[The assessment of nutritional status in children with chronic hepatitis B treated with interferon alpha]. / Ocena stanu odzywienia dzieci z przewleklym zapaleniem watroby typu B podczas terapii interferonem alpha.

The aim of the study was an evaluation of nutrition status in children with chronic hepatitis B during IFN-alpha therapy. Observation was carried out in a group of 40 children in the age range of 1-14 years with clinically, diagnosed chronic hepatitis B. Respectful of age 2 subgroups were distinguished. I: 27 children up to 4 years old, II: 13 children in the age range of 4-14 years. The nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometric measurement (body mass, body length/height). Moreover Cole index was estimated at the beginning and completion of the treatment and in the time of the highest weight loss. None of the examined children has body mass deficiency before IFN-alpha treatment: Cole index was in normal range as well. Lack of appetite, connected with IFN-alpha administration, was observed in 42.5 children during therapy. Weight loss was observed in 65% of the examined children especially in the first 2 months of therapy. Return to the initial body mass value was observed within 3 months after IFN-alpha completion in 77% children; but in 2 children only 12 months after IFN-alpha therapy termination. 12 months after IFN-alpha completion Cole index lower than initial was observed in 42.5% of the examined children in spite of return of body mass to initial values. There was no observed unfavourable influence of IFN treatment on body height. 20-weeks IFN-alpha therapy in children with chronic hepatitis B often causes lack of appetite, which may lead to reversible disturbances in nutritional status. Correct dietetic proceeding is necessary to decrease the frequency and intensity of disturbances in nutritional status in this group of children.

Food hypersensitivity and headaches in children and youth.

This work is an attempt to determine etiopathogenetic role of food hypersensitivity in headaches released in children and youth. On the basis of complex clinical analysis and the results of immunological and biochemical tests, such a relation was proved to exist in 45.6% of examined patients. The main form of therapy for these children was diet excluding harmful food. Considerable clinical improvement was obtained in the shape of total or partial arrest of the frequency and intensification of algetic complaints.

Auxological evaluation of children with cow's milk protein intolerance treated an elimination diet.

A somatic development assesment, including the nutritive condition at the moment of diagnosis and after at least a year's dietary treatment was carried out in a group of 55 children with primary cow's milk protein intolerance. The influence of the applied elimination diet and/or anti-allergic supporting treatment on the clinical picture was evaluated as well as calcium--phosphorus--magnesium balance parameters.