Asthma is currently defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway mucosa. The resulting inflammation of the airway mucosa shows signs of an acute as well as a more chronic type of inflammation. Cytokine-mediated interactions among the inflammatory cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The aim of this study is to assess inflammatory agents as markers of chronic inflammation in childhood asthma and as indicators for determining the state of the disease. This study included 3 groups of children. Group A consisted of 35 children with asthma and FEV1<80% of predicted values, 24 boys, 11 girls, aged (mean age ± SE) 9.3 ± 0.4 years, Group B of 70 children with asthma and FEV1≥80% of predicted values, 44 boys, 26 girls, aged 8.65 ± 0.36 years and Group C of 48 healthy children, 33 boys, 15 girls, aged 10.73 ± 0.4 years. In serum, levels of PCT were determined by immunoluminescence, CRP by nephelometry and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-5 by ELISA. Our results show that the mean concentration of CRP and PCT were not significantly different between groups A, B and C. The mean values of IL-1β were significantly different between groups A, B and C. The mean values of IL-6 were higher in group A than those of Groups B and C, although the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The mean values of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 were significantly different between groups A, B and C. In conclusion, CRP and PCT levels did not play any role in airway allergic inflammation, while strong indications were found that sera levels of inflammatory cytokines associated mainly with Th2 responses play a key role in airway allergic inflammation.
The electrocardiograms of 421 healthy fullterm and premature newborns, recorded on the fifth day of life, were evaluated for possible systematic differences related to gestational age. All newborns were appropriate for gestational age and were divided into four groups according to birthweight. As birthweight increased, we noted: (a) a progressive rightward shifting of the QRS axis in the frontal plane; (b) an increase in the amplitude mainly of the precordial R and S waves reflecting the right ventricle and both ventricles combined, whereas a less significant increase or even a decrease was noted in the R and S waves reflecting the left ventricle; (c) a more frequent occurrence of diphasic and positive T waves in the right precordial leads; and (d) a prolongation in the duration of the P wave and the QRS complex. These findings reflect both an increase in total myocardial mass as well as a progressive right ventricular predominance, as birthweight or gestational age increases. Practical implications for electrocardiographic identification of cardiac hypertrophy in newborns of different gestational age are discussed.
Blood pressure (BP) levels were recorded in 2223 male and 2205 female children and adolescents ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. In addition, 521 male adults (soldiers) ranging in age from 21 to 25 years were included in the study. Children and adolescents who participated in the survey were selected at random the Elementary and High Schools. The results of the study showed that a gradual increase occurred in the systolic, as well as in the diastolic component of blood pressure from 7 to 18 years of age. By contrast, there was no increase with age in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the young male adult subjects, who had BP measurements comparable to those observed in children. A child was characterized as hypertensive according to the criteria outlined by Master et al. Children with BP between the 90th and the 95th percentile were considered as suspect hypertensive, whereas those with BP exceeding the 95th percentile were considered definitely hypertensive. The overall incidence of hypertension in children in this survey was 3.1%.
The arterial blood pressure (B.P.), the cardiovascular complications and the type of hyperlipoproteinemia were studied in 98 families of hypertensive children (group A) and in 100 families of normotensive children (group B). In group A, hypertension was found in 27% of the parents and 47.4% of grandparents, whereas in group B in 7.5% and 22.5% respectively. In siblings of hypertensive children hypertension was found in 13.5% as apposed to 5.4% of those of normotensive children. Cardiovascular complications were recorded in 27.5% in the parents and grandparents of group A and in 12% in group B. Hyperlipoproteinemia with obvious preponderance of type II (IIa, IIb) and IV was found in 58.5% of parents in group A and 21.1% in group B.
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