Effects of Gluten-free Diet on Lipid Profile Risk Factors in Celiac Children.

Many studies raise concerns about the nutritional consequences of gluten-free diet. It has been documented that gluten-free (GF) foods have a higher glycemic index, saturated fats, and lower content of micronutrients determining important health implications. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the change in cardiometabolic risk factors in prepubertal celiac children in remission following different gluten-free diet regimes. Patients using processed GF foods showed a significant increase over time for standard deviation score-total cholesterol, standard deviation score-low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glycemia. These alterations were not confirmed in patients using naturally GF foods. Therefore, processed GF foods might promote unfavorable alterations of metabolic parameters, especially those associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Supervision of a dietitian and medical practitioner is recommended to ensure nutritional adequacy and monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors in this population.

Miller Fisher syndrome and Escherichia coli infection: is it a novel association?

Miller Fisher syndrome is characterized by ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and reduced or absent tendon reflexes. Generally, it is considered an acute postinfectious paralytic illness caused by a wide variety of infections including Campylobacter jejuni. The authors report the case of a 10-year-old girl with Miller Fisher syndrome who had a previous infection of Escherichia coli. If confirmed by other reports, this report could disclose a new association of Miller Fisher syndrome with E coli infection.

Increased oxidative stress in prepubertal children born small for gestational age.

CONTEXT: Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The development of insulin resistance (IR) seems to play a pivotal role; no data on the oxidant-antioxidant status are available in this risk group. OBJECTIVE: This study is an assessment of oxidant-antioxidant status in prepubertal children born small for gestational age (SGA) in comparison to healthy controls and the relationship to IR. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study compares indexes of IR and oxidant-antioxidant status in three different groups (SGA+, SGA-, controls), with analysis by post hoc and Pearson correlation. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Academic Department of Pediatrics. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19 SGA+ and 16 SGA- children were compared with 13 controls. INTERVENTION: No intervention was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indexes of IR (glucose to insulin ratio, homeostasis model assessment of IR) were evaluated, and markers of oxidative stress (lag phase, malonildialdehyde, vitamin E) were measured. RESULTS: Homeostasis model assessment of IR was significantly higher in SGA+ than SGA- children (1.32+/-0.9 vs. 0.69+/-0.47; P=0.03) and controls (0.71+/-0.37; P=0.04). Glucose to insulin ratio was significantly lower in SGA+ than SGA- children (12.41+/-5.01 vs. 26.54+/-17.18; P=0.02) and controls (26.96+/-20.70; P=0.04). Lag phase was significantly shorter in SGA+ than SGA- children (24.3+/-4.38 vs. 35.59+/-11.29 min; P=0.003) and controls (45.28+/-7.69 min; P=0.0001) and in SGA- than controls (P=0.01). Malonildialdehyde was significantly higher in SGA+ than SGA- children (0.79+/-0.3 vs. 0.6+/-0.1 nmol/mg; P=0.03) and controls (0.36+/-0.04 nmol/mg; P=0.0001) and in SGA- children than controls (P=0.02). Vitamin E was significantly reduced in SGA+ children than controls (27.54+/-7.9 vs. 43.23+/-11.32 micromol/liter; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is present in both SGA+ and SGA- children, with a continuous alteration in relation to IR. Therefore, catch-up growth might exert the greatest influence in the development of future diseases.