Time­dependent ROC curve analysis to determine the predictive capacity of seven clinical scales for mortality in patients with COVID­19: Study of a hospital cohort with very high mortality.

Clinical data from hospital admissions are typically utilized to determine the prognostic capacity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) indices. However, as disease status and severity markers evolve over time, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis becomes more appropriate. The present analysis assessed predictive power for death at various time points throughout patient hospitalization. In a cohort study involving 515 hospitalized patients (General Hospital Number 1 of Mexican Social Security Institute, Colima, Mexico from February 2021 to December 2022) with COVID-19, seven severity indices [Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) PaO2/FiO2 arterial oxygen pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen (Kirby index), the Critical Illness Risk Score (COVID-GRAM), the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS-2), the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (qSOFA), the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and the Viral Pneumonia Mortality Score (MuLBSTA were evaluated using time-dependent ROC curves. Clinical data were collected at admission and at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days into hospitalization. The study calculated the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for each index at these time points. Mortality was 43.9%. Throughout all time points, NEWS-2 demonstrated the highest predictive power for mortality, as indicated by its AUC values. PSI and COVID-GRAM followed, with predictive power increasing as hospitalization duration progressed. Additionally, NEWS-2 exhibited the highest sensitivity (>96% in all periods) but showed low specificity, which increased from 22.9% at admission to 58.1% by day 8. PSI displayed good predictive capacity from admission to day 6 and excellent predictive power at day 8 and its sensitivity remained >80% throughout all periods, with moderate specificity (70.6-77.3%). COVID-GRAM demonstrated good predictive capacity across all periods, with high sensitivity (84.2-87.3%) but low-to-moderate specificity (61.5-67.6%). The qSOFA index initially had poor predictive power upon admission but improved after 4 days. FIB-4 had a statistically significant predictive capacity in all periods (P=0.001), but with limited clinical value (AUC, 0.639-0.698), and with low sensitivity and specificity. MuLBSTA and IKIRBY exhibited low predictive power at admission and no power after 6 days. In conclusion, in COVID-19 patients with high mortality rates, NEWS-2 and PSI consistently exhibited predictive power for death during hospital stay, with PSI demonstrating the best balance between sensitivity and specificity.

Efficacy of Hot Tea Infusion vs. Ethanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera for the Simultaneous Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver, Hyperlipidemia, and Hyperglycemia in a Murine Model Fed with a High-Fat Diet.

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a native tree of Asia and is cultivated in some areas of Mexico as part of traditional horticulture. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of MO infusion vs. MO ethanolic extract for the simultaneous treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia in a murine model fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). BALB/c mice were fed a balanced diet (healthy control) or an HFD for 6 months. With this, the NAFLD model was established before starting a therapeutic intervention with MO for two months. The phytochemical analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance in 1H and 13C experiments showed signals for pyrrole alkaloids and triterpenes as the main constituents of the extract and infusion preparation. A significant reduction of SGPT, SGOT, lipids, urea, and glucose in blood among NAFLD groups treated with MO (infusion or extract) was found, when compared to the NAFLD-placebo group. Steatosis and liver inflammation were found to be decreased in the MO groups, as infusion or ethanolic extract. Infusion produced a better therapeutic effect than the extract in all parameters, except glycemic control, where the extract was better. As an additional finding, it is noteworthy that treatment with MO, particularly through infusion, resulted in improved motor activity. Moreover, a reduction in anxiety-like behavior was observed exclusively with the administration of infusion. These observations provide valuable insights into the potential broader effects of Moringa oleifera beyond the primary aim of the study.

Differences in the Evolution of Clinical, Biochemical, and Hematological Indicators in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 According to Their Vaccination Scheme: A Cohort Study in One of the World's Highest Hospital Mortality Populations.

