Clinical Improvement In Children Research Articles

Effectiveness of the Eucalyptus Inhalation on the Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of 5-15 Years Old Children

Aims: Humans have long used plant extracts to relieve the symptoms of various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Eucalyptus in treating upper respiratory infections in children aged 5 to 15 years. Methods & Materials: A case-control study was conducted on the children aged 5-15 years who were referred to the clinics of Zahedan Medical University, Zahedan City, Iran, in 2018-19. A total of 208 children were examined in two groups: case patients diagnosed with an acute upper respiratory infection and control patients matched to the case group. To prepare Eucalyptus incense, 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil were mixed in 750 mL of hot water. In the case group, Eucalyptus incense was prescribed every 3 hours for 15 minutes for 3 days. Also, in the control group, just water vapor was prescribed. Finally, the patients of both groups were evaluated by the researcher on the third day, and the information was entered into the Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness Flu Scale (CARIFS) questionnaire. Then the data were analyzed in SPSS v. 22. Findings: The current study showed that Eucalyptus fumigation significantly improved patients’ symptoms in all upper respiratory tract infections such as cold (P=0.016), rhinitis (P=0.032), sinusitis (P=0.028), pharyngitis (P=0.043), otitis (P=0.046) and laryngotracheitis (P=0.014). Conclusion: Eucalyptus incense generally causes clinical improvement in children with upper respiratory tract infections. As a result, it is possible to use this substance with other treatments according to the patients’ clinical conditions.

Metronomic Maintenance With Weekly Vinblastine After Induction With Bevacizumab-Irinotecan in Children With Low-grade Glioma Prevents Early Relapse.

Pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) represents the most common brain tumor in childhood. Previous studies have reported that a therapeutic strategy on the basis of the association of bevacizumab alone (B) or in combination with irinotecan (BI) could produce rapid tumor response and clinical improvement in children with pLGG. Nevertheless, a majority of patients relapses shortly (median, 5 mo) after stopping B or BI treatment. We proposed metronomic maintenance with weekly vinblastine added after a 6 months induction of B/BI to prevent early relapse. Monocentric retrospective analysis of a patient with pLGG treated with B or BI for 6 months followed by a 12-month maintenance with weekly vinblastine (6 mg/m²) from October 2012 to September 2019 in a single institution. In total, 18 patients (7 males and 11 females) were identified. Because of progression during the B or BI induction 2/18 children were excluded. In total, 16 patients were analyzed with a median age of 10 years (range, 4 to 16 y). A total of 13 patients received BI and 3 patients received B alone. The mean duration of induction was 6.2 months (range, 2 to 12 mo). After induction 5/16 patients had a partial radiologic response, 11/16 patients had stable disease. All patients started maintenance (median duration, 12 mo; range, 3 to 12 mo). With a median follow-up of 3.9 years after the end of B or BI (range, 11 mo to 7.2 y), 15/16 patients were alive and 9/16 patients were progression-free. Seven of 16 children progressed with a median time to progression of 23 months (ranges, 5 to 39 mo). Three of 16 (18%) children progressed during vinblastine maintenance and 4/16 (25%) patients after the end of maintenance. After the total duration of treatment, clinical improvement was noted in 4 patients, 9 patients had stable symptoms, and only 3 patients progressed. One and 2-year event-free survival were, respectively, 81.2% and 56.2%. Two-year overall survival was 93.7%. We report here, the potential benefit and the improvement of progression-free survival by adding metronomic maintenance with weekly vinblastine after initial induction with B or BI in children with low-grade glioma.

Development of a pediatric Lyme meningitis symptom measurement instrument using a Delphi technique

Published Lyme meningitis treatment studies are limited by outcome measures that cannot capture day-to-day differences in clinical improvement. Our goal was to use expert consensus to develop a daily measurement instrument for assessing clinical improvement in children with Lyme meningitis. We assembled a panel of 24 nationally recognized Lyme disease experts to develop a pediatric daily symptom measurement instrument. Experts responded to four rounds of surveys, receiving feedback about the previous round prior to each subsequent round with anonymity for participants and responses. Using modified Delphi methods, we established a novel Lyme meningitis outcome instrument. The final Pediatric Lyme Meningitis Symptom Measurement instrument includes five items: headache (Likert scale), neck pain/stiffness (Likert scale), fever (yes/no), light sensitivity (yes/no) and vision problems (yes/no). We defined three consecutive days with a symptom score of zero as the minimum to define clinical improvement. Using expert consensus, we developed a novel Pediatric Lyme Meningitis Symptom Measurement instrument to measure treatment response daily for children with Lyme meningitis enrolled in clinical studies.

