deficiencia secundaria de lactasa en niños y sus implicaciones epidemiológicas.

The main contributions in the knowledge of secondary lactase deficiency in children are reviewed. We present the clinical features of fermentative diarrhea and the current physiopathological issues, diagnostic procedures, and dietetic treatments, related to this diarrhea, as well as a review of the diseases associated with it. Finally, we discuss the epidemiological implications of the deficiency.

[Models of feeding in the genesis of obesity in the 1st year of life]. / Pautas de alimentación en la génesis del sobrepeso durante el primer año de vida.

PIP: This work analyzes the prevalence of obesity and overweight in infants of the upper socioeconomic strata in Mexico and assesses the role of feeding practices in overweight. The study subjects were 317 healthy boys and 289 healthy girls under 1 year old seen by a group of 6 pediatricians. Obesity was defined as 120% of the standard weight for height and overweight as 110-119% of the standard. Infants were considered underweight if they weighed 80-90% of the standard weight for height. 2.8% of the children were obese, 15.7% were overweight, 75.1% were the optimal weight, and 6.4% were underweight. There were no differences by sex. The frequency of obesity and overweight were higher in the 1st half of the 1st year. There was no statistically significant difference in birth weight although the average birth weight of the currently underweight was lower. Firstborn children were significantly more likely to have a low birth weight or optimal weight. The obese and overweight children were significantly more likely to have been born between January-June. By 6 months of age, only 3.3% of the infants were exclusively breast fed and 4.9% were breast fed and given supplementary milk feedings. Over 90% of the children were bottle fed by 6 months. The obese and overweight children were weaned at earlier ages on average and were more likely to be fed cereals in the 2nd 6 months. They also were fed a more varied diet. Weight problems in infants thus appear to result in large part from exogenous factors related to feeding practices.^ieng

[Quantification of bacteria in the small intestine of malnourished children with chickenpox]. / Cuantificacíon de bacterias del intestino delgado en niños desnutridos con varicela.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether a high number of bacteria could be demonstrated in the upper small bowel during the chickenpox infection. Intestinal juice was drawn in nine malnourished children, during and two weeks after the acute period of the disease. The results of the study fail to demonstrate quantitative differences in the bacterial flora of the small bowel in both periods. Besides that, the bacterial overgrowth previously reported in malnutrition, is confirmed.

[Effect of iron deficiency on attention capacity among school children]. / Efecto de la deficiencia de hierro sobre la capacidad de atención de niños escolares.

The effect of iron deficiency on the attention span was studied in 169 school children between 6 to 11 years of age. All were studied by hematological procedures and psychological methods in order to know the nutritional status for iron and their capacity of attention. Then were treated with iron sulfate for 12 weeks, and the hematological and psychological studies were repeated. Results shown iron deficiency anemia in 17.1 percent of the children, and iron deficiency, without anemia, in 14.7 percent. After treatment of the school children the scores and time required in a visual attention test improved. Also there was a favorable change in the scores obtained by one the subtests of the WISC Test. Findings are discussed and it is mentioned that a program for combating iron deficiency anemia through food fortification most be implemented.

[What the pediatrician should know about introducing infants to solid foods]. / Lo que el pediatra debe saber acerca de la ablactación.

Since World War II, the introduction of solid foods to infants has been practiced at early ages. At the same time, knowledge about the physiology of the intestinal tract during the first year of life has been increasing: now the developmental immaturity of the intestine and the clinical consequences produced by the introduction of some foods at an early age are known. In this report this information is reviewed in order to rationalize the introduction of solid foods in babies.

[Iron deficiency in children: clinical manifestations, therapy and prevention. II]. / Deficiencia de hierro en la infancia: manifestaciones clínicas, tratamiento y prevención. Parte II.

A better understanding of the physiopathological and pathogenic characteristics underlying iron deficiency, has allowed for a more precise diagnosis and the opportune treatment of this disease. On the other hand, it has also permitted the designing of more efficient preventive programs. This study includes what is known to date and the applicable experiences when confronted with this problem in children. Iron deficiency; clinical manifestations; treatment; prevention.

[Iron deficiency in children: metabolic and pathogenic aspects. I]. / Deficiencia de hierro en la infancia: aspectos metabólicos y patogénicos. Parte I.

Iron deficiency is the most commonly recognized form of nutritional deficiency in the world. In recent years, iron metabolism have became better defined and the physiopathology and pathogenesis of the disease have been better understood. In this report is reviewed some of this information.

[Reasoning strategies in biomedical research]. / Estrategias del razonamiento en la investigación biomédica.

Some modalities of thinking, in order to arise logical presumptions and steady conclusions in research, are presented. The paper aims to provide concepts with which the hypothesis are established, and the way to make inferences in research.