Dynamics of Cell Generation and Turnover in the Human Heart.

The contribution of cell generation to physiological heart growth and maintenance in humans has been difficult to establish and has remained controversial. We report that the full complement of cardiomyocytes is established perinataly and remains stable over the human lifespan, whereas the numbers of both endothelial and mesenchymal cells increase substantially from birth to early adulthood. Analysis of the integration of nuclear bomb test-derived (14)C revealed a high turnover rate of endothelial cells throughout life (>15% per year) and more limited renewal of mesenchymal cells (<4% per year in adulthood). Cardiomyocyte exchange is highest in early childhood and decreases gradually throughout life to <1% per year in adulthood, with similar turnover rates in the major subdivisions of the myocardium. We provide an integrated model of cell generation and turnover in the human heart.

PKLR mutations in pyruvate kinase deficient Polish patients: Functional characteristics of c.101-1G > A and c.1058delAAG variants.

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia of variable severity. Nine Polish patients with severe hemolytic anemia but normal PK activity were found to carry mutations in the PKLR gene encoding PK, five already known ones and one novel (c.178C > T). We characterized two of the known variants by molecular modeling (c.1058delAAG) and minigene splicing analysis (c.101-1G > A). The former gives a partially destabilized PK tetramer, likely of suboptimal activity, and the c.101-1G > A variant gives alternatively spliced mRNA carrying a premature stop codon, encoding a severely truncated PK and likely undergoing nonsense-mediated decay.

Molecular Mechanisms of N-Acetylcysteine in RSV Infections and Air Pollution-Induced Alterations: A Scoping Review.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important etiological factors of lower respiratory tract infections, and exposure to air pollution appears to be additionally associated with higher RSV incidence and disease severity. We aimed to systematically review the existing literature to determine which molecular mechanisms mediate the effects of NAC in an RSV infection and air pollution, and to identify the knowledge gaps in this field. A search for original studies was carried out in three databases and a calibrated extraction grid was used to extract data on the NAC treatment (dose, timing), the air pollutant type, and the most significant mechanisms. We identified only 28 studies conducted in human cellular models (n = 18), animal models (n = 7), and mixed models (n = 3). NAC treatment improves the barrier function of the epithelium damaged by RSV and air pollution, and reduces the epithelial permeability, protecting against viral entry. NAC may also block RSV-activated phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which promotes endocytosis and facilitates cell entry. EGFR also enhances the release of a mucin gene, MUC5AC, which increases mucus viscosity and causes goblet cell metaplasia; the effects are abrogated by NAC. NAC blocks virus release from the infected cells, attenuates the cigarette smoke-induced shift from necrosis to apoptosis, and reverses the block in IFN-γ-induced antiviral gene expression caused by the inhibited Stat1 phosphorylation. Increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines is induced by both RSV and air pollutants and is mediated by the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways that are activated in response to oxidative stress. MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, expressed and secreted by normal T cells) partially mediate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and therapeutic (but not preventive) NAC administration reduces the inflammatory response and has been shown to reduce ozone-induced AHR. Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and cellular senescence, observed during RSV infection and exposure to air pollution, can be partially reversed by NAC administration, while data on the emphysema formation are disputed. The review identified potential common molecular mechanisms of interest that are affected by NAC and may alleviate both the RSV infection and the effects of air pollution. Data are limited and gaps in knowledge include the optimal timing or dosage of NAC administration, therefore future studies should clarify these uncertainties and verify its practical use.

Molecular Mechanisms of RSV and Air Pollution Interaction: A Scoping Review.

