We compared CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 26 patients patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) without major clinical signs of undernutrition, and 28 matched controls. CSF zinc levels were significantly decreased in AD patients as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The serum levels of zinc, and the CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, and manganese, did not differ significantly between AD-patient and control groups. These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, and scores of the MiniMental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and body mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. Because serum zinc levels were normal, the possibility that low CSF zinc levels were due to a deficiency of dietary intake seems unlikely. However, it is possible that they might be related to the interaction of beta-amyloid and/or amyloid precursor protein with zinc, that could result in a depletion of zinc levels.

We compared CSF and serum selenium levels, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 27 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (13 females, 14 males, mean +/- SD age 73.6 +/- 7.4 years) without major clinical signs of undernutrition, and 34 matched controls (18 females, 16 males, mean +/- SD age 70.7 +/- 7.8 years). CSF and serum selenium levels did not differ significantly between AD-patient (11.4 +/- 7.8 ng/ml and 28.5 +/- 13.0 ng/ml, respectively) and control groups (13.3 +/- 7.0 ng/ml and 22.5 +/- 17.5 ng/ml). These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, and scores of the MiniMental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and body mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. These results suggest that CSF selenium concentrations are apparently unrelated with the reported oxidative stress processes in patients with AD.

The statistically significant associated factors were breastfeeding duration and the use of antimicrobials during the gestational stage. These results underline the necessity for prospective studies.

Chronic abdominal pain has many etiologies, one of them being parasites. The aim of this study was to find an association between chronic abdominal pain in children and Blastocystis hominis (Bh). Clinical files of patients with Bh and functional abdominal pain were reviewed. A comparison was made between patients who showed an improvement of their symptoms and those who did not. Out of the 138 patients who had functional abdominal pain and Bh, 37 patients did not receive any treatment (26.8%), while 101 received it and were treated with different antimicrobial agents (73.2%); regarding the improvement of symptoms, a statistically significant difference (p< 0.001) was observed. Chronic abdominal pain in children has different etiologies; however, we have documented through this work that it is appropriate to provide antimicrobial treatment for patients with Bh and chronic abdominal pain.

The prevalence of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) has increased in recent years, and is associated with antimicrobial use during the perinatal period, prematurity, the type of childbirth, and the decrease in breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to analyze whether there is any association between these factors and the development of CMPA. Material and methods: A retrospective, comparative, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted by reviewing the case records of 101 children diagnosed with CMPA and seen at the Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition of the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría within the time frame of January 2012 and August 2013. The following variables were included: age, sex, weeks of gestation, history of maternal infection and antimicrobial use during the pregnancy, type of delivery, and feeding with human milk, and its duration. Likewise, the case records of 90 children were reviewed as a control group on not having CMPA or any other allergy. The chi-square test was used for proportions, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparing means in the statistical analysis. Results: The factors associated with CMPA were the use of antimicrobials during gestation and breastfeeding duration in months. Both factors were statistically significant (P < .001). No association was found between CMPA and gestational age or type of delivery. Conclusions:The statistically significant associated factors were breastfeeding duration and the use of antimicrobials during the gestational stage. These results underline the necessity for prospective studies.Alergia a las proteínas de la leche de vaca; Prematuridad; Lactancia materna; Césarea; Antibióticos Factores perinatales asociados al desarrollo de alergia a las proteínas de la leche de vaca Resumen La alergia a las proteínas de la leche de vaca se ha incrementado en los últimos años, asociado al uso de antimicrobianos en el periodo perinatal, prematuridad, el tipo de nacimiento y la disminución de la lactancia materna. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar si existe alguna asociación entre estos factores y el desarrollo de alergia a las proteínas de la leche de vaca (APLV). Material y métodos: Estudio comparativo, retrospectivo, transversal, observacional. Se revisaron los expedientes de 101 niños con diagnóstico de APLV que asistieron al Departamento de Gastroenterología y Nutrición del INP de enero de 2012 a agosto de 2013. Se incluyeron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, semanas de gestación, antecedente de infecciones y uso de antimicrobianos en la madre durante el embarazo, tipo de parto, alimentación con leche materna y duración de la misma. Así mismo se revisaron los expedientes de 90 niños como grupo control sin APLV ni otro tipo de alergias. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizo prueba de Chi cuadrado para proporciones o U-Mann-Whitney en el caso de comparación de medias. Resultados: Se encontró que los factores asociados a APLV fueron el uso de antimicrobianos en la etapa gestacional y la duración en meses de la lactancia ma...