COVID-19 vaccines primarily prevent severe illnesses or hospitalization, but there is limited data on their impact during hospitalization for seriously ill patients. In a Mexican cohort with high COVID-19 mortality, a study assessed vaccination's effects. From 2021 to 2022, 462 patients with 4455 hospital days were analyzed. The generalized multivariate linear mixed model (GENLINMIXED) with binary logistic regression link, survival analysis and ROC curves were used to identify risk factors for death. The results showed that the vaccinated individuals were almost half as likely to die (adRR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30-0.97, p = 0.041). When stratifying by vaccine, the Pfizer group (BNT162b2) had a 2.4-times lower risk of death (adRR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.2-0.8, p = 0.008), while the AstraZeneca group (ChAdOx1-S) group did not significantly differ from the non-vaccinated (adRR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.5-2.3, p = 0.915). The Pfizer group exhibited a higher survival, the unvaccinated showed increasing mortality, and the AstraZeneca group remained intermediate (p = 0.003, multigroup log-rank test). Additionally, BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals had lower values for markers, such as ferritin and D-dimer. Biochemical and hematological indicators suggested a protective effect of both types of vaccines, possibly linked to higher lymphocyte counts and lower platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). It is imperative to highlight that these results reinforce the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. However, further studies are warranted for a comprehensive understanding of these findings.

Relationship of vitamin D intake and sun exposure with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D in schoolchildren with obesity

The obesity worldwide has produced an increase in obesity-related diseases and can be associated with low concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D. Also obesity and low physical activity can decrease sun exposure, so the aim was to correlate vitamin D intake with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels and to assess sun exposure habits in schoolchildren with obesity. Materials and methods. A correlational study was performed from January 2017 to January 2018 on 103 children between 6-12 years of age, with a body mass index ≥+2SD for age and sex, according to the World Health Organization. Blood samples were taken to determine the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, a nutritional survey to determine the vitamin D intake and a sun exposure questionnaire were applied. A Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was performed. Results. Forty-seven percent of the children were girls. The median years of age was 10. The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels were 35.5 ng/mL, 74.8% had sufficient levels, 25.2% had insufficient levels. The median vitamin D intake was 214.7IU in boys and 231.9IU in girls. Regarding sun exposure, most of the children had excessive levels of sun exposure and inadequate sun protection practices. A positive correlation between vitamin D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D was identified only in boys (rho=0.276, p=0.041). Conclusion. A positive correlation between vitamin D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels was found in obese boys and excessive levels of sun exposure with inadequate sun protection practices in boys and girls(AU)

La obesidad se le ha asociado con distintas comorbilidades, bajas concentraciones séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina-D, sedentarismo que a su vez podría comprometer la exposición solar; por tanto, el objetivo fue relacionar la ingesta de vitamina D con los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina-D y determinar los hábitos de exposición solar en escolares con obesidad. Materiales y métodos. Estudio correlacional realizado de enero 2017 a enero 2018, en 103 niños entre 6 y 12 años, con un índice de masa corporal ≥+2DE para edad y sexo, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se extrajo muestras sanguíneas para determinar las concentraciones séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina-D, se aplicó una encuesta nutricional para determinar la ingesta de vitamina D y un cuestionario de exposición solar. Se realizó un análisis del coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados. El 47% de los sujetos eran niñas. La mediana de edad fue de 10. La mediana de los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina-D fue de 35,5 ng/mL, el 74,8% tenía niveles suficientes, el 25,2% tenía niveles insuficientes. La mediana de la ingesta de vitamina D fue de 214,7UI en niños y de 231,9UI en niñas. Con respecto a la exposición solar, la mayoría de los niños presentaban una exposición excesiva y prácticas inadecuadas de protección solar. Se identificó una correlación positiva entre la ingesta de vitamina D y la 25-hidroxivitamina-D sérica en los niños (rho=0,276, p=0,041). Conclusión. Se identificó una correlación positiva entre la ingesta de vitamina D y los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina-D en niños obesos y exposición excesiva con prácticas inadecuadas de protección solar en niños y niñas(AU)

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Agave Inulin in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Chronic Constipation: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.