RSV is one of the major infectious agents in paediatrics, and its relationship with air pollution is frequently observed. However, the molecular basis of this interaction is sparsely reported. We sought to systematically review the existing body of literature and identify the knowledge gaps to answer the question: which molecular mechanisms are implied in the air pollutants-RSV interaction? Online databases were searched for original studies published before August 2022 focusing on molecular mechanisms of the interaction. The studies were charted and a narrative synthesis was based upon three expected directions of influence: a facilitated viral entry, an altered viral replication, and an inappropriate host reaction. We identified 25 studies published between 1993 and 2020 (without a noticeable increase in the number of studies) that were performed in human (n = 12), animal (n = 10) or mixed (n = 3) models, and analysed mainly cigarette smoke (n = 11), particulate matter (n = 4), nanoparticles (n = 3), and carbon black (n = 2). The data on a damage to the epithelial barrier supports the hypothesis of facilitated viral entry; one study also reported accelerated viral entry upon an RSV conjugation to particulate matter. Air pollution may result in the predominance of necrosis over apoptosis, and, as an effect, an increased viral load was reported. Similarly, air pollution mitigates epithelium function with decreased IFN-γ and Clara cell secretory protein levels and decreased immune response. Immune response might also be diminished due to a decreased viral uptake by alveolar macrophages and a suppressed function of dendritic cells. On the other hand, an exuberant inflammatory response might be triggered by air pollution and provoke airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), prolonged lung infiltration, and tissue remodeling, including a formation of emphysema. AHR is mediated mostly by increased IFN-γ and RANTES concentrations, while the risk of emphysema was related to the activation of the IL-17 → MCP-1 → MMP-9 → MMP-12 axis. There is a significant lack of evidence on the molecular basics of the RSV-air pollution interaction, which may present a serious problem with regards to future actions against air pollution effects. The major knowledge gaps concern air pollutants (mostly the influence of cigarette smoke was investigated), the mechanisms facilitating an acute infection or a worse disease course (since it might help plan short-term, especially non-pharmacological, interventions), and the mechanisms of an inadequate response to the infection (which may lead to a prolonged course of an acute infection and long-term sequelae). Thus far, the evidence is insufficient regarding the broadness and complexity of the interaction, and future studies should focus on common mechanisms stimulated by various air pollutants and a comparison of influence of the different contaminants at various concentrations.

BCG Moreau Vaccine Safety Profile and NK Cells-Double Protection Against Disseminated BCG Infection in Retrospective Study of BCG Vaccination in 52 Polish Children with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to estimate the rate of adverse reactions to live BCG Moreau vaccine, manufactured by Biomed in Poland, in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) patients. MATERIAL: The profiles of 52 SCID patients vaccinated at birth with BCG, hospitalized in Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw (CMHI), in the years 1980-2015 were compared with those of 349 BCG-vaccinated SCID patients from other countries analyzed by Beatriz E. Marciano et al. in a retrospective study (Marciano et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;133(4):1134-1141). RESULTS: Significantly less disseminated BCG infections (10 out of 52 SCID, 19%) occurred in comparison with Marciano study-119 out of 349, 34% (p = 0.0028), with no death in patients treated with SCID anti-TB drug, except one in lethal condition. In our study, disseminated BCG infection was observed only in SCID with T-B+NK- phenotype and significantly lower NK cell counts (p = 0.0161). NK cells do not influence on the frequency of local BCG reaction. A significantly higher number of hematopoietic stem cells transplantations (HSCT) were performed in CMHI study (p = 0.0001). Anti-TB treatment with at least two medicines was provided. CONCLUSION: The BCG Moreau vaccine produced in Poland, with well-documented genetic characteristics, seems to be safer than other BCG substrains used in other regions of the world. Importantly, NK cells seem to play a role in protecting SCID patients against disseminated BCG complications, which NK- SCID patients are more prone to. HSCT and TB therapy could be relevant due to the patients' survival and the fact that they protect against BCG infection.

Bacteremia in Children Hospitalized Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

The frequency of bacteremia in children hospitalized due to respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV) rarely exceeds 1%, but a recent study reported a 10% risk of bacteremia. In this study, we set out to verify the frequency, usefulness, and costs of blood cultures in RSV infections. We addressed the issue by reviewing medical files of 512 children, aged 8 days-121 months, who were hospitalized during January 2010 and June 2017. The RSV-related diagnoses included bronchiolitis (390 patients), RSV pneumonia (65 patients), and bronchitis (57 patients). There were 212 blood cultures performed in 185 patients (36%). In 10 cultures (5.4%), the following pathogens were identified: Staphylococcus haemolyticus, 4; Staphylococcus epidermidis, 1; Staphylococcus hominis, 1; Corynebacterium, 1 Streptococcus parasanguinis, 1; Rothia mucilaginosa, 1; Micrococcus luteus, 1; and Streptococcus hominis, 1 case. However, all of these pathogens were identified as a contamination of samples only. Therefore, both positive blood cultures turned out in fact negative, and the patients having either result of blood culturing showed no clinically relevant differences. The total cost of blood cultures in the pediatric ward amounted to €1980. If performed in each and every patient, the costs would have reached €5490. In conclusion, the frank frequency of bacteremia in children with RSV infection, with no sepsis, seems exceedingly low, which confirms the earlier findings. Thus, blood culturing, generating high costs, is of negligible clinical value. The study provides no evidence supporting a routine blood culture in case of children hospitalized due to RSV infection.

