Arch Med Sci
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Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) is one of the most common indications of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in the pediatric population. However, there is not enough information about the diagnostic yield of EGD in children with CAP. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EGD in children with CAP in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. ⋯ We determined a high diagnostic yield of EGD in children with CAP. Although the diagnostic yield of EGD in the assessment of CAP was found to be higher in the presence of alarm symptoms, a significant number of children without alarm symptoms were also found to have gastrointestinal system pathology diagnosed by EGD.
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Oxidative stress has been implicated in the normal ageing process and the pathogenesis of several diseases, including goitre. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between urine lipid peroxidation (LPO) and anthropometric parameters as well as the parameters associated with goitre formation in children. ⋯ Anthropometric parameters of school-age children independently of age are negatively associated with oxidative damage to membrane lipids, whereas factors promoting goitrogenesis do not contribute to this process.
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Apart from many positive changes associated with technical civilization, there are also - from the health point of view - some threats. The reduction in the level of physical activity is one of them. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there are any relationships between children's physical activity and behaviors, and to assess the impact of the adults' activity on their children's habits. ⋯ The level of physical activity in younger children depends on the children's relationship with their parents and their level of activity. Children spend a lot of free time with their electronic devices. It is necessary to develop and implement activities intended to raise awareness of children and their families about the effects of hypokinesis.
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The prevalence of overweight and obesity is not regularly screened among Polish children. Very few longitudinal data exist on the prevalence and increase of overweight and obesity in this population. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of overweight and obesity among selected age categories of children from Gdansk, on the basis of 1992-2012 data. ⋯ Our study did not confirm the previously reported growing tendency in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children. However, our findings point to an age-related increase in the prevalence of excess body weight in the pediatric population.
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Dyshomeostasis of essential trace elements including iron and copper plays a key role in the pathogenesis of a myriad of serious conditions including iron deficiency (ID) anemia, in which impaired cellular energy metabolism is prominent. Although experimental studies documented decreased activity of cytochrome c oxidase (CytOx) in ID, there are not enough clinical data. The present study was conducted to determine serum copper levels and activity of mitochondrial CytOx in isolated lymphocytes of patients with iron deficiency. ⋯ Higher serum copper levels in patients with IDA implicate co-operative interaction between these trace elements. The elevated CytOx activity in patients with IDA is probably secondary to the normal/elevated serum copper levels.