Lyme borreliosis in pediatric population: Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features.

INTRODUCTION: Lyme borreliosis (LB) in the paediatric population is an understudied entity with certain peculiarities. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of paediatric patients with LB, and their diagnostic and therapeutic processes. METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study in patients up to 14 years old with suspected or confirmed LB between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were studied: 18 with confirmed LB (50% women; median age 6.4 years old) and 3 false positive of the serology. Clinical features in the 18 patients with LB were: neurological (3, neck stiffness; 6, facial nerve palsy), dermatological (6, erythema migratory), articular (1), and non-specific manifestations (5). Serological diagnosis was confirmatory in 83.3% of cases. A total of 94.4% patients received antimicrobial treatment (median duration, 21 days). All recovered with resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: LB diagnosis is difficult in the paediatric population and presents clinical and therapeutic peculiarities, with favourable prognosis.

Hepatosplenic Cat Scratch Disease and Prolonged Fever: When To Add Corticosteroids?

The indications for use of corticosteroids for persistent fever in cat scratch disease are controversial. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with systemic cat scratch disease, who presented with fever for 28 days and focal hepatosplenic lesions. He did not show improvement despite antibiotic treatment for 4 weeks, however, he became afebrile 24 hours after the administration of corticosteroids.

Study of adherence to the gluten-free diet in coeliac patients.

INTRODUCTION: The following of a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is essential in the control of coeliac disease. The aim of this study was to determine the adherence to a GFD in coeliac patients and to evaluate the factors that could influence this adherence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive observational study was carried out, in which gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) were determined in faeces using a semi-quantitative method, and the Coeliac Dietary Adherence Test was completed. Sociodemographic and clinical details were collected, and an ad hoc questionnaire was prepared. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients included, 92.5% were adherent according to the GIP and 86.3% according to Coeliac Dietary Adherence Test (acceptable agreement; Kappa: 0.31, P = .004). The large majority (83.3%) of patients with positive GIP gave negative anti-transglutaminase antibodies in the latest determination. Current age and time of onset were significantly associated with adherence. Those with a positive GIP had a mean age of 5 years more (P = .0001) and were 52 months more on a GFD (P = .025). One quarter of those surveyed considered the diet difficult to follow. Just under two-thirds (60%) considered that the variability in the eating site was an important factor in leading to infringements, with children's parties being the main area where they occurred (66.7%). The lack of variety (61.4%) and the increased cost (98.6%) of gluten-free foods is highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: The adherence to the GFD is generally good. The analysis of GIP helps to detect non-adherent patients that would pass unnoticed in other circumstances. Measures must be established in order to maintain good long-term adherence, taking into account the risk factors and difficulties detected.

[Analysis of health-related quality life in celiac patients]. / Análisis de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes celiacos.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: treatment of celiac disease is gluten-free diet for life. This can impact the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Objectives:the aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL and the factors with an impact on QoL in a sample of children with celiac disease. Methods and materials: a descriptive observational study. QoL was evaluated using the Celiac Disease Dux Questionnaire (CDDUX). Adherence to gluten-free diet was assessed with the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) and the presence of gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) in the stools. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and an ad-hoc survey was developed. Results: eighty patients were included. Median CDDUX score was 44.04 points (QoL: "neutral"). Subscale scores included: "communication", 58.3 points ("neutral"); "having CD", 25 points ("Bad"); and "diet", 41.6 points ("neutral"). QoL was worse among patients with celiac relatives (the result of the survey was "bad" vs. "neutral" with p = 0.02) and among those who found unsatisfactory the somatosensory characteristics and the price of gluten-free food (the result of the survey was "bad" vs. "neutral" with p = 0.02). Those who found unsatisfactory the texture of these food reported a worse QoL ("bad" vs. "neutral", p = 0.009). Those who reported eating outside the home as a transgression inducer reported a "bad" QoL; those who did not, reported a "neutral" QoL (p = 0.03). Conclusions: celiac patients report a "neutral" QoL. A poorer QoL was related to having celiac relatives, finding gluten-free food unsatisfactory, and considering eating outside the home as an inducer factor for transgressions.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el tratamiento de la enfermedad celiaca es una dieta sin gluten de por vida, lo cual puede repercutir en la calidad de vida (CV) de los pacientes. Objetivos: nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la CV de una muestra de niños celiacos y estudiar los factores que pueden influir en la misma. Material y métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo. Se estudió la CV con el cuestionario Celiac Disease Dux Questionnaire (CDDUX). Se estudió la adherencia con el cuestionario Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) y la determinación de péptidos inmunogénicos del gluten (GIP) en heces. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos y clínicos, y se elaboró una encuesta ad hoc. Resultados: se incluyeron 80 pacientes. La mediana del CDDUX fue de 44,04 puntos (CV "neutra"); la de la subescala "comunicación" fue de 58,3 ("neutra"), la de "tener EC" fue de 25 ("mala") y la de "dieta" fue de 41,6 puntos ("neutra"). La CV fue peor en los pacientes con familiares celiacos ("mala" frente a "neutra", p = 0,02) y en aquellos insatisfechos con las características somatosensoriales y el precio de los alimentos sin gluten ("mala" frente a "neutra", p = 0,02). Los insatisfechos con la textura de estos alimentos tenían peor CV ("mala" frente a "neutra", p = 0,009). Los que consideraban comer fuera de casa como factor inductor de transgresiones referían una CV "mala" y los que no, una "neutra" (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: los pacientes celiacos tienen una CV neutra. El hecho de tener familiares con enfermedad celiaca, la insatisfacción con los alimentos sin gluten y el considerar un factor inductor de transgresiones el comer fuera de casa se relacionaron con una peor calidad de vida.