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Background/Objectives. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide and is the leading cause of anemia in the pediatric population (microcytic, hypochromic anemia due to iron deficiency). Moreover, untreated iron deficiency can lead to various systemic consequences and can disrupt the child's development. Methods/Results. Therefore, a team of experts from the Polish Pediatric Society, the Polish Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, the Polish Neonatology Society, and the Polish Society of Family Medicine, based on a review of the current literature, their own clinical experience, and critical discussion, has developed updated guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of iron deficiency in children from birth to 18 years of age. These recommendations apply to the general population and do not take into account the specifics of individual conditions and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of childhood hospitalizations. The aim of the study was to estimate the rates of RSV-related hospitalizations in children aged less than 5 years in Poland. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study was based on data obtained from the National Health Fund in Poland regarding all acute respiratory tract infections and RSV-coded admissions of children (age < 5 years) to public hospitals between July 2015 and June 2023. Patients were stratified based on the following age groups: 0–1 month, 2–3 months, 4–6 months, 7–12 months, 13–24 months, and 25–60 months. Results: The number of RSV-related hospitalizations increased every season, both before and through the ending phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a shift in the seasonality pattern of RSV infection. Hospitalization rates per 1000 inhabitants were the highest for children aged 0–12 months, reaching 47.3 in the 2022/23 season. Within this group, the highest hospitalization rate was observed for children aged 2–3 months—94.9 in the 2022/23 season. During the ending phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the observed increase in admission rates was 2-, 4-, and 5-fold the pre-COVID rate for children aged <12 months, 12–24 months, and 25–60 months, respectively. Conclusions: In Poland, RSV infections cause a significant burden in hospitalized children aged less than 5 years. RSV-related hospitalizations were most frequent in children aged less than 1 year. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a shift in the seasonality pattern of RSV infections. After the pandemic, more RSV-related hospitalizations were observed in older children (aged 13 months and older) vs. the pre-pandemic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The teratogenic effect of alcohol is well known, but its prevalence is usually underestimated. This study presents the findings of a cross-sectional study conducted in Poland, which aimed to assess the prevalence and changes in alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The study utilized ethyl glucuronide (EtG) concentration in maternal hair and self-reports as measures to evaluate alcohol intake across the three trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: The study involved postpartum women (n = 150) and their babies. Hair samples from 135 participants allowed segmental analysis (separately for the three trimesters), and hair from 15 were analysed for the entire 9 months by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Survey data included self-reports of health-related behaviours and socio-demographic characteristics; medical records – information on the course of a pregnancy and newborn’s health. Results: Standard medical interview revealed no cases of alcohol use during pregnancy. The analysis of EtG indicated 50.3% of women had been drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy, including 10% with excessive alcohol consumption. Most participants maintained the same level of alcohol consumption throughout the pregnancy, but 8.7% of women decreased and 20.7% increased the amount of alcohol consumed between the 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Gestational consumption of alcohol was not related to socio-demographic characteristics, course of pregnancy, and self-reported health behaviours, but babies of women who drank alcohol during pregnancy were more often small for gestation age than babies of abstainers (odds ratio [OR] = 6.008), with the highest risk observed in case of increased alcohol consumption (OR = 12.348). Conclusions: Maternal hair analysis is useful in detecting pregnancy alcohol use and allows retrospective analysis over a longer period than other biological samples, providing a more comprehensive pattern of use throughout pregnancy. However, there is a need to improve routine methods of interviewing patients about alcohol use and to implement effective preventive strategies regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major complication of prematurity and can have significant impact on long-term pulmonary sequelae and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Objective: To assess the incidence and evaluate the predictive factors for severe BPD in very preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: Of the 846 premature infants born at ≤32-week gestation who developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 707 infants with known oxygen dependency at 36 weeks gestational age were included in the analysis of BPD incidence. With univariate and multiple logistic regression models we evaluated the risk factors for the development of severe BPD and calculated odds ratios (ORs). Results: The overall incidence of BPD was 45.2%. Severe BPD accounted for 6%, with morbidity pertaining mainly to infants <29-week gestation (incidence 10%). The risk factors for severe BPD included male gender (OR 3.02 95%CI 1.30-7.46), intubation in the delivery room (OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.00-7.18), and invasive ventilation >7 days (OR 7.05, 95%CI 2.63-22.4). The protective factors were early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the univariate analysis and receiving surfactant <15 min after birth in the multivariate model. Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation >7 days is the most prevalent risk factor for severe BPD. CPAP initiated in the delivery room and early surfactant are key preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether a new probiotic bacterial mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL53A and Bifidobacterium breve PB04 given to preterm, low-birth-weight neonates would influence composition of their gut microbiota and sepsis rates. Patients and methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in clinical centers of neonatal care in Poland. A probiotic or placebo preparation was given twice daily to 181 preterm low-birth-weight neonates who were eligible for enteral feeding between July 2012 and July 2013. The probiotic was given to 90 neonates, while placebo was given to 91 neonates. The gut microbiota was monitored by microbiological analysis of stool samples. Sepsis episodes were detected on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings and confirmed by blood cultures. Results: Tested probiotic administration resulted in continuous increase of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts in the gut microbiota. The applied tested strains successfully colonized the neonates gut since they were present in over 90% of stool samples, which was confirmed by molecular analysis. Regardless of the study group (probiotic or placebo), B. breve -colonization correlated with lower staphylococcal sepsis incidence, which was irrespective of whether -probiotics were given. No sepsis case caused by strains included in study probiotic was recorded. Conclusion: Appropriately selected and characterized probiotic bacteria may be safely given to preterm neonates to normalize their distorted gut microbiota and may contribute to lower staphylococcal sepsis rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]