Measure of clinical improvement in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders: an evaluation of multiple perspectives with HoNOSCA.

Routine outcome assessment is helpful to inform decision-making, resource allocation, and health policy design. Routine outcome assessment in the hospital setting for children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders remains limited. The clinical instrument HoNOSCA (Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents), which has recently become available in Spanish and Catalan, allows outcome assessment in this population from the perspective of patients, their parents or legal guardians, and clinicians. HoNOSCA measures 13 areas of health and psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to assess mental health outcomes in psychiatric day hospital pediatric patients from three perspectives (patient, par-ent/legal guardian, clinician), using the Spanish and Catalan versions of HoNOSCA. We recruited patients up to 18 years old with any psychiatric disorder at the day unit of the Salut Mental Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari (Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain). We obtained admission and discharge HoNOSCA scores for the patients, their parents or legal guardians, and their clinicians. We recruited 99 patients over the study period (January 2015 to December 2017), 11 of which were lost to follow-up. Among the remaining 88, we found significant improvement in HoNOSCA scores from admission to discharge. Agreement between the HoNOSCA scores for the three different groups of evaluators (patients, parents/legal guardians, and clinicians) was weak at admission but better at discharge. In general, evaluations from patients and their parents or legal guardians had lower HoNOSCA scores (indicating a better mental health status) at admis-sion compared to those from clinicians. At discharge, however, the scores were more homogenous across the three groups of stakeholders. Use of HoNOSCA allows for routine evaluation of mental health outcomes in the psychiatric day hospital setting from the perspective of pa-tients, their parents or legal guardians, and clinicians.

The Relationship of Visual Support Toward The Clinical Improvement In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased in the last 30 years from 0.04 to 0.50. This condition increase the parents’ awareness and understanding in early diagnosis, education, management and health services for children with ASD. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the uses of visual support for clinical improvement of children with ASD. Method: This study is an observational analytic study. The research was conducted at UPTD ABK Sidoarjo from March to June 2018. The research subjects in this study were four to seven years children with ASD condition. The sampling technique was consecutive sampling and was accomplished during the pre-test and post-test design. The measurement tool for using the Indonesian version of childhood autism rating scale (CARS) that has been validated. Management of visual support has been done for 120 minutes in three months (12 times) consisted of six activities, each activity for 20 minutes with one-one technique (one subject with one therapist). Results: There was no relationship improvement of the CARS based on the pre and post visual support management for three months (12 times) on general impression data, level, and consistency of intellectual responses. The results of paired t-test on the pre and post visual support management for three months (12 times) showed decreasing value of CARS. This result means that social, communication and psychomotor interactions have p<0.01. Conclusion: Management of visual support is associated with clinical improvement in social interaction, communication (non-verbal) and psychomotor (especially gross motoric).

Managing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Emergency Department Observation Unit.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common reason for presentation to the emergency department (ED) and account for 3% of ED visits. Patients with a diagnosis of cellulitis requiring intravenous (IV) antibiotics have traditionally been admitted to the hospital. In our institution, these patients are placed in the ED Observation Unit (EDOU) for IV antibiotics. The purpose of this study is to determine if 3 doses of IV antibiotics are adequate to document clinical improvement in children with uncomplicated SSTI. A prospective cohort study of children aged 3 months to 18 years with uncomplicated SSTI admitted (2009-2013) to the EDOU at a children's hospital for IV antibiotics was conducted. One hundred six patients (mean age, 68 months) were enrolled; 57% were boys, 53% of patients had cellulitis only and 47% had cellulitis with drained abscesses. There was a significant decrease in pain scores and size of cellulitis from arrival to discharge (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Eighty-three percent of patients were discharged after 3 to 4 doses of antibiotics, and 17% were admitted. The location of the wound, presence of systemic symptoms, and prior use of oral antibiotics did not predict admission in our study. The EDOU is a reasonable alternative to inpatient admission in the management of patients with uncomplicated SSTI requiring IV antibiotics.

