病毒性脑炎患儿血清线粒体同工酶变化及其临床意义

目的 探讨病毒性脑炎(病脑)患儿血清线粒体同工酶(m-AST)变化及其临床意义。方法82例病脑患儿,按脑损害程度分为轻度38例、中度29例、重度15例,应用全自动生化分析仪测定静脉血清m-AST、天门冬氨酸转氨酸(t-AST)活性,并计算m-AST/t-AST。结果 轻度病脑组血清m-AST为16.54±3.90U/L,中度病脑组32.78±7.45U/L,重度病脑组52.77±12.33U/L,正常对照组7 92±2.80U/L,各组间比较差异有显著性(P<0.01);m-AST/t-AST轻度病脑组34.76±8.51,中度病脑组42.63±11.53,重度病脑组59.81±7.33,正常对照组(26.26±9.21)％,各组间比较差异亦有显著性(P<0.01)。结论 测定血清m-AST活性及m-AST/t-AST可作为判断病情及预后的指标之一。     

儿童乙型肝炎血清乙型肝炎病毒共价闭合环状DNA与临床和病理分级分期的关系

目的 了解慢性乙型肝炎患儿血清乙型肝炎病毒共价闭合环状DNA(hepatitis B virus covalently closed circle DNA,HBV cccDNA)与病情、肝功能指标及肝组织病理变化的关系.方法 选择HBV-DNA阳性124例乙型肝炎患儿,其中携带者65例,慢性乙型肝炎59例(轻度31例、中度18例、重度10例),检测其血清HBV cccDNA及肝功能,对其中的46例患儿进行了肝脏穿刺,对肝组织进行炎症分级及纤维化分级.结果 中、重度慢性乙型肝炎患儿血清HBV cccDNA阳性率(77.8％、100％)高于携带者和轻度组(32.3％、54.8％)(x2=25.429,P＜0.01),患儿病情越重外周血HBV cccDNA检出率越高.血清HBV cccDNA阳性组的谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、总胆红素[(95.6±18.2) U/L、(88.8±20.3)U/L、(68.4±24.6)μmol/L]均高于阴性组[(52.5±17.7) U/L、(48.4±21.4) U/L、(28.3±23.9) μmol/L](t=15.572、10.750、17.067,P均＜0.01).血清cccDNA与肝组织炎症活动度和纤维化程度无明显相关性.结论 血清HBV cccDNA是代表病毒复制的一个敏感指标,病情越重,外周血HBVcccDNA检出率越高,但其与肝组织炎症及纤维化并非完全一致,所以其不能完全反映肝脏的损伤程度.     

新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病血清酶活性的变化

目的　探讨新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病 (HIE)患儿血清心肌酶及其同工酶与脑损伤的关系。方法　选择 6 0例HIE患儿 ,根据新生儿HIE临床分度标准分为轻、中、重 3组 ,均于生后 3d内采静脉血 2ml,8h内检测血清心肌酶及其同工酶。根据有无后遗症分为正常组和预后不良组。结果　天冬氨酸转氨酶 (AST)、乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)、肌酸激酶心肌同工酶 (CK MB)在重度组与轻度组和对照组之间相比差异有显著性 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。肌酸激酶 (CK)在重度组与中度组、轻度组及对照组相比差异具有显著性 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。肌酸激酶脑同工酶 (CK BB)轻度组与对照组相比差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,余各组间两两比较差异有显著性 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。预后不良组各种血清酶活性均较正常组高 ,两组差异具有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　血清CK BB活性可用来判断新生儿HIE脑损伤程度 ,并估计其预后。AST、CK、LDH、CK MB的活性虽不能用来判断新生儿HIE脑损伤的程度 ,却可用来判断预后     

