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Scop: evaluarea nivelelor serice de micronutrienţi la copii cu tulburări de nutriţie, şi aprecierea corelaţiei dintre acestea şi măsurătorile antropometrice. Material şi metode: Studiul a fost realizat pe 125 copii (0-18 ani); lotul de lucru a constat în copii cu scoruri Z < -2 deviaţii standard pentru cel puţin o măsurare antropometrică, copii fără tulburări de creştere fiind consideraţi lot de control. Astfel, pentru fiecare măsurare antropometrică am avut diferite loturi de lucru/control, folosite pentru evaluarea corelaţiei cu rezultatele de laborator. Am urmărit opt parametri antropometrici şi relaţia lor cu cinci micronutrienţi (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn şi Cu). Rezultate: nu s-au găsit diferenţe semnificative între nivelurile serice de micronutrienţi nici în funcţie de sex, nici în funcţie de mediul de provenienţă. Cel mai frecvent, nivelurile serice medii de micronutrienţi au fost mici la copiii cu scoruri Z < -2 deviaţii standard (cu excepția Cu). Mg şi Ca s-au corelat pozitiv cu majoritatea măsurătorilor antropometrice. Pentru Fe, Zn şi Cu nu am găsit nici o corelaţie, cu niciuna dintre măsurile antropometrice. Diferenţe între nivelurile serice medii au fost găsite pentru Mg, cu valori mai scăzute la copii cu greutate scăzută pentru vârstă şi pliu tricipital redus, respectiv pentru Cu, cu niveluri mai ridicate la copii pliu tricipital redus. Indicii eritrocitari au fost corelaţi pozitiv cu nivelurile de Fe şi Zn. Concluzii: corelaţii între nivelul seric de micronutrienţi şi scorurile de evaluare antropometrică au fost găsite pentru Mg şi Ca, dar nu pentru Fe şi Zn, care în schimb s-au corelat direct cu indicii eritrocitari. Mg, Fe şi Zn tind să prezinte valori serice mici la copiii cu deficite de creştere. Având în vedere costurile, evaluarea de rutină a nivelurilor serice de Zn şi Cu la copii cu suspiciune de tulburări de creştere nu este justificată în zona noastră geografică.

Background: Breast milk is a complex and unique substance, distinct from the lactation secretions of other species. Besides providing essential nutrients, it offers crucial protection during the newborn's adaptation process to the extraterrestrial environment. The components of breast milk not only directly combat pathogens but also stimulate the development of the newborn's immune sys-tem, strengthening its defense capabilities and reducing the risk of allergic conditions. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of mothers who have breastfed or are currently breastfeeding regarding breastfeeding and its benefits. Specifically, we aimed to explore the impact of the mothers' educational level at the time of breastfeeding on their understanding of the benefits for the infant, especially in terms of reducing obesity, fostering the emotional bond between mother and infant, promoting strong immune system development, ensuring good digestion, and soothing the in-fant. We also analyzed the relationship between the mother's background and the timing of introduc-ing solid foods. Material and methods: This study represents a cross-sectional survey conducted between January and February 2024, using a Google Forms questionnaire to assess mothers' knowledge. The questionnaire was distributed on social media platforms, with informed consent and under anonymity protection. It was completed by 1000 individuals. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Scienc-es). Data distribution was tested using the Chi-square test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically signifi-cant. Results : The study identified a statistically significant association between the level of education and the reduc-tion of obesity risk as a benefit of breastfeeding (p < 0.0001). Another statistically significant association was found between the mother's background and the timing of introducing solid foods (p < 0.001). However, no statistical significance was found between the level of education completed and the emotional bond created between mother and infant during breastfeeding (p > 0.058). Another non-significant association was detected between the completed level of education and breastfeeding as a factor in developing strong infant immunity (p > 0.507), ensuring good digestion (p > 0.283), and soothing the infant (p > 0.52). Conclusions: This study revealed that the mothers with university and postgraduate studies, are more informed about the benefits of breastfeeding, especially related to reducing infant obesity, compared to the mothers that have high school and post-high school studies. Similarly, the mothers from rural background have introduced solid foods earlier than the ones from urban background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the advent of the internet and digitalization, a new challenge has emerged: the increasing amount of screen time in the early stages of life. This can be a significant problem that can have numerous adverse effects on children's normal development. Objective: This study aims to investigate the amount of screen time and digital exposure in children and to observe the relationship between screen time and behavioural changes. Material and methods: The study involved 308 children from different age groups. The data was collected through an online survey using Google Forms, which the parents had to complete for their children. The survey consisted of 30 questions aimed at identifying data related to demographics, exposure to screens and effects of the exposure. The data was then analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2021 and SPSS applying the Pearson-R. Results: Most of the children, 251 out of 308 (81.5%), were from urban areas, while 57 (18.5%) were from rural areas. Mothers tend to be better educated than fathers. Specifically, 226 mothers (73.3%) had completed higher education (college, master's degree, or doctorate), whereas only 176 fathers (57%) had done so. Only 35.4% (109) of parents used parental control software on their children's devices. Additionally, 64.3% (198) tended to copy the behaviour seen in the digital environment. Most parents (73.7%) want to reduce the amount of screen time their children consume. Statistically significant correlations were found between native environment (urban or rural) and the amount of daily screen-time (r=0,172; p=0,002). Conclusions: Children from rural areas were more prone to a increased screen exposure. The issue of excessive screen time for children is a concern that many parents are well aware of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of pulmonary parenchyma that can be caused by microbial pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The pulmonary alveoli are full of fluids and pus, and this results in clinical symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, and altered status. Objective: Analyze age-related differences in the clinical presentation of pneumonia. Notice the influence of age on the hospital admission status. Identify age-specific risk factors predisposing infants and young children to pneumonia, including prematurity, comorbidities, and environmental background. Material and methods: This study is retrospective and observational, including all patients diagnosed with pneumonia who were admitted at the Pediatrics 1 Clinic of the County Emergency Hospital Targu Mures between 2018 and 2020, aged between 1 month and 3 years. The research included collecting data from the medical record, background, and personal data such as gender, current age, and gestational age. Results: In this study, 131 patients with a mean age of 12.66 months were enrolled. Of these, 60 patients (45.80%), were young children while 71 patients (54.20%) were infants. Among the young children group, 33 (25.19%) were born prematurely, while in the infants group only 23 (17.56%). The hospital admission status was influenced by age (p=0.0119) resulting in more young children (31.30%) with an altered status than infants (25.19%), this category representing 74 patients out of the entire cohort (56.49%). Regarding the clinical symptoms, there was a difference between the productive cough (p=0.0043) and dry cough (p<0.0001), the first one being more common for young children while the second one being more common for infants. Conclusions: This study highlights significant age-related differences in clinical presentation, hospital admission status, and prematurity rates among infants and young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]