Seasonality of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization.

Seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is an area of limited knowledge. In this study, we set out to get insight into the epidemic characteristics of RSV. We retrospectively evaluated medical files of 512 hospitalizations in children due to RSV infection from January 2010 to July 2017. In this cohort of patients, there were 96.3% of children below 1 year of age; the median age was 2.8 months. The influence of weather condition during the week of hospitalization (WH) and also the preceding week (WP) on the rate of hospitalizations was also assessed. An overview of morbidity data demonstrates that the epidemic RSV season started from Week 50 of a year and lasts until Week 15 of the following year, with a peak between Week 4 and Week 10. The average monthly percentage rate of morbidity per year was as follows: December, 12.3%; January, 24.5%; February, 29%; and March, 21.7%. Hospitalizations were positively associated with the minimum and maximum outside air temperature during the WH (62.5% and 59.7%, respectively) and the WP (64.3% and 63.4%, respectively) and with relative humidity (WH 23% and WP 29.8%). A weak association with the wind speed was also noticed (WH 22% and WP 21%), while there was no influence of the level of atmospheric pressure on RSV morbidity. We conclude that seasonality of RSV is present between December and April each year, and morbidity is mostly influenced by minimum-maximum outside air temperature changes. Further epidemiological exploration is required to get a better knowledge on both active and passive immunization against RSV.

Nosocomial Infections in Patients Hospitalized with Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A Practice Review.

Viral testing is not always recommended in children with bronchiolitis due to doubts concerning its prognostic use. In this retrospective study, we investigated how the RSV testing would influence the frequency of nosocomial infections (NI). The files of 305 children, hospitalized due to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the period 2010-2014, were reviewed in the study. We found ten cases of NI. The RSV preventive measures did not vary in the consecutive years investigated, but the number of viral tests substantially varied. In 2010, 2012, and 2014, when ca. 2 tests per RSV(+) patient were performed, the risk of NI per patient was 1.3%, while in 2011 and 2013, when the RSV testing was less frequent, the accumulated risk per patient was 5.2%. There was a strong adverse relationship between the number of tests performed and the number of NI (rho = -0.975). The children with NI, when compared to those without NI, required a longer hospital stay, generating higher hospital costs regarding treatment, productivity loss, and indirect costs. The expenditure for RSV testing in the years of a low NI risk was higher than that in the high-risk years. Conversely, the expenditure related to NI management was lower in the years of a low NI risk. Each euro spent on RSV testing saved over 26 € from the NI management expenditure. We conclude that RSV testing is needed in the hospital setting to isolate the infected children and to prevent nosocomial RSV spread. This strategy is health advantageous and requires less resources than NI treatment.

Respiratory Complications in Children Hospitalized with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

The goal of this study was to define the prevalence of respiratory complications, other than bronchiolitis, such as pneumonia, acute otitis media, and conjunctivitis in children treated in a hospital due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, with reference to the plausible risk factors. The study included 111 children, aged up to 22 months (median 3 months). Complications were observed in 68 (61%) children, with 32 (29%) children presenting more than one. The most frequent complication was acute otitis media in 53 (48%), pneumonia in 37 (33%), and conjunctivitis in 12 (11%) out of the 111 children. Children with complications were older than those without complications and had fever that lasted for a significantly longer time, both before and during hospitalization, and the fever was stronger. They also presented a significantly lower breathing rate at admission. The age over 3 months was a single risk factor associated with the development of otitis media (OR = 9.8, 95%CI: 3.6-26.7) and pneumonia (OR = 2.8, 95%CI: 1.1-7.3). Other factors such as prematurity, birth weight below 2500 g, exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy, and the cessation of breastfeeding below age 6 months were statistically irrelevant to this end. We conclude that complications are very frequent in hospitalized children with RSV infection and their risk increases with the infant age.

Chest Radiography in Children Hospitalized with Bronchiolitis.

