Persistent organochlorine compounds in human milk collected in Croatia over two decades

The distribution and time trend of organochlorine pesticide (OCP), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/PCDF) concentrations in human milk samples from Croatia collected in 1981-2003 are presented. Between 1981/1982 and 1987/1989, the concentrations of HCB, beta-HCH, DDE, and total PCBs decreased about 50%, while for the last decade, the concentrations have been decreasing very slowly. In 2002/2003 the range of PCB congeners and OCPs was from below the limit of determination to 332 ng g(-1) milk fat. PCDD/PCDF concentrations in human milk samples collected in 1981-2000 ranged between 5.2 and 26.7 pg I-TEQ g(-1) milk fat and showed a decreasing trend.

[Sideropenic anemia in infants and toddlers]

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common anemia in infants. In the routine pediatric care this problem is encountered every day. Numerous factors in infancy (low birth weight, rapid growth, insufficient nutrition) are involved in the development of iron-deficiency anemia, and they must be considered when establishing diagnosis, counselling parents, and prescribing oral iron preparations. Data on 119 patients aged up to two years treated in the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Pediatric Department, University Hospital Centre Zagreb Salata between 1994 and 1999, were analyzed. We were prompted to do so because of great frequency of iron-deficiency anemia as one of associated diagnoses, and unfortunately often the only diagnosis requiring hospitalization. Out of 119 patients with iron-deficiency anemia, nine (7.7%) patients (four premature newborns and three from twin pregnancy) had to receive transfusion of erythrocyte concentrate due to very bad general condition and low red blood count, accompanied by clinical signs of anemic hypoxia. We also analyzed prenatal and perinatal history, socioeconomic living conditions of these children, i.e. their nutrition, and if they had previously received oral iron preparations. Some of the results, such as inadequate alimentation with flour, as well as insufficient prophylaxis of iron deficiency, which were found in most cases of severe anemia, point to the need of paying greater attention to this problem, better parents education, and more adequate screening for iron deficiency anemia.

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in human milk collected from mothers nursing hospitalized children

Organochlorine compounds in milk were analyzed in samples collected over a nine-year period (1987-1995) from nursing mothers (N = 139) whose children were hospitalized for various disorders. All samples contained p,p'-DDE and PCBs; the median concentrations were 318 micrograms/kg milk fat and 220 micrograms/kg milk fat resp. Higher levels were found in mothers (N = 12) nursing neonates with impaired neurodevelopmental competencies or an inappropriate arousal reaction. No difference was observed between mothers nursing children with respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases, urinary tract infections or other infectious diseases, anemias, prolonged neonatal hyperbilirubinaemias or when children were with dermatological findings, congenital malformations or healthy.

[The intestinal immune system in children and their disorders]

The specificities of arrangement and normal function of the intestinal immunological system are presented, and non-immunological and immunological gastrointestinal defense mechanisms are described. Of immunological defense mechanisms, cellular and humoral mechanisms are described separately, and their characteristics in childhood are highlighted. After a general survey of the intestinal immunological system disorders and their role in various diseases, three most frequent such diseases are described in detail: food intolerance, gluten enteropathy and chronic inflammatory bowel disease.