Efficacy of Lactobacillus Administration in School-Age Children with Asthma: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Probiotics may have immunomodulatory effects. However, these effects in asthma remain unclear and warrant clinical trials. Here, we evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei (LP), Lactobacillus fermentum (LF), and their combination (LP + LF) on the clinical severity, immune biomarkers, and quality of life in children with asthma. This double-blind, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 160 children with asthma aged 6–18 years (trial number: NCT01635738), randomized to receive LP, LF, LP + LF, or a placebo for 3 months. Their Global Initiative for Asthma–based asthma severity, Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores, Pediatric Asthma Severity Scores, Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs), medication use, the levels of immune biomarkers (immunoglobulin E (IgE), interferon γ, interleukin 4, and tumor necrosis factor α) at different visits, and the associated changes were evaluated. Compared with the placebo group by generalized estimating equation model, children receiving LP, LF, and LP + LF had lower asthma severity (p = 0.024, 0.038, and 0.007, respectively) but higher C-ACT scores (p = 0.005, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). The LP + LF group demonstrated increased PEFR (p < 0.01) and decreased IgE levels (p < 0.05). LP, LF, or their combination (LP + LF) can aid clinical improvement in children with asthma.

Disease Course and Treatment Responses in Children With Relapsing Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody–Associated Disease

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Abs) are consistently identified in a range of demyelinating disorders in adults and children. Current therapeutic strategies are largely center specific, and no treatments have been formally evaluated. To examine the clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and outcomes of children with relapsing MOG-Ab-associated disease. This study prospectively collected demographic, clinical, and radiologic data from 102 patients from 8 countries of the EU Paediatric Demyelinating Disease Consortium from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2016. Patients were treated according to local protocols. Annualized relapse rates (ARRs) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores before and during treatment with disease-modifying drugs (DMDs). A total of 102 children were identified (median [range] age, 7.0 [1.5-7.9] years; male to female ratio, 1.0:1.8; white to other race/ethnicity ratio, 3.6:1.0). Original diagnoses were neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (44 patients [43.1%]), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis followed by optic neuritis (20 [19.6%]), multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis (20 [19.6%]), and relapsing optic neuritis (18 [17.6%]). In all, 464 demyelinating events were reported. Treated patients had more relapses (median, 3.0; range, 1.0-17.0) than untreated patients (median, 1.0; range 1.0-7.0) (P = .009) and higher EDSS scores (median, 1.5; interquartile range, 0-2.5) than untreated patients (median, 1.0; interquartile range, 0-1.5) (P < .001). Fifty-two children (51.0%) received DMDs: 28 (53.8%) were treated with 1 DMD, 17 (32.7%) with 2, and 7 (13.5%) with 3 or more sequential DMDs. Patients relapsed during all treatments, with a total of 127 relapses on treatment reported. No changes in median ARR and EDSS score were observed between the preinitiation and postinitiation phases of interferon beta and glatiramer acetate treatment (n = 11). The median ARR was reduced from 1.84 to 1.0 with azathioprine (n = 20, P < .001), 1.79 to 0.52 with mycophenolate mofetil (n = 15, P = .003), and 2.12 to 0.67 with rituximab (n = 9, P < .001), although the median EDSS score remained unchanged. An improvement in ARR (from 2.16 to 0.51, P < .001) and EDSS score (from 2.2 to 1.2, P = .01) was observed in the 12 patients treated with regular intravenous immunoglobulins. Although commonly used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis, DMDs were not associated with clinical improvement in children with MOG-Ab-associated disease, whereas azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, and particularly intravenous immunoglobulins were associated with a reduction in relapse frequency. A correct diagnosis of relapsing MOG-Ab-associated disorders is therefore important to optimize immune treatment.

Association of regulatory TPH2 polymorphisms with higher reduction in depressive symptoms in children and adolescents treated with fluoxetine

Genetic variability related to the brain serotonergic system has a significant impact on both the susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), and the response to antidepressant drugs, such as fluoxetine. TPH2 is one of the most important serotonergic candidate genes in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) pharmacogenetic studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of regulatory polymorphisms that are specifically located in human TPH2 transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs), and therefore could be functional by altering gene expression, on clinical improvement in children and adolescents treated with fluoxetine. The selection of SNPs was also based on their linkage disequilibrium with TPH2 rs4570625, a genetic variant with questionable functionality, which was previously associated with clinical response in our pediatric population. A total of 83 children and adolescents were clinically evaluated 12weeks after initiating antidepressant treatment with fluoxetine for the first time. Clinical improvement was assessed by reductions in depressive symptoms measured using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scale. The polymorphisms rs11179002, rs60032326 and rs34517220 were, for the first time in the literature, significantly associated with higher clinical improvement. The strongest association was found for rs34517220. In particular, minor allele homozygotes showed higher score reductions on the CDI scale compared with the major allele carriers. Interestingly, this polymorphism is located in a human TPH2 TFBS for two relevant transcription factors in the serotoninergic neurons, Foxa1 and Foxa2, which together with the high level of significance found for this SNP, could indicate that rs34517220 is in fact the crucial functional genetic variant related to the fluoxetine response. These results provide new evidence for the role of regulatory genetic variants that could modulate human TPH2 expression in the SSRI antidepressant response.

Long-term clinical effect and safety observation of sublingual dermatophagoides farinae drop in preschool and school-age children with allergic rhinitis

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of specific sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with Dermatophagoides farinae drops on preschool and school age children with allergic rhinitis.Method:Fifty preschool children (≤6 year), and 52 school age children (> 6 year), who suffered from dust mite induced allergic rhinitis, were randomly divided into subingual immunotherapy (SLIT) + drug group and drug group. SLIT + drug group was treated with a standardized subingual immunotherapy drops of Dermatophagoides farinae and combined with symptomatic therapy, drug group was treated with mometasone furoate nasal spray and dseloratdine tablets as symptomatic treatment. These children were followed up for 2 years with one visit in every 3 months. Symptom scores and medication scores were record at each visit. Comprehensive evaluation of symptom, medication, and patients' degree of satisfaction were used.Result:Two years after SLIT finished, symptom scores (SLIT + drug group: 1.13±1.05; drug group: 4.68±3.09), medication scores (SLIT + drug group: 0.07±0.04; drug group: 0.36±0.25) of SLIT+drug group were significantly lower than those in drug group respectively, all P< 0.01. The subjective assessment of patient' symptom, medication, and treatment satisfaction in SLIT+drug group was significantly lower than those in drug group. Subjective assessment symptoms, medication, and treatment satisfaction in preschool group was the same as in school age group. After SLIT ended for 2 years, subjective assessment and treatment satisfaction in the school age group was better than those in preschool group in medication score.Conclusion:SLIT demonstrated clinical improvement in children of different ages during 2 years treatment. the symptom scores, medication scores and subjective satisfaction in school age group are better than those in preschool group.

Epigenetic and genetic variants in the HTR1B gene and clinical improvement in children and adolescents treated with fluoxetine

The serotonin 1B receptor (5-HT1B) is important to both the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder and the antidepressant effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Although fluoxetine has been shown to be effective and safe in children and adolescents, not all patients experience a proper clinical response, which has led to further study into the main factors involved in this inter-individual variability. Our aim was to study the effect of epigenetic and genetic factors that could affect 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1B (HTR1B) gene expression, and thereby response to fluoxetine. A total of 83 children and adolescents were clinically assessed 12weeks after of initiating an antidepressant treatment with fluoxetine for the first time. We evaluated the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically located in transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) on their clinical improvement. A combined genetic analysis considering the significant SNPs together with the functional variant rs130058 previously associated in our population was also performed. Moreover, we assessed, for the first time in the literature, whether methylation levels of the HTR1B promoter region could be associated with the pharmacological response. Two, rs9361233 and rs9361235, were significantly associated with clinical improvement after treatment with fluoxetine. The heterozygous genotype combination analysis showed a negative correlation with clinical improvement. The lowest improvement was experienced by patients who were heterozygous for all three SNPs. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between clinical improvement and the average methylation level of the HTR1B promoter. These results give new evidence for the role of epigenetic and genetic factors which could modulate HTR1B expression in the pharmacological response to antidepressants.

