Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic significance of immunophenotyping in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been controversial. This study investigated the relationship of immunophenotypes with French-American-British (FAB) subtypes and chromosomal abnormalities and assessed the prognostic value of immunophenotyping in children with AML. METHODS: From January 1998 to May 2003, 75 children with newly diagnosed AML were enrolled on protocol AML-XH-99. Immunophenotypes were measured with the flow cytometry. According to the McAbs used, the patients were classified into five groups: panmyeloid antigens (CD13, CD33, and MPO), myeloid-lineage associated antigens (CD14, CD15), lineage-specific antigens (CD41, GlyA), progenitor-associated antigens (CD34, HLA-DR) and lymphoid-associated antigens (CD19, CD7). The probability of event-free survival (EFS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The distributions of EFS were compared using the log-rank test. Chi-square analysis or Fisher exact test was used to compare the differences in the distribution of biologic presenting features. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: At least one of panmyeloid antigens CD13, CD33 and MPO was expressed in 72 patents (97.3%). Two or more panmyeloid antigens were expressed in 45 patients (60.8%). The proportion of children with AML expressing one or more of the lymphoid-associated antigens was 24.3%. Lymphoid-associated antigen CD19 was expressed by blast cells in most of FAB M2 patients. The patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were characterized by the absence of HLA-DR and lymphoid-associated antigens CD19 and CD7. Monovariate analysis showed immunophenotypes were not related to the complete remission rate after the first induction course and the 5-year-EFS. Multivariate analysis suggested immunophenotyping had no independent prognostic value in AML.CONCLUSIONS: Immunophenotyping can not be used independently in the evaluation of risk classification in children with AML. However, it is useful in the reorganization of special types of AML.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):241-245］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Minimal residual disease (MRD) is one of the most important prognostic factors in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Flow cytometry and PCR are two common techniques for examining MRD in ALL. This study aimed to identify MRD targets by tandem application of both techniques in children with ALL. METHODS: From September 2001 to October 2003, 126 children with newly diagnosed ALL were enrolled on the treatment protocol ALL-XH-99. Tandem application of flow cytometry and PCR was performed to identify MRD targets in these patients. RESULTS:① Using sets of combined antibodies, immunophenotypic expression of leukemia cells was observed in 95 of 106 B-lineage ALL cases (89.6%). Only one aberrant immunophenotype was observed in 11 cases (11.6%) and most patients with B-lineage ALL (88.4%) expressed at least two suitable targets. ② Using PCR technique, T-cell receptor (TCR) or immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were identified in 26 of 27 patients (96.3%). Two or more monoclonal/ bi-allelic gene rearrangements were identified in 17 cases (65.4%). The majority (70%) of T-lineage ALL cases contained TCRVγⅠ-Jγ1.3/2.3. Cross-lineage TCR rearrangements were found in 57.1% of cases with B-lineage ALL. ③ Suitable MRD targets of immunophenotypic abnormalities or antigen receptor gene rearrangements were detected in 121 patients (96.0%). CONCLUSIONS: MRD targets were identified using tandem application of flow cytometry and PCR in almost of children with ALL. Cross-lineage TCR rearrangements and bi-allelic gene rearrangements were observed in many patients.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):246-250］

Abstract:

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Thymidylate synthase (TS) catalyses the conversion of deoxy-uridylate to deoxy-thymidylate and is a key enzyme for DNA synthesis. TS is the target enzyme of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and involved in folate metabolism. TS gene polymorphisms play an important role in the efficiency of fluorouracil activity in vivo. This study investigated the allelic frequencies and distribution characters of single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the coding region (cSNPs) of TS gene in Chinese children with acute leukemia (AL) and normal control children in order to explore the possible relationship between the cSNP in human TS gene and chemotherapeutic effects of 5-fluorouracils. METHODS: Bone marrow samples from 53 children with AL and peripheral blood samples from 115 normal children were obtained to prepare complementary DNAs (cDNAs). The cDNAs were analyzed for the polymorphisms in TS gene by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and direct sequencing. The distributive difference of each genotype between AL children and control children was evaluated. RESULTS: A polymorphism 381 A＞G (E127E) in the coding region of TS gene was firstly identified in the Chinese population. The 381 A＞G allelic frequency in AL children and control children was 12.3% and 13.5% respectively (P>0.05), which were similar to that in the International SNP Bank (12.3%). The allelic frequency of cSNPs was not associated with the susceptibility to AL. CONCLUSIONS: A polymorphism 381 A＞G (E127E) in TS gene was successfully identified in children using RT-PCR-DGGE combined with DNA sequencing. There was no significant difference in the allelic frequency of cSNPs in AL children and normal children.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):251-254］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether proteasome inhibitor MG-132 induces apoptosis of human erythroleukemia cell line K562 and possible mechanisms. METHODS: K562 cells were incubated with RPMI 1640 and exposed to 0, 1, 5, 10, 15 μmol/L of MG-132 for 24 hrs, respectively. The apoptosis of cells were detected by fluorescence microscope, DNA fragments and flow cytometry. The NF-κB mRNA expression was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of NF-κB and caspase-3 was semiquantitatively analyzed with SABC techniques. Caspase-3 activities were measured with a colorimetric method. RESULTS: The growth of K562 cells was inhibited and the apoptosis of the cells increased after MG-132 treatment in a dose-dependent manner. After 24 hrs of 15 μmol/L MG-132 treatment, the percentage of apoptotic cells (26.5±0.6%) increased significantly when compared with the untreated controls (1.2±0.1%) (P<0.01). MG-132 treatment decreased the mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB, and increased the protein expression of caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: MG-132 can induce apoptosis of human erythroleukemia cell line K562 through the down-regulation of NF-κB expression and up-regulation of caspase-3 expression.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):255-258］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) can bind to Na+, K+-ATPase to activate complex intracellular signaling cascades regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ouabain at different concentrations on growth regulation in various kinds of leukemia cell lines and explore the pathogenesis of leukemia, the functions of Na+, K+-ATPase as a signal transduction conductor and its effects on cell growth. METHODS: Using the MTT assay, the survival rates of leukemia cell lines were observed 6, 12 and 24 hrs after treatment with 1 or 10 nmol/L ouabain. The expression of Na+, K+-ATPase α1 subunit of leukemia cells was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The MTT results showed that ouabain at 1 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L induced proliferation of lymphocytic leukemia B95 and Jhhan cell lines, as well as megakaryocytic leukemia M07e and Meg01 cell lines. Ouabain at 1 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L increased the expression of Na+, K+-ATPase α1 subunit. There were significant differences in the proliferation and the expression of Na+, K+-ATPase α1 subunit of the leukemia cell lines between the ouabain treatment and the blank control groups 24 hrs after ouabain treatment (P<0.05). The proliferation effect of leukemia cell lines was in a direct proportion with the ouabain concentration and incubation time. CONCLUSIONS: Na+, K+-ATPase plays an important role in signal transductions. Through binding to ouabain, Na+, K+-ATPase may regulate proliferation of leukemia cell lines of different origins. Ouabain at 1 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L may induce proliferation of lymphocytic leukemia cell lines (B95, Jhhan) and megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines (M07e, Meg01), and the proliferation effect was in a direct proportion with the concentration and incubation time of ouabain.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):259-262］

Abstract:

Near-tetraploidy is a rare cytogenetic abnormality in myelocytic malignancies in children, and its significance is unknown. To investigate the characteristics of near-tetraploidy in a child with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML-M4), bone marrow smears were prepared for morphological analysis. Bone marrow samples were collected for flow cytometry, and prepared by short-term (24 hrs) unstimulated culture and R-banding for conventional cytogenetic assay. In this case, the morphological analysis of bone marrow cells showed large and prominent nuclei. The chromosomal analysis (R-banding) demonstrated a near-tetraploidy. Combined with morphological and immunophenotypic results, AML-M4 was confirmed. The patient was given four cycles of chemotherapy, and finally achieved clinical remission. However, the duration achieving the remission in the child was longer than AML children with normal karyotype. It is believed that near-tetraploid karyotype may have a great significance to the therapy and prognosis.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):263-266］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To examine the number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in children with cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CHD) and study their correlation with serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1). METHODS: Fifteen children with tetralogy of Fallot (cyanotic group) and 15 age-and sex-matched children with ventricular septal defect (control group) were enrolled. Serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 were measured using ELISA. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and cultured in vitro. EPCs were identified by immunofluorescence and were counted under a microscope. Modified Boyden chamber assay and the MTT assay were used to measure the migration and proliferation capacities of EPCs. EPCs adhesion ability assay was performed by replating cells on fibronectin-coated dishes, and then adherent cells were counted. The correlations of serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 with the number and function of circulating EPCs were assessed by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Serum levels of VEGF (201.42±44.74 ng/L vs 113.56±35.62 ng/L; P< 0.05) and SDF-1 (3.45±1.07 ng/L vs 1.05±0.99 ng/L; P<0.05) in the cyanotic group were higher than those in the control group. There was a positive correlation between serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1(r=0.675, P<0.01). The number of EPCs (×200 field) in the cyanotic group significantly increased compared with that of the control group (72.2±9.73 vs 51.2±3.83; P<0.01). The functional activities of EPCs, including proliferation, migration and adhesion capacities, were augmented in the cyanotic group compared with those in the control group. The increased number and function of EPCs and the increased serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 were consistent in the cyanotic group, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8395, 0.5491, 0.6376 and 0.7392 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The number and functional activity of EPCs as well as serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 increased in children with cyanotic CHD. Serum levels of VEGF and SDF-1 were correlated to the number and functional activity of EPCs. Serum VEGF and SDF-1 together with circulating EPCs may play important roles in the pathology and physiology in these patients.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):267-272］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Ischemic postconditioning effectively minimizes the ischemic/reperfusion injury, and the large series of case reports on its protective effects in cardiac surgery are limited. A randomized trial was conducted to investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on cardiopulmonary protection in children undergoing cardiac surgery for tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS: One hundred and five-children with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to control (n=58) and ischemic postconditioning groups (n=47). Ischemic postconditioning was performed by intermittent aortic clamping after reperfusion. After surgery, the duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, capacity of blood transfusion, hemodynamics, inotropic scores, respiratory function, and release of blood lactate were assayed. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the ICU stay in the postconditioned group compared with the control group (37±21 hrs vs 54±26 hrs; P<0.05 ). The capacity of blood transfusion (308±230 mL vs 526±515 mL; P<0.05) and the inotropic scores (5.9±5.0 vs 10.3±7.7; P<0.05) in the postconditioned group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group. Blood lactate contents in the postconditioned group was significantly lower that those in the control group 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 20 hrs after surgery. The postconditioned group showed more improved hemodynamics and respiratory function than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic postconditioning may provide clinical benefits with respects to myocardial and pulmonary protections in children undergoing repair for tetralogy of Fallot.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):273-276］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of serum albumin contents after operation and investigate whether post-operational serum albumin contents are correlated with the disease severity in children with acute intussusception. METHODS: Serum albumin contents were measured using the automatic biochemistry analyzer in 32 children with mild acute intussusception and 21 children with severe acute intussusception 1 day after surgical operation. After 5 days combined treatment, serum albumin contents were re-examined. Thirty healthy children severed as the control group. The correlation between post-operational serum albumin contents and critical illness scores was evaluated. RESULTS: Serum albumin contents in the mild (34.2±6.5 g/L; P<0.05) and the severe intussusception groups (25.8±7.5 g/L;P<0.01) 1 day after operation were significantly lower than those in the control group (37.1±4.1 g/L). There were significant differences in serum albumin contents between the mild and the severe intussusception groups (P<0.05). Five days after operation, serum albumin contents in the mild intussusception group significantly increased (37.1±11.4 g/L; P<0.05), while serum albumin contents in the severe intussusception group did not differ from those 1 day after operation. There was a positive correlation between serum albumin contents on the 1st day after operation and the critical illness scores (r=0.879, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin contents decreased on the 1st day after operation and were correlated with the disease severity in children with acute intussusception. Hypoalbuminemia lasted for a longer period in severe cases. The post-operational measurement of serum albumin contents may be useful in the evaluation of the severity for children with acute intussusception.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):277-279］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors for death in children with septic shock. METHODS: Clinical data of 53 children with septic shock admitted to the Yuying Children's Hospital between January 2006 and July 2008 were retrospectively studied. Risk factors for death were assessed using univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen cases died out of 53 children with septic shock. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis showed that arterial blood pH value <7.0 (OR=89.66), hypotension (OR=84.00), the pediatric critical illness score<70 (OR=60.00), the number of organ dysfunction ≥3 (OR=38.98), uncompletion of volume resuscitation within 6 hrs after shock (OR=26.41), and no administration of effective antibiotics within 1 hr after shock (OR=11.43) and of vasoactive drugs (OR=75.68) were risk factors for death in children with septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: A low arterial blood pH value (<7.0), hypotension, a pediatric critical illness score (<70) and the number of organ dysfunction ≥3 are related to a high mortality in children with septic shock. If the volume resuscitation can be completed within 6 hrs after shock, effective antibiotics can be administered within 1 hr after shock, and vasoactive drugs can be used properly, the outcome of children with septic shock may be improved.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):280-282］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is still a public health problem. Host genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in NRAMP1 gene, may play a role in the development of tuberculosis. To clarify the effect of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms on the development of childhood tuberculosis, the association of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in the ethnic Han Chinese children was investigated. METHODS: From January 2005 to March 2008, 130 ethnic Han children with tuberculosis (TB group) were enrolled. Three hundred and ninety hospitalized ethnic Han children for physical examination in the surgery department were used as the control group. The controls were matched with tuberculosis children by age, sex and area. PCR-RFLP analysis was performed on DNA samples to identify allele genotypes of INT4 and D543N in NRAMP1 gene. Genotype frequency differences between tuberculosis patients and controls were analyzed using χ2 test. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found in the genotype frequency of variants G/C and C/C at the INT4 locus between the TB and the control groups. At the D543N locus, the frequency of genotype variants (G/A and A/A) was significantly higher in the TB group (34/130) than that in the control group (66/390) (χ2＝5.349, P<0.05; OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.08-2.79). When stratified by sex, differences in the genotype distribution were observed only in females at the D543N locus, which the variant genotypes were higher in the TB group (16/52) than in the control group (21/155) (χ2＝7.866, P<0.05; OR=2.84, 95%CI=1.34-5.99). For males, there was no difference between the TB and the control groups. At the INT4 locus, no difference was observed between the two groups in boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS: Genotypic variation at the D543N locus in NRAMP1 gene may be associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in ethnic Han Chinese children. Variant genotypes in NRAMP1 gene (G/A and A/A) may be susceptible genotypes to tuberculosis in ethnic Han Chinese children. Girls with variant genotypes were more susceptible to tuberculosis.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):283-287］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study serum levels of melatonin in children with epilepsy or febrile seizures in order to provide a basis for the treatment of epilepsy or febrile seizures with melatonin. METHODS: Serum melatonin levels were measured using ELISA in 15 children with simple febrile seizure (SFS), in 15 children with complex febrile seizure (CFS), in 15 children with epilepsy, and in 15 children with upper respiratory infections (control group). RESULTS: Serum melatonin levels in children with epilepsy (8.66±1.38 ng/L) or CFS (14.91±2.61 ng/L) were significant lower than those in the control group (23.93±2.01 ng/L) (P<0.01). The SFS group showed lower serum melatonin levels (20.72±2.54 ng/L) compared with the control group, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups. Serum melatonin levels in the epilepsy group were significantly lower than those in the CFS (P<0.05) and the SFS groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum melatonin levels decreased in children with epilepsy or CFS. Supplement of exogenous melatonin might be a promising treatment for epilepsy and febrile seizures in children.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):288-290］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Some research has shown that resveratrol can ameliorate myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in mice with acute viral myocarditis (VMC), and can inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in vitro. This study was designed to investigate whether resveratrol has similar effects in the mouse model of chronic VMC. METHODS: One hundred mice were inoculated with 0.3 mL of Coxsackievirus B3 1×106 TCID50. Thirty days later, the survivors (n=62) were used as a model of chronic VMC, and were randomly assigned to 4 groups: untreated VMC, and low- (10 mg/kg), middle- (100 mg/kg) and high-dose (1 000 mg/kg) resveratrol-treated VMC (once daily, for 30 days). Ten mice which received neither Coxsackievirus B3 nor resveratrol treatment served as the control group. After 30 days of resveratrol treatment, the mice were sacrificed. Serum concentrations of collagenous pre-peptides (PINP, PICP and PIIINP) were assessed using ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, picrosirius red staining and circularly polarized light were used to examine the histochemistry of myocardial collagen. RESULTS: The myocardial collagen volume fraction in the high-dose (0.74±0.19) and the middle-dose (1.07±0.12 ) resveratrol-treated VMC groups was significantly lower than that in the untreated VMC (2.33±0.18) and the low-dose resveratrol-treated VMC (2.17±0.19) groups (P<0.05). Compared with the untreated VMC group, serum concentrations of PICP and PIIINP in the high-dose and the middle-dose resveratrol-treated VMC groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while PINP concentrations increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol can inhibit hyperplasia of myocardial collagen in the mouse model of chronic VMC, acting as an effective anti-fibrotic agent in the myocardium.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):291-295］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: INF-λ has anti-viral and anti-tumor activities. Its application in viral myocarditis (VMC) has not been reported. This study investigated the role of INF-λ in acute VMC in mice. METHODS: Forty mice were randomly divided into three groups: VMC (n=15), IFN-λ2-treated VMC (n=15) and control (n=10). VMC was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3).The control group was intraperitoneally injected with 2% PBS. The IFN-λ2-treated VMC group was administered with 400 ng IFN-λ2 (0.1 mL) by subcutaneous injections daily, for 5 days. The control and the VMC groups were given equal amount of nomal saline.The surviving mice were sacrificed 9 days after IFN-λ2 treatment. The pathological changes of heart tissues were examined under a light microscope. Bcl-2 and Bax expression in heart tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The control group presented normal heart tissues. The INF-λ2-treated VMC group showed significantly a lower pathological score (1.5±0.5) than the untreated VMC group (2.8±0.8) (P<0.01). Bcl-2 expression decreased (P<0.01), in contrast, Bax expression increased (P<0.01) in the untreated VMC group compared with that in the control group. INF-λ2 treatment resulted in an increased Bcl-2 expression (P<0.01) and a decreased Bax expression (P<0.01) compared to the untreated VMC group. CONCLUSIONS: INF-λ2 may alleviate myocardial injuries and inhibit cardiomyocytic apoptosis, thus providing protective effects on myocardial cells in mice with acute VMC.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):296-300］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Glutamine has protective effects against renal injuries. This study was designed to explore the possible mechanism underlying the protections by examining the effects of glutamine on extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and p38MAPK expression in the kidney in rats with endotoxemia. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one 18-day-old Wistar rats were randomly injected with LPS (4 mg/kg; n=55), LPS (4 mg/kg)+glutamine (1 mL/kg) (n=55), or normal saline (control group; n=11). The two LPS groups were subdivided into five groups sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, 24 and 72 hrs after administration (n=11 each). ERK-2 and p38MAPK mRNA and protein expression in the kidney were measured by RT-PCR and immunohistrochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the mRNA and protein expression of both ERK-2 and p38MAPK in the LPS group significantly increased 2, 4, 6, 24 and 72 hrs after administration (P<0.01), and reached a peak at 6 hrs (P<0.01). In the LPS+glutamine group, the trend of ERK-2 and p38MAPK expression was similar to the LPS group but their expressional levels were significantly lower than those in the LPS group at all time points (P<0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both ERK-2 and p38MAPK expression increased in young rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia. Glutamine alleviates renal injuries possibly by decreasing the expression of both.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):301-305］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of phosphorylated-ERK1/2（p-ERK1/2）MAPK in the prefrontal lobe cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HP) and nucleus accumbens (Acb) in mice exposed to heroin in the uterus, and elucidate whether ERK MAPK signal transduction pathway participates in neurobehavioral teratogenicity induced by maternal heroin abuse. METHODS: Animal model was established by subcutaneous administration of diacetylmorphine (10 mg/kg?d) to pregnant BALB/c mice on embryonic days 9-18, and their offspring were assigned to heroin and normal saline groups according to the maternal treatment. P-ERK1/2 expression in the PFC, HP and Acb were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The heroin group had body weights similar to the normal saline group after birth. There were no significant differences in the p-ERK1/2 expression in the PFC, HP and Acb between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to 10 mg/kg heroin altered neither the body weight nor the general development in mice. The ERK1/2 MAPK signal pathway might not be involved in the neurobehavioral teratogenicity induced by prenatal heroin exposure. ［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):306-309］

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between impulsivity and sleep disorders in children. METHODS: A total of 1 736 children at ages of 6 to 12 years were randomly sampled from five districts of Changsha. Their parents completed the questionnaires about children's sleep conditions and behaviors (using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11th version). RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-four children (31.9%) had sleep disorders. The incidence of sleep disorders in boys was significantly higher than that in girls (35.4% vs 28.3%; P<0.01). The scores of attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsiveness factors as well as the total score of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale in children with sleep disorders were significantly higher than those in children without (P<0.01). The incidence of daytime sleepiness (35.9%) in children with sleep disorders was significantly higher than that in children without (24.7%; P<0.01). The scores of attentional, motor and non-planning impulsiveness factors increased with the grade of sleep disorders, and reached a peak at the fifth grade. The children with frequent sleep snoring showed higher scores of above three impulsiveness factors than children without sleep snoring or having rare snoring (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are associated with impulsivity in children. It is thus essential to pay close attentions to children's sleep for children with relatively high impulsiveness.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (4):310-312］

Abstract:

Abstract:

Abstract:

Abstract:

Abstract: