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Little is known about the effect of postnatal exposure to heavy metals on children’s behavior problems. This study aimed to investigate the association between metal exposure during different stages of postnatal life and neurobehavioral outcomes in preschool children.

Moraxella catarrhalisis a common, potential pathogen colonizing the respiratory tract in children. However, there is little information regarding the determinants of M. catarrhaliscolonization and disease development.

The association between oxidative stress and atopic diseases is uncertain. Several risk factors for atopic diseases have been identified, however, a comprehensive investigation of the relationship between oxidative stress markers and atopic indices related to atopic diseases is currently lacking.

Atopic eczema and food allergy most commonly occur in the early childhood. However, the relationships between eczema onset and their relevance to the occurrence of atopic diseases relating to allergen sensitization remain unclear.

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to determine whether introducing various allergenic foods during infancy is associated with IgE sensitization at 12 months of age.MethodsDetailed information on feeding practices regarding six possible allergenic foods (fruits, egg white, egg yolk, fish, shellfish, and peanuts) was obtained by administering age-specific questionnaires to parents of infants at ages 6 and 12 months. Fecal secretory IgA (sIgA), fecal eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and serum levels of total IgE and IgE specific to 20 foods, and IgE specific to 20 inhalant allergens were also quantified at 12 months of age.ResultsAt 12 months of age, infants with IgE sensitization had been introduced to fewer allergenic food items during infancy (3.2±1.4 vs. 3.7±1.3 items). Compared with infants who were given 0–2 allergenic food items, infants introduced to 3–4 or =5 allergenic food items showed a significantly lower risk of IgE sensitization (odds ratios (ORs) 0.62 and 0.61, respectively) and lower total IgE levels. In addition, non-introduction of egg white or egg yolk was significantly related to IgE sensitization (ORs 1.41 and 1.26, respectively).ConclusionIncreasing the diversity of allergenic foods in infancy, including fruits, egg white, egg yolk, fish, shellfish, and peanuts, may protect infants from IgE sensitization at 12 months of age.

Background:Despite widespread human exposure to biphenol A (BPA), limited studies exist on the association of BPA with adverse health outcomes in young children. This study aims to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to BPA on toll-like receptor–induced cytokine responses in neonates and its association with infectious diseases later in life.Methods:Cord bloods were collected from 275 full-term neonates. Production of TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-10 were evaluated after stimulating mononuclear cells with toll-like receptor ligands (TLR1-4 and 7–8). Serum BPA concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bacteria from nasopharyngeal specimens were identified with multiplex PCR and culture method.Result:Result showed significant association between cord BPA concentration and TLR3- and TLR4-stimulated TNF-a response (P = 0.001) and that of TLR78-stimulated IL-6 response (P = 0.03). Clinical analysis did not show prenatal BPA exposure to be correlated with infection or bacterial colonization during the first year of life.Conclusion:This is the first cohort study that indicated prenatal BPA exposure to play a part in TLR-related innate immune response of neonatal infants. However, despite an altered immune homeostasis, result did not show such exposure to be associated with increased risk of infection during early infancy.

For acute respiratory diseases caused by bacteria, colonization in the respiratory tracts is often the first sign, although nasopharynx is the major source of secretions containing pathogens. To understand the pathogenesis of respiratory tract diseases, it is important to analyze the establishment of nasopharyngeal bacterial colonization.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thirty-five children with IBS (17 diarrhea-predominant, 7 constipation-predominant, and 11 mixed type) and 25 healthy children as healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. All of the participants completed a questionnaire recording the duration, severity, and associated academic and social influences. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured for 24 hours with and without 1 or 5 ng/mL Escherichia colilipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokine production including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Children with IBS revealed lower baseline and significantly lower IL-10 levels after LPS stimulation compared with HCs (P= 0.001). Although not to a significant level, TNF-a and IL-6 levels were higher in children with IBS compared with HCs. The IL-10 levels in patients with IBS with strong pain intensity were lower both in baseline and under 1 ng/mL LPS stimulation. The levels became significantly lower under 5 ng/mL LPS stimulation compared with those experiencing mild and moderate pain intensity (P= 0.025). Our study suggests that children with IBS tend to produce lower amounts of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 at baseline and after LPS stimulation, implying that defects in immune modulation may contribute to IBS in children.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Airway microbiota may play an important role in regulating the immune response related to allergic respiratory diseases. A molecular-based approach was used to analyze the association between nasopharyngeal microbiota, serum immunoglobin (Ig)E levels, and childhood respiratory allergies.

Although the detection of pediatric peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has recently been increasing, perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) in children is rare. We report our experience with PPU in children.

Although the detection of pediatric peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has recently been increasing, perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) in children is rare. We report our experience with PPU in children. The charts of children diagnosed with PPU at our hospital from January 1986 to June 2005 were reviewed. Data were obtained on demographics, coexisting clinical events, perforation sites, delay in surgery, operative findings and methods, and outcomes. The data were analyzed using the χ2, Student ttest, and multivariate logistic regression for possible risk factors. There were 42 male and 10 female patients aged 2 to 18 years (mean, 14.2 years) included in the study. Forty‐seven patients were adolescents (90%). Eight patients had coexisting clinical events before PPU. All of the patients manifested acute abdominal pain. Forty‐nine patients (94.2%) had peritoneal signs. Radiography showed subdiaphragmatic free air in 43 patients (82.7%); this was the most important tool for establishing diagnosis. Nine patients (17.3%) had postoperative complications. Two patients died (3.8%). Univariate analysis showed that poor outcome was significantly associated with female sex, more coexisting clinical events, no evidence of chronic ulcer, and treatment by simple suture (P< 0.05). Only female sex and simple suture remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Although delay in surgery (>12 hours) was not significantly related to complications, there was a greater tendency toward the development of complications. PPU should be suspected in adolescents who manifest acute abdominal pain and have peritoneal signs. Children with PPU have a more favorable outcome than adults.

Few studies address the dynamic changes of body mass index (BMI) Z-scores during infancy with breastfeeding and their impact on childhood atopic diseases.

Serum or cord blood soluble Fas ligand (FasL) has been related to asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in cross-sectional and short-term follow-up studies. However, the association of cord blood soluble FasL with long-term allergic outcomes has seldom been investigated.

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