An improvement in defecation frequency and abdominal pain was observed using both supplemented and non-supplemented yogurt, but an additional improvement with B. longum supplementation was obtained.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate associations between fiber intake, colonic transit time and stool frequency. Thirtyeight patients aged 4 to 14 years were submitted to alimentary evaluation and to measurement of colonic transit time. The median fiber intake of the total sample was age + 10.3 g/day. Only 18.4% of the subjects presented a daily dietary fiber intake below the levels recommended by the American Health Foundation. In this group, the median left colonic transit time was shorter than in the group with higher dietary fiber intake (11 vs 17 h, P = 0.067). The correlation between stool frequency and colonic transit time was negative and weak for left colon (r = -0.3, P = 0.04), and negative and moderate for rectosigmoid and total colon (r = -0.5, P<0.001 and r = -0.5, P<0.001, respectively). The stool frequency was lower in the group with slow transit time (0.8 vs 2.3 per week, P = 0.014). In conclusion, most patients with chronic functional constipation had adequate dietary fiber intake. The negative correlation between stool frequency and colonic transit time increased progressively from proximal segments to distal segments of the colon. Patients with normal and prolonged colonic transit time differ in terms of stool frequency.

Objective: To review the literature on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with emphasis on pharmacological aspects. To identify particularities of pharmacological treatment of esophageal and extraesophageal manifestations of the disease.Sources: Electronic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Collaboration databases. Controlled and randomized studies published since 2000 and reviews representing consensus positions and directives published within the last 10 years were identified. Summary of the findings:The drugs currently available for the treatment of GERD do not act in the primary mechanism of the disease, i.e., transitory relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Pharmacological treatment of GERD with symptoms or with esophageal injury is based on the suppression of acid secretion, particularly with proton pump inhibitors. When the hyperreactivity of the lower airways coexists with esophageal GERD symptoms, suppression of acid secretions should be of benefit in managing the respiratory disease in the presence of a causal relationship; however, this is not usual. When esophageal symptoms are not present, esophageal 24-hour pH study should be carried out prior to starting pharmacological treatment for GERD. Improvement of respiratory symptoms may be delayed with relation to esophageal symptoms. It is common for GERD to recur and pharmacological treatment should be repeated or continued indefinitely, depending on clinical presentation of the disease. Conclusions:The strategies that have been proposed for the pharmacological treatment of GERD in children are primarily based on studies of case series or on studies with adults. There have been very few controlled and randomized studies in children. Undertaking a greater number of these studies might reinforce existing aspects or establish new aspects of management.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006;82(5 Suppl):S133-45: Gastroesophageal reflux, child, drug therapy, esophagitis, respiratory tract diseases, asthma. ResumoObjetivo: Rever a literatura sobre tratamento da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) com ênfase nos aspectos farmacológi-cos. Identificar particularidades do tratamento farmacológico nas manifestações esofágicas e extra-esofágicas da doença.Fontes de dados: Busca eletrônica na base de dados PubMed/ MEDLINE e Cochrane Collaboration. Procurou-se identificar estudos controlados e randomizados publicados a partir de 2000, bem como revisões que representassem consensos e diretrizes publicados nos últimos 10 anos.Síntese dos dados: Nenhuma das drogas atualmente usadas no tratamento da DRGE altera comprovadamente o mecanismo principal da doença, ou seja, os relaxamentos transitórios do esfíncter esofágico inferior. O tratamento farmacológico da DRGE com sintomas ou com lesões esofágicas é baseado na inibição da secreção ácida, em particular pelos inibidores da bomba de prótons (IBP). Nas situações em que a hiper-reatividade das vias aéreas inferiores coexiste com sintomas esofágicos da DRGE, a inibição da secreção ácida deve...

No abstract

Oral magnesium supplementation helped improve both the SK score and respiratory muscle strength in pediatric patients with CF.

No abstract

Objective: To review the literature on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with emphasis on pharmacological aspects. To identify particularities of pharmacological treatment of esophageal and extraesophageal manifestations of the disease.Sources: Electronic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Collaboration databases. Controlled and randomized studies published since 2000 and reviews representing consensus positions and directives published within the last 10 years were identified. Summary of the findings:The drugs currently available for the treatment of GERD do not act in the primary mechanism of the disease, i.e., transitory relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Pharmacological treatment of GERD with symptoms or with esophageal injury is based on the suppression of acid secretion, particularly with proton pump inhibitors. When the hyperreactivity of the lower airways coexists with esophageal GERD symptoms, suppression of acid secretions should be of benefit in managing the respiratory disease in the presence of a causal relationship; however, this is not usual. When esophageal symptoms are not present, esophageal 24-hour pH study should be carried out prior to starting pharmacological treatment for GERD. Improvement of respiratory symptoms may be delayed with relation to esophageal symptoms. It is common for GERD to recur and pharmacological treatment should be repeated or continued indefinitely, depending on clinical presentation of the disease. Conclusions:The strategies that have been proposed for the pharmacological treatment of GERD in children are primarily based on studies of case series or on studies with adults. There have been very few controlled and randomized studies in children. Undertaking a greater number of these studies might reinforce existing aspects or establish new aspects of management.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006;82(5 Suppl):S133-45: Gastroesophageal reflux, child, drug therapy, esophagitis, respiratory tract diseases, asthma. The symptoms of GERD are less common than the symptoms of GER, but, even so, are very prevalent. A prevalence study reported weekly heartburn sensation and acid regurgitation in approximately 2% of children aged 3 to 9 years and in 5% to 8% of 10 to 17 year-olds. REVIEW ARTICLEHeartburn alone was identified in 17.8% of the children in the older age group. 7 In the Western world, the prevalence of GERD among adults has been estimated from 10% to 20%. 5The refluxate may be exclusively acidic or mixed with duodenum-gastric reflux. Acid reflux is easier to identify and consequently the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment are better known. The bile reflux is little understood, but it has been related to severe esophagitis. 8 The case of mixed reflux diagnosis is highly problematic, and is one of the limitations of pH studies. There are no specific clinical trials on mixed reflux in the literature. has not specified the classification by age group, and most of the definitions proposed are applicable to adult patients. Notwithstan...

When fecal EL-1 analysis is not immediately available, low daily weight gain associated with abnormal steatocrit can be adopted as a criterion for initiating pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in infants with CF; however, EL-1 testing should be performed later for confirmation of PI.