DESACYLATED GHRELIN AND LEPTIN IN THE CORD BLOOD OF SMALL-FOR-GESTATIONAL-AGE NEWBORNS WITH INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION.

CONTEXT: Ghrelin, in both its acylated and desacylated forms, and leptin can modulate fetal energy balance and development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to assess desacylated ghrelin (DAG) and leptin values and influence on intrauterine and postnatal growth in infants with intrauterine growth restriction. DESIGN SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study on 39 infants recruited over five months, 20 appropriate - for - gestational - age (AGA) infants and 19 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, in which we measured DAG and leptin in the umbilical cord blood and we compared their respective values between the two groups, along with auxological parameters at birth and at 10 months of postnatal age. RESULTS: Our results show that both DAG and leptin have lower values in SGA infants and correlate with most of the anthropometrical parameters at birth. Both hormones correlate with weight at 10 months in SGA infants, but this correlation lacks in AGA infants. Whereas DAG in the cord blood can be considered a predictor for weight at 10 months (ß=0.207, p=0.001), the same cannot be stated about leptin (ß=0.078, p=0.195). CONCLUSION: DAG and leptin are involved in both intrauterine and postnatal development, but the extent of their role is still to be determined.

[The etiopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis in children]. / Studiu privind etiopatogenia hepatitelor cronice la copil.

The authors study the etiology of chronic hepatitis, with emphasis on the high frequency of the infection with virus B, with a chronization rate of 15-20%. Taking into account the mother fetus, transmission and the increased number of AgHBs chronic carriers, with serious consequences on hepatic affection, the authors insist on the necessity of antiviral vaccination and of the therapy for virus elimination. At the same time, pathogenetic investigations are made for the presence of nonspecific antibodies and antibodies against hepatocytic membrane, elements which prove the permanent character of the hepatic lesions by immune mechanism, induced by the virus B persistence.

[HBsAg carriers--a study performed on a closed collective of 0- to 3-year-old children]. / Purtatori de AgHBs--studiu efectuat într-o colectivitate închisa de copii 0-3 ani.

The clinical, functional-histological and mainly the therapeutical aspect in chronic hepatitis, still raises important problems in children's pathology. As the clinical aspect of the chronic liver diseases is variable and less suggestive in the early and even advanced stages in children, the authors followed--for three years--the incidence of biochemical and histological functional disturbances in a closed collectivity of children. Since no specific therapeutical possibilities exist yet, the importance for a better knowledge of epidemiology of post-viral chronic hepatitis is emphasized.