In uncomplicated bronchiolitis, chest radiography (CR) is not routinely recommended, yet it is still frequently made. This study seeks to evaluate the use of CR in children with bronchiolitis due to a lower respiratory tract infection (RSV-RTI) with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the influence of CR on patient treatment during the 2010-2017 seasons. There were 581 children included into the study: 459 with bronchiolitis (390 RSV-RTI and 69 non-RSV), 65 with RSV pneumonia and 57 with RSV bronchitis. We found that CR was performed in 28.6% (166/581) patients. CR was much more frequent in patients with RSV than non-RSV infections (61% vs. 31%). CR prognostic sensitivity and specificity in guiding antibiotic treatment was low, 78% and 58%, respectively. Positive and negative predicted values of CR were 78% and 58%, respectively and the number needed to diagnose was 2.777. Children in whom CR was performed (irrespective of the result) were at 22.9-fold higher risk of antibiotic therapy (95%CI: 14.1-37.1; p < 0.01), while those with a positive CR were only at 4.4-fold higher risk of antibiotic therapy (95%CI: 2.2-8.9; p < 0.01). Children with CR required a longer hospital stay than those without it (10 vs. 8 days, respectively; p < 0.01). The percentage of CR decreased from 78% in 2010 to 33% in 2017, with the lowest value of 11% in 2015. The additional cost of CR, which had no influence on treatment, would have been €381 had it been performed in each patient, which amounts to 1% of the total hospitalization cost. We conclude that CR is overused and in most cases it has no influence on the patient management. The recognition of practical meaning of CR is essential to avoid unnecessary radiation of children.

Antibiotic Treatment in Patients with Bronchiolitis.

This study seeks to define the indications and the economic impact of the use of antibiotics in infants hospitalized due to bronchiolitis during 2010-2017. There were 459 children with bronchiolitis, median age of 2.2 months, 390 infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and 69 were non-RSV. Twenty two percent of all these children (102/459) required a workup toward urinary tract co-infections (UTI). A control group, consisting of 8,456 children without bronchiolitis, was created to assess UTI frequency in the general population. We found that 16.0% (73/459) children with bronchiolitis received antibiotics; 63 (13.7%) due to respiratory infection and 9 due to UTI. A time-trend analysis showed a decreasing use of antibiotics, from 57.0% in 2010 to 13.7% in 2017, with the lowest value of 6.4% noticed in 2014. Children treated with antibiotics required a 4-day longer hospitalization than those untreated (p < 0.01), but there were no other clinically relevant differences. After excluding the first 2 years with the highest antibiotic ordering, antibiotics, on average, were used in 9.8% of children with bronchiolitis. Frequency of UTI accompanying bronchiolitis was comparable to that in the control group (8.9% vs. 10.9%, respectively). Specificity of urine culture was 71%, with 100% sensitivity assumed, while the positive predicted value of only 41%. The unnecessary costs of urine cultures, if performed in each patient, would have been €2,236, and with additional laboratory tests in each case of a false positive result it would have reached €5,448. We conclude that antibiotics should be used for bronchiolitis only in justified cases, and their use should not exceed 10% of patients. Since UTI is no more frequent in bronchiolitis than in the general children's population, urine cultures should not be performed routinely.

The Influence of National Guidelines on the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children. Do Pediatricians Follow the Recommendations?

This is a retrospective study whose main objective was to analyze the influence of the Polish Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Tract Infections of 2010 (PGMRTI) on in-hospital treatment of children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Files from four Warsaw hospitals were reviewed to identify children with uncomplicated CAP, treated before (2008-2009) (pre-PGMRTI) and after (2011-2012) (post-PGMRTI) publication of the guidelines. Predefined data on the management were compared. A cohort of 2,359 children (1,081 pre-PGMRTI and 1,278 post-PGMRTI) was included. We found that co-amoxiclav was the most common first-line therapy in children >3 months of age (34.6% and 40.4% pre- and post-PGMRTI, respectively), followed by cefuroxime (31.8% and 20.9% pre- and post-PGMRTI, respectively; p < 0.0001) and macrolides (17.4% and 24.5% pre- and post-PGMRTI, respectively; p < 0.0001). Amoxicillin was rarely used (5.4% and 4.9%, pre- and post-PGMRTI, respectively). The study revealed an overuse of inhaled bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and mucoactive drugs. Blood diagnostic tests were applied to a significant percentage of patients: blood cultures (41.2% and 44.5% pre-and post-PGMRTI, respectively) and serology for atypical pathogens (27.9% and 44.9% pre-and post-PGMRTI, respectively; p < 0.0001). The number of follow-up chest X-rays increased (30.5% and 53.8% pre- and post-PGMRTI, respectively; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the study demonstrates an unsatisfactory influence of the guidelines on in-hospital management of CAP in children. Despite an explicit recommendation for the use of amoxicillin, it was still underused. Other methods of education and guideline dissemination are needed to optimize the prescribing of antibiotics.

Polish consensus guidelines on the use of acyclovir in the treatment and prevention of VZV and HSV infections.

A physician has to perform a benefit-risk assessment each time acyclovir is prescribed "off label" for children. A group of Polish infectious disease experts was created to develop evidence-based guidelines on the use of acyclovir in the treatment and prevention of varicella zoster and herpes simplex infections. In primary varicella zoster virus infections, oral acyclovir treatment is recommended in children over 12 years of age and should be considered in younger children who fall into one of the groups at risk of severe varicella. Intravenous acyclovir therapy in varicella is recommended in patients with immune deficiencies, newborns and in complicated cases. When there is a justified need for prevention of varicella, oral acyclovir prophylaxis may be considered if immunoglobulin cannot be administered, and if it is too late for vaccination. Oral acyclovir treatment of herpes zoster may be beneficial to otherwise healthy patients with a rash in places other than the trunk and in patients over 50 years of age. In immunocompetent patients with herpes simplex infections, indications for treatment with oral acyclovir include primary (genital herpes, skin herpes in children with atopic dermatitis, ocular herpes simplex, severe gingivostomatitis, paronychia and pharyngitis) and recurrent infections. Intravenous acyclovir should be administered for herpes infections in neonates, immunocompromised patients and patients who develop complications including neurological.

Incidence of acute otitis media in children below 6 years of age seen in medical practices in five East European countries.

BACKGROUND: Although acute otitis media (AOM) remains a major public health problem worldwide and brings economic burden on health care system and caregivers, little information is available about its epidemiology in Eastern Europe. METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological, prospective, observational, multi-centre cohort study (NCT01365390) in five East European countries (Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia) between June 2011 and January 2013 to determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of AOM among children aged < 6 years during 1 year. RESULTS: AOM incidence was 160.7 cases (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 144.7-177.9) per 1000 person-years (PY) being the lowest in the < 1 year age group (92.3 cases [95 % CI: 59.7-136.2] per 1000 PY) and the highest in the 3- < 4 years age group (208.9 cases [95 % CI: 165.1-260.7] per 1000 PY). AOM incidence was similar across the countries, with the exception of Slovenia (340.3 cases [95 % CI: 278.3-412.0] per 1000 PY). There was a lower risk in breastfed children and a higher risk in those attending school/childcare or with allergies. AOM required 521 visits to the doctor. Antibiotics were prescribed for 276 (74.8 %) episodes with the lowest prescription rate in Estonia (51.4 %) and the highest in Romania (83.7 %). Complications were rare and hospitalisations occurred in 2 % of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The disease burden of AOM in Eastern Europe is relevant and public health initiatives to reduce it should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01365390 .

Risk factors for adverse events after vaccinations performed during the initial hospitalization of infants born prematurely.

INTRODUCTION: There are significant delays in implementing vaccination among preterm infants. OBJECTIVES: Description of the frequency and kinds of adverse events following immunization in preterms. Establishment of the group of preterms who will distinctively be susceptible to adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographical, clinical data and the occurrence of adverse events after DTaP, HIB and pneumococcal vaccination among preterms during their initial hospitalization were prospectively collected with the use of an electronic data form between 1st June 2011 and 31st May 2015. The analysis was conducted on 138 patients. The groups were divided according to maturity (I: ≤ GA 28w n=73 and GA 29-36 w n=65). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the occurrence of adverse events. Out of the total group, following vaccination apnoea developed in 6 newborns (4%) and activity dysfunctions were observed in 13 newborns (10%). The occurrence of apnoea after vaccination positively correlated with the time of non-invasive ventilation and the occurrence of late infection. There were no statistically significant demographical or clinical risk factors for the development of activity dysfunctions following vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Term vaccination in clinically stable preterm infants is a safe medical procedure. However, long-term non-invasive respiratory support and late infections are risk factors for apnea following vaccinations. In these patients vaccinations should be considered during hospitalization.

