ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms in Chinese college students before and after the COVID-19 epidemic and to provide a reference for mental health education and management.@*Methods@#Database of PubMed, Cochrane, CBM, WanFang, CNKI and CIP were searched for the studies on depressive symptoms in Chinese college students using the Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) or the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). All the literatures were classified according to the publication time before and after the epidemic around January 2020. Meta analysis was performed by using Stata15.1.@*Results@#There were 26 articles before the epidemic, with a total sample size of 76 816 participants, and 18 articles after the epidemic, with a total sample size of 102 653 participants . The detection rate of depressive symptoms in college students after the epidemic was higher than that before the epidemic (35.7%, 30.9%). Fifteen factors were included in the Meta analysis. There was a positive correlation between being third year in college and college students before the epidemic ( OR = 1.27 ). Before and after the epidemic, being fourth year in college，introvert personality，breakfast skipping，physically unhealthy，poor family economy，single parent，staying up late and poor sleep quality were all positively correlated with depression of college students ( OR =1.44，1.35；1.68，2.01；3.33，3.03；2.21，4.99；1.80，1.89；2.33，1.92；1.53，3.08；2.23，2.97), while high social support and physical exercise were negatively correlated with depression for depressive symptoms in college students( OR =0.57,0.55; 0.78, 0.60 )（ P ＜0.05）.@*Conclusion@#The detection rate of depressive symptoms among college students after the epidemic is higher. The effect of introversion, physical exercise, physically unhealthy, poor sleep quality and staying up late are higher after pandemic compared than before the epidemic. The targeted mental intervention and health education should be strengthened.
ABSTRACT
Objective @#To explore the effect on children's occlusion and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after placement of preformed metal crowns and provide a reference for the restoration of defective primary molars. @*Methods @#A total of 39 children who underwent all primary molar metal crown restorations under general anesthesia were enrolled. The participants underwent occlusal contact area, percentage of total occlusal force, asymmetric ratio of occlusal force and occlusal contact time examinations with the T-scan computerized occlusal analysis system. Vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) was measured using a dental vertical dimension gauge. TMJ dysfunction signs were recorded using the modified clinical dysfunction index (Di), and TMJ dysfunction symptoms were recorded using questionnaires. All data were collected at pretreatment, 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up visits. @*Results@#The occlusal contact area at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits returned to the occlusal contact area of pretreatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with pretreatment, the percentage of total occlusal force at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The asymmetric ratio of occlusal force and the occlusal contact time were significantly decreased at the 6-month follow-up visit (P<0.05). The vertical dimension of occlusion recovered after one month of treatment (P>0.05). The final statistical analysis of the TMJ assessment showed that there was no significant difference in the clinical disorder index and TMJ dysfunction symptoms before and after treatment (P>0.05). @*Conclusions @# After undergoing all primary molar metal crown restorations, occlusal re-equilibrations were attained after approximately one month. The percentage of total occlusal force and occlusal stability were significantly increased after six months of treatment, without significant temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding protection against COVID-19 among primary and middle school students in Hangzhou and to provide a scientific basis for schools to carry out targeted prevention and control measures.@*Methods@#Anonymous network sampling survey was carried out through the questionnaire star, and a total of 14 216 subjects from primary and middle school in Hangzhou were recruited to fill in the questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitudes and practice of COVID-19 from March 3 to March 7, 2020.@*Results@#Primary and middle school students showed high awareness rate of transmission (85.83%) and incubation period (77.44%), but lower awareness on symptoms (44.70%) of COVID-19. The practice of wearing masks, cough etiquette and correct hand washing were 97.27%, 88.01% and 91.82%, respectively. The protective practice among primary and middle school students were generally good, 91.21% of them were at moderate level or above. 83.91% of primary and secondary school students reported worries about infection of COVID-19, and 55.42% of primary and secondary school students were anxious about returning to school. Primary school students and rural students were more anxious about returning to school(χ 2=46.66, 26.70, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The primary and middle school students in Hangzhou have a relatively good level of knowledge and practice concerning COVID-19. Yet, it is necessary to carry out targeted health education and strengthen mental health education for primary and middle school students.
