Lewis antigens and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions staining for assessment of potential malignancy of adenomatous polyps of the gastrointestinal tract in children.

Adenomatous polyps (AP) of the gastrointestinal tract in children are very rare. Because of their potential malignancy, they are of great clinical importance. There is little experience in the management of children with AP. The immunohistochemical expression of the Lewis blood group antigens (BGA) (sialosyl-Le(a), Le(a), Leb, Le(x), and Le(y)) and the number of activated nucleoli with the silver staining method for nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were studied in two children with AP. In a girl with isolated AP of the stomach and colon, it was found that antigens Le(b) and s-Le(a) were expressed extensively in the gastric adenoma, and sialosyl-Le(a) throughout the entire length of the rectal adenoma crypts, but in the AgNORs stain the number of nucleoli ranged from two to four, evidencing changes of a benign character. In the case of familial adenomatous polyposis diagnosed in a 9-year-old boy, in some colonic adenomas the number of activated nucleoli was greater than five, and the Le(b) antigen was expressed in superficial epithelial cells in one of the adenomas. Also, extensive expression of antigens Le(y) and s-Le(a) throughout the entire length of the crypt in another polyp removed was observed. We believe that immunohistochemical study of the intensity and extent of the expression of Lewis BGA in the polyp tissue simultaneously with the determination of the number of activated nucleoli by the AgNORs staining method can be helpful in better analysis of cytological risk factors of a malignant transformation.

[Interferon alpha in the treatment of polycythemia vera in a 13-year-old girl]. / Interferon alfa w leczeniu czerwienicy prawdziwej u 13-letniej dziewczynki.

The authors present a rare case of polycythemia vera (PV) in a 13-year-old girl initially treated with phlebotomy only and then also with interferon alpha at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U three times per week subcutaneously. The treatment outcome measure was the reduction of the number of phlebotomies required to retain a normal hematocrit value. Treatment with interferon enabled a substantial reduction of phlebotomies and caused a decrease in platelet count. These results confirm that interferon alpha may be regarded as a promising therapeutic approach in the management of PV.

[Carcinoembryonic antigen and immunoglobulin IgE in duodenal ulcer disease in children]. / Antygen karcynoembrionalny oraz immunoglobulina IgE w chorobie wrzodowej dwunastnicy u dzieci.

The aim of this study was to monitor the behaviour of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and immunoglobulin IgE level in children with duodenal ulcer disease. No sex-dependent differences were found in mean values of CEA, whereas the mean IgE level in boys was twice as high as in girls. No seasonal differences in CEA and IgE levels were found. The IgE concentration increased during exacerbations, and this difference was statistically significant. CEA levels changed according to a similar pattern during exacerbation and remission, but remained within normal limits.

[Analysis of brain tumors in children from the Rzeszów region]. / Analiza guzów mózgu u dzieci z regionu Rzeszowskiego.

The authors present an analysis of brain tumors diagnosed in the pediatric ward of the voivodship hospital in Rzeszów between 1988 and 1992. Age, sex and clinical manifestation leading to hospitalisation, localisation and histopathology of the tumors were assessed.

[Achalasia--an uncommon cause of severe esophageal motor disorder in children. A case history]. / Achalazja--rzadka przyczyna powaznych zaburzen motoryki przelyku u dzieci. Opis dwóch przypadków.

Two girls, a 11- and 15-year-old are presented with a history of recurrent episodes of vomiting, failure to gain satisfactory weight and dysphagia secondary to an idiopathic achalasia of the esophagus. Attention is drawn to the functional pathology, symptoms, diagnostic procedures and several treatment options.

Carcionoembryonic antigen and immunoglobulin IgE in coeliac disease, food allergy and dudenal ulcer disease in children.

The aim of this study was to estimate the behaviour of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and immunoglobulin IgE level in children with coeliac disease (CD), food allergy (FA) and duodenal ulcer disease (UD). In total, 390 determinations of CEA (201 for CD, 27 for FA and 162 for UD) and 558-IgE (238, 136 and 184, respectively) were carried out during disease aggravations and remissions. The analysis of CEA mean values with respect to sex revealed no differences while IgE level in boys with UD was twice as high as in girls. No differences in CEA or IgE levels were found with respect to the season of the year. The IgE concentration increased during aggravations, but only in the case of UD was the difference statistically significant. CEA behaviour was similar (statistically significant differences for CD and very significant for UD). Both values, however, were normal.

[Duphalac (lactulose) in the treatment of chronic constipation in children]. / Duphalac (laktuloza) w leczeniu przewleklych zaparc stolca u dzieci.

The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of DUPHALAC preparation, produced by Solvay-Pharma, in treatment of functional chronic constipation. 112 children, aged 10 months-15.5 years were examined. DUPHALAC appeared to be very effective, were examined. Only two patients did not accept its taste. Rapidly (approximately after 2.5 weeks) improvement was achieved such as of restoration normal peristalsis and of previously disturbed defecation rhythm, softening of a stool, regression of pain and/or dyspeptic ailments, encopresis and improvement of appetite. In no case undesirable side effects were observed.

[Recurrent abdominal pain in children]. / Nawracajace bóle brzucha u dzieci.

The purpose of the work was an analysis of the causes of recurrent abdominal pain in children treated in the Paediatric Department, Province Hospital in Rzeszów in the years 1975-1991. The analysis included 3480 children (59.3% girls and 40.7% boys) aged 6-16 years. The causes of recurrent abdominal pain were gastrointestinal tract diseases (45.7%), urinary system diseases (36.8%), extra-abdominal diseases (6.4%), psychogenic background (11%).

[Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in a case of infection with Haemophilus influenzae]. / Trudnosci diagnostyczne i lecznicze w przypadku zakazenia Haemophilus influenzae.

A case is presented of generalized Haemophilus infection followed by its concentration in the central nervous system, joints and middle ear.

[Diversity in the clinical picture of hypothyroidism]. / Róznorodnosc obrazu klinicznego niedoczynnosci tarczycy.

Three cases are presented of hypothyroidism at the age of 6-13 years. Attention is paid to differences in the clinical picture in every of the observed children.

[Level of magnesium in blood serum in children from the province of Rzesz'ow]. / Poziom magnezu w surowicy krwi u dzieci województwa rzeszowskiego.

In 142 girls and 107 boys aged 5-15 years serum magnesium level was determined by the colorimetric method. Decreased values were found in 24 children including 7 boys and 17 girls. In 21 of them neurotic reactions or concentration disturbances were observed.

[Urinary system irregularities as a background of acute and chronic nutritional disturbances in infants]. / Nieprawidlowosci ukladu moczowego jako tlo ostrych i przewleklych zaburzen w odzywianiu niemowlat.

An analysis was carried out of 362 infants with urinary system infections (USI) hospitalized in the years 1987-91. Using USG and X-ray examinations abnormalities were found in 90 cases (24.9%), half of which were vesicoureteral refluxes. Of interest was the correlation of USI in the infants with such things as: weight deficiency (896 cases--26.5%), diarrhoea (130 cases--35.9%), malabsorption syndrome (20 cases--5.5%). Effective treatment of USI caused simultaneously a regression of gastrointestinal sings which indicated the aetiological and pathogenetic correlation between these two facts.

[Familial hypoadrenalism]. / Rodzinnie wystepujaca niedoczynnosc nadnerczy.

Congenital hypoadrenalism was diagnosed in a 18-month boy. It is suspected that hypoplasia of the adrenals is determined genetically due to the similar course and the results of autopsy in his deceased sister.

[Growth hormone concentration following various factors stimulating its release]. / Stezenie hormonu wzrostu po róznych bodzcach pobudzajacych wydzielanie.

Growth hormone concentration has been assayed in 105 children (45 girls and 60 boys) during starvation and following its stimulation with clonidine and insulin and during the sleep. A significant difference between growth hormone concentration during fasting and after stimulation has been noted. No statistically significant difference between growth hormone concentrations during the sleep and following insulin has been found. The most intensive growth hormone release has been observed during the sleep. Test with clonidine is technically simple and may be performed also in the out-patient clinics.

[A case of skin reactions to carbamazepine]. / Przypadek reakcji skórnych po karbamazepinie.

A case is described of severe cutaneous complications after carbamazepine administration. Attention is called to the frequency of adverse reactions to this drug.

The significance of early panendoscopy in caustic ingestion in children.

Fourteen cases of esophageal and gastric burns following the accidental ingestion of a caustic substance are presented. Early fiberoptic endoscopy was necessary, for it made possible a precise assessment of the severity and extent of injury and the application of proper conservative therapy. Signs and symptoms of caustic burns in children are an unreliable guide to injury, therefore, panendoscopy should be performed as soon as possible. A delay in the performance of a fiberoptic examination could result in the perforation of the affected organs.

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine in human, cow's and formula milk.

Triiodothyronine concentration in extracted human, cow's and formula milk was measured. The highest concentration (mean +/- SD = 1.56 +/- 1.34 nmol/l) was found in cow's milk and lowest (0.99 +/- 0.38 nmol/l) in formula milk. Thyroxine was not detected in any sample of milk. The scatter of obtained values for T3 was highest also in cow's milk. It seems possible that milk from same cows may to certain extense mitigate neonatal hypothyreoidism.