[Mold hypersensitivity in children with frequent respiratory tract infection and prolonged cough attacks]. / Sik solunum yolu enfeksiyonu ve uzamis öksürük ataklari olan çocuklarda küf duyarliligi

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate pollen, mite and mold sensitivities among children with frequent respiratory tract infection living in damp apartments and to evaluate the effects of separated parents, education status, ethnicity, the presence of siblings, and their atopy status on the development of atopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2012 and September 2013, 63 children (28 girls, 35 boys; mean age 80.2 years; range 24 to 97 years) who were admitted to Acibadem Bodrum Hospital with at least six respiratory tract infection per year with mold exposure and prolonged cough attacks and underwent skin prick test (SPT) were included. Skin prick test-positive patients were further divided into groups according to the upper respiratory tract (URT) or lower respiratory tract (LRT) involvement and were assessed for mold, mite and pollen sensitivities. RESULTS: One-third of the patients were SPT positive. The parents of these patients had physician-diagnosed allergy (p<0.05). Most patients with mite sensitivity presented with URT and LRT findings (p<0.05). Pollen-sensitive patients had predominantly URT findings (p<0.05). All children with mold sensitivity presented with LRT findings (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Atopic children may experience more frequent LRT symptoms when exposed to molds than non-atopic children. Mold exposure may also cause inflammation at LRT without causing immunoglobulin E-dependent sensitization.

Maternal omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in pregnancy decreases MMP-1 levels in breastmilk: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-inflammatory properties of fish-oil are well known and suggested during pregnancy. MMP-1 is involved in inflammation and tissue remodelling. There have been studies focused on anti-inflammatory effect of maternal omega use on human milk while little is known about the effect of omega use on breastmilk proteases. Leptin is an important hormone that influences MMP levels in various tissues and exerts its metabolic effects. In our study we assessed the levels of MMP-1, TIMP-1, leptin, IL-6 and FA's including PUFA in breastmilk from women who used omega-3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was a cross-sectional study included 67(Group 1, n = 32, omega user; Group 2 n = 35, non-user)lactating women and their infan MMP-1, TIMP-1, leptin, IL-6 and FA's were evaluated in breastmilk of both groups. MMP-1, TIMP-1, IL-6 and leptin were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) method. Breastmilk fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). RESULTS: Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels in breastmilk were significantly lower in breastmilk from omega users (mean ± SD, 0.455 ± 0.1) than non-users (mean ± SD, 0.677 ± 0.289) (p=.0001). MMP-1 and omega 6:3 ratio were positively correlated (r: 0.301, p=.01). MMP levels were correlated with IL-6 (Pearson's r: 0.411, p<.001). MMP-1 and leptin levels were positively correlated (r: .388, p=.001). CONCLUSION: MMP-1 levels in breastmilk, may be modified by maternal omega use in pregnancy which may help to redirect extracellular matrix remodelling and metabolic programming in early infancy.

Vitamin D levels and parathyroid hormone variations of children living in a subtropical climate: a data mining study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) play a crucial role in calcium homeostasis and bone health of children. Serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) is considered to be the most accurate marker for vitamin D status. However, there have only been a few studies, with limited number of subjects, investigating the relationship between 25-OHD and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal 25-OHD levels and its associations with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in Turkish children at all pediatric ages; and then to define a critical decision threshold level for 25-OHD deficiency in Turkish children. METHODS: A retrospective record review of 90,042 children, was performed on serum 25-OHD and for 3525 iPTH levels. They were measured by mass spectrometry method and by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay simultaneously. RESULTS: 25-OHD levels showed a sinusoidal fluctuation througout the year; being significantly higher in summer and autumn (p < 0,01). 25-OHD levels decreased with respect to age. The significant inverse relationship that was found between iPTH and 25-OHD suggests that the inflection point of serum 25-OHD level for maximal suppression of PTH is at 30 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: As the rate of vitamin D deficiency decreases in the early years due to vitamin D supplementation, the recommendation should be set due to a clinical threshold level of 30 ng/ml for 25-OHD based on PTH levels in children of our population.