ABSTRACT
@#Dental caries and trauma are the most common oral diseases in children, which could result in defects of the teeth or detention. Maintenance of the primary dentition in a nonpathologic condition is important for oral health, craniofacial development, and the overall well-being of the children. In contemporary dentistry, primary anterior teeth defects are mainly treated with drugs, restorative treatments, or both. Restorative treatment is the most preferred method and includes direct restoration, full coronal restoration, post-and-core crowns, etc. This article reviews the available information regarding a variety of restorative treatments for primary incisor defects, including their backgrounds, clinical indications, clinical pathways, and related studies. The literature review shows that intraconal direct restoration is widely used on single surfaces. There are many kinds of full coronal restorations, and each has its own advantages. Pediatric resin-bonded strip crowns and zirconia crowns are the most popular and have excellent aesthetics. The use of post-and-core crowns for primary incisors is controversial. The absorbable post may be the next research hotspot. Therefore, treatment of severely destroyed primary incisors poses a challenge for pediatric dentists, as three important considerations must be kept in mind: children′s behavioral management, preservation of the tooth structure and parental satisfaction.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To learn the current situation of smoking among permanent residents aged 15 years and over in Hangzhou,so as to provide evidence for further smoking control.@*Methods@#From March to June of 2017,multi-stage random sampling method was used to select residents aged 15 years and over in Hangzhou from district (county),town (street),village (residential committee) and then residential groups. The global Adult Tobacco Survey (part of China) questionnaire was used to investigate smoking,second-hand smoking and smoking cessation status of residents. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for smoking and quitting behaviors.@*Results@#A total of 1 440 questionnaires were sent out and 1 434 valid ones were recovered,with an response rate of 99.58%. There were 359 (25.03%) current smokers and 333 (23.22%) daily smokers. The median number was 15 cigarettes per day in daily smokers,and the median age of starting daily smoking was 21 years old. There were 670 (62.33%) people exposed to second-hand smoking. There were 137 (27.62%) people successfully quitting smoking. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that men (OR=73.459,95%CI:38.970-138.458), 50 years old or above (OR:1.646-2.632,95%CI:1.020-4.710),primary school education (OR=3.267,95%CI: 1.586-6.732),high school or vocational school education (OR=1.902,95%CI: 1.109-3.261),awareness of second-hand smoking hazards (OR=2.485,95%CI:1.735-3.559) were the influencing factors for current smoking;men (OR=64.454,95%CI:29.031-138.691),50-59 years old (OR=0.281,95%CI:0.095-0.827),primary school education (OR=0.211,95%CI:0.053-0.841) were the influencing factors for quitting smoking.@*Conclusions@#The rates of current smoking and second-hand smoking of permanent residents aged 15 years and over in Hangzhou were 25.03% and 62.33%,respectively. Gender,age and education level were associated with current smoking and quitting smoking.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical effect of psychological and behavioral intervention combined with biofeedback in the treatment of preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).@*METHODS@#Sixty children each with inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type ADHD were enrolled. According to the intervention measure, they were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, psychological and behavioral intervention, biofeedback treatment and comprehensive treatment (psychological and behavioral intervention + biofeedback). Attention concentration time and impulse/hyperactivity and hyperactivity index scores of the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) were evaluated after 4 months of treatment.@*RESULTS@#The attention concentration time increased in all types children with ADHD after psychological and behavioral intervention, biofeedback treatment or comprehensive treatment (P<0.05). In children with inattentive ADHD, hyperactive/impulsive ADHD or combined-type ADHD, biofeedback or comprehensive treatment reduced the impulse/hyperactivity index score (P<0.05). In children with inattentive or combined-type ADHD, psychological and behavioral intervention or comprehensive treatment reduced the hyperactivity index score (P<0.05). In children with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, biofeedback treatment, psychological and behavioral intervention or comprehensive treatment reduced the hyperactivity index score (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In children with ADHD, psychological and behavioral intervention combined with biofeedback treatment can improve the attention concentration and impulsive/hyperactive and hyperactive symptoms. The treatment strategies are slightly different for children with different types of ADHD.
