Antibiotics prescription for targeted therapy of pediatric invasive pneumococcal diseases in China: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a major cause of bacterial meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia in children. Inappropriate choice of antibiotic can have important adverse consequences for both the individual and the community. Here, we focused on penicillin/cefotaxime non-susceptibility of S. pneumoniae and evaluated appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy for children with IPD (invasive pneumococcal diseases) in China. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 14 hospitals from 13 provinces in China. Antibiotics prescription, clinical features and resistance patterns of IPD cases from January 2012 to December 2017 were collected. Appropriateness of targeted antibiotics therapy was assessed. RESULTS: 806 IPD cases were collected. The non-susceptibility rates of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and cefotaxime were 40.9% and 20.7% respectively in 492 non-meningitis cases, whereas those were 73.2% and 43.0% respectively in 314 meningitis cases. Carbapenems were used in 21.3% of non-meningitis cases and 42.0% of meningitis cases for targeted therapy. For 390 non-meningitis cases with isolates susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and linezolid were used in 17.9% and 8.7% of cases respectively for targeted therapy. For 179 meningitis cases with isolates susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and linezolid were prescribed in 55.3% and 15.6% of cases respectively. Overall, inappropriate targeted therapies were identified in 361 (44.8%) of 806 IPD cases, including 232 (28.8%) cases with inappropriate use of carbapenems, 169 (21.0%) cases with inappropriate use of vancomycin and 62 (7.7%) cases with inappropriate use of linezolid. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic regimens for IPD definite therapy were often excessive with extensive prescription of carbapenems, vancomycin or linezolid in China. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should be implemented to improve antimicrobial use.

[Clinical characteristics and drug sensitivity in children with invasive pneumococcal disease: a multicenter study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics, drug sensitivity of isolated strains, and risk factors of drug resistance in children with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). METHODS: The clinical characteristics and drug sensitivity of the isolated strains of 246 hospitalized children with IPD in nine grade A tertiary children's hospitals from January 2016 to June 2018 were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 246 children with IPD, there were 122 males and 124 females. Their ages ranged from 1 day to 14 years, and among them, 68 (27.6%) patients were less than 1 year old, 54 (22.0%) patients were 1 to 2 years old, 97 (39.4%) patients were 2 to 5 years old, and 27 (11.0%) patients were 5 to 14 years old. Pneumonia with sepsis was the most common infection type (58.5%, 144/246), followed by bloodstream infection without focus (19.9%, 49/246) and meningitis (15.0%, 37/246). Forty-nine (19.9%) patients had underlying diseases, and 160 (65.0%) had various risk factors for drug resistance. The isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were 100% sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin, 90% sensitive to ertapenem, ofloxacin, and ceftriaxone, but had a low sensitivity to erythromycin (4.2%), clindamycin (7.9%), and tetracycline (6.3%). CONCLUSIONS: IPD is more common in children under 5 years old, especially in those under 2 years old. Some children with IPD have underlying diseases, and most of the patients have various risk factors for drug resistance. Pneumonia with sepsis is the most common infection type. The isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains are highly sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, ertapenem, and ceftriaxone in children with IPD.

[Pertussis diagnosis: the limitation of the currently used criteria and the suggestion of Global Pertussis Initiative].

It has been recognized that pertussis is a disease that affects all age groups. There are obvious limitations in the currently used diagnostic criteria with "one-size-fits-all" definition, which is not advantageous to start individual treatment and perform strategies for preventing the transmission. Therefore, the expert group of Global Pertussis Initiative gives a suggestion for the diagnosis of pertussis. Based on the related published studies, the present article analyzes the limitations of the current criteria, and introduces the GPI's suggestion in detail.

[Influencing factors for duration of viral nucleic acid shedding in children with influenza A].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the features and duration of viral nucleic acid shedding in children with influenza A. METHODS: The clinical data of 90 children with influenza A with positive influenza A virus nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swab detected by PCR were collected, and these children were divided into simple influenza A group (n=10), influenza A-pneumonia group (n=61), influenza A-nervous system damage group (n=10), and influenza A-underlying disease group (n=9). A retrospective analysis was performed for clinical features, treatment process, duration of viral nucleic acid shedding, and prognosis. RESULTS: The most common symptoms in these children were fever (89/90, 99%), cough (89/90, 99%), running nose (69/90, 77%), shortness of breath (26/90, 29%), and myalgia (23/90, 26%). The mean duration of viral nucleic acid shedding in 90 children was 9.4±2.9 days. The simple influenza A group had a significantly shorter duration of viral nucleic acid shedding than the influenza A-pneumonia, influenza A-nervous system damage, and influenza A-underlying disease groups (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the influenza A-pneumonia, influenza A-nervous system damage, and influenza A-underlying disease groups (p>0.05). The children who received antiviral therapy within 48 hours after disease onset had significantly shorter duration of viral nucleic acid shedding and time to body temperature recovery than those who received antiviral therapy more than 48 hours after disease onset (p<0.05). Of all the children with body temperature recovery, 83% still tested positive for viral nucleic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Complications, underlying diseases, and timing of antiviral therapy are influencing factors for the duration of influenza A virus nucleic acid shedding, and whether body temperature returns to normal cannot be used to decide whether to continue antiviral therapy.

Severe congenital neutropenia and liver abscess: Surgical treatment breaks the vicious cycle.

Here, we present a case with genetically confirmed SCN. The main symptom of the child was recurring fever. The combination of antibiotics combined with G-CSF injection was proved to be insufficient, and the patient developed "solid" liver abscess. After undergoing surgical anatomical hepatic lobectomy, the child's infection symptoms showed improvement. The postoperative culture of the purulent material from the liver infection lesion revealed an infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Our case raises the possibility of pathogen sources and routes of infection, clinical characteristics, and effective treatment for SCN patients with concomitant liver abscess.

Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of monkeypox in children: an experts' consensus statement.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease. Since the first human monkeypox case was detected in 1970, it has been prevalent in some countries in central and western Africa. Since May 2022, monkeypox cases have been reported in more than 96 non-endemic countries and regions worldwide. As of September 14, 2022, there have been more than 58,200 human monkeypox cases, and there is community transmission. The cessation of smallpox vaccination in 1980, which had some cross-protection with monkeypox, resulted in a general lack of immunity to monkeypox, which caused global concern and vigilance. As of September 14, 2022, there are four monkeypox cases in China, including three in Taiwan province and one in Hong Kong city. Previous foreign studies have shown that children are vulnerable to monkeypox and are also at high risk for severe disease or complications. In order to improve pediatricians' understanding of monkeypox and achieve early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment,  and early disposal, we have organized national authoritative experts in pediatric infection, respiratory, dermatology, critical care medicine, infectious diseases, and public health and others to formulate this expert consensus, on the basis of the latest "Clinical management and infection prevention and control for monkeypox" released by The World Health Organization, the "guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of monkeypox (version 2022)" issued by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and other relevant documents. During the development of this consensus, multidisciplinary experts have repeatedly demonstrated the etiology, epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, discharge criteria, prevention, disposal process, and key points of prevention and control of suspected and confirmed cases.

Invasive Salmonella Infections Among Children in Shenzhen, China: A Five-year Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Invasive Salmonella infections are highly prevalent worldwide. Clinical data of childhood invasive Salmonella infections from China are limited. METHODS: Data of hospitalized children <18 years old with invasive Salmonella infections from 2016 to 2020 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital in Shenzhen were retrospectively collected. Serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility tests of the invasive Salmonella isolates were performed. RESULTS: Sixty-three cases were enrolled during the 5-year study period including 8 in 2016, 11 in 2017, 16 in 2018, 6 in 2019 and 22 in 2020. The median age was 15 months (interquartile range, 11-22 months), and 79.4% (50 cases) were <2 years of age. Underlying diseases were found in 28.6% (18 cases) of the patients with a great variety, but no cases of malaria or HIV infection were identified. Most of the invasive Salmonella cases were bloodstream infections (84.1%), followed by osteoarthritis (11.1%) and meningitis (4.8%). Gastroenteritis (49.2%) and pneumonia (28.6%) were found to be the major manifestations among the patients. Furthermore, invasive Salmonella infections resulted in the death of 3 children (4.8%). Salmonella enteritis (12 cases; 15.9%) and Salmonella typhimurium (9 cases; 19.0%) as the most common serovars were identified. The resistance rates of Salmonella strains to ceftriaxone, ceftazidime and cefepime were also measured to be 17.5%, 17.5% and 9.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of childhood invasive Salmonella infections with a broad range of serotypes was observed in Shenzhen, China. It is critical to pay attention to the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates taken from children with invasive Salmonella infections.

