The article focuses on a complicated, no less pressing issue of conducting clinical trials in pediatrics. When vulnerable groups of patients are involved as subjects in clinical trials, specific ethical issues inevitably arise. When conducting clinical trials involving under-age subjects, it is necessary to follow not only international standards, but, quite often, perform an in-depth analysis of national laws, taking into account law enforcement practice.
Key words: clinical trials, Russian Federation laws, children.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):25-31)

The article focuses on the study of protective immunity in vaccination with pneumococcal conjugated 7-valent vaccine (PCV7) against related vaccine serotypes. It provides results of a study which compared the opsonization capability of all vaccine serotypes with that of two related serotypes (6A and 19A) to analyse immune response. The study results showed that functional cross immunity to serotype 19A after vaccination with conjugated vaccine that does not contain polysaccharide of this serotype is virtually non-existent.
Key words: invasive pneumococcal infections, pneumococcal conjugated 7-valent vaccine, children, related vaccine serotypes, opsonophagocytic activity.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):36-40)

Diagnostics of Crohn’s disease, especially in children, presents a big challenge, given the low prevalence rate of this disease, polymorphism of the clinical manifestation and insufficient alertness of primary pediatricians relative to this pathology. As a result, untimely diagnostics, and, therefore, inadequate treatment, the disease takes an unfavourable turn, complications develop resulting in disabilities of little patients. The provided material and described clinical case study help physicians to identify Crohn’s disease in due time and refer the patient to a specialised medical establishment for additional examination and determining treatment tactics.
Key words: inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, diagnostics, children.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):115-122)

To achieve a sustainable virus replication suppression, positive dynamics in clinical and immunologic metrics of children with HIV infection, it is necessary to use the most efficient, safe and convenient patterns of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Examined were 25 children with HIV infection aged 12 to 15 years who were administered non nucleoside reverse transcriptase HIV inhibitor, nevirapine in combination with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors — zidovudine/lamivudine. The pattern involving combined therapy was characterized by higher clinical and laboratory efficacy, no side effects, convenience of administration, which makes it a preferred choice for using in children with HIV infection at ages above 12.
Key words: HIV infection, children, zidovudine, lamivudine.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):41-45)

The article provides results of a study to assess the satisfaction of the parents with the therapy being administered to children at ages 1 to 6 with moderate atopic dermatitis (objective SCORAD 15–40) when using activated zinc pyrithione (ZP) and any other external agents. All the parents were confident in the safety and efficacy of the treatment for their children when activated ZP was administered. They more often described the administered treatment as straightforward and believed they could use the developed plan of action. No additional agents for external therapy were required when activated ZP was administered. 83% of the subjects in the control group were administered topical corticosteroids. Intensity of symptoms and SCORAD index value bear evidence in favour of activated ZP. The safety of the treatment regimes under review was comparable. The study results indicate that the use of activated ZP makes the therapy for medium severe atopic dermatitis in children efficient, straightforward and meeting expectations of the patients’ parents who want to be sure of the treatment safety.
Key words: atopic dermatitis, external therapy, activated zinc pyrithione.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):46-51)

The article focuses on the need to enhance the knowledge of infant parents. Through joint efforts, the pediatrician and parents could substantially improve the quality of the infant’s life. Increasing morbidity rates among infants’ population make the actual search for methods of improving infants’ health, particularly through enhancement of parents’ skills in care for infants, upbringing and communication with infants. The article illustrates a research in 4 different areas in which parents’ education was provided. The quality of life before and after completion of these programmes is demonstrated.
Key words: parents’ education, children, neuropsychic development, quality of life.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):52-58)

The article provides results of a study for the impact of low doses fluticasone propionate and sodium nedocromil on the quality of life in children with bronchial asthma. It evidences Statistically valid improvements in the quality of life are identified and achieved control over the disease (90%) in a group of patients that were administered fluticasone propionate. A group of patients that were administered sodium nedocromil, did not show statistically valid improvements in the quality of life and control was maintained only in 62% of the patients.
Key words: bronchial asthma, treatment, quality of life, fluticasone propionate, sodium nedocromil, children.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):60-64)

The article presents data on modern techniques for the early identification of degenerative disease of joints in children. 120 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years were examined. All the patients were divided into two groups. The main group included 70 children with various manifestations of osteoarthritis. The control group was made up of 50 healthy children with growing pains. The examination helped determine the diagnostic value of various (X-ray, ultrasonic, magnetic resonance) techniques for the study of joints in children with clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis.
Key words: children, osteoarthritis, arthralgia, diagnostics.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):66-72)

In pediatrics, the issue of using antivirus therapy for chronic virus hepatitis is not sufficiently studied, there is search for rational combinations, schemes, doses and length of treatment. The article demonstrates results of using a combined antivirus therapy with alpha interferon medications, interferon inducers, systemic enzymotherapy in children with chronic virus hepatitis B and C. Including systemic enzymotherapy medications in the combined treatment made it possible to reduce the number and severity of side effects of parenteral interferons.
Key words: chronic hepatitis, antivirus therapy, alpha interferon, interferon inducers, children.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):73-77)

A study was conducted to assess the safety of non-ionic contrast media in paediatric nephrourology and their impact onto renal function and homeostasis, reflecting the risk of development of contrast-induced nephropathy. After contrast media use we observed elevation of cystatin C and endothelin, decrease of sodium fractional excretion and hypocoagulation were identified. The results obtained indicate that renal hypoperfusion with a consequent decrease of sodium fractional excretion and elevation of endothelin production may play a role in contrast-induced nephropathy. Increased serum cystatin C reflects adverse impact of contrast agents on renal function. Hypocoagulation effect requires that coagulation disorders must be excluded before use of contast media.
Key words: children, contrast-induced nephropathy, renal function, cystatin C, endothelin, hemostasis.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):78-82)

As is well known, children attending organised children’s establishments (kindergartens, school, health centres) develop acute respiratory diseases most frequently. In the run-up to the summer season of holidays, tours, trips to health camps and centres, it is advisable to prepare children for «contacts» with infectious agents. It particularly applies to a special category of children — those who suffer allergic pathology and most susceptible to risk of developing an acute respiratory infection. One of the efficient methods to prevent this pathology is to use bacterial lysates. The article provides the authors’ firsthand experience.
Key words: acute respiratory infections, prevention, bacterial lysates, children. 

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):83-86)

The article looks at the issue of atopic dermatitis as a manifestation of atopic march in infants. Authors provide results of their own observations in the use of modern topical steroid — mometasone furoate — in the integrated therapy. This glucocorticosteroid does not contain fluorine and has predominantly non-genomic mechanism. The results of the study evidenced a high efficacy and good tolerance to this topical steroid.
Key words: atopic dermatitis, children, momethasone furoate.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):87-90)

The article showcases key reasons for functional disorders of the intestinal tract in breast-fed and formula-fed infants. It describes from a practical standpoint modern approaches to identifying causes and administration of remedial treatment for this category of patients. The main aspects in prevention of this functional pathology are characterised.
Key words: children, functional defecation disorders, constipation, remedial treatment.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):91-95)

The article describes the pressing issue, backbone scoliosis and osteochondropathy in adolescents. The authors justify the need to use chondroprotectors and replenishment of vitamins and minerals shortages in a comprehensive therapy for backbone pathology.
Key words: backbone osteochondropathy, scoliosis, chondroprotectors, vitamins, minerals, adolescents.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):96-101)

Efficacy of using a multivitamin complex in children with allergic diseases requires a pediatrician to pay special attention. The pharmaceutical market is flooded with various preparations of this group. The physician faces the issue of a difficult choice in prescribing an efficient and safe multivitamin agent for a child with co-morbidity. The article provides results of a clinical study for the efficacy and tolerance to a multivitamin complex in children with allergic diseases. It is found that its use in an integrated treatment course helped to improve the efficacy of pathogenetic therapy in the children studied and to correct the symptoms of hypovitaminosis. Good tolerance to the agent under study and no side effects in examined children are demonstrated.
Key words: allergic diseases, hypovitaminosis, vitamin and mineral complexes, children.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):102-104)

14 children with various clinical forms of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome have been examined to assess the efficacy of pharmacological blocking of RAAS using inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme and Angiotensin II receptor blockers. While assessing the efficacy of the nephroprotective therapy, the following was found in all the children: a reliably meaningful 1,5 times reduction ((р = 0,013) in the daily proteinuria level in 3 to 6 months, and by the end of the study — a 2,5 times reduction (р = 0,001) and improvement in the renal filtration function metrics in 3 to 6 months (р = 0,001), in 1 year (р = 0,013) and by the end of the study (p = 0,002) in comparison with the metrics prior to the launch of the nephroprotective therapy.
Key words: chronic renal disease, proteinuria, RAAS, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):105-109)

The article discusses the causes of restless behavior in infants: Issues of diagnostics for functional disorders of gastrointestinal tract, sleep physiology and pathology in infants, as well as ways to correct these conditions.
Key words: infants, protosomnia, intestinal colics.

(Pediatric Pharmacology. – 2010; 7(2):143-148)