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Humans , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity , Biofeedback, Psychology , Parents , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical efficacy of interactive group sandplay versus individual sandplay in the treatment of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).@*METHODS@#A total of 80 ASD children, aged 4-6 years, were enrolled and randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 40 children in each group. The children in the experimental group joined group sandplay with normal children at a ratio of 1: 3, and those in the control group were treated with individual sandplay. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) were used to evaluate the treatment outcome after three months of intervention.@*RESULTS@#There were 33 children in the experimental group and 28 in the control group. After three months of intervention, the experimental group had significant reductions in the scores of irritability, social withdrawal, and stereotypic behavior and the total score of the ABC scale (P<0.05), and the control group had significant reductions in the scores of behavior and inappropriate speech and the total score of the ABC scale (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in the score of social withdrawal and the total score of the ABC scale after three months of intervention (P<0.05). After three months of intervention, the experimental group had significant reductions in the scores of sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, and physical/health behavior and the total score of the ATEC scale (P<0.05), and the control group had significant reductions in the scores of speech, sociability, and physical/health behavior and the total score of the ATEC scale (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in the scores of speech, sociability, and sensory and cognitive awareness and the total score of the ATEC scale after intervention (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the experimental group also had significantly greater improvements in eye contact and sand stereotyped arrangement (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Both interactive group sandplay and individual sandplay are effective in the treatment of ASD in preschool children. Interactive group sandplay is better than individual sandplay in the treatment of ASD, with significant improvements in sociability, emotion and stereotypic behavior.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Autism Spectrum Disorder , Therapeutics , Emotions , Play Therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
@#Objective: To investigate the role of exosome (EXO) transporting Let-7a to regulate MYC gene in the malignant biological behaviors of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell, and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: After the completion of cell culture, the gene and protein expressions of MYC and Let-7a in TNBC MDA-MB-231cells were detected by qPCR and WB, respectively. Recombinant lenti-virus vector carrying Let-7a and Crisper/Cas-9 system with MYC knockdown were transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells; MTT assay, Transwell assay and Scratch healing assay were performed to examine the proliferation, invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Luciferase activity assay was performed to validate the binding between MYC and Let-7a. EXO was isolated and identified by transmission electron microscopy and WB assay in wild-type and Let-7a over-expressed MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. After co-incubation of two types of EXO and MDA-MB-231 cells, the effects of Let-7a on biological behaviors of MDAMB-231 cells via EXO were detected by qPCR, WB, MTT and Transwell etc. Results: Let-7a was negatively correlated with MYC in breast cancer tissues and cell lines (all P<0.05); MYC promoted while Let-7a inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells (all P<0.01); Let-7a silenced MYC by acting on 3'UTR of MYC gene, thereby reducing the expression of MYC protein (P<0.05); Let-7a was enveloped by EXO and transported to cancer cells, there by inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: EXO some mediated Let-7a silences MYC gene by acting on its 3'UTR region, thus inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells.
ABSTRACT
@#The microorganisms in a healthy child’s oral environment survive in certain proportions and form a stable dynamic balance with the host. If this balance is disrupted, some of the microorganisms become cariogenic microbes and cause early childhood caries (ECC). The changes of cariogenic microbes in this process could be used as biomarkers to assess the caries risk of children and forecast the development of ECC. The relative indices of Streptococcus mutans and the closely related Candida albicans, Bifidobacterium and Streptococci sanguinis may be used as biomarkers to diagnose the susceptibility of children to caries. The detection rate and detection level of Lactobacillus may provide a reference for judging the rate of ECC development.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of home nurture environment on language development and social emotion in children with developmental language disorder (DLD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 1-3 Years Child Home Nurture Environment Scale, Gesell Developmental Scale, and Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment Scale were used for the evaluation of 125 children with DLD. A total of 130 children with normal language development matched for age and sex were enrolled as control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the DLD group had a significantly higher proportion of children in a bad home nurture environment and significantly lower scores of all domains of home nurture environment (P<0.05). In children with DLD, the home nurture environment score was positively correlated with the level of language development (r=0.536, P<0.01) and the score of ability domain in social emotion (r=0.397, P<0.01) and was negatively correlated with the scores of the domains of explicit behavior, covert behavior, and imbalance in social emotion (r=-0.455, -0.438, and -0.390 respectively, P<0.01). Home nurture environment had direct influence on language development in children with DLD and affected their language development via the mediating effect of social emotion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Home nurture environment influences language development and social emotion in children with DLD, and social emotion has a partial mediating effect between home nurture environment and language development.</p>
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Emotions , Environment , Language Development , Language Development Disorders , Psychology , Social BehaviorABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of microtubule depolymerization (MD) on the spontaneous beating rate, action potential (AP), and oxygen consumption of cardiac myocytes in rats and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One-hundred and eighty neonatal SD rats divided into 12 batches were used in the experiment, and 15 rats in each batch were sacrificed for the isolation and culture of cardiac myocytes after the heart tissues were harvested. The cardiac myocytes were respectively inoculated in one 12-well plate filled with 6 round cover slips, one 12-well plate filled with 6 square cover slips, two cell culture flasks, and two cell culture dishes. After routine culture for three days, the cardiac myocytes from all the containers were divided into normal control group (NC, routinely cultured with 3 mL DMEM/F12 solution rewarmed at 37 °C for 3 h) and group MD (routinely cultured with 3 mL DMEM/F12 solution rewarmed at 37 ° and containing 8 µmol/L colchicine for 3 h) according to the random number table, with 3 holes, 1 flask, or 1 dish in each group. The morphological changes in microtubules were observed with confocal laser scanning microscope after immunofluorescent staining. The content of polymerized or dissociative α-tubulin was determined by Western blotting. Spontaneous beating rate of the cells was observed and calculated under inverted microscope. Dissolved oxygen concentration of DMEM/F12 solution containing cardiac myocytes was determined by oxygen microelectrode system before and after the addition of colchicine. Additionally, dissolved oxygen concentration of DMEM/F12 solution and colchicine + DMEM/F12 solution was determined. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record AP, delayed rectifier K+ current (I(K)), and L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca-L)) in cardiac myocytes; current density-voltage (I-V) curves were drawn based on the traces. Data were processed with independent or paired samples t-test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In group NC, microtubules of cardiac myocytes were around the nucleus in radial distribution with intact and clear linear tubiform structure. The microtubules in group MD were observed in dispersive distribution with damaged structure and rough linear tubiform structure. (2) In group MD, the content of dissociative α-tubulin of cells (0.61 ± 0.03) was obviously higher than that in group NC (0.46 ± 0.03, t = -6.99, P < 0.05), while the content of polymerized α-tubulin (0.57 ± 0.04) was significantly lower than that in group NC (0.88 ± 0.04, t = 9.09, P < 0.05). (3) Spontaneous beating rate of cells was (59 ± 8) times per min in group MD, which was distinctly higher than that in group NC [(41 ± 7) times per min, t = 5.62, P < 0.01]. (4) Dissolved oxygen concentration of DMEM/F12 solution containing cardiac myocytes was (138.4 ± 2.5) µmol/L, and it was reduced to (121.7 ± 3.6) µmol/L after the addition of colchicine ( t = 26.31, P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference in dissolved oxygen concentration between DMEM/F12 solution and colchicine + DMEM/F12 solution (t = 0.72, P > 0.05). (5) Compared with that of group NC, AP morphology of cells in group MD changed significantly, with unobvious repolarization plateau phase and shorter action potential duration (APD). The APD20, APD50, and APD90 were respectively (36.2 ± 3.8), (73.7 ± 5.7), and (115.1 ± 8.0) ms in group MD, which were significantly shorter than those of group NC [(40.2 ± 2.3), (121.4 ± 7.0), and (169.4 ± 5.6) ms, with t values respectively 2.61, 15.88, and 16.75, P values below 0.05]. (6) Compared with that of group NC, the I-V curve of I(K) of cells in group MD moved up with higher current density under each test voltage (0 to 40 mV) after activation ( with t values from 2. 70 to 3. 76, P values below 0.05) . (7) There was not much alteration in current density of I(Ca-L) under each test voltage (-30 to 50 mV) between 2 groups (with t values from -1.57 to 1.66, P values above 0.05), and their I-V curves were nearly overlapped.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>After MD, the I(K) is enhanced without obvious change in I(Ca-L), making AP repolarization faster and APD shortened. Then the rapid spontaneous beating rate increases oxygen consumption of cardiac myocytes of rats.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Action Potentials , Cells, Cultured , Energy Metabolism , Microtubules , Metabolism , Mitochondria, Heart , Metabolism , Myocytes, Cardiac , Metabolism , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Tubulin , MetabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of supplemental zinc, vitamin A, and glutamine alone or in combination on growth, intestinal barrier function, stress and satiety-related hormones among Brazilian shantytown children with low median height-for-age z-scores. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in children aged two months to nine years from the urban shanty compound community of Fortaleza, Brazil. Demographic and anthropometric information was assessed. The random treatment groups available for testing (a total of 120 children) were as follows: (1) glutamine alone, n = 38; (2) glutamine plus vitamin A plus zinc, n = 37; and a placebo (zinc plus vitamin A vehicle) plus glycine (isonitrogenous to glutamine) control treatment, n = 38. Leptin, adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and plasma levels of cortisol were measured with immune-enzymatic assays; urinary lactulose/mannitol and serum amino acids were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00133406. RESULTS: Glutamine treatment significantly improved weight-for-height z-scores compared to the placebo-glycine control treatment. Either glutamine alone or all nutrients combined prevented disruption of the intestinal barrier function, as measured by the percentage of lactulose urinary excretion and the lactulose:mannitol absorption ratio. Plasma leptin was negatively correlated with plasma glutamine (p = 0.002) and arginine (p = 0.001) levels at baseline. After glutamine treatment, leptin was correlated with weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-height z-scores (WHZ) (p≤0.002) at a 4-month follow-up. In addition, glutamine and all combined nutrients (glutamine, vitamin A, and zinc) improved the intestinal barrier function in these children. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings reveal the benefits of glutamine alone or in combination ...
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Dietary Supplements , Glutamine/administration & dosage , Growth and Development/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Vitamin A/administration & dosage , Vitamins/administration & dosage , Zinc/administration & dosage , Anthropometry , Brazil , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Hormones/blood , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/analysis , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/drug effects , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Poverty Areas , Stress, Physiological/drug effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between gene polymorphism of GABAA receptors and childhood autism by detecting rs140682, rs2081648 and rs140679 site of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in GABAA receptors gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 94 children with autism and 124 normal children were enrolled in a hospital from November 2010 to May 2011. Childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate or investigate the case group. After collecting venous blood and extracting the genome DNA, the allele and genotype of SNP rs140682, rs2081648 and rs140679 site in GABAA receptors gene were detected by PCR-RFLP. The allele and genotype of case group and control group were analyzed by χ(2) test, while the score of scales was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age of the case group was 5.12 ± 0.32, and it was 5.25 ± 0.27 in the control group (P < 0.05). In case group, the frequency of genotype CC, CT and TT of rs140682 site was 44, 41 and 9, while it was 48, 65, and 11 in control group (P > 0.05), respectively. The frequency of genotype AA, AG and GG of rs2081648 site was 8, 58 and 28 in case group, while it was 12, 49 and 63 in control group (P < 0.05), respectively. In case group, the frequency of genotype CC, CT and TT of rs140679 site was 15, 36 and 43, while it was 18, 59 and 47 in control group (P > 0.05), respectively. It was revealed by Spearman rank correlation analysis that of rs2081648 site, there was a positive correlation between genotype AG and sensation factor (S), social intercourse factor (R), and language factor (L) of autism behavior checklist (ABC) (r values were 0.149, 0.165 and 0.155, all P values < 0.05). A negative correlation between genotype GG and S, R, L and self-help factor (V) was proved (r values were -0.140, -0.173, -0.158 and -0.135, all P values < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between allele A and R and L factors (r values were 0.153 and 0.137, all P values < 0.05), while a negative correlation between allele G and R and L factors (r values were -0.153 and -0.137, all P values < 0.05). In case group, 42 children were diagnosed with mild-to-moderate autism, while 52 children were severe autism. There was no statistically significant correlation between allele or genotype of SNP rs140682 and rs140679 site and the degree of autism (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between allele A and genotype AG and the degree of autism (r values were 0.147 and 0.616, all P values < 0.05), while a negative correlation between allele G and genotype GG and the degree of autism (r values were -0.159 and -0.616, all P values < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The SNP rs2081648 site which located in GABAA receptors gene may be related to autism. No evidence for significant association between rs140682 and rs140679 site and autism was found.</p>
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Alleles , Autistic Disorder , Genetics , Gene Frequency , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Receptors, GABA-A , GeneticsABSTRACT
Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) system plays an important role in regulating growth and development of children. The change of this system is closely related to growth restriction caused by various diseases. This article reviews the research progress on how IGF system affects growth.
Subject(s)
Humans , Developmental Disabilities , Metabolism , Somatomedins , Metabolism , PhysiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of serum Cystatin C (Cyst C) in the evaluation of glomerular filtration function in children with viral encephalitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum levels of Cyst C, urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were measured in 92 children with viral encephalitis and in 50 healthy children as a control group. According to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the encephalitis group was subdivided into normal renal function, renal insufficiency in the compensatory or decompensatory stage, and renal failure /end-stage groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum levels of Cyst C, BUN and Cr in the encephalitis group increased and GFR decreased significantly compared with those in the control group (P<0.01). With the decline of renal function, GFR decreased and serum levels of Cyst C, BUN and Cr increased gradually. Serum levels of Cyst C and GFR were significantly different among the encephaitis subgroups (P<0.01). For serum levels of BUN and Cr, there were significant differences among the subgroups except between the normal renal function and the compensatory renal insufficiency groups. Serum Cyst C level was positively correlated with serum BUN and Cr levels, and negatively correlated with GFR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The children with viral encephalitis have different degrees of renal impairments. Cyst C appears to be superior to BUN and Cr as a marker for the evaluation of glomerular filtration function. Measurement of serum Cyst C levels is very valuable in renal function monitoring in children with viral encephalitis.</p>