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Aim of the Study: In a double-blind, randomized, controlled, multicentric study, the study compared the efficacy of a specific adapted formula (lactose-free, high-mineral, low-osmolarity formula, containing rice and pectin fortified with Saccharomyces boulardii) in the management of infants with acute diarrhea with a standard formula used to feed healthy infants from birth., Methodology: Seventy infants with an average age of 163 days+/-11.7 suffering from acute diarrhea with an average of 6.6+/-0.4 stools per day received, after randomization, either a standard (control) formula (n=36) or an adapted lactose-free formula fortified with S. boulardii (26mg/100ml; n=34). The duration of the diarrhea was defined as the time needed until the occurrence of the first normal stool after the last liquid stool., Results: At inclusion, the age, weight, and number of stools per day were the same in the two groups. There were 15 infants with rotavirus in the treated group and 13 in the control group. The duration of the diarrhea from time of inclusion was significantly reduced in the treated group (35.4+/-3.7h) versus the control group (67.1+/-5h; p<0.001), In both groups, with or without rotavirus, the duration of diarrhea did not depend on the presence or absence of rotavirus but only on the treatment. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher in the treated group compared with the control group (74.2+/-26.4g versus 23.7+/-6.7g; p<0.05). The oral rehydration solution consumption was, however, higher in the control group than in the treated group; the consumption of formula was higher in the treated group, but these differences were not significant. The number of stools as of Day 4 remained significantly higher in the control group than in the treated group. After 6.5 days, almost no S. boulardii was found in the stools., Conclusion: In moderately dehydrated infants (<10 %), the use of a specially designed formula, containing S. boulardii (Novalac AD+/Diarinova+), significantly shortens the duration of diarrhea and allows quicker weight regain than a standard formula., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Gastric infection with Helicobacter heilmannii is rare but is known to be associated with chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, and low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in humans. In contrast to H. pylori, various H. heilmannii species colonize the stomachs of domestic animals, which might be a reservoir for transmission to humans. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy presenting with chronic gastritis caused by H. heilmannii. Endoscopic examination reveals H. heilmannii-like infection on biopsy samples in his two pet dogs. Sequencing of the 16S and 23S ribosomal DNA by PCR was used to compare the H. heilmannii-like bacterial samples isolated in the boy and his dogs. These DNA amplification methods suggest that the boy was infected by his pet dogs (zoonosis). Our patient was cured by treatment with proton-pump inhibitor and antibiotics. Endoscopic follow-up of the boy showed a complete cure of gastritis and eradication of the bacterium.

Unlabelled: Maldigestion in cystic fibrosis (CF) affects approximately 90% of patients. As soon as pancreatic insufficiency is identified, enzyme supplementation is prescribed even with breast fed infants. A pancreatic enzyme preparation developed particularly for infants, Creon for children (CfC), contains smaller granules to be administered with a dosing spoon (5000 lipase units per scoop)., Patients and Methods: In a prospective, randomised, multi-centre study, 40 infants and toddlers received both CfC and Creon 10000 (C10) for two weeks each in a cross-over design. Dosing of pancreatic enzymes was continued as applied before the study. The primary endpoint was the parents' treatment preference. Secondary endpoints included coefficient of fat absorption (CFA), clinical symptoms and safety parameters., Results: 20 parents (51%) from the N=39 intent to treat sample preferred CfC, 9 (23%) preferred C10, and 10 (26%) had no preference The applied doses led to a mean CFA with similar results for both treatments (77.8% vs. 78.7%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported on a number of study days, and some children had abnormal results for laboratory parameters of malabsorption. Safety and tolerability of the preparations were good and all these parameters were comparable for both treatments., Conclusion: Those parents who had a preference favoured CfC over C10. Both enzyme preparations improved malabsorption to a similar degree, although the applied dosages could have been too low in some children reflected in a suboptimal CFA. These data support the use of CfC for young patients with cystic fibrosis improving the daily care of this cohort detected mainly now through neonatal screening programmes.

We report a case of macroamylasemia in an 11-year-old boy. We compare our clinical and paraclinical data with those described in pediatric literature. Macroamylase resulted in a complex of amylase and immuglobulin. Its fortuitous detection did not reveal, up to now, any associated pathology, in particular any autoimmune disorders or celiac disease. Identification of this biochemical abnormality is essential in order to avoid invasive investigations and/or unnecessary therapies.

Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPT) accounts for around 25% of cases of the disease, and around 20% in children. In Pott's disease and other forms of bone and joint involvement (globally 10-15% of EPT cases), modern imaging techniques like MRI scan have improved diagnosis and follow-up of treatment outcomes. Tuberculous meningitis has not disappeared even in BCG vaccinated children and remains a severe form of the disease. Techniques like the polymerase chain reaction and MRI contribute to an early diagnosis and controversy persists regarding the role of corticosteroid therapy in the treatment strategy. Other localisations are rare in children, including tuberculosis of the urogenital tract, infection of the digestive tract or pericarditis.

Background: Infant regurgitation is a phenomenon causing worldwide parental distress and anxiety. Parental reassurance and dietary advices regarding feeding techniques and volumes are helpful in the management. Guidelines also recommend the use of thickened formula. However, the impact of thickened feeding on the frequency of acid reflux is still a matter of debate. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of a casein predominant formula thickened with a specifically selected and treated cornstarch on the frequency and duration of acid reflux episodes., Methods: Ninety-six formula-fed infants with a mean age of 93 days, presenting with episodes of regurgitation and vomiting occurring more than five times a day and with an abnormal oesophageal pH monitoring, were randomised to a regular infant formula (n = 45) or cornstarch thickened casein predominant formula (n = 51) for 28 days. A second pH monitoring was performed at the end of the study period (26+/-5 days). Symptoms were daily recorded in a diary by the parents for 28 days., Results: At inclusion, the pH-metric parameters did not differ between the control and the intervention group. Results of pH monitoring at baseline and at the end of the study did not differ in the control group on the regular infant formula. However, in the group with the casein dominant cornstarch thickened formula, all pH-metric parameters (reflux index (% of the investigation time with a pH < 4.0), number of reflux episodes >5 min, duration of the longest reflux episode) decreased significantly. The frequency of vomiting and regurgitation did not differ between both groups at baseline, remained unchanged in the control group, but decreased significantly in the intervention group., Conclusion: A casein dominant formula thickened with a specifically treated cornstarch reduces oesophageal acid exposure, and reduces the frequency of clinical symptoms.

Unlabelled: Nosocomial infections are a preoccupation in a pediatric hospital mainly during the winter with bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis epidemics. We have examined the risk factors of nosocomial infections., Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted between November, 1999 and March, 2000 in the infants units of the Le Havre hospital. We systematically listed the admissions and contacted the family after their discharge by phone. A geographic information system was implemented to display the epidemiological data; this software is able to illustrate the sectors at risk., Results: During the study, 687 infants were hospitalized of whom 458 for bronchiolitis and community-acquired gastroenteritis. Mean age was 5.4 months old. No nosocomial bronchiolitis occurred. Prevalence of nosocomial gastroenteritis was 10% (68 cases including nine after discharge). Infants with nosocomial infection were younger than those with community-acquired infection (6.6 months vs. 11.2 months, P < 0.01). The mean length of stay was longer in nosocomial infection (7.7 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.05). Among the infants with bronchiolitis, 16% have developed nosocomial intestinal infections (RR = 2.65, IC: 1.59-4.4; P < 0.01). The geographic analysis pointed the area with nosocomial risk (bedroom without water, nearness of nurse office and games room)., Conclusion: Geographic information system is a part of the quality control system and may have some interaction effect on final decision making. Incidence of nosocomial infections showed the need for a prevention strategy in a pediatric hospital.

Although systematic vitamin D supplementation in adolescents remains debated, rickets is nevertheless a well recognized pathology in this age group. Adolescence is an at-risk period because of rapid growth, insufficient calcium intake and/or vitamin D status. Surveys have shown that calcium intake is insufficient (< 1000 mg a day) in 45% of boys and 71% of girls and that vitamin D status is deficient (25-OH-D < 10 ng/ml). The aims of the study carried out by the Calcium Group of the Société Française de Pédiatrie, were to evaluate the frequency of rickets, and to define the criteria for the adolescent population at risk. Forty-one adolescents with rickets were hospitalized between 1985 and 2000. Most of the cases were from the Northern France: 20 from Paris and suburbs, eight from the North-West, four from the North, four from the North-East; five were from the Center of France. The mean age was 13 years and two months for the 28 girls, and 14 years and four months for the 13 boys. Eighty per cent of the adolescents were from immigrant families (33/41): 15 were from sub-Saharan Africa, ten from North Africa, six from Pakistan and two from Turkey. Two thirds of the adolescents were hospitalized in the 2nd quarter of the year. Some adolescents suffered from lower limb pain, 16 had deformations of lower limbs, particularly genu valgum, associated with pain; seven others had either muscle spasms (4), tetany (3). Serum calcium level was low (average 1.84 mmol/l: [1.1-2.5]), and serum 25-OH D level was extremely low. Radiographic characteristics observed were metaphyseal strips on the knees, with condensed edges at times, with the presence of bone demineralization. The treatment combined calcium and vitamin D, and was often administered intravenously when a hypocalcemia was detected. Rickets is not frequent in adolescents, but nonetheless this pathology is not exceptional, and the number of cases is probably under-estimated. Rickets affects immigrant adolescents in particular but nevertheless could also present a certain risk period for the general population.

Poor clearance of airway secretions contributes to the pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). Bronchodilator therapy might benefit in CF, but the efficacy is controversial. Effects of mucolytic agents have not been demonstrated conclusively. Only, efficacy of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) is established with a rapid onset of benefit.

Many studies have been dedicated to the prevention of infant and childhood asthma in recent years. Primary prevention begins during intra uterine life (maternal smoke, diet, allergen exposure). During the first year of life, prolonged breastfeeding has been found to be a protective factor against the development of allergy and asthma. The role of infections and lifestyle is controversial and it is not clear whether these factors reduce or increase the risk of asthma. Environmental measures such as avoidance of tobacco smoke and reducing allergens exposure must be recommended to infants with high risk of asthma.

Unlabelled: Hepatic hemangioendothelioma can have a fatal outcome. After failure of classic therapies, and when surgery or arterial embolization are not possible, those benign tumours may benefit from interferon alpha treatment., Case Report: We report a case of a 14-month-old infant who presented with hepatic hemangiomatosis and cardiac failure. The disease can neither be controlled by steroids nor by radiotherapy associated with digitalo-diuretic treatment. Due to the important vascular volume of the tumour, neither surgical care nor arterial embolization were possible. Thus this infant was treated for ten months by interferon alpha. The evolution was favourable: cardiac failure, calcifications and volume of the angiomatosis were regressive., Conclusion: Interferon alpha treatment helps to control cardiac failure and the course of hepatic hemangioma in childhood.

Unlabelled: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of uncertain etiology which can affect different organs in the body. In this study, we report a case with both lung and thyroid involvement., Case Report: A 12-year-old girl with goiter was referred for dyspnea. Lung CT scan showed diffuse interstitial disease. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made following a histological study of lung specimens obtained via video-assisted thoracoscopy., Conclusion: Lung biopsy is important in establishing the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. In this study, the various forms of granulomatous lesions in the thyroid gland and in the lung have been described. However, it should be emphasized that the association of thyroid gland disorder and lung involvement in cases of sarcoidosis is a rare occurrence in children and adolescents. The necessity of establishing a certain diagnosis justifies the use of these invasive procedures.

Background: Prevalence of asthma is influenced by environmental factors which may be different from area to area., Population and Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out among 1,395 children attending primary schools in the city of Le Havre and the canton of Fécamp (Haute-Normandie). Questionnaires including data about the disease, family history, environmental and socio-economic factors were completed by the school physician in presence of the parents., Results: Prevalence rate of asthma calculated from 1,193 questionnaires was 7.8%. The logistic regression curves pointed out four risk factors: family history of asthma (odds ratio: 2.52) or hay fever (OR: 1.98), atopic dermatitis (OR: 3.96), and parental smoking (OR: 1.79). Sex, socioeconomic status of parents, type of housing, presence of pets in the house were not related to prevalence of asthma. Frequency of cough during the day was only significantly different between both areas., Conclusions: The high level of school absence (21.1%) and frequency of hospitalizations for acute asthma (20.4%) should lead health professionals and educators to improve management of asthma in these areas.

We have undertaken a study on continuous pH oesophageal monitoring on children with chronic respiratory symptoms and a gastro intestinal reflux proved by at least one positive test (baryum esophagogram, GE scintiscan, endoscopy). We have compared the data from 16 children with digestive symptoms and 9 controls with no sign of reflux. While all the parameters differs significantly between controls and patients with digestive symptoms, controls and respiratory symptoms, the only difference between "digestive" and "respiratory" patients occurs in the duration of the mean of the nocturnal reflux. Moreover the respiratory patients improved by the reflux symptomatic treatment had a mean duration of nocturnal reflux greater than un improved patients. A mean duration of nocturnal reflux over 4 minutes could have some predictive value.

A 81 day old male infant developed an acute hepatitic failure and died shortly thereafter. Determinations of HBs antigen and antibody (AB) and HBeAg and AB were performed in the parents and sibling of the infected child. The mother and a sister were an asymptomatic carrier of HBsAg, the first HBeAg positive and the second HBeAB positive. An elder sibling was HBsAg and HBeAg positive in this serum. The father was anti-HBs positive. In the family of the sister, the man and two childs were HBsAg and anti-HBsAB negative. A new baby in the family of the propositus born and a combination of HB vaccine and HBIg (hepatite B immuno-globulin) was started at birth. Unfortunately the child died of S.D.I.S. (Sudden Death Infant Syndrome). The HB vaccine was immuno-genetic in this infant and the anti-HBs in the immuno-globulin M (IgM) was positive as in several adults controls. This case allow us to discuss vertical transmission of hepatitis B, the clinical aspect of neonatal hepatitis and the preventing HB infection by combinaison of HB vaccine and HBIg.

There were 50 children with a strong clinical suspicion of gastrooesophageal reflux and 10 controls patients evaluated with gastrooesophageal scintiscans. 500 microCi to 1 mCi of Tc sulfur colloïd mixed the patients routine milk or formula feeding was administered and serial images of the abdomen and thorax were obtained. A positive scintiscan was found in 35 patients (sensitivity 70 %) and none of the controls (specificity 100 %). A comparison of findings in 34 patients referred for both radiographic and radionuclide studies showed that barium studies were positive in 38 % and radionuclide in 64,7 %. We found this examination to be more sensitive that the standard barium radiography particularly in patients with respiratory symptoms. We conclude that the GE scintiscan is complementary to barium studies in the diagnosis of GE reflux. Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents was detected in only a case of the 35 patients with documented GE reflux. A T 1/2 emptying gastric more long that 90 minutes (linear calculationation) or 115 minutes (exponential calcul) is an indirect GE reflux test. The diagnostic accuracy of all various procedures is reviewed and the scintigraphy value in the evaluation of GER in infants and children is discussed. This method is simple, safe more physiologic than other available examinations.

Three cases of enteric duplication cysts in newborns are reported. The importance of the ultrasonographic exploration for the diagnosis is outlined.