What is the effect of chest physiotherapy in hospitalized children with pneumonia?

Chest physiotherapy is applied in clinical practice for the treatment of pneumonia. However, its use is still controversial. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified one systematic review including two relevant randomized controlled trials. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded it is unclear whether chest physiotherapy increases or decreases the length of hospitalization, severity, or the time to clinical improvement in children with pneumonia because the certainty of the evidence is very low.

The effects of individual upper alpha neurofeedback in ADHD: an open-label pilot study.

Standardized neurofeedback (NF) protocols have been extensively evaluated in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, such protocols do not account for the large EEG heterogeneity in ADHD. Thus, individualized approaches have been suggested to improve the clinical outcome. In this direction, an open-label pilot study was designed to evaluate a NF protocol of relative upper alpha power enhancement in fronto-central sites. Upper alpha band was individually determined using the alpha peak frequency as an anchor point. 20 ADHD children underwent 18 training sessions. Clinical and neurophysiological variables were measured pre- and post-training. EEG was recorded pre- and post-training, and pre- and post-training trials within each session, in both eyes closed resting state and eyes open task-related activity. A power EEG analysis assessed long-term and within-session effects, in the trained parameter and in all the sensors in the (1-30) Hz spectral range. Learning curves over sessions were assessed as well. Parents rated a clinical improvement in children regarding inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Neurophysiological tests showed an improvement in working memory, concentration and impulsivity (decreased number of commission errors in a continuous performance test). Relative and absolute upper alpha power showed long-term enhancement in task-related activity, and a positive learning curve over sessions. The analysis of within-session effects showed a power decrease ("rebound" effect) in task-related activity, with no significant effects during training trials. We conclude that the enhancement of the individual upper alpha power is effective in improving several measures of clinical outcome and cognitive performance in ADHD. This is the first NF study evaluating such a protocol in ADHD. A controlled evaluation seems warranted due to the positive results obtained in the current study.

Effect of CYP2D6, CYP2C9 and ABCB1 genotypes on fluoxetine plasma concentrations and clinical improvement in children and adolescent patients

There is little known about pharmacogenetic of fluoxetine in children and adolescents. In this study, we evaluate, for the first time, the influence of CYP2D6, CYP2C9 and ABCB1 genotypes on the steady-state plasma concentrations of fluoxetine and its active metabolite (S)-norfluoxetine, and on the clinical improvement in children and adolescent patients receiving fluoxetine treatment. The assessment was performed in 83 patients after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Fluoxetine/(S)-norfluoxetine ratio was negatively correlated with the number of active CYP2D6 alleles (r: -0.450; P<0.001). Regarding the G2677T ABCB1 polymorphism, T allele carriers showed significantly higher improvements on the majority of scales including the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (P<0.001). Our results confirm the influence of CYP2D6 genetic variants in fluoxetine pharmacokinetics and provide evidence for the potential effect of the ABCB1 genotype on the clinical improvement in children and adolescent patients treated with fluoxetine.

Effects of nebulized high‐dose budesonide on moderate‐to‐severe acute exacerbation of asthma in children: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study

The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma exacerbation are yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nebulized ICS in children with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma in an emergency room setting in order to elucidate the potential use of ICS as the first-line therapy in the management of acute exacerbation of asthma. This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Paediatric patients with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma in emergency room were randomized to receive nebulized salbutamol and ipratropium bromide, with the addition of nebulized high-dose budesonide (BUD group, n = 60) or normal saline (control group, n = 58), three doses in the first hour. The improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s was similar in both groups at 0 h after three doses of nebulization, but there was significantly further improvement at 1 and 2 h in the BUD group (0.095 ± 0.062 L and 0.100 ± 0.120 L, respectively) compared with the control group (0.059 ± 0.082 L and 0.021 ± 0.128 L, respectively), P = 0.013 and 0.001, respectively. Complete remission rate was significantly higher (84.7% vs 46.3%, P = 0.004) and need for oral corticosteroids was significantly lower (16.9% vs 46.3%, P = 0.011) in BUD group than in control group. On the basis of nebulized short-acting bronchodilators, addition of nebulized high-dose budesonide resulted in clinical improvement in children with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of asthma, suggesting that nebulized high-dose ICS can be used as first-line therapy for non-life-threatening acute exacerbation of asthma in children.

Asthma and frequency of wheeze: risk factors for the persistence of atopic dermatitis in children

BackgroundStudies have examined the development of asthma in children with atopic dermatitis (AD); however, none have looked at the association of asthma or the frequency of wheeze with respect to persistence or difficulty in achieving AD clinical improvement in children. ObjectiveTo determine whether children with AD who have asthma and increasing frequency of wheezing have more persistent AD. MethodsThis is a cohort study using the Pediatric Eczema Elective Registry (PEER) database, which includes data obtained at enrollment and 3 years later. The AD outcome was the persistence of skin symptoms. Our covariates of interest were asthma diagnosis and wheezing symptoms, which were measured at enrollment and again at year 3 of the study. Multivariate logistic regression models assessed the magnitude of associations among AD symptoms, asthma diagnosis, and the frequency of wheeze. All models were adjusted for sex, age, and ethnicity. ResultsA total of 2104 children were enrolled in the PEER study and had at least 3 years of follow-up at the time of this study. At enrollment, an asthma diagnosis decreased the likelihood of being rash free in the preceding 6 months by 30% (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.84). At year 3, having asthma decreased the likelihood by 40% (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.72). Increasing frequency of wheezing also decreased the likelihood that a child was rash free (P < .001). ConclusionFor children with AD, a history of asthma and an increasing frequency of wheezing correlate strongly with more persistent AD.

Efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy of allergic rhinitis in children between 4 and 5 years age group and 11 and 12 years age group

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides fannie drops on children with allergic rhinitis of different age groups (4 - 5 years old group and 11 - 12 years old group). Sixty-two children aged 4 - 5 years, and 71 children aged 11 - 12 years, who suffered from dust mite induced allergic rhinitis, was randomly divided into the sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) + drug group and drug group. SLIT + drug group was treated with a standardized sublingual immunotherapy drops of Dermatophagoides fannie and combined with symptomatic therapy, drug group was treated with mometasone furoate nasal spray and desloratadine tablets as symptomatic treatment. These children were followed up for 2 years with one visit in every 3 months, then visited at the end of the study and 2-years after the treatment ended. Symptom scores and medication scores were recorded at each visit. Comprehensive evaluation of symptoms, medication, and patients' degree of satisfaction were used. Two years after SLIT finished, symptom scores (SLIT + drug group: 1.13 ± 1.05; drug group: 4.68 ± 3.09), medication scores (SLIT + drug group: 0.07 ± 0.04; drug group: 0.36 ± 0.25) of SLIT + drug group were significantly lower than those in drug group (t value were -8.43, -8.87, respectively, all P < 0.01). Also, the subjective assessment of patients' symptoms, medication, and treatment satisfaction in SLIT + drug group was significantly lower than those in drug group. Subjective assessment symptoms, medication, and treatment satisfaction in age group 4 - 5 was the same as in age group 11 - 12. After SLIT ended for 2 years, subjective assessment and treatment satisfaction in age 11 - 12 group was better than those in age 4-5 group in medication score. SLIT demonstrated clinical improvement in children of different ages during 2 years treatment. Two years after withdrawal, the symptom scores, medication score and subjective satisfaction in 11 years old group are better than those in 4-5 years old group.

Physician perception of clinical improvement in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a post hoc comparison of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate and mixed amphetamine salts extended release in a crossover analog classroom study

Objective:To assess effects of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) and mixed amphetamine salts extended release (MAS XR) on symptom improvement in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:Post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover analog-classroom environment was conducted. The primary efficacy outcome was the deportment subscale of the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham (SKAMP-D) rating scale. The secondary efficacy outcome was the investigator-rated Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I), a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse), which assesses improvement over time from baseline. McNemar test was used to compare participants’ responses to LDX and MAS XR on CGI-I scores dichotomized into 1 (very much improved) vs all other response scores (2 to 7) in a 2 × 2 table.Results:Fifty-two children (aged 6 to 12 years) were enrolled, titrated, and randomized; 50 completed the study. Investigators rated 74% of LDX participants as either very much improved or much improved on the CGI-I scale relative to 72% of MAS XR participants and 18% of placebo participants. Of the 50 children who completed the study, 32% of LDX participants were very much improved vs 16% of MAS XR, and 2% of placebo participants relative to baseline. McNemar test indicated that 10 participants were very much improved with LDX, but not MAS XR; 2 participants were very much improved with MAS XR, but not LDX; 6 participants were very much improved with both, while 32 were not very much improved with either. Analysis showed that LDX had a significantly higher number of children with a very much improved score on the CGI-I than MAS XR (P = 0.0386).Conclusion:Treatment of children with LDX resulted in a higher number of participants with a very much improved score on the CGI-I than treatment with MAS XR or placebo.

Probiotic Supplement Reduces Atopic Dermatitis in Preschool Children

The role of probiotics in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) remains controversial. A recent systematic review of the available evidence called for further clinical trials with new probiotic formulations. To assess the clinical efficacy and impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium lactis UABLA-12 with fructo-oligosaccharide on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in preschool children with moderate-to-severe AD. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial of 90 children aged 1-3 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were treated with a mixture of L. acidophilus DDS-1, B. lactis UABLA-12 with fructo-oligosaccharide at a dosage of 5 billion colony-forming units twice daily for 8 weeks versus placebo. The primary outcome measure was the percentage change in Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) value. Other outcome measures were changes in Infant Dermatitis Quality Of Life (IDQOL) and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores, frequency and amount of topical corticosteroid used, and lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood measured by laser flow cytometry. At the final visit, the percentage decrease in SCORAD was 33.7% in the probiotic group compared with 19.4% in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Children receiving probiotic showed a greater decrease in the mean [SD] SCORAD score than did children from the placebo group at week 8 (-14.2 [9.9] vs -7.8 [7.7], respectively; p = 0.001). IDQOL and DFI scores decreased significantly from baseline by 33.0% and 35.2% in the probiotic group and by 19.0% and 23.8% in the placebo group, respectively (p = 0.013, p = 0.010). Use of topical corticosteroids during the 8-week trial period averaged 7.7 g less in probiotic patients (p = 0.006). CD3, CD16, and CD22 lymphocyte subsets remained unchanged, whereas the percentage of CD4, and the percentage and absolute count of CD25 decreased, and the percentage and absolute count of CD8 increased in the probiotic group at week 8 (p < 0.007 vs placebo). There was a significant correlation between CD4 percentage, CD25 percentage, CD25 absolute count, and SCORAD values (r = 0.642, r = 0.746, r = 0.733, respectively; p < 0.05) in the probiotic group at week 8. The administration of a probiotic mixture containing L. acidophilus DDS-1, B. lactis UABLA-12, and fructo-oligosaccharide was associated with significant clinical improvement in children with AD, with corresponding lymphocyte subset changes in peripheral blood. The efficacy of probiotic therapy in adults with AD requires further investigation.

A Two-Year Longitudinal Study of Persistent Lean Tissue Deficits in Children With Crohn's Disease

Deficits in lean body mass have been reported in cross-sectional studies of children with Crohn's disease, but no longitudinal data exist from diagnosis. We observed the effects of Crohn's disease on body composition and bone mineral content (BMC), beginning at diagnosis and followed prospectively for 2 years. The study was conducted at 2 tertiary care centers for pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases. At diagnosis we recorded age, weight, height, levels of serum interleukin-6 and insulin-like growth factor-1, sexual maturation stage, disease activity, z scores for body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), and bone mineral content (BMC). z Scores were adjusted for height and age, when appropriate. Measurements were made yearly in patients with Crohn's disease (n = 42) but only at the start of the study in controls (n = 81). BMI and FFM z scores were significantly reduced at the time of diagnosis in children with Crohn's disease, compared with controls. During the 2-year study period, the BMI z scores normalized in patients with Crohn's disease, but the FFM z scores did not increase significantly. The BMC z scores increased significantly, but they were still lower than control values after 2 years. Changes in BMC during a period of 2 years were associated with increases in FFM (R(2) = 0.318, P < .01). The correction of BMI that is associated with clinical improvement in children with Crohn's disease 2 years after diagnosis results from gains in fat mass. Significant FFM deficits might hamper normal acquisition of bone mass in children with Crohn's disease because of a lack of mechanical strain.