Population Of Polish Children Research Articles

The Outcome of Childhood Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy with Acute Kidney Injury at the Onset of the Disease-National Study.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. Decreased glomerular filtration rate is a known risk factor for disease progression. Aim: We aimed to examine factors that may contribute to disease progression in children that present with impaired eGFR at the onset of IgAN. Materials and methods: Of the 175 patients with IgAN from the Polish Registry of Children with IgAN and IgAVN, 54 (31%) patients with IgAN who had an onset of renal function impairment (GFR < 90 mL/min) were eligible for the study. All of them were analyzed for initial symptoms (GFR according to Schwartz formula, creatinine, proteinuria, IgA, C3), renal biopsy result with assessment by Oxford classification, treatment used (R-renoprotection, P-prednisone+R, Aza-azathioprine+P+R, Cyc-cyclophosphamide+P+R, CsA-cyclosporine+P+R, MMF-mycophenolate mofetil+P+R), and distant follow-up. Based on the GFR score obtained at the end, patients were divided into two groups: A-GFR > 90 mL/min and B-GFR < 90 mL/min. Results: In the study group, the mean age of onset was 12.87 ± 3.57 years, GFR was 66.1 ± 17.3 mL/min, and proteinuria was 18.1 (0-967) mg/kg/d. Renal biopsy was performed 0.2 (0-7) years after the onset of the disease, and MESTC score averaged 2.57 ± 1.6. Treatment was R only in 39% of children, P+R in 20%, Aza+P+R in 28%, Cyc+P+R in 9%, CsA+P+R in 7%, and MMF+P+R in 3%. The length of the observation period was 2.16 (0.05-11) years. At the follow-up, Group A had 30 patients (56%) and Group B had 24 patients (44%). There were no significant differences in any of the other biochemical parameters (except creatinine) or proteinuria values between the groups and the frequency of the MESTC score ≥ 2 and <2 was not significantly different between Groups A and B. Patients with normal GFR at the follow-up (Group A) were significantly more likely to have received prednisone and/or immunosuppressive treatment than those in Group B (p < 0.05) Conclusions: In a population of Polish children with IgAN and decreased renal function at the onset of the disease, 56% had normal GFR in remote observation. The use of immunosuppressive/corticosteroids treatment in children with IgAN and impaired glomerular filtration rate at the beginning of the disease may contribute to the normalization of GFR in the outcome, although this requires confirmation in a larger group of pediatric patients.

Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 Promoter Polymorphism Is a Risk Factor for Allergic Asthma in Children.

Background and Objectives: In paediatric population, atopic asthma is associated with increased eosinophil counts in patients, that correlate with the airway inflammation measured by the concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO). As the FeNO level is a biomarker of atopic asthma, we assumed that polymorphisms in nitric synthases genes may represent a risk factor for asthma development. The purpose of this study was to analyse the association of NOS genetic variants with childhood asthma in the Polish population. Materials and methods: In study we included 443 children—220 patients diagnosed with atopic asthma and 223 healthy control subjects. We have genotyped 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from 3 genes involved in the nitric oxide synthesis (NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3). All analyses were performed using polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: We observed significant differences between cases and controls in SNP rs10459953 in NOS2 gene, considering both genotypes (p = 0.001) and alleles (p = 0.0006). The other analyzed polymorphisms did not show association with disease. Conclusions: According to our results, 5′UTR variant within NOS2 isoform may have an impact of asthma susceptibility in the population of Polish children. Further functional studies are required to understand the role of iNOS polymorphism in NOS2 translation and to consider it as a novel risk factor in childhood asthma. The next step would be to apply this knowledge to improve diagnosis and develop novel personalized asthma therapies.