血浆N端脑钠肽原和血清电解质联合检测在新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病中的诊断价值

目的 探讨HIE新生儿血浆N端脑钠肽原(NT-proBNP)和血清电解质的变化,评价血浆NT-pmBNP对新生儿窒息并心功能障碍的诊断价值.方法 将确诊为HIE的64例患儿分为轻度组、中度组和重度组,对各组HIE患儿及41例健康新生儿(健康对照组)采用竞争性酶免疫法(EIA)检测血浆NT-proBNP,采用电解质分析仪检测其血清钾、钠、氯、钙水平.结果 轻度HIE组血浆NT-proBNP[(3 540±992)pmol/L]明显高于健康对照组[(3 192±1 486)pmol/L](t=1.908 P<0.05);中度HIE组血浆NT-pmBNP[(4 012±1 002)pmol/L]明显高于轻度组(t=1.979 P<0.05);重度HIE组血浆NT-proBNP[(4 228±1 087)pmol/L]明显高于中度HIE组(t=2.71 P<0.05).血钠、氯、钙随HIE程度的加重而渐降低.轻度HIE组血清钠、氯、钙水平明显低于健康对照组(t=2.45,2.56,3.01 Pa<0.05),二组血清钾水平无明显差异(t=1.18 P>0.05);中度HIE组血清钠、氯、钙水平明显低于轻度组(t=2.78,2.91,3.21 Pa<0.05),二组血清钾水平无明显差异(t=1.09 P>0.05);重度HIE组血清钠、氯、钙水平明显低于中度组(t=2.92,2.98.3.32 Pa<0.05),二组血清钾水平比较无明显差异(t=1.21 P>0.05).重度HIE组血浆NT-pmBNP水平与血清钠、氯、钙水平均呈显著负相关(r=-0.762,-0.781,-0.802 Pa<0.01).结论 HIE患儿血浆NT-pwBNP水平能反映其心功能损害及心肌损害的程度及疗效.联合检测HIE息儿血浆NT-proBNP和血清电解质水平对于判断病情、评价疗效和预测预后均有一定价值.     

缺氧缺血性脑病新生儿血清尿酸与超敏C反应蛋白的变化

目的 探讨血清尿酸(UA)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)在HIE新生儿中的变化及其意义.方法 选择2006年1月-2007年6月HIE新生儿36例为观察组.其中轻度14例,中度12例,重度10例.同期本院出生的健康新生儿24例为健康对照组.二组性别、年龄、胎龄、出生体质量等比较均无明显差异,具有可比性.二组新生儿均抽股静脉血4 mL,分离血清,免疫比浊法测定其血清UA、hs-CRP水平.结果 1.HIE患儿的急性期血清UA、hs-CRP水平分别为(419.78±85.58)μmol/L、(5.42±2.69)mg/L,明显高于健康对照组[(240.23 ±87.24)μmol/L、(2.58±0.89)mg/L](Pa<0.01),明显高于恢复期[(255.69 ±86.62)μmol/L,(3.21±1.27)mg/L](Pa>0.01);恢复期与健康对照组比较无显著性差异(Pa>0.05).2.重度HIE组患儿血清UA、hs-CRP水平分别为(508.34±87.79)μmol/L、(6.87±2.78)mg/L,中度组分别为(410.21±85.02)μmol/L、(4.54±2.17)mg/L,均明显高于轻度组[(319.89±85.04)μmol/L、(3.34±1.89)mg/L](Pa＜0.01),重度组显著高于中度组(Pa<0.05).3.HIE组患儿急性期、恢复期的血清UA与hs-CRP呈显著正相关(r=0.851,0.832 Pa<0.05);HIE患儿重度组、中度组、轻度组血清UA与hs-CRP呈显著正相关(r=0.846,0.835,0.827 Pa<0.05).结论 血清UA与hs-CRP的动态变化具有协同性,且与HIE的病情相平行,可反映HIE患儿病情轻重程度,可作为判断HIE疗效和判定病情严重程度的实验室指标.     

窒息新生儿血清肌钙蛋白I和磷酸肌酸激酶同工酶变化的意义

目的探讨血清肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)和磷酸肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)对窒息新生儿心肌损伤的早期诊断价值。方法选择轻度窒息新生儿29例(轻度组)、重度窒息新生儿18例(重度组)。采用ELISA法和酶动力法检测新生儿血清cTnI水平和CK-MB活性。结果出生d1窒息新生儿血清cTnI和CK-MB水平在轻度组[(2.25±0.54)μg/L、(223.4±23.5)U/L]和重度组[(4.25±0.83)μg/L、(256.3±21.8)U/L]均显著高于对照组(Pa<0.01);重度组血清cTnI和CK-MB水平均显著高于轻度组(Pa<0.01)。治疗后d7窒息新生儿血清cTnI和CK-MB水平均明显下降,轻度组[(0.69±0.18)μg/L、(151.4±18.4)U/L]与对照组均无显著差异(Pa>0.05),重度组[(1.54±0.72)μg/L、(188.9±21.5)U/L]显著高于轻度组和对照组(Pa<0.01)。结论窒息新生儿伴心肌损伤时血清cTnI和CK-MB水平升高;动态观察可用于窒息新生儿微小心肌损伤的早期诊断。     

血清胱抑素C水平在新生儿窒息后肾损伤中的诊断价值

目的 探讨血清胱抑素C(Cys-C)水平在新生儿窒息后肾损伤中的诊断价值.方法 窒息新生儿60例按出生时Apgar评分分为轻度窒息组(37例)、重度窒息组(23例);同期选择15例健康足月新生儿作为健康对照组.窒息组新生儿在人院后第1天,健康对照组新生儿在出生1～3 d抽取外周静脉血3mL,用免疫比浊法检测各组血清Cys-C水平,并与其血清尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)水平比较.采用SPSS 12.0软件进行统计学t检验和x2检验.结果 1.在轻度窒息组和重度窒息组中,血清Cys-C水平分别为(1.17±0.18)mg/L和(1.51±0.21)mg/L,血清BUN水平分别为(5.17±2.25)mmol/L和(6.89±2.21)mmol/L,血清Cr的水平分别为(52.59±15.80)μmol/L和(69.19±18.30)μmol/L,健康对照组血清Cys-C、BUN和Cr水平分别为(0.91±0.12)mg/L,(4.35±1.20)mmol/L和(46.55±10.63)μmol/L.与健康对照组相比,轻度窒息组和重度窒息组血清BUN、Cr和Cys-C水平明显升高,差异具有显著性意义(P.＜0.01);与轻度窒息组相比,重度窒息组血清BUN、Cr和Cys-C水平有显著升高,差异具有显著性意义(Pa＜0.01).2.轻度窒息组血清Cys-C、BUN和Cr的异常检出率分别为73%、35%和38%;重度窒息组血清Cys-C、BUN和Cr的异常检出率分别为91%、65%和70%.在轻度窒息组和重度窒息组血清Cys-C的异常检出率显著高于血清BUN和Cr的异常检出率,差异具有显著性意义(P＜0.05,0.01).3.血清Cys-C与BUN和Cr水平之间呈显著正相关关系(r=0.81,0.84 P.＜0.01).结论 Cys-C能较早反映肾脏受损时肾小球滤过率的下降.血清Cys-C可作为新生儿窒息后肾损伤的早期诊断指标之一.     

左卡尼汀对新生儿窒息致心肌损害的疗效

目的 探讨左卡尼汀治疗新生儿窒息致心肌损害的疗效.方法 窒息致心肌损害新生儿91例随机分为左卡尼汀治疗组(治疗组,48例)和常规治疗组(对照组,43例),二组患儿均予常规治疗,治疗组在常规治疗的基础上加用左卡尼汀针0.1 g/(kg·d)静脉滴注,1次/d,10 d为1个疗程.观察治疗前以及治疗过程中患儿症状体征的变化.在治疗前和治疗1个疗程,抽取患儿静脉血3 mL,分离血清,采用免疫抑制法和酶速率法分别检测其血清CK-MB和AST水平的变化,采用免疫比浊法和溴甲酚绿比色法分别检测血清前清蛋白和清蛋白水平的变化.采用Stata 7.0软件进行t、鳘2检验.结果 治疗组临床有效率(91.67%)明显高于对照组(74.42%)(P<0.05).治疗组心率恢复正常时间[(3.18 ±1.10) d]短于对照组[(4.32±1.43) d](P<0.05);治疗组CK-MB及AST分别为(22.48±4.72) U/L、(42.18±9.27) U/L,均较对照组[(29.06±6.10) U/L、(51.31±11.81) U/L]更接近正常值(Pa<0.05);治疗组前清蛋白[(125.25±30.64) mg/L]较对照组[(110.73±25.46) mg/L]提高更为明显(P<0.05);治疗组清蛋白[(38.58±6.56) g/L]较对照组[(35.79±6.44) g/L]也提高更为明显(P<0.05).结论 左卡尼汀治疗新生儿窒息致心肌损害具有良好疗效.     

