Regina Lunardi Rocha

Etiology, clinical manifestations and concurrent findings in mouth-breathing children

OBJECTIVE To investigate the etiology, main clinical manifestations and other concurrent findings in mouth-breathing children aged 3 to 9 years and resident in the urban area of Abaeté (MG), Brazil. METHODS This study was based on a representative random sample of the town population, of 23,596 inhabitants. Clinical diagnosis of mouth-breathing was defined as a combination of snoring, sleeping with mouth open, drooling on the pillow and frequent or intermittent nasal obstruction. Children with a clinical diagnosis of mouth-breathing underwent nasal endoscopy, allergy skin tests and X ray of the rhinopharynx, full blood tests, eosinophil counts, total IgE assay and fecal parasitology. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.5. RESULTS The main causes of mouth-breathing were: allergic rhinitis (81.4%), enlarged adenoids (79.2%), enlarged tonsils (12.6%), and obstructive deviation of the nasal septum (1.0%). The main clinical manifestations of mouth breathers were: sleeping with mouth open (86%), snoring (79%), itchy nose (77%), drooling on the pillow (62%), nocturnal sleep problems or agitated sleep (62%), nasal obstruction (49%), and irritability during the day (43%). CONCLUSION Certain clinical manifestations are very common among mouth-breathing children. These manifestations must be recognized and considered in the clinical diagnosis of mouth-breathing.

Evaluation of risk factors associated with increased blood pressure in children

OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with increased arterial blood pressure in children. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, arterial blood pressure was measured in 672 children between 2 and 11 years of age from two schools in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. After providing informed consent, all children had their blood pressure and anthropometric parameters measured. Blood pressure was measured based on the recommendations of the Update on the 1987 Task Force Report on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, race, urban life quality index, weight, height, and body mass index. Analysis of variance was used for comparison of means and the chi-square was used for comparison of proportions. Variables associated with increased blood pressure were included in a multiple regression model. RESULTS According to univariate analysis, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure were associated with high urban life quality index, white race and high body mass index. On multivariate analysis, body mass index, urban life quality index and height remained associated with increased systolic blood pressure; urban life quality index and age were associated with increased diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION In this study, excess weight and obesity were associated with increased systolic blood pressure. Other unidentified factors were partially associated with increased blood pressure in children from the school with elevated urban life quality index.

Etiologia, manifestações clínicas e alterações presentes nas crianças respiradoras orais

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology, main clinical manifestations and other concurrent findings in mouth-breathing children aged 3 to 9 years and resident in the urban area of Abaete (MG), Brazil. METHODS: This study was based on a representative random sample of the town population, of 23,596 inhabitants. Clinical diagnosis of mouth-breathing was defined as a combination of snoring, sleeping with mouth open, drooling on the pillow and frequent or intermittent nasal obstruction. Children with a clinical diagnosis of mouth breathing underwent nasal endoscopy, allergy skin tests and X ray of the rhinopharynx, full blood tests, eosinophil counts, total IgE assay and fecal parasitology. Data were analyzed using SPSS® version 10.5. RESULTS: The main causes of mouth breathing were: allergic rhinitis (81.4%), enlarged adenoids (79.2%), enlarged tonsils (12.6%), and obstructive deviation of the nasal septum (1.0%). The main clinical manifestations of mouth breathers were: sleeping with mouth open (86%), snoring (79%), itchy nose (77%), drooling on the pillow (62%), nocturnal sleep problems or agitated sleep (62%), nasal obstruction (49%), and irritability during the day (43%). CONCLUSION: Certain clinical manifestations are very common among mouth-breathing children. These manifestations must be recognized and considered in the clinical diagnosis of mouth breathing.

Prevalência de crianças respiradoras orais

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of mouth breathing among children aged 3 to 9 years living in the urban districts of the town of Abaete, MG, Brazil. METHODS: This study assesses a representative, randomized sample of the towns population (23,596 inhabitants). Children were selected by lots according to a random number table until 370 had been enrolled; this number had been determined by statistical calculation. A protocol for anamnesis and clinical assessment of the patients was specially developed for this project since no preexisting instruments could be found in the literature that had been validated and were appropriate for the purpose. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.5. RESULTS: The prevalence of mouth breathing was found to be 55%, or 204 children. CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed to validate a questionnaire for the clinical diagnosis of mouth breathers at the primary care level.

Prevalence of mouth breathing among children

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of mouth breathing among children aged 3 to 9 years living in the urban districts of the town of Abaeté, MG, Brazil. METHODS This study assesses a representative, randomized sample of the towns population (23,596 inhabitants). Children were selected by lots according to a random number table until 370 had been enrolled; this number had been determined by statistical calculation. A protocol for anamnesis and clinical assessment of the patients was specially developed for this project, since no preexisting instruments could be found in the literature that had been validated and were appropriate for the purpose. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.5. RESULTS The prevalence of mouth breathing was found to be 55%, or 204 children. CONCLUSION Further studies are needed to validate a questionnaire for the clinical diagnosis of mouth breathers at the primary care level.

Toxocariasis: visceral larva migrans in children

OBJECTIVES To present a detailed investigation of risk factors, symptoms, and laboratory and imaging tests that may be useful to establish the clinical laboratory diagnosis of visceral larva migrans (VLM) in children, demonstrating the importance of diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications in the eyes, liver, and other organs. SOURCES Literature review using the MEDLINE and LILACS (1952-2009) databases, selecting the most recent and representative articles on the topic. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS VLM is an infectious disease with non-specific clinical presentation, whose transmission is related to contact with dogs, especially puppies, and which may progress to late systemic complications in vital organs such as the eyes and the central nervous system. IgG (ELISA) anti-T. canis can be used to establish the laboratory diagnosis. Higher cutoff points suggest recent illness and lower cutoff points demonstrate mild infection or infection in remission. Therapeutic response may be assessed by means of eosinophil blood cell count. The present article provides the pediatrician with updated information regarding VLM, a disease of high prevalence worldwide and in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of VLM depends mainly on the presence of dogs in the childs household, associated with ELISA (IgG anti-T. canis), using excretory-secretory antigens of Toxocara canis. Prospective studies are warranted to assess the best drug therapy. Prevention is the most important strategy because of the high prevalence of T. canis in urban areas.

Serum cytokines associated with severity and complications of kala-azar

Abstract Objectives: Recent clinical data suggest that severe kala-azar (or visceral leishmaniasis) is an exaggerated innate immune response mediated by inflammatory cytokines, leading to a systemic inflammatory syndrome similar to what is observed in malaria, sepsis and other diseases. We tested this hypothesis by measuring serum cytokines in individuals with kala-azar. Methods: We compared patients with severe kala-azar (i.e. hemorrhagic manifestations, n = 38) with patients without evidence of hemorrhage (n = 96). We conducted a detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation, measuring serum IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-gamma, and TNF-alpha, and markers of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Results: Infants had higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, while HIV-infected patients had lower concentrations of IL-10 and interferon-gamma. Higher levels of IL-6, interferon-gamma, and IL-8 were found among deceased patients. IL-8 and interferon-gamma were independently associated with bleeding. Several cytokines were associated with different signs of severe clinical and laboratory manifestations, including DIC. IL-6 was highly positively and independently associated with IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-10, and negatively associated with TNF-alpha. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were also highly independently associated with disease severity. Conclusion: In its severe form, kala-azar, a neglected tropical disease, initiates a systemic inflammatory response that leads to DIC and other manifestations. Children may have higher risk of death due to the more intense cytokine release. The data supports the notion that IL-6 is the central cytokine that is associated with lethal disease, but interferon-gamma, IL1beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha are also involved with disease severity. Inhibition of IL-6 is a potential target of adjuvant therapy for severe or pediatric forms of this disease.

Toxocaríase: larva migrans visceral em crianças e adolescentes

OBJECTIVES: To present a detailed investigation of risk factors, symptoms, and laboratory and imaging tests that may be useful to establish the clinical laboratory diagnosis of visceral larva migrans (VLM) in children, demonstrating the importance of diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications in the eyes, liver, and other organs. SOURCES: Literature review using the MEDLINE and LILACS (1952-2009) databases, selecting the most recent and representative articles on the topic. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: VLM is an infectious disease with non-specific clinical presentation, whose transmission is related to contact with dogs, especially puppies, and which may progress to late systemic complications in vital organs such as the eyes and the central nervous system. IgG (ELISA) anti-T. canis can be used to establish the laboratory diagnosis. Higher cutoff points suggest recent illness and lower cutoff points demonstrate mild infection or infection in remission. Therapeutic response may be assessed by means of eosinophil blood cell count. The present article provides the pediatrician with updated information regarding VLM, a disease of high prevalence worldwide and in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of VLM depends mainly on the presence of dogs in the childs household, associated with ELISA (IgG anti-T. canis), using excretory-secretory antigens of Toxocara canis. Prospective studies are warranted to assess the best drug therapy. Prevention is the most important strategy because of the high prevalence of T. canis in urban areas.

Reception of children in primary health care: a study on attitudes by family health team members

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with parents and guardians (n = 384) of children enrolled under six family health teams, using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool). Characteristics of the children were: 52.9% girls; 55.5% < 3 years of age; and 71.6% living with both parents. For 77.6%, the reference service for health care was the family health facility. In relation to reception and attitudes, 74.2% of parents reported that the health professional understood their complaints and questions, and 79.2% reported that the health professional responded in such a way that parents could understand. A total of 77.2% of the parents/guardians stated that they were always able to talk to the health professional when needed, and 73.8% felt comfortable about this dialogue. These results indicate that the family health teams reception of children and their attitudes in these services have allowed satisfactory user-provider interaction, an indispensable factor for quality health care.Trata-se de estudo descritivo transversal, realizado com 384 responsaveis por criancas cadastradas em seis equipes de saude da familia. Foi utilizado o Instrumento de Avaliacao da Atencao Primaria (PCATool). Em relacao as criancas, 52,9% eram do sexo feminino, 55,5% menores de 3 anos, 71,6% viviam com o pai e a mae. O servico de referencia para o atendimento foi a unidade de saude da familia 77,6%. Em relacao ao acolhimento/postura, 74,2% consideram que o profissional entende o que ele diz e pergunta, e 79,2% respondem da forma que o cuidador da crianca entende. Para 77,2% dos responsaveis sempre que precisam conversar com o profissional eles conseguem, e 73,8% se sentem a vontade para falar com o profissional. A partir destes resultados pode-se inferir que o acolhimento/postura nestes servicos tem permitido uma interacao usuario- profissional satisfatoria, imprescindivel para um atendimento a saude com qualidade.

Gastro-intestinal manifestations of the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Clinical gastro-intestinal manifestations were studied in 34 patients in the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni. The patients, all men, were of similar age and in similar nutritional condition and had been infected simultaneously at the same transmission site. Most (85%) showed some gastro-intestinal sign or symptom, generally of light or moderate intensity; 56% had liquid or pasty diarrhoea, 41% abdominal pain, 29% hepatomegaly, 21% dysentery, 15% anorexia, 12% pain on colon palpation and 9% nausea and/or vomiting. High worm burden was associated with blood in faeces but apparently not with any other clinical manifestation. There was no apparent association between any clinical manifestation and peripheral-blood eosinophil counts or titres of IgE specific for Schistosoma mansoni (evaluated by the area of immediate intradermal reaction to injected adult worm antigen). The absence of association between worm burden and nearly all the clinical gastro-intestinal manifestations strengthens the concept that factors other than worm burden, such as host reactivity, constitute important pathogenetic elements in the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni.