Ernst Moro: returning the names

The purpose of the publication is an invitation to honor the outstanding pediatrician Ernst Moro (1874–1951), with an attempt to return his pronunciation of the surname by emphasizing the first syllable (Móro), to recall the life and creative career of this outstanding scientist and doctor. The Moro reflex described in 1918 is now widely used by modern pediatricians and pediatric neurologists in everyday practice. Ernst Moro’s scientific achievements in the development of a skin test for tuberculosis diagnostics, the organization of the efforts against diarrhea in young children, and the formation of pediatric dietology have made Ernst Moro’s scientific heritage extremely important for modern pediatrics.

The effect of sports participation in obese boys on some obesity indicators and physical fitness parameters

Background. To examine the effects of sports participation in obese boys on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, muscle strength, muscular endurance, balance and agility. Materials and methods. Sixty-three obese children with a mean age of 10.80 ± 0.58 were included in the study. Participants participated in sports, including judo, table tennis and basketball, for three months at their schools. Body weight, waist circumference and hip circumference of the participants were measured before and after participating in sports. Before and after participating in sports, grip strength, bent arm hanging, single-leg stance balance and plate tapping tests were applied to the participants. Results. While before participating in sports, BMI, waist and hip circumference outcomes of the participants were 23.04 ± 2.89 cm/m2, 81.61 ± 8.56 cm and 87.69 ± 6.52 cm, respectively; after participating in sports, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference outcomes were 22.51 ± 2.88 cm/m2, 79.38 ± 8.74 cm and 85.73 ± 6.65 cm, respectively. The results of the single leg balance and bent arm-hanging tests after participation in sports increased compared to the results which before participating in sports (p < 0.05). However, the results of plate tapping test results that after participation in sports were less than the results which before participating in sports (p < 0.05). The result obtained from the grip strength after participation in sports was not different from the result obtained before participating in sports (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Participation in regular sports in obese children has positive effects on BMI, waist circumfe­rence and hip circumference, which are associated with chronic diseases. Additionally, the participation of obese children in regular sports contributes to the development of physical fitness parameters, which are indicators of health.

The importance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pleura complications of acute destructive pneumonia in children

Background. The problem of timely diagnosis of complications of acute destructive pneumonia accompanied by pyofibrothorax remains relevant. The study was aimed to investigate the features of ultrasound diagnosis (ultrasound) of the condition of the visceral and parietal pleural lamina in acute destructive pneumonia in children at different stages of the disease. Materials and methods. In the departments of purulent surgery and pulmonology of the Regional Children’s Hospital of Dnipro for the period of 5 years, there were observed about 475 children aged from 1 to 17 years with pneumonia, purulent-destructive changes in the lungs and pleura. For analysis and further study, we choose a group of 50 patients of different age groups, who underwent ultrasound in real time without prior preparation of patients. The condition of the parietal and visceral pleural lamina at the different stages of diagnosis and treatment was studied. Results. A group of patients aged from 4 to 10 years was performed an ultrasound of the pleural cavities in real time without prior preparation on the paraspinal, scapular, axillary, midclavicular, and thoracic lines when admitted to the hospital and on the first day of treatment. Ultrasound was used to determine the structure and volume of free fluid as well as the condition of the parietal and visceral pleural lamina, their thickness, and other features. The use of ultrasound allowed diagnosing the early manifestations of pyofibrothorax and determining the condition of the parietal and visceral pleural lamina in the children with destructive pneumonia. Conclusion. Further improvement of the algorithm of ultrasound diagnosis of acute destructive pneumonia in children with pyofibrothorax will reduce radiation exposure to a child’s body, increase the efficiency of the development and improvement of treatment methods at the stages of pyofibrotorax, reduce the duration of inpatient treatment.

Rhinitis sicca anterior in children: epidemiology and treatment with sesame seed oil nasal spray

Excessive dryness in the nose is very common among the population. The diagnosis of rhinitis sicca anterior is established quite often. Therefore, such patients need multicomponent treatment, taking into account all possible factors. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of sesame seed oil nasal spray (Sezorin manufactured by JSC “Farmak”) in rhinitis sicca anterior among children. As a result of using this drug, we achieved a fairly rapid and sustained reduction in clinical symptoms in our patients, and it is important to note that the effect of treatment with Sezorin spray was long-lasting.

