The results of state trials of inactivated influenza vaccines for children

Controlled epidemiological surveillance covering the total number of 13,355 schoolchildren aged 11-14 years and adolescents was carried out with a view to compare the efficacies of inactivated influenza vaccines. The children were immunized intradermally in a single injection with inactivated influenza vaccines containing A (H3N2) and A (H1N1) hemagglutinins, 3.5 micrograms per 0.2 ml of the preparation each. The studies demonstrated the safety and low reactogenicity of these vaccines, as well as their high antigenic potency. In 1984 during mixed influenza B + A (H1N1) epidemic the preparations produced a pronounced prophylactic effect: the efficacy indices were 1.6-1.9 (p less than 0.001). The results obtained in these studies made it possible to recommend two inactivated influenza vaccines (chromatographic and centrifugal) for practical medicine with the aim of protecting children aged 11 years and over from influenza.     

Depression and suicidality in the adolescents in Osijek, Croatia

Mood disorders in children and adolescents and their treatments have received increasing attention and clinical investigation over the last few decades. The core features of mood disorders are essentially the same across the life span. Developmental level, however, appears to influence the expression of certain mood symptoms with greater frequency than other within the framework of depressive disorders. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in children between the ages of 10 and 15 years and the third leading cause of death among the adolescents and young adults 15-25 years. In this article the authors presents cross-sectional study done on the sample of 286 adolescents. Adolescents fulfilled self-rating scale Beck Depression Inventory for the screening of the depression and suicidality. In our sample 3.85% of the adolescents fulfilled the criteria for severe depressive episode and the 5.94% of the adolescents fulfilled criteria for moderate depressive episode. Also on the item of suicidality (Item 9) 0.7% of the adolescents had very high score, while 8.4 had significant score for the suicidal risk. Our results are in concordance with similar epidemiological studies done world while.     

The HIV infection epidemic in the city of Irkutsk under the conditions of drug abuse prevalence

The data on the spread of HIV infection in Irkutsk and Irkutsk Province, starting from March 9, 1999, are presented. The simultaneous appearance of 17 multiple morbidity foci of HIV infection, involving 2,227 persons into the epidemic, within the period of 8 months was noted. The age structure of the epidemic process was represented by 1,846 adults aged 18-50 years (83%), 256 adolescents aged 16-17 years (12.9%), 78 children aged 10-15 years (3.5%) and 17 persons of other ages (0.53%). The leading role in the age structure of the epidemic process belonged to young people aged 10-29 years (90.4% of cases). The epidemiological analysis made it possible to establish the fact that the epidemic was linked with the intravenous injection of heroin. The viral contamination of the drug is not excluded also in the process of its preparation for injection.     

Epidemiology of ADHD in Chilean children and adolescents

ADHD prevalence, associated factors, comorbidity and service use are reported for a sample of 1,558 children and adolescents, belonging to four provinces in Chile. The sample is weighted in each step for selection bias. Psychiatric disorders and impairment are assessed with computerized in-home DISC-IV interviews, and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and family variables and service use. Estimates of prevalence rates are obtained by means of STATA 11.0 software, with complex sample design. Multivariate logistic regression is used to determine which factors were the best predictors for mental disorders. Participation rate is 82.4 %. The prevalence of ADHD is 10 %, and the most prevalent subtype is the hyperactive/impulsive, with no gender differences. Both hyperactive/impulsive and combined subtypes are more prevalent in children 4–11 than in adolescents. The most prevalent comorbidities are anxiety disorders and oppositional disorder. Anxiety is the more prevalent comorbid disorder in girls and correlated with a combined subtype. Perception of good family functioning, adolescent age and school dropout have a negative association with ADHD diagnosis, while maltreatment shows a positive correlation. Over 50 % of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD have used services in the last year. This is the first comprehensive community study of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a South American country. It yields information for child and adolescent mental health programmes in Chile and contributes to cross-cultural epidemiological research.     

Evaluation of the prophylactic effect of gamma globulin in meningococcal infection.

Results of two controlled epidemiological tests evaluating the prophylactic effect of gamma globulin of Monogolian and Soviet production against meningococcal infection are presented. Observations were carried out on children aged 3 months to 4 years, not attending children's establishments. The results of the observation revealed the following prophylactic effect of gamma globulin of Mongolian production in the first two months after administration: index of efficiency--5.0, coefficient of efficiency--80%, P greater than 0.01. The efficiency of the prophylactic effect of Soviet gamma globulin was limited to one month: the index of efficiency amounted to 5.3, the coefficient of efficiency to 82.2%, P greater than 0.01. The course of meningococcal infection in the children who had received gamma globulin was less severe than in the children of the control group. Lethal outcome was recorded only in the group of children who had not received gamma globulin. The duration of the prophylactic effect of gamma globulin was found to depend on the height of the titres of specific antibodies in the preparation. The preparations are recommended as prophylactic means for children aged from 3 months to 4 years in doses of 1.5 ml (one dose) in the foci of meningococcal infection.     

Relationship between the incidence of neurologic complications following smallpox vaccination and the generation and infectious activity of vaccine from strain L-IVP]

A strictly controlled epidemiological trial was applied to the study of the incidence of neurological complications in children inoculated with vaccine from the L-IVP strain of the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th passages (generations). To ascertain a possible connection between the neuropathogenicity with the infectious activity the persons vaccinated were divided into 3 groups in accordance with the infectiousness level of the preparation obtained: the I group--3--5-10(8)OOU/ml; the II group--6--8-9-10(8) OOU/ml; the III group over 9-10(8) OOU/ml. The least number of neurological complications was recorded among children primarily inoculated with the vaccine of the 3rd passage with the infectiousness titre of over 9-10(8) OOU/ml.     

Duration of immunity in children who received a primary complex of inoculations with ADT-M anatoxin and an assessment of postponed secondary revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus (the results of an epidemiologic trial)

The prolonged observations of the immunological effectiveness of adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus toxoid with reduced antigen content in children who had received the primary course of immunization with this preparation showed that the preparation induced the development of prolonged and intensive immunity to both infections. In 2-3 years after the first booster immunization the protective level of diphtheria antitoxin was registered in 89.9% and that of tetanus antitoxin, in 99% of children. 6 years later the level of immunity remained practically unchanged: the titers of diphtheria antitoxin above the protection level were determined in 92% and those of tetanus antitoxin, in 97% of children. These data made it possible to increase intervals between booster immunizations to 6-7 years in children of this category. The results of the epidemiological trial made to find out the possibility of a change in the timing of the second booster immunization confirmed the expediency of postponing booster immunization from 6 and 11 years to 9 and 16 years of age.     

Specific prophylaxis of influenza in organized groups of children with the vaccine Vaxigrip

The results of the open comparative study on epidemiological effectiveness and tolerance of the vaccine Vaxigrip, carried out in 109 children aged 2-15 years with different initial state of health, are presented. The index of epidemiological effectiveness of Vaxigrip was 4.09 (p < 0.05), the rate of epidemiological effectiveness--75.6% (p < 0.05). Vaxigrip was found to be well tolerated by both healthy children and those with different functional disturbances and chronic diseases. The study revealed that the use of Vaxigrip was not accompanied by any systemic postvaccinal reactions. High prophylactic effectiveness and good tolerance of Vaxigrip make it possible to recommend it for mass immunoprophylaxis of influenza in children.     

Optimal inoculation doses of meningococcal chemical polyvalent ABC vaccine for immunizing children of various ages and adolescents. I. Safety and reactogenicity of different dosages of the preparation

The investigation was carried out to study the safety and reactogenicity of meningococcal chemical polyvalent (ABC) vaccine with the aim of finding the optimum vaccination doses of this vaccine for the immunization of children of different age groups. The investigation, carried out in accordance with the methodological principles of a strictly controlled epidemiological field trial, showed the preparation to be safe, nonreactogenic and to produce no pronounced sensitizing effect.     

青藏高原与安第斯高原地区儿童青少年的身高、体重和胸围的对比

通过青藏高原和安第斯山高原地区儿童青少年身高、体重和胸围的比对,探讨高原地区儿童青少年生长发育的规律和特点,找出儿童青少年生长发育的高原地区差异,进一步改善高原地区居民的健康状态,促进儿童青少年生长发育,为高原医学和高原人类学的发展提供理论基础。本文以青藏高原和安第斯山高原地区儿童青少年为研究对象。选择在西藏出生长大、经体检证明身体健康6-21岁藏族男女(父母3代藏族)共2813例有效样本(男,1417例;女,1396例),在知情同意情况下直接测量了身高、体重和胸围。印度、秘鲁、玻利维亚、智利等国家和地区儿童青少年生长发育资料从文献中获取。去除不完整的无法比较及年代过于久远的材料,排除小样本及数据不全和不符合要求的样本,严格控制质量。所有测量数据输入SPSS13.0统计软件包。对数据进行描述性统计分析、独立样本t检验、方差分析等统计学处理。结果显示:1)青藏高原儿童青少年男女身高高于安第斯山男女。2)青藏高原儿童青少年的体重与安第斯山儿童青少年相近。3)青藏高原儿童青少年的胸围明显小于安第斯山儿童青少年。高原地区与非高原地区儿童青少年生长发育相比有相似性又有特殊性(如发育水平低,胸径较大,生长发育指标普遍低于WHO(2007)和本国国内水平)。西藏藏族儿童青少年比安第斯山的发育好,两者具有不同的体质特征,这可能与生态环境、高原缺氧、遗传因素和社会经济文化等多种因素有关。     

Co-Morbid Symptoms of depression and conduct disorder in first nations children: Some findings from the flower of two soils project

The prominence of co-morbidity in children and adolescents has increased over the past decade as new empirical research data has accumulated. Yet little epidemiological data of any kind exists for First Nations Children. Following a brief literature review on co-morbidity in children and adolescents, the authors analyzed data from the Flower of Two Soils Project (M. Beiser, principal investigator) to examine more closely the relationship between self-reported depressive symptoms and parent/teacher reported conduct symptoms. Such a relationship has been consistently found in a number of studies. Children aged 7 to 10 were found to show more academic and social problems when rated as having high conduct symptoms. Children in the co-morbid group were found to have the highest rates of family stress and help-seeking behavior. Suicidal ideation was as high in the conduct and co-morbid groups as it was in the high depression group. More First Nations children were found in the high conduct-low depression group. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Body mass index, prevalence of overweight and obesity in Lithuanian children and adolescents, 1985-2002

The study provides the body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) in Lithuanian children and adolescents, 1985-2002. In the 2000-2002 more than 9000 schoolchildren of 7-18 years old were investigated in the 5 biggest towns and surrounding settlements of Lithuania. These data were compared with the 1985 data. The prevalence of OW and OB was estimated using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off points. The prevalence of OW in Lithuanian children and adolescents was higher among younger schoolchildren in comparison with older adolescents. OW was lower among the older girls in comparison with the older boys: 4.60%-11.50%/4.80%0-13.62% in the 7-13 years girls/boys, versus 1.50%-6.60%/3.90%-9.50% in the 14-18 years old girls/boys. The prevalence of OW among younger Lithuanian adolescents did not change significantly in the last 15 years, but it slightly decreased in older boys and demonstrably diminished in older adolescent girls. In generally, the prevalence of OW among Lithuanian adolescents is low in comparison with the prevalence of OW in children from the other countries.     

Reference values for height, weight and body mass index of German born Turkish children

Turkish children and adolescents born in Northern Europe grow different from native Northern European children, but reference values for height, weight and BMI for these children do not exist. With this study, we intend to provide growth standards for German born Turkish children. Data were obtained from 797 Turkish children and adolescents born in Germany age 0-25.8 years (males), respectively 0-18.3 years (females). We generated synthetic reference values for height, weight, and BMI. The results show that Turkish children and adolescents are heavier after the age of 6 years, and that they remain short after puberty. Eighteen year old Turkish men, and 15-year-old Turkish women are shorter (males 175.2 cm vs. 180.4 cm, p < 0.05; females 159.3 cm vs. 165.0 cm, p < 0.05), and heavier than Germans. Six out of 53 young Turkish men and 9 out of 100 young Turkish women were obese. Twelve out of 53 young Turkish men (23%) and 18 out of 100 young Turkish women (18%) have fallen below the 3rd centile for height. It can be concluded that growth of Turkish children and adolescents born in Germany significantly differs from native children. Reference LMS values for body height, weight and BMI of German born Turkish boys and girls are presented.     

Insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance in obese children and adolescents

In developed countries, obesity prevalence has strongly increased in the last decades. This has also been observed in children and adolescents. Until recently, type 2 diabetes mellitus was considered very rare among children and adolescents; however, in the last decades, some cases have been observed mainly in obese adolescents of some minority populations. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and insulin resistance, and the metabolic features, in obese children and adolescents. We have studied 95 obese children and adolescents, 53 males and 42 females, aged 4-16 years. The prevalence of IGT in obese children and adolescents studied was 7.4%; there was not any child with type 2 diabetes. Fasting glucose and insulin serum concentrations did not show significant differences between obese children with or without IGT; however, 120 minutes after an oral glucose tolerance test, glucose and insulin serum concentrations showed statistically significant differences between both groups. Insulin resistance is defined as a HOMA index higher than 4. The prevalence of insulin resistance in obese children studied was 35.8%. Trygliceride serum concentrations were higher and HDL-C serum concentrations were lower in obese children with IGT than in those without IGT, but the differences were not statistically significant. IGT and insulin resistance are frequent in obese children and adolescents; early treatment in obese children and adolescents with IGT constitutes a strategy of reversing progression to beta-cell failure and in preventing type 2 diabetes.     

Mixed feelings of children and adolescents with unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency: an online focus group study

The existing literature is inconsistent about the psychosocial functioning of children and adolescents with Unilateral Congenital Below Elbow Deficiency (UCBED). The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the psychosocial functioning of children and adolescents with UCBED in terms of their feelings about the deficiency and what helps them to cope with those feelings. Additionally, the perspectives of prosthesis wearers and non-wearers were compared, as were the perspectives of children, adolescents, parents and health professionals. Online focus group interviews were carried out with 42 children and adolescents (aged 8-12, 13-16 and 17-20), 16 parents and 19 health professionals. Questions were asked about psychosocial functioning, activities, participation, prosthetic use or non-use, and rehabilitation care. This study concerned remarks about psychosocial functioning. Children and adolescents with UCBED had mixed feelings about their deficiency. Both negative and positive feelings were often felt simultaneously and mainly depended on the way people in the children's environment reacted to the deficiency. People staring affected the children negatively, while support from others helped them to cope with the deficiency. Wearing a prosthesis and peer-to-peer contact were also helpful. Non-wearers tended to be more resilient than prosthesis wearers. Wearers wore their prosthesis for cosmetic reasons and to prevent them from negative reactions from the environment. We recommend that rehabilitation teams make parents aware of their great influence on the psychosocial functioning of their child with UCBED, to adjust or extend the currently available psychosocial help, and to encourage peer-to-peer contact.     

The molecular pathogenesis of childhood adrenocortical tumors.

Adrenocortical tumors in children and adolescents are rare events. However, the high incidence of adrenocortical tumors in children from the Southern region of Brazil is particularly remarkable, since it has been estimated to be approximately 10-15 times greater than the worldwide incidence. To date, there are no histological or molecular markers that can reliably distinguish benign from malignant adrenocortical tumors. The study of rare genetic syndromes associated with adrenocortical tumors has greatly contributed to the elucidation of sporadic adrenocortical tumorigenesis. Recently, considerable advances toward understanding the molecular mechanisms of adrenocortical tumorigenesis in Brazilian children and adolescents with sporadic adrenocortical tumors have been made. Some of the molecular aspects of sporadic adrenocortical tumors arising in children and adolescents are reviewed here.     

Characteristics of the clinical and immunologic safety of inactivated influenza vaccines in children undergoing multiple immunizations

In a strictly controlled epidemiological trial on 12,643 school children aged 11-14 years the reactogenic properties and safety of killed influenza chromatographic vaccine under the conditions of multiple immunization were studied. A single immunization dose of the vaccine (0.2 ml) contained the hemagglutinins of influenza viruses A/Philippines/82 (H3N3) and A/Kiev/59/79 (H1N1), 3.5 micrograms each. The preparation was introduced by means of a jet injector. The vaccine was shown to be clinically and immunologically safe under the conditions of the regular multiple immunization of children over the period of 4 years.     

Physical state of adolescents with high stress reactivity

The characteristics of the physical state were studied in 13- to 14-year-old adolescents with high (n = 97) and low (n = 85) stress reactivities. The data showed that, during the period of sexual maturation, the development of the mechanisms of energy for muscular activity was heterochronic and nonlinear. Hyperreactive boys exhibited relatively high anaerobic nonlactic and low aerobic capacities of the body and enhanced physiological costs of the high-power function. In hyperreactive adolescents, the motor function was specifically characterized by a combination of a high level of movement speed and power and a relatively low level of general endurance. In 13- to 14-year-old adolescents, the differences in muscular working capacities and motor abilities, associated with various stress reactivity, appear during different sexual maturation stages (SMSs). At SMSs II and III, hyper- and hyporeactive adolescents exhibit higher indices of aerobic body capacities and relatively low anaerobic capacities as compared to the children at SMS IV. It is supposed that, in the hyperreactive adolescents, the efficiency of the mechanisms of body protection from hypoxia is lower.     

武陵山区苗族儿童少年体质发育

为了探讨武陵山区苗族儿童少年体质发育特征及其规律。本文采用人体测量学的方法 , 对武陵山区苗族儿童少年17项体质发育指标进行测量, 计算11项体质指数。结果表明: 1)苗族儿童少年生长发育的各项指标均值随年龄的增长而增加; 2)苗族男女性的生长发育曲线呈上升趋势并且有交叉现象; 3)苗族男性的身高突增年龄为12-14岁, 女性则为11-13岁; 4)苗族学生的身高均值低于同龄其他民族学生; 5)苗族学生的体质指数年龄变化规律与其他民族基本相似, 但身体各部分的发育程度不相同; 6)苗族学生的维尔维克指数均值高于同龄马山壮族学生。研究显示苗族儿童少年体质发育符合一般生长发育规律, 并有性别差异, 苗族男女生的体质发育相对落后于汉族等其他民族。