Sodium and copeptin levels in children with community acquired pneumonia.

Copeptin has been associated with the severity of pneumonia and its complications. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of copeptin measurement in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and copeptin's relation with disease severity and sodium equilibrium. The study encompassed 311 patients (227 with pneumonia and 84 healthy controls) aged 8 days-18 years. Clinical findings and inflammatory markers were used to predict the disease severity. We found that the level of copeptin was significantly higher in patients with CAP (median 0.88 ng/mL) vs. healthy children (0.33 ng/mL; p < 0.01). ROC analysis showed a high AUC value (0.87) and the cut-off point for plasma copeptin level was 0.44 ng/mL, with a high sensitivity (89 %) and specificity (73 %) in recognizing pneumonia. Patients with higher copeptin concentrations were at higher risk of hyponatremia (OR 2.43). Yet there was only a weak reverse correlation between the sodium and the copeptin concentrations (Spearmann's rank coefficient = -0.19). The levels of copeptin were higher in hyponatremic patients (0.83 ng/mL) vs. normonatremic patients (0.69 ng/mL; p = 0.02). Copeptin elevation did not reflect the CAP severity measured with traditionally used methods. In conclusion, copeptin elevation is a promising marker of pneumonia, but it reflects neither the disease severity nor sodium concentration.

[Prevention of nosocomial infections in the pediatric ward - own experiences]. / Profilaktyka zakazen szpitalnych w oddziale pediatrycznym - doswiadczenia wlasne.

INTRODUCTION: Patients pediatric wards are particularly at risk of nosocomial infections. Therefore, the newest principles of prevention of infections should be implemented and monitored. AIM: 1) to determine the prevalence, etiology and clinical manifestations of nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients; 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of procedures that aim at preventing hospital rotavirus infections and catheter-related bloodstream infections; 3) to analyse the incidence of flu among staff in two consecutive seasons of the epidemic influenza H1N1 (2009/2010 and 2010/2011); 4) to promote vaccinations of the medical staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 4432 children hospitalized from October 2007 to December 2009 and 57 medical staff (doctors, nurses, orderlies). The effectiveness was assessed of prevention procedures for nosocomial infections and morbidity, and of vaccination against influenza among the sta$, as deƒned by the Act on the prevention and suppression of infection and infectious diseases human and the criteria developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: Nosocomial infections were diagnosed in 2.2% of hospitalized children, where 96% were of acute gastroenteritis; 3% were bloodstream infections associated with peripheral vascular catheter. The 1% had respiratory infections (influenza). Hospital gastrointestinal infections were caused by the rotavirus (78%), norovirus (13%) and adenovirus (0.9%). In 1.1% of cases the etiology had not been determined. As a result of implementing prophylactic activities, a statistically signifiƒcant reduction of the incidence of nosocomial infections by the rotavirus was achieved (from 7.1 to 1.5%). The occurrence catheter-related bloodstream infections was entirely eliminated. Influenza and influenza-like infections were reported in 7% of the medical staff in the season of 2009/2010 and 5% in the season of 2010/2011. 42% of the medical staff was immunized against the influenza (92% of doctors, 7% nurses, 0% orderlies). CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of nosocomial infections in the pediatric ward are rotaviruses. Rotavirus infections and catheter-related bloodstream infections are possible to be effectively prevented through regular, proactive preventive measures. Vaccinations of the medical sta$ against influenza medical staff against influenza still require implementing measures of a promotional and educational character.

[Tolerability of iron preparation Actiferol Fe® in children treated for iron deficiency anemia]. / Ocena tolerowania preparatu zelaza actiferol fe® u dziecl z niedokrwistoscia z niedoboru zelaza.

INTRODUCTION: Iron de„ciency anemia is the most frequently occurring anemia during the childhood period. Supplementation with adequate doses of iron remains a basic method of prevention and treatment. The various available products containing iron are characterized by a different degree of patient tolerability. Actiferol Fe® is a micronized, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate which improves its water solubility, and therefore it has better absorption and bioavailability. AIM OF THE STUDY: The assessment of tolerability of Actiferol Fe® in children who were administered this product to treat or prevent of iron de„ciency anemia. The methods of administration and the incidence of adverse effects were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty children (64 boys and 16 girls) aged from one month to 6 years who met the criteria of an indication to be treated with iron were included into the study. The assessment of selected parameters was based on the questionnaire which included questions about tolerability, method of administration, convenience of usage and adverse e#ects. The questionnaire was „lled in by parents (usually by the mother). RESULTS: The study indicated that Actiferol Fe® has very good or good tolerability in 87.5% (70/80) of patients - 46.3% (37/80) and 41.2% (33/80), respectively. The most frequent method of administration was in liquid form after dissolving: in water - 31,3% (25/80), in orange juice - 18.8% (15/80) or in milk formulas - in 17.5% (14/80) of patients. The method of administration was assessed as convenient or very convenient by 84% (67/80) of participants. Out of the adverse effects reported, the most frequent were change in the stool consistency into harder, abdominal pain and constipation - in 20% (16/80), 11.25% (9/80), 10% (8/80) cases, respectively. Diarrhea, pain during defecation occurred occasionally. A dark color of the stool was reported by 55% (44/80) of patients. In only one case (1.25%) the parents resigned from the product administration and replaced it with another iron product (no connection with tolerability of the formulation). CONCLUSION: Actiferol Fe® is a product characterized by good tolerability, convenient usage and mild adverse effects.

[Etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in children hospitalized in the period of 2009-2012].

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze etiology of childhood pneumonia in the region of Warsaw and to assess the efficacy and usefulness of standard diagnostic procedures used in search of etiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 663 patients (323 girls and 340 boys) hospitalized due to pneumonia in the period of 2009-2012 were enrolled. Diagnostic procedures to determine the etiology were performed in 400/663 (60.3%) children. Type of diagnostic procedures depended on medical history, disease's course and patient's condition and included 336 blood cultures, 257 measurements of antibody titers against Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 12 measurements of antibody titers against Bordetella pertussis, 14 pleural fluid cultures (deriving from 9 patients). Using the BiNet network 51 specimens (45 blood specimens, 4 pleural fluid, 2 bacterial strains) were send to the KOROUN in order to perform molecular diagnostic in search of encapsulated bacteria. RESULTS: Etiology of pneumonia was found in 9.7% (64/663) of all patients with diagnosed CAP, what accounted for 16% (64/400) of children in which the diagnostics was taken. The most frequent agent was atypical bacteria which was found in 14.75% (59/400) patients (in 26 patients - Chlamydophila pneumoniae, 11 - Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 22 - mixed infection). Bacterial etiology was confirmed in 1.25% (5/400) of patients (Streptococcus pneumoniae-3 patients, Streptococcus pyogenes i Bordetella pertussis - 1 patient each other). Efficacy of a single blood culture was very low - 0.6% (2/336). Pleural fluid culture was positive only in 1 of 9 drained patients (S. pyogenes). Thanks to the use of BiNet network (KOROUN) etiology of severe pneumonia in 3 patients has been determined. 2 of those patients suffered from invasive pneumococcal disease, which was not diagnosed with standard microbiological procedures (blood cultures). CONCLUSIONS: The methods currently used in the diagnosis of pneumonia is inadequate. It was possible to determine the etiology of only 10% of children hospitalized. The most common cause of pneumonia that seen were atypical infection (8.9%). The effectiveness of single blood culture in determining the etiology of pneumonia was very low and amounted to 0.6%. It is necessary to expand the diagnosis of childhood pneumonia upon the basis of molecular techniques and methods of serotyping.

[Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections in children on the basis of various recommendations]. / Diagnostyka i postepowanie w zakazeniach ukladu moczowego u dzieci na podstawie róznych zalecen.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial diseases of childhood. Early diagnosis infection is extremely important because it is often the first clinical manifestation of a serious pathology of the urinary tract. In the case of coexistence of urinary tract defects it can lead to end-stage renal failure and the need for implementation of renal replacement therapy. In children with a history of traveling at least one episode of UTI is the most common drawback of vesicoureteral reflux. Until recently, the predominant view that chronic pharmacological used antimicrobial prophylaxis and early treatment will allow the implementation of the inhibition of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This was based on the assumption that there is a causal relationship between vesicoureteral reflux, especially a high grade (III-V), and recurrent UTIs, which was regarded as the immediate cause of kidney damage and the development of the so-called reflux nephropathy. In the last decade we observe a significant change of views on the root causes damage to the renal parenchyma, and the consequences of previous UTI pathogenesis vesicoureteral reflux. For this reason, in many countries modified existing recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic agent in children with urinary tract infections.