The main objective was to assess the efficacy of a probiotic (Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938), a prebiotic (agave inulin), and a synbiotic on the stool characteristics in children with cerebral palsy and chronic constipation. Thirty-seven children with cerebral palsy and chronic constipation were included. The probiotic group received 1 × 108 colony forming unit (cfu) of L. reuteri DSM 17938 plus placebo, the prebiotic group received 4 g of agave inulin plus placebo, the synbiotic group received L. reuteri DSM 17938 plus agave inulin, and the placebo group received two placebos for 28 days. The probiotic group showed a significant decrease in stool pH (p = 0.014). Stool consistency improved in the prebiotic group (p = 0.008). The probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic groups showed a significant improvement in the history of excessive stool retention, the presence of fecal mass in the rectum, and the history of painful defecation. L. reuteri concentration in feces was higher in the probiotic group than in the placebo group (p = 0.001) and showed an inverse correlation with stool pH in the probiotic group (r = -0.762, p = 0.028). This study showed that the use of L. reuteri DSM 17938 and/or agave inulin improved the stool characteristics such as the history of painful defecation and the presence of fecal mass in the rectum against placebo in children with cerebral palsy and chronic constipation.

Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pancreatitis in children and adolescents in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: to present the results of a survey applied to Latin American pediatric gastroenterologists (PGs) to learn how they perform the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a descriptive, exploratory, multicenter study and survey was conducted. RESULTS: 73.6 % defined the three types of pancreatitis according to the INSPPIRE group. Biliary disease, abdominal trauma, and medication intake were the most frequent causes. 80 % of cases were considered mild pancreatitis. 73 % of the PGs utilized nutritional support, with enteral nutrition predominating. CONCLUSION: this is the first exploratory study to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of PGs to pancreatitis in Latin America.

Adenovirus 5 produces obesity and adverse metabolic, morphological, and functional changes in the long term in animals fed a balanced diet or a high-fat diet: a study on hamsters.

Adenovirus 5 (Ad-5) infection is a common cause of acute respiratory infections and the main vector used in gene therapy. There are few studies on the relationship of Ad-5 to obesity. In the present study, we evaluated the chronic effects of Ad-5 infection on golden (Syrian) hamsters fed either a balanced diet (BD) or a high-fat diet (HFD). After a single inoculation with Ad-5 (1 × 107 pfu), the body weight of the animals was measured weekly. Medium-term (22 weeks) serum biochemical analyses and long-term (44 weeks) liver morphology, adiposity, and locomotive functionality (movement velocity) assessments were carried out. In the animals fed the BD, adenovirus infection produced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. In the long term, it produced a 57% increase in epididymal pad fat and a 30% body weight gain compared with uninoculated animals. In addition, morphological changes related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were observed. The animals fed the HFD had similar but more severe changes. In addition, the hamsters presented an obesity paradox: at the end of the study, the animals that had the most morphological and functional changes (significantly reduced movement velocity) had the lowest body weight. Despite the fact that an HFD appears to be a more harmful factor in the long term than adenovirus infection alone, infection could increase the severity of harmful effects in individuals with an HFD. Epidemiological studies are needed to evaluate the effect of adenovirus as a precursor of chronic liver and cardiovascular diseases, including the chronic effects of gene therapy.

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Introduction: Caustic ingestion (CI) in children and adolescents may lead to esophageal burns, esophageal stenosis and secondary dysphagia. These complications may limit the normal feeding process leading to malnutrition and growth impairment. Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the nutritional status and its association with dysphagia and esophageal stenosis in children with CI. Methods: Sixty-two patients with caustic ingestion treated at a pediatric referral hospital were included in this cross-sectional study. Independent variables were dysphagia/normal swallowing and esophageal stenosis/normal barium-swallow. The dependent variables were growth and nutritional status evaluated by anthropometry. Analysis: c2 test, OR, 95% CI, kappa test and Student's t-test. Results: The average age at the time of CI was 39.7 months; 38.7% of the patients were girls. Endoscopy performed upon admission revealed erosive esophagitis (II-b, III-a, and III-b) in 46 (77.8%) of the patients, dysphagia in twenty-four (38.7%) and esophageal stenosis in forty (64.5%). Both complications occurred simultaneously in 20 children (32.3%, kappa = 0.3, p = 0.014).The z-score of height-for-age was below -2 SD in five children (8.1%). The z score of body mass index (BMI) was < -2 SD in three children (4.8%) and it was above +1 SD in 24.2%. The z-score means of the arm anthropometric indicators of fat stores and muscle mass in both the dysphagia and esophageal stenosis groups were located in the negative area of the z-score curve and their values differed significantly from the z-scores of the non-dysphagia and non-stenosis groups. Conclusions: The proportion of erosive esophagitis, esophageal stenosis and dysphagia was high. Children with dysphagia and/or esophageal stenosis associated with CI had lower fat stores and muscle mass than the cases without esophageal complications.

Introducción: la ingestión de cáusticos (IC) en niños y adolescentes puede ocasionar esofagitis erosiva, estenosis esofágica y disfagia, entidades que pueden alterar el proceso de alimentación y originar desnutrición y retraso en el crecimiento. Objetivos: evaluar el estado nutricio de niños con IC y su asociación con disfagia y estenosis esofágica. Métodos: estudio transversal analítico en el que se incluyó a 62 niños atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de referencia que sufrieron IC. Lasvariables independientes fueron la presencia/ausencia de disfagia y/o estenosis esofágica; las dependientes fueron el crecimiento y el estado nutricio evaluados mediante antropometría. Análisis estadístico: c2, OR, IC 95%, kappa y t de Student. Resultados: la edad promedio fue 39,7 meses, el 39,7% eran niñas. Cuarenta y dos (77,8%) presentaron esofagitis erosiva (II-b, III-a, and III-b) en la endoscopia. En 24 (38,7%) ocurrió disfagia y en 40 (64,5%) estenosis esofágica. El puntaje z de la talla para la edad fue <-2 DE en cinco niños (8,1%) y el puntaje z del IMC < -2 DE en tres (4,8%). En 24.2% la z-IMC fue > +1 DE. El puntaje z de los indicadores del brazo relacionados a reservas grasa y masa muscular tanto en el grupo de estenosis como de disfagia se localizó en el lado negativo de la curva y ambos fueron significativamente menores a los del grupo sin disfagia o estenosis. Conclusiones: la proporción de esofagitis erosiva, estenosis o disfagia fue elevada. En los niños con disfagia o estenosis esofágica se identificaron reservas de grasa y masa muscular menores a las de los niños sin estas complicaciones.

Nutritional status in children with esophageal stenosis and dysphagia associated with caustic ingestión / Estado nutricional en niños con estenosis esofágica y disfagia secundaria a ingestión de cáusticos

Introduction: Caustic ingestion (CI) in children and adolescents may lead to esophageal burns, esophageal stenosis and secondary dysphagia. These complications may limit the normal feeding process leading to malnutrition and growth impairment. Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the nutritional status and its association with dysphagia and esophageal stenosis in children with CI. Methods: Sixty-two patients with caustic ingestion treated at a pediatric referral hospital were included in this cross-sectional study. Independent variables were dysphagia/normal swallowing and esophageal stenosis/normal barium-swallow. The dependent variables were growth and nutritional status evaluated by anthropometry. Analysis: c2 test, OR, 95% CI, kappa test and Student’s t-test. Results: The average age at the time of CI was 39.7 months; 38.7% of the patients were girls. Endoscopy performed upon admission revealed erosive esophagitis (II-b, III-a, and III-b) in 46 (77.8%) of the patients, dysphagia in twenty-four (38.7%) and esophageal stenosis in forty (64.5%). Both complications occurred simultaneously in 20 children (32.3%, kappa = 0.3, p = 0.014). The z-score of height-for-age was below -2 SD in five children (8.1%). The z score of body mass index (BMI) was < -2 SD in three children (4.8%) and it was above +1 SD in 24.2%. The z-score means of the arm anthropometric indicators of fat stores and muscle mass in both the dysphagia and esophageal stenosis groups were located in the negative area of the z-score curve and their values differed significantly from the z-scores of the non-dysphagia and non-stenosis groups. Conclusions: The proportion of erosive esophagitis, esophageal stenosis and dysphagia was high. Children with dysphagia and/or esophageal stenosis associated with CI had lower fat stores and muscle mass than the cases without esophageal complications (AU)

Introducción: la ingestión de cáusticos (IC) en niños y adolescentes puede ocasionar esofagitis erosiva, estenosis esofágica y disfagia, entidades que pueden alterar el proceso de alimentación y originar desnutrición y retraso en el crecimiento. Objetivos: evaluar el estado nutricio de niños con IC y su asociación con disfagia y estenosis esofágica. Métodos: estudio transversal analítico en el que se incluyó a 62 niños atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de referencia que sufrieron IC. Las variables independientes fueron la presencia/ausencia de disfagia y/o estenosis esofágica; las dependientes fueron el crecimiento y el estado nutricio evaluados mediante antropometría. Análisis estadístico: c2 , OR, IC 95%, kappa y t de Student. Resultados: la edad promedio fue 39,7 meses, el 39,7% eran niñas. Cuarenta y dos (77,8%) presentaron esofagitis erosiva (II-b, III-a, and III-b) en la endoscopia. En 24 (38,7%) ocurrió disfagia y en 40 (64,5%) estenosis esofágica. El puntaje z de la talla para la edad fue <-2 DE en cinco niños (8,1%) y el puntaje z del IMC < -2 DE en tres (4,8%). En 24.2% la z-IMC fue > +1 DE. El puntaje z de los indicadores del brazo relacionados a reservas grasa y masa muscular tanto en el grupo de estenosis como de disfagia se localizó en el lado negativo de la curva y ambos fueron significativamente menores a los del grupo sin disfagia o estenosis. Conclusiones: la proporción de esofagitis erosiva, estenosis o disfagia fue elevada. En los niños con disfagia o estenosis esofágica se identificaron reservas de grasa y masa muscular menores a las de los niños sin estas complicaciones (AU)

Screening of R122H and N29I mutations in the PRSS1 gene and N34S mutation in the SPINK1 gene in Mexican pediatric patients with acute and recurrent pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The study's objective was to assess the association between the PRSS1 R122H and N29I and the SPINK1 N34S mutations and acute pancreatitis (AP) and recurrent pancreatitis in Mexican pediatric patients. METHODS: The N34S and R122H mutations were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the N29I mutation was detected using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction in 92 pancreatitis patients (58 AP and 34 recurrent pancreatitis patients) and 144 controls. RESULTS: We found 1 mutated allele in 4 (4.3%) of 92 pancreatitis patients and none in the controls. All 4 patients bearing mutations had AP, with a frequency of 6.8% (4/58). Three (5.2%) of 58 patients were heterozygous for the N34S mutation, and 1 (1.7%) of 58 patients was heterozygous for the N29I mutation. The comparison between the AP and control groups revealed both a significant number of patients carrying any mutations in the screened genes (P = 0.008) and bearing the N34S mutation (P = 0.023). Moreover, we found that the N34S G allele increased the risk of developing AP (odds ratio, 10.3; confidence interval, 1.1-248.8). CONCLUSIONS: Patients bearing the N34S G allele exhibited a 10-fold increased risk of developing AP compared with controls, suggesting that the SPINK1 N34S mutation represents an etiologic risk factor for AP in our Mexican pediatric patients.

Socio-demographic factors associated with caustic substance ingestion in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Caustic substance ingestion is a public health issue in some underdeveloped countries. Published information on socio-demographic factors related to this problem is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of socio-demographic factors with caustic ingestion in children. DESIGN: case-control study. Cases were children with caustic substance ingestion who were attended to during 2006 (n=94) at a pediatric referral hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico; the controls were a random sample of children who were hospitalized or seen as outpatients in the same pediatric referral hospital (n=641). The socio-demographic variables were studied using a validated questionnaire (Children Nutrition Organization Survey). STATISTICS: OR, 95% CI and logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean age of the cases was 3.2 years (SD 2.4) and 37.2% of cases were girls. Caustic ingestion occurred at home in 63.8% of cases and at a relative's home in 23.4% of cases. Alkaline products were ingested by 85.1%; containers had no warning labels in 72.3% of cases and no childproof safety caps in 92.6% of cases. The socio-demographic variables associated with caustic ingestion included higher family income, lower educational level of the mother, higher proportion of fathers working as independent professionals, extended family, mother's age <30 years, and mother working outside the home. CONCLUSIONS: The observed family risk profile for caustic ingestion was higher family income, young working mother with low educational level, father working as independent professional, and extended family.

Caustic ingestion and oesophageal damage in children: Clinical spectrum and feeding practices.

AIM: The study aims to evaluate the association of oesophageal damage with clinical data and feeding practices in children who suffered a caustic substance ingestion (CSI). METHODS: Cross-sectional design was used in this study. The setting was at a paediatric referral hospital in 2006. Ninety-four children with CSI were used as study samples, with mean age of 38.4 months, and 37.2% were females. The independent variable was oesophageal damage; the dependent variables were clinical data and feeding practices. RESULTS: Main symptoms included salivation, oropharyngeal burns and vomiting. On endoscopy, 84.6% had second- or third-degree burns. Oesophageal stricture occurred in 48.9%. Severe burns were associated with oesophageal stricture and ingestion of alkaline products; dysphagia was associated with oesophageal stricture. In about one fourth of the cases, a nutritional intervention with complete and balanced liquid diets was required to maintain the adequate daily recommended intake (DRI). CONCLUSIONS: Alkali ingestion was associated with severe burns and oesophageal stricture. The presence of oesophageal strictures and dysphagia required changes in the feeding practices in order to maintain an adequate nutritional status and/or to complete their DRI.

Seasonal variation of enteropathogens in infants and preschoolers with acute diarrhea in western Mexico.

The present study estimates the prevalence of some enteropathogens in infants and preschoolers with acute diarrhea. From 2006 to 2007, 5459 consecutive stool samples were evaluated. Cryptosporidium parvum was the parasite identified with the higher frequency (5.1%), followed by Giardia lamblia (1.2%). Campylobacter jejuni was isolated in 858 cases (15.7%) and was the most frequent enteropathogen overall. The rates of C parvum, Shigella, and Salmonella were higher in the summer. Rotavirus had the expected winter peak and it was the third enteropathogen because of its frequency. Overall frequency of stool-reducing substances was 15.6% and was associated with a rotavirus-positive test.

Serum lipids in parents and siblings of children with Alagille syndrome: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alagille syndrome, a dominant inherited disorder, is characterized by cholestatic liver disease, associated to interlobular bile duct paucity combined with; cardiac, skeletal, ocular and facial abnormalities. Increased levels of serum lipids are present in more than 80% of probands. Parents and siblings of children with Alagille syndrome are often found to have a mild expression of this probable disease gene; it is not known if dyslipidemia occurs in parents and siblings of children with Alagille syndrome. The aim of the study was to investigate the lipid profile in sibs and parents of children with Alagille syndrome. METHODOLOGY: Four children with Alagille syndrome and 21 first-degree relatives were studied. SETTING: A pediatric referral hospital. PERIOD: July-October 2005. DESIGN: cross-sectional. VARIABLES: Total, low-density, high-density cholesterol and triglyceride. STATISTICS: chi2, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTS: Probands had higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol and triglycerides than their siblings (p<0.05); however, no differences with their parents were observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia does not seem to be a phenotypic expression in first degree relatives of children with Alagille syndrome. The increased level of serum lipids observed in some of the parents is similar to the expected prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the adult Mexican population.

Acute and recurrent pancreatitis in children: etiological factors.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical picture and outcome, and to assess the etiological factors of acute and recurrent pancreatitis in children. METHODS: Thirty-six (65.5%) patients with acute and 19 (34.5%) with recurrent pancreatitis were studied. Mean age was 126 (41.3 SD) months; 27 (49.1%) were females. SETTING: A pediatric referral hospital. PERIOD: 2000-2005. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. VARIABLES: Clinical and laboratory data and etiological factors. STATISTICS: Chi2-test, Fisher test, OR, confidence interval, Student t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: The most frequent symptom in acute and recurrent pancreatitis was abdominal pain, followed by vomiting and ileus. The severity of pancreatitis and complications were similar in both groups. Biliary stones, family history of pancreatitis, drug ingestion and hypercalcemia occurred in both groups. Abdominal trauma and acute hepatitis A occurred in patients with acute pancreatitis; triglyceride>5.65 mmol/L, pancreas divisum and DeltaF508 mutation occurred in patients with recurrent pancreatitis. No difference was observed when frequency factors between study groups were compared. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical picture and etiological factors were similar in both groups. Since one out of every three children with acute pancreatitis in this series presented recurrences, it was not considered to be a 'benign disease'. Fifteen different etiological factors were identified in two-thirds of the cases.