[Prognostic Factors Analysis of Children with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors affecting prognosis of children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). METHODS: The clinical manifestations and laboratory data of 143 HLH children who met the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria in Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2009 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the independent factors affecting prognosis were also analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of 143 HLH children was 1.9 (0.1-14.3) years old, and the median follow-up time was 6.7 years (1 day - 11.9 years). The overall survival rate of 1 month, 1 year, and 10 years was (87.4±5.5)%, (81.1±6.5)%, and (81.1±6.5)%, respectively. The deaths occurred within 1 year after onset. Multivariate analysis showed that central nervous system (CNS) involvement (P=0.047), low hemoglobin (P=0.002), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P<0.001), high triglyceride (P=0.005) were all the independent risk factors affecting survival of the children. Receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that APTT (AUC=0.753, P<0.001) was more valuable than other risk factors in predicting death of the children. The cut-off value of APTT was 56.6 s, and the sensitivity and specificity of which was 55.6% and 89.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hypohemoglobinemia, prolonged APTT, hypertriglyceridemia, and CNS involvement the risk factors affecting prognosis of HLH, and prolonged APTT shows a strong predictive value for death.

Efficacy and safety of interferon α-2b spray for herpangina in children: A randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of acute herpangina is inconsistent. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interferon α-2b spray versus Ribavirin for this disease. METHODS: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in eight hospitals in China between 2016 and 2018. 668 patients (1-7 years old) were randomized into an experimental group (treated with Interferon α-2b spray) or control group (received Ribavirin Aerosol). Body temperature returning to normal within 72 h and remaining so for 24 h was the primary outcome; release of oral herpes and adverse events were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: (1) The average age of onset was 2.5 years old. (2) After 72 h treatment, body temperature of 98.5% patients in experimental group and 94.3% in control group returned to normal and remained so for 24 h (P = 0.004). The differences were greater at 48 h treatment (95.2% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.001) and at 24 h (77.5% vs. 66.5%, P = 0.001). (3) The rate of improved oral herpes in the experimental group was higher than that in control group (46.7% vs.37.1%, P = 0.011). No adverse reaction occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Local application of recombinant interferon α-2b spray showed better efficacy for acute herpangina in children. It was safe for use.

Clinical characteristics, molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of pertussis among children in southern China.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of pertussis cases have been reported in recent years. The reported cases from Shenzhen Children's Hospital were close to one tenth of all cases in China. The epidemiology of antigenic genotype and antibiotic resistance of circulating strains in children have been unknown in Shenzhen, southern China. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and explore the genotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of circulating Bordetella pertussis among children in Shenzhen. METHODS: Data of hospitalized children with pertussis in Shenzhen Children's Hospital from August 2015 to April 2017 were collected. The genetic variability of isolates was investigated and Etest was performed for phenotypic susceptibility to erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. RESULTS: 469 children with pertussis confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were hospitalized and strains were isolated from 105 patients. White blood cell count ≥ 20 × 109/L and lymphocyte proportion ≥ 60% were observed in 39.29% of infants younger than 3 months. The two predominant profiles of virulence-associated allelic genes were ptxA1/ptxC1/ptxP1/prn1 (48.6%) and ptxA1/ptxC2/ptxP3/prn2 (44.8%). Among the isolates, 48.6% (51/105) were found resistant to macrolides. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that leukocytosis is not a sensitive indicator of pertussis. Isolates with the gene profile ptxP3/prn2 were highly circulating in Shenzhen and less resistant to macrolides, different from patterns observed in other parts of China.

Diagnosis and treatment of herpangina: Chinese expert consensus.

BACKGROUND: Herpangina is a common infectious disease in childhood caused by an enterovirus. This consensus is aiming to standardize and improve herpangina prevention and clinical diagnosis. METHODS: The Subspecialty Group of Infectious Diseases, the Society of Pediatric, Chinese Medical Association and Nation Medical Quality Control Center for Infectious Diseases gathered 20 experts to develop the consensus, who are specialized in diagnosis and treatment of herpangina. RESULTS: The main pathogenic serotypes of herpangina include Coxsackievirus-A, Enterovirus-A and Echovirus. Its diagnosis can be rendered on the basis of history of epidemiology, typical symptoms, characteristic pharyngeal damage and virological tests. The treatment is mainly symptomatic, and incorporates topical oral spray with antiviral drugs. The course of herpangina generally lasts 4-6 days with a good prognosis. CONCLUSION: The consensus could provide advices and references for the diagnosis, treatment and management of herpangina in children.

Updated diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in children: experts' consensus statement (condensed version of the second edition).

In the early February, 2020, we called up an experts' committee with more than 30 Chinese experts from 11 national medical academic organizations to formulate the first edition of consensus statement on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children, which has been published in this journal. With accumulated experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in children, we have updated the consensus statement and released the second edition recently. The current version in English is a condensed version of the second edition of consensus statement on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in children. In the current version, diagnosis and treatement criteria have been optimized, and early identification of severe and critical cases is highlighted. The early warning indicators for severe pediatric cases have been summarized which is utmost important for clinical practice. This version of experts consensus will be valuable for better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in children worldwide.

Antibiotic resistance profiles and multidrug resistance patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae in pediatrics: A multicenter retrospective study in mainland China.

Emergent resistance to antibiotics among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates is a severe problem worldwide. Antibiotic resistance profiles for S pneumoniae isolates identified from pediatric patients in mainland China remains to be established.The clinical features, antimicrobial resistance, and multidrug resistance patterns of S pneumoniae were retrospectively analyzed at 10 children's hospitals in mainland China in 2016.Among the collected 6132 S pneumoniae isolates, pneumococcal diseases mainly occurred in children younger than 5 years old (85.1%). The resistance rate of S pneumoniae to clindamycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 95.8%, 95.2%, 93.6%, and 66.7%, respectively. The resistance rates of S pneumoniae to penicillin were 86.9% and 1.4% in non-meningitis and meningitis isolates, while the proportions of ceftriaxone resistance were 8.2% and 18.1%, respectively. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was administered to only 4.1% of patients. Penicillin and ceftriaxone resistance, underling diseases, antibiotic resistant risk factors, and poor prognosis appeared more frequently in invasive pneumococcal diseases. The incidence of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 46.1% in patients with invasive pneumococcal disease which was more than in patients with non-invasive pneumococcal disease (18.3%). Patients with invasive pneumococcal disease usually have several MDR coexistence.S pneumoniae isolates showed high resistance to common antibiotics in mainland China. Penicillin and ceftriaxone resistance rate of invasive streptococcal pneumonia patients were significantly higher than that of non-invasive S pneumoniae patients. Alarmingly, 46.1% of invasive clinical isolates were multidrug resistant, so it is important to continued monitor the resistance of S pneumoniae when protein conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is coming in mainland China.

Fatal malignant pertussis with hyperleukocytosis in a Chinese infant: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Pertussis has re-emerged on a global scale and is an ongoing public health problem, even in countries with high rates of vaccination. Hyperleukocytosis [white blood cell (WBC) count >100 × 10/L] is a rare complication that strongly predicts mortality in cases of severe pertussis. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of severe pertussis in an infant who initially presented with persistent cyanotic cough, tachypnea, and grunting. The infant's condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during her third hour of hospitalization. On the third hospital day, her WBC count had increased to 101.85 × 10/L with a lymphocyte count of 36.76 × 10/L, and her hemoglobin level had fallen to 6.9 g/dL. Bone marrow examination found no evidence of tumor cells. Her initial echocardiogram showed no abnormal findings; however, a subsequent echocardiogram 10 days later revealed pulmonary hypertension. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, which was confirmed to be pertussis based on a persistent cough in the infant's mother and the polymerase chain reaction and culture of the infant's nasopharyngeal secretions being positive for Bordetella pertussis. INTERVENTIONS: The infant was treated with supportive care, early macrolide antibiotics, and broad-spectrum antibiotics before being transferred to the PICU for further management, including continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. OUTCOMES: Unfortunately, the infant died as a result of pulmonary hypertension and multiorgan failure. LESSONS: Exchange transfusion should be considered in all infants who present with severe pertussis with hyperleukocytosis. This guideline is supported by the findings of a comprehensive literature review, which is included in this article, as well as newly published criteria for exchange transfusion therapy. Finally, we hope that adults in China will be vaccinated against B. pertussis in order to prevent the infection of infants within their households.

Antibiotic usage in Chinese children: a point prevalence survey.

BACKGROUND: Children as a population have high antimicrobial prescribing rates which may lead to high resistance of bacteria according to data from some single-center surveys of antibiotic prescribing rates in China. The acquirement of baseline data of antibiotic prescribing is the basis of developing intervention strategies on inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions. Few studies show clearly the pattern and detailed information on classes of antibiotics and distribution of indications of antibiotic prescriptions in children in China. This study aims to assess the antibiotic prescribing patterns among children and neonates hospitalized in 18 hospitals in China. METHODS: A 24-hour point prevalence survey on antimicrobial prescribing was conducted in hospitalized neonates and children in China from December 1st, 2016 to February 28th, 2017. Information on the antibiotic use of patients under 18 years of age who were administered one or more on-going antibiotics in the selected wards over a 24-hour period was collected. These data were submitted to the GARPEC (Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Prescribing and Efficacy in Children and Neonates) web-based application ( https://pidrg-database.sgul.ac.uk/redcap/ ). For statistical analysis, Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS 22.0 were used. RESULTS: The antibiotic data were collected in 35 wards in 18 hospitals from 9 provinces. In total, 67.76% (975/1439) of the patients (n = 1439) were given at least one antibiotic, including 58.1% (173/298) of neonates (n = 298) and 70.3% (802/1141) of children (n = 1141). In neonates, the three most frequently prescribed antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins (41.7%), penicillins plus enzyme inhibitor (23.8%), and carbapenems (11.2%). In children, the three most frequently prescribed antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins (35.5%), macrolides (23.2%), and penicillins plus enzyme inhibitors (15.9%). The most common indication for antibiotics was proven or probable bacterial lower respiratory tract infection (30.9% in neonates and 66.6% in children). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in the Chinese children population. It is likely that the third-generation cephalosporins and macrolides are currently overused in Chinese children. Efforts must be made to ensure safe and appropriate antibiotic prescribing to reduce and prevent the future development of antibiotic resistance.

Clinical characteristics and etiology of bacterial meningitis in Chinese children >28 days of age, January 2014-December 2016: A multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics and etiology of bacterial meningitis (BM) in Chinese children. METHOD: BM cases in children 28days to 18 years old were collected from January 2014-December 2016 and screened according to World Health Organization standards. Clinical features, pathogens, and resistance patterns were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 837 cases were classified into five age groups: 28 days-2 months (17.0%), 3-11 months (27.8%), 12-35 months (24.0%), 3-6 years (13.9%), and >6years (17.3%). Major pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae, n=136, 46.9%), group B Streptococcus (GBS, n=29, 10.0%), and Escherichia coli (E. coli, n=23, 7.9%). In infants <3 months old, GBS (46.5%) and E. coli (23.3%) were most common; in children >3 months old, S. pneumoniae (54.7%), which had a penicillin non-susceptibility rate of 55.4% (36/65), was most frequent. The resistance rates of S. pneumoniae and E. coli to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone were 14.0%/40.0% and 11.3%/68.4%, respectively. All GBS isolates were sensitive to penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of BM peaked in the first year of life, while S. pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen in children >3months of old. The antibiotic resistance of S. pneumoniae was a concern.

[The role of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of asthma in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tr cells) in the pathogenesis of asthma in children. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 pediatric patients with asthma, 10 male and 10 female, aged 7 (3-12), and 20 healthy children, 10 male and 10 female, aged 6.5 (2-11). Lymphocytes were isolated. Flow cytometry was used to examine the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, IL-10 secreting CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)-IL-10), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta secreting CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)-TGF-beta). RT-PCR and real-time PCR were used to detect the mRNA expression of suppressor of cytokine signal 1 (SOSC1) and Foxp3. RESULTS: The percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells of the asthma children was 6.51% +/- 1.94%, significantly lower than that of the healthy children (11.96% +/- 2.30%, P < 0.01); the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)-IL-10 of the asthma children was 1.46% +/- 0.35%, significantly lower than that of the healthy children (5.65% +/- 1.70%, P < 0.01); and the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)-TGF-beta of the asthma children was 1.24% +/- 0.21%, significantly lower than that t of the healthy children (4.23% +/- 1.65%, P < 0.01). The Foxp3 mRNA expression of the asthma children was 0.12 +/- 0.05, significantly lower than that of the healthy children (1.71 +/- 0.58, P < 0.01); and the SOCS1 mRNA expression of the asthma children was 0.38 +/- 0.19, significantly lower than that of the healthy children (1.51 +/- 0.41, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The decrease of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The decreased mRNA expression of Foxp3 and SOCS1 may be associated with the aberrant development of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells.