INTRODUCTION: In the past decades, the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has increased worldwide. Childhood obesity has been associated with wide range of serious health complications and increased risk of premature adult illnesses. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) was of concern because of limited data among children. The study aims to determine the prevalence and demographic /clinical factors associated with NAFLD among overweight and obese children.

METHODOLOGY: The study was a cross-sectional study among overweight and obese participants aged 2-18 years old. A total of 96 subjects were included. Frequencies and percentages of clinical characteristics were determined. Chi-square, linear correlation and logistic regression analysis for different factors were performed.

RESULTS: Among the 92 subjects, 26 (28%) were overweight while 66 (72%) were obese. The M:F ratio was 1.8:1 and majority belonged to 6-10 years old (44%). As to socioeconomic class, the rity (59%) were from the low-income group. The overall prevalence of NAFLD among overweight and obese subjects was 29.3%. None of the clinical factors (age, gender, socioeconomic status, BMI, waist circumference, actual caloric intake, and dietary fat consumption) were significantly associated with NAFLD. Analysis of biochemical factors revealed that alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol were found to be associated with NAFLD. Among which AST and ALT were identified predictors of NAFLD.

CONCLUSION: There was high prevalence of NAFLD among overweight and obese children. Screening among the pediatric population may aid on early identification and prevent its progression. ALT, AST, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol were independently related wih NAFLD. AST and ALT were identified predictors of NAFLD.

Human ; Overweight ; Obesity ; Child Nutrition Disorders ; Philippines ; Cross-sectional Studies

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with seroprotection among children 3 months to 18 years old with primary Hepatitis B vaccination series Methodology: This is a prospective cross-sectional study done among children 3 months to 18 years old with complete primary series of Hepatitis B vaccination. Demographic, social and clinical data were correlated with reactivity to antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (antiHBs) (>10 IU/L),total antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen (total anti-HBc) and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) serologic tests. Results: Among 110 subjects from different age groups,52% had seroprotective anti-HBs levels, with the highest noted among infants (3 months-2 years) at 82%, followed by 41% from the childhood group (3-9 years) and 26% from adolescent group (10-18 years). Seventy-four percent of subjects with <5 years interval from vaccination were seroprotected, 26% in subjects after 5-10 years, and 38% at more than 10 years after vaccination with significant difference on multi-logistic regression (p value 0.000/0.020). None of the other factors including gender, geographic area, age at first dose, vaccination schedule, type and place of vaccination were significantly associated with seroprotection. Conclusion Fifty-two percent of patients among different age groups were seroprotected. Seroprotection was significantly associated with the interval year after vaccination demonstrated at < 50% 5 years and beyond post-vaccination.
Hepatitis

Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of children with hepatic abscess, determine their laboratory & imaging findings, medical and surgical treatments and study factors affecting its outcome. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study done in December 2016 on children 0 to Demographic, clinical and diagnostic data were correlated with the outcome and presence of complications. Results: Thirty cases were identified in 19 years but only 25 charts were available for review. Mean age in years was 5.27 +/- 4.80 SD with male predominance. Fever (96%) and abdominal pain (60%) were common symptoms.Only 9 patients had hepatic abscess culture with Staphylococcus aureus (56%) as the most frequent growth. Anemia (76%) and leukocytosis (96%), and solitary (76%), large abscess >5 cms (60%) involving the right lobe (72%), were the common diagnostic findings. Most were treated with antibiotics alone (60%).All patients improved with no mortality noted, while pleural effusion was seen in 8 out of 12 patients with complications. Only male gender was significantly associated with complications both on chi-square (p0.004) and logistic regression (p 0.008). Conclusion Hepatic abscess is a liver infection usually seen among young and male population, manifesting as fever with anemia and leucocytosis. Most were complicated by pleural effusion with no deaths reported. Male gender had significant association with complications.
Liver Abscess ; Staphylococcus aureus

Allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy, are preventable diseases. Primary prevention strategies of allergic diseases have been in scrutiny. Effective prevention strategies maybe started prenatally, postnatally, during infancy, and even during childhood. These guidelines have been prepared by the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the Philippine Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. They aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the dietary primary prevention of allergic diseases in children. The primary audience of these guidelines is all healthcare practitioners who manage patients with potential allergic conditions. These guidelines are based on an exhaustive review of evidences, mostly systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies. However, there are still many gaps in the evidence of dietary primary prevention of allergic diseases.
Allergy and Immunology ; Asthma ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Eczema ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Gastroenterology ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Primary Prevention ; Rhinitis, Allergic