Association Between rs12037447, rs146732504, rs151078858, rs55723436, and rs6094136 Polymorphisms and Kawasaki Disease in the Population of Polish Children.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute self-limited febrile vasculitis that mainly affects young children. Coronary artery involvement is the most serious complication in children with KD. It is currently the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children from developed countries. Literature data indicate a significant role of genetic susceptibility to KD.Objective: The aim of this study was to perform the first Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) in a population of Polish children with KD and identify susceptible genes involved in the pathogenesis of KD.Materials and Methods: The blood samples of Kawasaki disease patients (n = 119) were collected between 2016 and 2020, isolated and stored at the Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Children's Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw. The control group was based on Polish donors (n = 6,071) registered as the POPULOUS collection at the Biobank Lab of The Department of Molecular Biophysics in University of Lodz. DNA samples were genotyped for 558,231 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) using the 24 × 1 Infinium HTS Human Core Exome microarrays according to the protocol provided by the manufacturer. In order to discover and verify genetic risk-factors for KD, association analysis was carried out using PLINK 1.9.Results: Of all 164,395 variants, 5 were shown to occur statistically (padjusted < 0.05) more frequent in Kawasaki disease patients than in controls. Those are: rs12037447 in non-coding sequence (padjusted = 8.329 × 10−4, OR = 8.697, 95% CI; 3.629–20.84) and rs146732504 in KIF25 (padjusted = 0.007354, OR = 11.42, 95% CI; 3.79–34.43), rs151078858 in PTPRJ (padjusted = 0.04513, OR = 8.116, 95% CI; 3.134–21.01), rs55723436 in SPECC1L (padjusted = 0.04596, OR = 5.596, 95% CI; 2.669–11.74), rs6094136 in RPN2 (padjusted = 0.04755, OR = 10.08, 95% CI; 3.385–30.01) genes.Conclusion: Polymorphisms of genes KIF25, PTRPJ, SPECC1L, RNP2 may be linked with the incidence of Kawasaki disease in Polish children.

The prevalence of depression in children and adolescents under 18 years of age treated for mental disorders in Poland between 2005 and 2016.

The prevalence of depression in Polish children and adolescents under 18 years of age treated for mental disorders has increased in the last few years in Poland. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of major depression in a population of Polish children and adolescents under 18 years of age treated for mental disorders, stratified by sex and place of residence, in the years 2005, 2009, 2014, and 2016. We analysed the psychiatric treatment data of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years in Poland compiled by the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw for these years. Major depression was moderately prevalent among children and adolescents treated in all evaluated types of mental health facilities, with a prevalence in this population ranging from 0.8% in 2005 to 4.3% in 2016. The rates of young patients with mood disorders increased from 3.1% in 2005 to 7.0% in 2016. Risk factors for developing major depression in our research group were: being female and living in an urban area. Our findings suggest the need to increase the service capacity for children and adolescents as well as to intensify preventive measures to improve the mental health status of this age group.

Disturbances in NK Cells in Various Types of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Population of Polish Children.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening disease associated with immune system hyperactivation and the appearance of serious systemic disturbances. The purpose of this study was an assessment of natural killer (NK) cell disturbances in a group of children with clinical signs of HLH. A total of 43 children with HLH and 17 healthy children were enrolled in the study. NK phenotyping, intracellular perforin staining, and cytotoxicity tests were performed by using the flow cytometry method. HLH patients were divided into 6 HLH types: 9% infection-related HLH; 7% malignancy-related HLH; 21% macrophage activating syndrome; 12% familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; 2% X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome; and 49% as HLH of unknown background. A positive correlation was observed between cytotoxicity and NK cells in children with HLH (P=0.01). In all HLH groups, the percentage of NK cells was significantly lower than in the control population. The spontaneous cytotoxicity was significantly lower in HLH patients. The results presented in this study indicate the importance of impaired function and the number of NK cells in the pathogenesis of HLH. Nonetheless, the background of disturbances seems to be different in various cases.

Reference values of selected auditory temporal processing tests for Polish school children.

Distorted processing of auditory information has a negative impact on the child's cognitive development. There are only a few studies conducted by Polish researchers determining normative values of psychoacoustic tests in auditory processing disorders. They are inconsistent due to different methodologies and research protocols. The aim of this work is to determine the reference values of selected psychoacoustic tests for the population of Polish children between 7 and 12 years of age. The study group consisted of 213 healthy children from 7 to 12 years of age. The condition for including the child in the study was an intellectual norm, proper sound sensitivity, proper development of children's voice and speech. All children underwent two auditory temporal processing tests. The diagnostic procedure used a standardized Frequency Pattern Test (FPT) and Duration Pattern Test (DPT). The tests were carried out in accordance with the authors&apos; recommendations, using the original versions available on the CD for 60 dB SL intensity, simultaneously for the right and left ear. The reference values for FPT and DPT tests were determined at various age ranges in children aged 7-12. It has been shown that auditory functions change with the child's age and development. Reference values including age, language, cultural and educational differences were prepared. Development of reference values for individual tests for the Polish children population is a key element in reliable diagnosis of auditory processing.

Chosen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of enamel formation genes and dental caries in a population of Polish children.

It is increasingly emphasized that the influence of a host's factors in the etiology of dental caries are of most interest, particularly those concerned with genetic aspect. The aim of the study was to analyze the genotype and allele frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AMELX, AMBN, TUFT1, TFIP11, MMP20 and KLK4 genes and to prove their association with dental caries occurrence in a population of Polish children. The study was performed in 96 children (48 individuals with caries - "cases" and 48 free of this disease - "controls"), aged 20-42 months, chosen out of 262 individuals who had dental examination performed and attended 4 day nurseries located in Poznań (Poland). From both groups oral swab was collected for molecular evaluation. Eleven selected SNPs markers were genotyped by Sanger sequencing. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated and a standard χ2 analysis was used to test for deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The association of genetic variations with caries susceptibility or resistance was assessed by the Fisher's exact test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Five markers were significantly associated with caries incidence in children in the study: rs17878486 in AMELX (p < 0.0001), rs34538475 in AMBN (p < 0.0001), rs2337360 in TUFT1 (p < 0.0001), and rs2235091 (p = 0.0085) and rs198969 (p = 0.0069) in KLK4. Genotype and allele frequencies indicated both risk and protective variants for these markers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in AMELX, AMBN, TUFT1, KLK4 genes may be considered as a risk factor for dental caries occurrence in Polish children.

Association between C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene and the incidence of drug-resistant epilepsy in the population of Polish children

PurposeEpilepsy is a disease of neurological character. Approximately one third of epileptic patients demonstrate a drug-resistant phenotype, which is associated with the development of drug-resistant epilepsy. The multidrug resistance protein 1 and glycoprotein P, encoded by MDR1, play a significant role in the transmembrane transport of anti-epileptic agents. Single nucleotide polymorphism C3435T (rs1045642) within MDR1 gene may be associated with an increased expression of P-gp which affects the levels of antiepileptic drugs in plasma. The presented studies analysed the association between C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene and the incidence of drug-resistant epilepsy in the population of Polish children.MethodsC3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene was analysed by the high resolution melting technique in a group of patients with drug-resistant (n = 106) and drug-responsive epilepsy (n = 67), as well as in non-epileptic children (n = 98) hospitalised at the Department of Neurology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital in Lodz. Genotype and allele distributions were evaluated and their compatibility with the Hardy–Weinberg distribution was assessed by means of the χ2 test. Genotype and allele evaluation, regarding their relationship with a given feature, was supported by an analysis of odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval, calculated according to the logistic regression model.ResultsAn association was observed between the incidence rate of DRE and the presence of C allele in C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene, which may enhance the risk of the disease. The T allele may then play a protective role. No differences were found in the studied groups, regarding either genotype or allele distribution in reference to patient’s gender or concomitant diseases.ConclusionFollowing the obtained results, C3435T polymorphism of MDR1 gene may be connected with the incidence of drug-resistant epilepsy in the population of Polish children.ISRCTN ISRCTN73824458. Registered 28th September 2014.

Association of FTO and TMEM18 polymorphisms with overweight and obesity in the population of Polish children

The objective of the study was to verify whether or not FTO rs9939609, rs9926289 and TMEM18 rs4854344, rs6548238, rs2867125 variants are important risk factors for overweight and/or obesity in Polish children aged 6-16 (n=283). FTO rs 9939609 and rs9926289 exhibited a strong codominant obesity-predisposing effect of genotypes homozygous for minor alleles (OR=5.42, 95% CI: 2.04-14.39, p=0.0006). The important finding of the study is increased risk of overweight (OR=5.03, 95% CI: 1.15-21.93, p=0.0306) in individuals homozygous for the minor alleles rs4854344, rs6548238 and rs2867125 in the recessive inheritance model, while no other significant associations between TMEM18 variants and risk of obesity were found. Given the identified interaction TMEM18 genotype × BMI category (p=0.0077), it seems that the effect of homozygous for the minor alleles may be compared to a “weight guard”, which significantly increases the risk of overweight, but not of obesity, because it promotes weight gain only up to the threshold of obesity. Conclusion: The proposed hypothetical effect (“weight guard”) of homozygous for the minor alleles in the TMEM18 based on a rather small sample is a possible explanation of the effects of minor alleles, which minimize the risk of obesity.

Assessment of the Dentition in Children Aged 3-4 Years in the Mazowieckie Province

Abstract Introduction. Caries of deciduous teeth in the population of Polish children is a significant health, social and organizational problem. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dentition of 3- and 4-year-old children in the Mazowieckie Province. Material and methods. The study comprised 393 kindergarten children aged 3 and 4 years in the Mazowieckie Province, 202 girls and 191 boys, including 159 children aged 3 years and 243 children aged 4 years. In all subjects the state of dentition was assessed. The prevalence of caries was calculated as the percentage of people affected by this disease, and the intensity of dental caries was determined using the dmft index. The results were compared with those that Polish researchers obtained in the 3 – and 4-year-olds after 2000. Results. In the studied group of 3- and 4-year-olds the prevalence of caries was 62.85%, among girls – 61.88% and among boys – 63.87%. For all subjects the average scores for dmft index were 3.22 and its components dt – 2.72 (decayed teeth), mt – 0.1 (missing teeth), ft – 0.4 (filled teeth). Conclusions. The prevalence and intensity of dental caries in 3- and 4-year-old children attending kindergartens in the Ma-zowieckie Province is high and close to the national average. It is advisable to increase the preventive and curative measures in this age group of children on dental caries.

Association of FTO gene with obesity in Polish schoolchildren

The goal of the study was verification of fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene polymorphisms as significant risk factors of obesity in the population of Polish children. Body mass index (BMI) and DNA were evaluated, where DNA was extracted from saliva, collected from 213 children at the age of 6–13 years.&#x0D; DNA was genotyped by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and HRM (high resolution melting) techniques, as well as by direct sequencing. Three (3) FTO polymorphisms were identified: rs9939609, rs9926289 and rs76804286, the last polymorphism located between the first two.&#x0D; For the first time, absolute linkage disequilibrium (LD) of FTO gene rs9939609 and rs9926289 polymorphisms was confirmed in data for the Polish population (D’=1, r2=1). The lack of a complete dependence among the three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FTO gene was a consequence of the concurrence of homozygotes with minor alleles A of rs9939609+rs9926289 of FTO (AA+AA) with major alleles of rs76804286 (GG).&#x0D; A case-control association analysis for BMI in obese children (n=51), as compared to normal-weight children (n=162), was based on the effects of genotypes homozygous for the minor alleles of the studied SNPs in recessive and codominant inheritance models (assuming an independent effect of each genotype).&#x0D; A comparison of children with normal BMI with obese children indicate a strong co-dominant effect of a genotype in homozygotes of minor alleles (AA+AA) of completely linked rs9939609+rs9926289 (OR at age 8.89 ± 1.54 years=4.87, 95% CI 1.81–13.12, p=0.002).&#x0D; An almost five-fold increase of obesity risk in the examined children indicates that the genetic factors, associated with excessive body weight gain, exert stronger effects in the early period of ontogenetic development vs. puberty and adulthood. The role of genetic factors in predisposing to obesity declines with age.

The assessement of the vitamin D supply in the population of polish children at the age of 9-12 years: multicentre research: preliminary report

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences on calcified tissues ISSN 2052-1219 (online)

Behavioural Responses of Children to Stress: A Polish-American Cross-cultural Study

The behaviour a child adopts in response to stress may be viewed on a continuum ranging from adaptive, effective coping behaviours to extreme maladaptive efforts to meet stressful demands. In order to assess children's behavioural responses to stress, a behaviour rating scale was developed-the Stress Response Scale (SRS). The purpose of this study was to gather SRS data on a population of Polish children, so that we might examine differences between them and their US counterparts, in terms of their overall rated adjustment, and the typical behavioural responses to stress they might manifest. The results showed that, in general, Polish children tend to be rated by their teachers as somewhat higher than their US counterparts, in terms of the overall magnitude of their behavioural maladjustment. This is especially true for children aged 7 to 12 years. However, although the overall level of maladjustment was higher among the Polish children, the samples were similar in terms of the specific stress response patterns with relatively similar distributions of Acting-out, Passive-Aggressive, Overactive, Repressed, and Dependent patterns being found in both samples.