Nature and extent of gastric lesions in symptomatic Chilean children with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis.

UNLABELLED: Chile has one of the highest rates of gastric cancer in the world and most children and adolescents in the country are colonized by Helicobacter pylori. This study assessed the nature and extent of the gastric lesions in 73 consecutive patients aged 5-17 y, referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Their H. pylori-associated gastric pathology was characterized and these data were compared with their sociodemographic status. Endoscopic assessment was normal in 43 patients while in 30 there was a variety of mucosal lesions. Sixty patients (83%) had histological chronic gastritis of the antrum and in 45 (63%) the lesions also involved the gastric corpus; 90% of patients with chronic gastritis were colonized by H. pylori. Although most of these patients had epithelial erosions and dedifferentiation of the pit epithelium, atrophy and metaplasia were not found. Patients' socioeconomic status was inversely correlated with their rate of colonization by H. pylori (p < 0.005), the frequency of gastric lesions on endoscopy (p < 0.01) and the frequency of involvement of antral and corpus mucosa by chronic gastritis (p < 0.002). This latter feature was positively correlated with age (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows a high frequency of extensive lesions of H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis in young Chilean patients. This histological picture is consistent with the hypothesis of a H. pylori-associated progressive gastric pathology which may represent a major factor in the high local rate of gastric cancer.

[Identification of mutation in the gene cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) in Chilean patients with cystic fibrosis]. / Identificación de mutaciones en el gen CFTR en pacientes chilenos con fibrosis quística.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, that codes for a chloride channel located in the apical surface of epithelial cells. The main role of this protein is the regulation of chloride transport, and secondarily, of sodium and water to the extracellular space. More than 900 gene mutations have been described, and their relative frequency in different populations depends on their ethnic origin. AIM: To report the findings of Chilean patients with cystic fibrosis, in whom the presence of 20 common mutations was analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty seven patients with established diagnosis or suspicion of CF were studied. The simultaneous identification of 20 mutations and the normal delta F508 allele was done using polymerase chain reactions with a commercial assay. RESULTS: Eight mutations were found. Fifty patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria proposed by the Consensus Panel of the CF Foundation and 66% of alleles were identified in this group. delta F508 mutation was found in 45%. We did not identify mutations in any of the remaining 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the majority of undetected mutations are associated with atypical phenotypes or that some patients in this series could have other diseases. We recommend to include mutation analysis in the evaluation of Chilean patients with CF. It is useful to establish prognosis and genetic counselling.

Proinflammatory cytokine expression in gastric tissue from children with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pyloriinfection of the gastric mucosa in humans is usually acquired early in life. The chronic inflammation that ensues involves the increased production of inflammatory cytokines. Published data on production of these mediators by gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected children are few. METHODS: Seventy-nine children, aged 5 to 18 years, referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to four separate hospitals in Chile, were studied. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured in homogenates of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens. Cytokine expression was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These data were correlated with the patients' clinical, histologic and sociodemographic status. RESULTS: Patient rate of colonization by H. pylori was inversely correlated with socioeconomic status (P < 0.005) and positively correlated with age (P < 0.0025). In gastric mucosa, concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were all significantly higher in H. pylori-positive patients than in H. pylori-negative patients and in patients who had histologic gastritis than in those with normal gastric mucosa. In patients with peptic ulcer disease, only IL-1beta and IL-8 concentrations were significantly elevated when compared with those of patients without ulcers. Interleukin-6 concentrations were comparable among the different groups analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that increased gastric mucosal production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-8 is probably involved in H. pylori-associated gastric damage in children and may be crucial in determining the different clinical outcomes.

Treatment of acute infantile diarrhoea with a commercial rice-based oral rehydration solution.

This randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of an oral rehydration solution (ORS) formulated with commercial rice powder, 50 g/l, with that of a glucose-based WHO/UNICEF-recommended ORS in the management of 48 inpatients aged 3-24 months, with acute dehydrating watery diarrhoea. Stool outputs were generally high in these patients, and 11 patients (22%) required additional intravenous rehydration solutions. The stool output (ml/kg) in the first 24 hours was [geometric mean, (95% confidence intervals)] 213 (153-353) in the rice-ORS group versus 146 (108-232) in the glucose-ORS group, while the total stool output was 455 (298-933) versus 307 (209-625); (p value not significant). The mean (+/- SD) duration of diarrhoea in hospital was: 72 +/- 10 hours in the study group versus 77 +/- 12 hours in the control group (p value NS). Enteropathogens were found in 94% of the patients, rotavirus being prevalent in 85% of the cases. It is concluded that the rice-ORS used in this trial is no more efficacious than the standard glucose-ORS advocated by WHO/UNICEF in the treatment of infants with watery non-cholera dehydrating diarrhoea. In some cases, ORS formulated with the commercial cereal-based products might actually increase the stool losses in infants with high-output non-cholera diarrhoea.

PIP: A randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of an oral rehydration solution (ORS) formulated with commercial rice powder at 50 g/l (case group of 13 boys and 11 girls) with that of glucose-based WHO/UNICEF-recommended ORS (control group of 13 boys and 11 girls) in the management of 48 patients aged 3-24 months with acute dehydrating watery diarrhea in the pediatric ward of the Universidad Catolica Clinical Hospital, Chile. Enteropathogens were found in 94% of the patients. Rotavirus was present in 85% of the patients, either as a single pathogen (58%) or in association with other agents (27%). Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) was recovered in 33% of the patients; in 8% of the cases it occurred as a single pathogen and in 25% of the cases it was associated with rotavirus. 7 patients (29%) in the control group and 4 (17%) in the study group required intravenous fluids at some point in the course of the study. Mean fecal losses were generally higher in the rice-ORS patients throughout the study. The stool output (ml/kg) in the first 24 hours was 213 (153-353) [geometric mean (95% confidence interval)] in the rice-ORS group vs. 146 (108-232) in the glucose-ORS group, while the total stool output was 455 (298-933) vs. 307 (209-625) (p value not significant). The mean [+or- standard deviation (SD)] duration of diarrhea in hospital was: 72 +or- 10 hours in the study group vs. 77 +or- 12 hours in the control group (p value not significant). The ORS formulated with a commercial rice powder used in this trial is not superior to the standard glucose-ORS advocated by WHO/UNICEF in the treatment of infants with watery non-cholera dehydrating diarrhea. In some cases, ORS formulated with the commercial cereal-based products might actually increase the stool losses in infants with high-output non-cholera diarrhea.

[Clinical and psychological characterization of children and adolescents with recurrent abdominal pain]. / Caracterización clínica y psicológica de escolares y adolescentes con dolor abdominal recurrente.

There is ample empirical evidence supporting the view of emotional disturbances in children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) as well as in their parents. However, controlled studies have reported that such manifestations can also be found in patients with other chronic ailments. In order to characterize further the nature of emotional factors in RAP patients, we conducted a controlled psychological evaluation of 46 consecutive new patients with RAP, aged 7-17 years, (group A) by means of structured interviews and questionnaires. Two control groups of pediatric patients with chronic illnesses were also assessed using the same methodology. Group B consisted of 22 individuals with chronic abdominal pain and endoscopy-proven peptic ulcer or duodenitis, and group C consisted of 24 individuals with chronic, stable, non-gastroenterological diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus or physical handicaps). Parents were evaluated for depressive symptoms. One-way analysis of variance and contingency tables were used for statistical comparisons. There was a higher proportion of female patients in group A than in group B (70 vs 41%; p < 0.05). There were significantly more patients in group A than in group B that reported that their abdominal pain: a) never appeared during sleep, b) began soon after the patient's arousal in the morning, c) remitted completely or was alleviated during school holidays, d) its remission was usually spontaneous during the day and e) did never interfere with recreational activities. Emotional problems were significantly more prevalent in patients in group B than in those in group A (p = 0.016). Past diagnosis of depression was more frequent in group A mothers (40%) than in those in group B (27%), or group C (17%), but these differences did not attain statistical significance. These results suggest that psychological profiles of children suffering from certain chronic conditions (and those of their parents) may be more complex and particular than hitherto recognized. The role of type II error and of some potential socioeconomic and demographic confounding factors must be considered when analyzing the validity of these data.

Drug management of noninfective complications of cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the commonest lethal hereditary disease in Caucasians. The disease involves a gene mutation located at the long arm of chromosome 7, and more than 300 mutations have been identified. CF is a systemic illness affecting the upper respiratory tract and airways, sweat and salivary glands, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, liver and male reproductive system. The course is highly variable depending on the specific molecular abnormalities in the mutant gene. The current approach to therapy now involves the use of: (i) chest physiotherapy; (ii) bronchodilators when there is evidence of airways hyperreactivity; (iii) oral and intravenous antibiotics for acute pulmonary exacerbations and aerosolised antibiotics for prevention; (iv) recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I (dornase alfa) to promote airways clearance; (v) amiloride to improve sputum viscosity; (vi) pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy along with nutritional support and supplements; (vi) vitamins; and (vii) ursodeoxycholic acid in selected patients. The use of antiprotease and anti-inflammatory agents has been shown to be useful in preventing the damage secondary to chronic lung infection. In patients with severely impaired lung function, lung transplantations have been performed with good results. Finally, it seems probable that lung disease in CF patients will be ameliorated or prevented in the future with early gene therapy, using vectors such as recombinant adenoviruses, adeno-associated virus, lipofection or retrovirus. However, this require extensive basic and clinical research.

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease in symptomatic Chilean children: diagnostic value of serological assay.

A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG serological assay for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection was used recently in two epidemiological surveys in Chile. To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of this assay in a local symptomatic pediatric population, we studied 70 school-age patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of complaints suggestive of gastroduodenal disease. Evidence for antral H. pylori infection was sought by three biopsy-related methods: culture, histology, and urease activity. IgG anti-H. pylori serum antibodies were determined by ELISA. Altogether, chronic antral gastritis was found in 55 patients and duodenal ulcers in nine; 11 subjects had normal histology. Sixty (86%) patients had H. pylori in the antrum. This group had significantly higher mean IgG optical density values when compared with the H. pylori-negative group (1.860 versus 0.669; p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the assay in detecting antral H. pylori were both 90%; the positive predictive value was 98% and the negative, 60%. Accuracy of the assay was superior in predicting the presence or absence of gastroduodenal lesions with a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 98%, and a negative predictive value of 86%. We conclude that the diagnostic efficiency of this assay renders it appropriate both to screen for H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease in individual patients and to be used in seroepidemiological surveys.

[Factitious gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 3 school-age girls]. / Hemorragia digestiva facticia en 3 niñas en edad escolar.

Three female patients aged 9, 13 and 14 years, respectively, seen by the authors over a 1-year period presented with the complaint of recurrent hematemesis (2 patients) or melena (1 patient). The (presumed) bleeding episodes had only been seen by the respective patient and one parent (the mother in two cases and the father in one). In two cases, the other parent was antagonistic with the reported situation. A clear symbiosis had been forged between the index case and the allied parent. Two patients had previously been seen in several hospitals and had undergone various diagnostic tests, including esophagogastroduodenoscopies, all of which had proved normal. Two girls had attempted suicide. Two of the mothers had a depressive disorder. Re-evaluation of the patients by the authors again ruled out any cause for the presumed bleeding or any sequelae originating from it. The patients and their parents were referred to a psychiatric service but this was only complied by one family; the other two repeatedly avoided attending the psychiatric clinic. Awareness of this pattern of presentation and of the psychiatric profiles of the patients and their families is critical for practitioners in order to recognize factitious illness whenever a patient with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding presents with incongruous or illogical medical history and clinical findings.

Comparison of an oral rice-based electrolyte solution and a glucose-based electrolyte solution in hospitalized infants with diarrheal dehydration.

This randomized trial compared the efficacy of a rice-based (50 g/L) oral rehydration solution with the standard glucose-based WHO/UNICEF solution in the treatment of 100 hospitalized infants, ages 3-18 months, with acute dehydrating diarrhea. The main outcomes examined were stool output and duration of diarrhea. Patients were placed on a "metabolic" bed so that intake and losses could be measured accurately throughout the study. Overall, 89% of patients were successfully rehydrated orally; the rehydration failure rate was similar in the two groups and it was significantly associated with infection by specific E. coli serotypes. Stool output in the first 24 h was 11% lower in the rice group (112 versus 126 ml/kg), but this difference was not significant. Neither stool output in the second 24 h nor total stool output were different between groups. The median duration of diarrhea was 3.8 days in the rice group and 3.9 days in the glucose group (p = NS). Other (secondary) outcomes, such as fluid intake, urine output, emesis losses, weight change, and electrolyte balance were also similar between the two groups. Some evidence of carbohydrate malabsorption was detected in 61% of the rice group versus 45% of the glucose group (p = NS) and was not associated with any particular treatment outcome. These results show that a rice-based oral rehydration solution is as efficacious as, but not better than the standard glucose-based solution in the treatment of infants with acute dehydrating diarrhea not associated with cholera.

[Ideas contributing to the reform of the health sector in Chile]. / Algunas ideas para contribuir a la reforma del sector salud en Chile.

General criteria are proposed for the organization of chilean health system. The fundamental ideas emphasize administrative decentralization, an effective and expedite intercommunication between different attention levels and a rationalization of the use of diagnostic procedures and treatments. The "basic health plan" features are outlined. The need for patient and family education and the access to tertiary medicine only through referrals is highlighted. The second part of article proposes changes in Medical Education. The need to reorient undergraduate medical formation towards solving outpatient problems and to extend specialization possibilities to all graduates, including Adult and Children general medicine training programs, is emphasized. The incorporation of basic economical concepts to the curriculum and group work training is considered beneficial. Finally, self-teaching behaviors and resolutive capacities in legal and ethical aspects should be encouraged in students. The potential teaching roles of future health reference, diagnostic and therapeutic centers is insinuated.

The use of oral hydration in the treatment of children with acute diarrhea in primary care.

The use of oral rehydration solutions (ORSs) for treating children with diarrhea is spreading in hospitals in Chile, but it has not yet been incorporated into routine primary care programs. We sequentially compared the effectiveness of an ORS, with 60 mmol/L of Na+, with the standard treatment for diarrhea used in primary care centers, in a study with 285 diarrheal children under 2 years of age who consulted a health center in a low-income periurban neighborhood of Santiago. When compared with the control group, the patients treated with ORS showed a significantly higher percentage weight gain in the first few days after treatment was begun, required fewer medical visits for follow-up treatment at other facilities (8.4 vs. 15.5%; p less than 0.05), and experienced fewer episodes of subsequent clinical dehydration that needed rehydration (oral or intravenous) in emergency services (2.8 vs. 10.6%; p less than 0.01). In addition, there were no metabolic complications in either group. Our results reinforce the feasibility, efficaciousness, and safety of programs that use ORS at the primary care level and indicate that this is an effective method of preventing metabolic complications and reducing hospitalizations of children with acute diarrhea.

PIP: The use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) for treating children with diarrhea is spreading in hospitals in Chile, but it has not yet been incorporated into routine primary care programs. The authors sequentially compared the effectiveness of an ORS with 60 mmol/L of Na+ with the standard treatment for diarrhea used in primary care centers. This was done with 285 diarrheal children under age 2 who consulted a health center in a low-income periurban neighborhood of Santiago. When compared with the control group, the patients treated with ORS showed a significantly higher % of weight gain in the 1st few days after treatment was begun, required fewer medical visits for follow-up treatment at other facilities (8.4 vs 15.5%; p0.05), and experienced fewer episodes of subsequent clinical dehydration that required rehydration (oral or intravenous) in emergency services (2.8 vs 10.6%; p0.01). In addition, there were no metabolic complications in either group. These results reinforce the feasibility, efficaciousness, and safety of programs that use ORS at the primary care level and indicate that this is an effective method of preventing metabolic complications and reducing hospitalizations of children with acute diarrhea.

Intestinal leiomyosarcoma in childhood: report of two cases.

Two girls, 5 and 8 years old, with a leiomyosarcoma of the rectosigmoid and ileum, respectively, were treated at Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna. In each case, a segmental resection with primary anastomosis was done. After the initial surgery, neither girl has received further treatment for the tumor. To date the two patients remain clinically well and apparently tumor free.