The systemic pro- and antioxidant processes in preschool children with recurrent acute respiratory diseases

Background. The imbalance of innate defense early mechanisms in children from pathogens — peroxidation and antioxidant system, can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the entire immune system. The study of the lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant protection (AOP) status in children with recurrent acute respiratory diseases will complement the scientific data on the antimicrobial immunity formation processes. The study was aimed to increase the information value of timely detected pro- and antioxidant processes disorders in children with recurrent acute respiratory diseases by studying the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary compounds of LPO and AOP in the serum. Materials and methods. Sixty children aged from 2 to 5 years were examined. Two groups were formed: group 1 — children with respiratory acute infectious more than six times per year (n = 30); group 2 — children with respiratory acute infectious six or fewer times per year (n = 30). Results. The children in group 1 more often presented with high serum levels of lipid hydroperoxides (by 80.0 %; p < 0.05), diene conjugates (by 80.0 %; p < 0.05), malonic dialdehyde (76.7 %; p < 0.05), diene ketones (76.7 %; p < 0.05), Schiff bases (76.7 %; p < 0.05). ceruloplasmin (80.0 %; p < 0.05), superoxide dismutase (80.0 %; p < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase (86.7 %; p < 0.05), catalase activity (86.7 %; p < 0.05). The values of retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic acid in children in the observation groups did not differ statistically significantly. Conclusions. The children aged from 2 to 5 years old with recurrent acute respiratory diseases have an imbalance of the LPO and AOP systems. It was characterized by a simultaneous increase in the serum content of the primary, secondary, and end-products of LPO, enzymes of anti-peroxide and anti-oxygen protection against the background of the lack of adaptive increase in the content of anti-radical compounds.

The effect of the vitamin D and calcium on the quality of life of infants

Background. Relevant in pediatrics is the use of indicators of quality of life of children to personify the treatment process, monitoring the course of the disease. In recent years, there has been increasing research on the role of vitamin D and calcium in the human body. The study was aimed to assess the quality of life of infants and to establish the possibility of medical correction of the main indicators of quality of life under the influence of the combined use of vitamin D and calcium. Materials and methods. We observed 30 clinically healthy infants who received 2.5 ml of vitamin D and calcium 3 times a day for 2 months. We have created our questionnaire on the quality of life of infants. Methods of variation statistics are used. Results. Based on the correlation analysis in infants before treatment, there was found a positive relationship between quality of life and the state of biological resistance (r = +0.51; p < 0.05); natural feeding (r = +0.56; p < 0.05); symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (r = +0.58; p < 0.05); parameters of emotional status (r = +0.62; p < 0.05); signs of autonomic dysfunction syndrome (r = +0.63; p < 0.05); neuropsychological development (r = +0.65; p < 0.05); features of adaptability (r = +0.66; p < 0.05). The results of the treatment with vitamin D and calcium in the study of the correlation diagram of the relationship between quality of life and the established indicators of the development of infants demonstrated no correlation between the quality of life and symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. After treatment, there was a decrease in the strength of the correlation between the quality of life of infants and the parameters of emotional status (r = +0.36; p < 0.05); indicators of neuropsychological development (r = +0.35; p < 0.05), and ability to adapt (r = +0.44; p < 0.05). Conclusions. The сombined use of vitamin D and calcium in the recommended dose of 2.5 ml 3 times a day for 2 months is characterized by a high safety profile, improves the quality of life of a child, and can be recommended for infants.

The macro- and microelement provision of preschool children with psychomotor developmental disorders. Literature review and authors’ research

Background. An integral part of a child’s physical and mental development is a balanced diet. Insufficient or inadequate for a child developing organism’s needs nutrition in preschool age leads to a delay in physical, cognitive, and mental development. The study was aimed to assess the macro-and micronutrient provision status of preschool children with psychomotor developmental delay, identify the presence of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies, define the connection between macro- and micronutrient levels in patient’s serum and psychomotor developmental disorders. Materials and methods. The study analyzed the results of biochemical blood tests of blood serum samples for total calcium, magnesium, and iron level in 30 preschool children with psychomotor developmental disorders. Results. Mental retardation was observed in 53.33 % of examined children, autism spectrum disorders — in 20 % of exami­ned children; minimal brain dysfunction — in 13.33 %, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — in 13.33 %. 93.33 % of exami­ned children had a deficiency of total calcium, magnesium — in 63.33 %, iron — in 20 %. Ten percent of patients had a deficiency of both total calcium, magnesium, and iron; one child (3.33 %) had no deficits. The most common deficiency in almost all subgroups of examined children was a combined deficiency of total calcium and magnesium. Only in the minimal brain dysfunction subgroup, in 50 % of cases, there was a combined deficiency of total calcium and magnesium, and in other 50 % of cases — an isolated deficiency of total calcium. This study identified a reliable inverse correlation of moderate strength between the level of total calcium and psychomotor development disorders and between the level of magnesium and the hyperexcitability syndrome. This study detected a weak unreliable correlation between the levels of magnesium and neurological disorders; an inverse unreliable weak correlation was found between iron and psychomotor developmental disorders. Conclusions. The most common deficiency in almost all subgroups of examined children was a combined deficiency of total calcium and magnesium. This study identified a reliable inverse correlation of moderate strength between the level of total calcium and psychomotor developmental disorders and between the level of magnesium and the hyperexcitability syndrome. There is also a weak direct unreliable correlation between magnesium level and psychomotor disorders. An inverse unreliable weak correlation was detected between the concentration of iron and psychomotor disorders.

Localization and translocation of mature miRNAs

The scientific review shows the ways of nuclear import and export of miRNAs in the cell. The authors present a clear and accessible scheme of microRNA translocation in the cell. The article shows that the main site of localization in the cytoplasm of cells of the RISC complex and its components, including miRNAs, are processing P-cells. The authors cite the fact that Argonaute proteins — signature components of the effector complex of RISC RNA interference — are localized in mammalian P-bodies. It is shown that proteins of the karyopherin family mediate the translocation of miRISC into the cell nucleus. These proteins recognize nuclear localization sequences (NLS) in the amino acid sequences of proteins and actively transport these proteins through the pores of the cell’s nuclear membrane. It is emphasized that in addition to non-selective mechanisms of nuclear import of miRNAs, there are transport mechanisms that carry certain miRNAs across the cell membrane. Some miRNAs are presented, which are mainly loca­lized in the nucleus of a certain type of cell. Scientists believe that much of the nucleus miRNA is concentrated in polysomes. Export of nuclear pool microRNA into the cytoplasm of the cell occurs with the help of export 1. Thus, in the cytoplasm of the cell, mature forms of microRNA accumulate, some of which are translocated to the cell nucleus or the extracellular space. Assembly of the miRISC complex is carried out in the cytoplasm of the cell, and only after the formation of the complex, it is imported into the cell nucleus. The spectrum of exosome-associated miRNAs can be a highly important diagnostic criterion for some nosologies, and exosomes containing certain miRNAs can be used for targeted therapy of specific diseases. To write the article, information was searched using databases Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Global Health, The Cochrane Library, CyberLeninka.

Significance of food allergy in atopic dermatitis in children

Background. Atopic dermatitis is the most common inflammatory skin disease in childhood, affecting almost 20 % of children. Food allergies affect one of three children with atopic dermatitis, and allergies to peanuts, eggs and milk are the predominant food allergies in the world. The purpose was to assess the prevalence of food allergies in the group of patients with atopic dermatitis, to determine the association of food allergies with anamnestic and clinical parameters of atopic dermatitis. Materials and me­thods. Children with atopic dermatitis (n = 116) were included in the study from September 2020 to August 2021 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Food sensitization was established by determining specific immunoglo­bulin E (sIgE) to food allergens using immunochemiluminescent method on the ImmunoCAP 100 system (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Phadia, Sweden). Results. The average age of children in the main group (59 boys and 57 girls) was 6.8 years. All 116 patients at the time of examination had manifestations of atopic dermatitis in the form of erythematous itchy rash. The number of children with food allergy was 23 (19.8 %). Among food allergens, positive sIgE were found: in 14 patients (12 %) — to milk, in 13 (11.2 %) — to eggs, in 5 (4.3 %) — to fish, and in 4 people (3.4 %) — to hazelnuts. Food sensitization was significantly more common in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis than in the group of patients with mild atopic dermatitis (χ2 = 7.555, p < 0.05). Children with food sensitization had an earlier onset of atopic dermatitis — the average age of manifestations onset was 8 months, and in the group of children without food allergy, it was 18 months. Children with a parental history of atopic diseases were significantly more likely to have concomitant food allergy (χ2 = 12.831, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Given the significant association between early onset as well as moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and food sensitization, it is likely that food sensitization occurs primarily through an inflamed skin barrier in eczematous skin, which could potentially lead to clinical food allergy.

Post-viral fatigue syndrome in children: does it need to be treated?

Acute respiratory viral diseases continue to dominate among the causes for seeking medical help. In the pediatric population, about 60 % of cases have a recurrent course, which in turn often leads to the development of post-viral asthenic syndrome. In such children, one can find rapid fatigability, attention disorders and inability to concentrate, impaired information processing, emotional lability, and sleep disorders. All this disrupts the usual way of life of both the child and his relatives that undoubtedly requires the treatment of this condition and complete restoration of the state of the body after episodes of acute respiratory diseases. Phytotherapy has found its place in the management of children with post-viral asthenia due to the polyvalence of the pharmacological action, proven efficiency, safety of long-term therapy with phytopreparations and economic attractiveness for the majority of the population. In modern realities, phytotherapy is used as a reductive therapy, which makes up for the lack of products of intermediate metabolism in the body; as detoxification therapy that provides adsorption or chemical binding of exo- and endotoxins, increasing the body’s resistance to them and stimulating the excretory systems. It is important to use the neurotropic, immunotropic, hormone-like action of biologically active substances of plants; natural compounds, actively modifying the functions of regulatory systems, have prospects in the treatment of complex diseases. Analysis of the search databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, RSCI, Index Copernicus, BMJ, MEDLINE on the possibility of use, efficacy and safety of phytocomponents of Alleva in children of different ages with symptoms of post-viral asthenia allowed to ensure the application of this drug to control manifestations of asthenic syndrome. The article analyzes the options for correcting childhood asthenia with dry concentrates of linden flowers, lemon balm, chamomile, extracts of passionflower, hop, orange tree and lavender.