Prolonged impairment of polymorphonuclear cells functions in one infant with transient zinc deficiency: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Zinc is an essential trace element for the immune system. The zinc deficiency diminishes antibody- and cell-mediated responses in man. Lymphopenia and thymic atrophy are usually the early hallmarks of zinc deficiency. Surprisingly, only scarce data are available about polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) functions in infants with zinc deficiency. We present the results of immunological analyses in one infant with transient zinc deficiency due to decreased zinc concentration in mother milk resulting in severe lactogenic acrodermatitis enteropathica. MATERIAL/METHODS: Nine repeated examination of oxidative burst of PMNs and immunoglobulin levels using nitroblue tetrazolium dye test, chemiluminescence, flow cytometry and nephelometry were performed in the infant with severe zinc deficiency during 28 months period. RESULTS: The unusual prolonged but transient impairment of PMNs respiratory burst accompanied with hypogammaglobulinaemia developed since the age of 2.5 months. Dramatic improvement of the skin was observed within days with total resolution of skin lesions on the 9th day of zinc therapy, but decreased PMNs respiratory burst persisted until the age of 23 months. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that zinc deficiency may lead to prolonged impairment of polymorphonuclear cells functions and hypogammaglobulinaemia.

[Use of external photoprotective agents in children living in the area of Prague]. / Pouzívání zevních fotoprotektivních prostredku u detí prazské aglomerace.

BACKGROUND: Development of skin melanoma is related to the higher exposition to ultraviolet light, namely to the repeated sun burning of children. Because no valid information on the use of photoprotection in children can be found, an extensive search on the use of such measures, their galenic form and protective features was undertaken in order to evaluate the situation and to suggest necessary improvements. METHODS AND RESULTS: A group of 140 children aged 3 to 15 years, part of the group living in Prague, another part living outside the city was examined whether they use some local photoprotection during longer exposition to sun. If the answer was positive, it was followed in which season the photoprotection is used and whether it was used repeatedly. We also questioned on the forms of the local photoprotectives and the value of solar protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Beside the description of sun tanning characteristics of children, we were informed by their parents that 59% of children use the photoprotection regularly, 41% only occasionally. The age of the first use of protection was 3.75 years. Photoprotection was used once a day in 28% of children, repeated use (during bathing, seashore stay, tourism) was reported in 72% of cases. The galenic form of photoprotective was most frequently a sun tanning creme (42%), a sun tanning milk (30%), both forms alternatively (8%), an oil (8%) or some other form (14%). The value of photoprotective factor was reported by 108 out of 131 parents and it was less than 10 in 9 children, 11 to 22 in 60 children, 21 to 40 in 36 children and over 40 in 3 children.

The SAPHO syndrome.

We report two cases of the SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne conglobata, pustulosis palmoplantaris, hyperostosis and osteitis). This syndrome has been published in the pediatric and rheumatological literature in recent years.