血清转化生长因子-β1和脑型肌酸激酶在新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病中的变化及临床意义

目的探讨新生儿血清转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和脑型肌酸激酶(CK-BB)在缺氧缺血性脑病(HIE)中的变化及临床意义。方法选择足月HIE患儿为观察组,健康或生理性黄疸、咽下综合征的足月儿为对照组,分别在生后第1、3、7天检测TGF-β1浓度和CK-BB活性,分析两项指标与病情严重程度及预后的关系。结果对照组第3天血清TGF-β1浓度[(26.4±13.5)μg/L]高于轻度[(21.9±13.1)μg/L]和中重度HIE组[(14.0±10.1)μg/L],第1天CK-BB活性[(36.7±23.2)U/L]低于轻度[(80.5±36.3)U/L]和中重度HIE组[(130.4±210.4)U/L],差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);HIE组患儿血清中TGF-β1浓度和生后第14天NBNA评分呈正相关,CK-BB活性和生后第14天NBNA评分呈负相关(P均<0.05)。结论血清TGF-β1和CK-BB在HIE的早期诊断和预后评估中有一定参考价值,TGF-β1在缺氧缺血性脑损伤中起保护性作用。     

窒息新生儿选择头部亚低温治疗前后血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶的变化

目的 探讨窒息脑损伤新生儿选择头部亚低温治疗前后血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)的变化及早期亚低温治疗效果.方法 窒息新生儿82例.其中轻度窒息39例,重度窒息43例.无窒息足月新生儿29例作为健康对照组.重度窒息新生儿随机分成亚低温治疗组和常规治疗组,亚低温治疗组采用选择性头部亚低温治疗方法 ,维持鼻咽温度(34.0±0.5)℃,持续72 h;常规治疗组仅采用常规对症治疗.分别于治疗前、治疗72 h采集各组新生儿静脉血2 mL,采用放射免疫分析方法 检测血清NSE.采用SPSS 12.0软件进行统计学分析.结果 轻度窒息组血清NSE水平[(34.83±6.17)μg/L]及重度窒息组[(59.58±8.87)μg/L]均明显高于健康对照组[(30.57±4.88)μg/L](t=3.07 P<0.01;t=16.02 P<0.001);且重度窒息组明显高于轻度窒息组(t=14.52 P<0.001).亚低温治疗组和常规治疗组患儿治疗前血清NSE水平分别为(60.65±8.85)μg/L、(58.46±8.98)μg/L,二组比较无显著差异(t=0.81 P>0.05);治疗72 h亚低温治疗组[(40.97±6.55)μg/L]明显低于常规治疗组[(48.15±5.57)μg/L](t=3.86 P<0.001).结论 NSE可作为新生儿窒息脑损伤的早期监测指标之一,早期亚低温治疗重度窒息新生儿有脑神经保护作用.     

Allergic factors associated with the development of asthma and the influence of cetirizine in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial: First results of ETA®

There is a common progression known as the allergic march from atopic dermatitis to allergic asthma. Cetirizine has several antiallergic properties that suggest a potential effect on the development of airway inflammation and asthma in infants with atopic dermatitis. Methods. Over a two year period, 817 infants aged one to two years who suffered from atopic dermatitis and with a history of atopic disease in a parent or sibling were included in the ETAC^® (Early Treatment of the Atopic Child) trial, a multi-country, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The infants were treated for 18 months with either cetirizine (0.25mg/ kg b.i.d.) or placebo. The number of infants who developed asthma was compared between the two groups. Clinical and biological assessments including analysis of total and specific IgE antibodies were performed. Results. In the placebo group, the relative risk (RR) for developing asthma was elevated in patients with a raised level of total IgE (≥ 30 kU/I) or specific IgE (≥ 0.35 kUA/I) for grass pollen, house dust mite or cat dander (RR between 1.4 and 1.7). Compared to placebo, cetirizine significantly reduced the incidence of asthma for patients sensitised to grass pollen (RR = 0.5) or to house dust mite (RR = 0.6). However, in the population that included all infants with normal and elevated total or specific IgE (intention-to-treat - ITT), there was no difference between the numbers of infants developing asthma while receiving cetirizine or placebo. The adverse events profile was similar in the two treatment groups. Discussion. Raised total IgE level and raised specific IgE levels to grass pollen, house dust mite or cat dander were predictive of subsequent asthma. Cetirizine halved the number of patients developing asthma in the subgroups sensitised to grass pollen or house dust mite (i.e. 20% of the study population). In view of the proven safety of the drug, we propose this treatment as a primary pharmacological intervention strategy to prevent the development of asthma in specifically sensitised infants with atopic dermatitis.     

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孤独症谱系障碍(autistic-spectrum disorders,ASDs)近年来患病率逐年攀升至1%左右,其症状往往伴随终生,成为严重威胁儿童健康和发展的神经发育性疾患;注意缺陷多动障碍(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,ADHD)是儿童期最常见的精神障碍,国内报道患病率为4.13%～5.83%,其症状可延续至青少年期,甚至到成年期[1]。这两类精神障碍在成年期的临床表现、共患病、治疗策略和预后与儿童期有哪些不同呢?本文通过回顾相     

EXCITING NEW TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR PATHYPHYSIOLOGIC MECHANISMS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

During the past several decades, our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of vasoocclusion associated with sickle cell disease has improved greatly. Interaction of genes, hemoglobin molecules, red cell membrane and metabolic changes, cell-cell interactions and cell-plasma interactions, red cell adhesion to vascular endothelium, activation of coagulation, and vascular reactivity play a role in vaso occlusion. Penicillin prophylaxis of pneumococcal infections and appropriate use of blood transfusions and other supportive measures improved survival of sickle cell patients. Hydroxyurea made a major impact on sickle cell therapy when it was shown to decrease acute painful episodes, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusion in adults. Significant experience in the use of hydroxyurea has been accumulated in older children. The benefits and risks of hydroxyurea for younger children and long-term risks in all patients will be evaluated in future investigations. Other promising therapies include butyrate compounds, clotrimazole, magnesium supplementation, poloxamer 188, antiadhesion agents, anticoagulant approaches, and nitric oxide. Hemopoietic transplantation remains the only curative therapy. However, several transgenic mouse models are available for studies of gene therapy or other treatment approaches on biochemical, cellular, and pathologic effects of mutant genes.     

Infiltrations of Epstein-Barr virus-carrying cells in granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders corresponding to chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection

A 21-year-old man with granular lymphocyte-proliferative disorders (GLPD) associated with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is described. Chromosomal analyses revealed several clonal abnormalities and two of them were mainly repetitious. High copy numbers of monoclonal EBV genome were also detected in the proliferative large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), indicating the monoclonal expansion of EBV-infected LGLs. The patient had an indolent course for several years, and there was no evidence of infiltrations of his bone marrow until the end stage. At autopsy, microscopic studies revealed marked infiltrations of LGL in the liver and spleen, and the infiltrating cells were NK-cell immunophenotype. The infiltrated LGLs showed latency I.     

LUTEINIZING HORMONE RECEPTOR MUTATIONS IN DISORDERS OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT AND CANCER

Human male sexual development is regulated by chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Aberrant sexual development caused by both activating and inactivating mutations of the human luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) have been described. All known activating mutations of the LHR are missense mutations caused by single base substitution. The most common activating mutation is the replacement of Asp-578 by Gly due to the substitution of A by G at nucleotide position 1733. All activating mutations are present in exon 11 which encodes the transmembrane domain of the receptor. Constitutive activity of the LHR causes LH releasing hormone-independent precocious puberty in boys and the autosomal dominant disorder familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP). Both germline and somatic activating mutations of the LHR have been found in patients with testicular tumors. Activating mutations have no effect on females. The molecular genetics of the inactivating mutations of the LHR are more variable and include single base substitution, partial gene deletion, and insertion. These mutations are not localized and are present in both the extracellular and transmembrane domain of the receptor. Inactivation of the LHR gives rise to the autosomal recessive disorder Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) and male hypogonadism or male pseudohermaphroditism. Severity of the clinical phenotype in LCH patients correlates with the amount of residual activity of the mutated receptor. Females are less affected by inactivating mutation of the LHR. Symptoms caused by homozygous inactivating mutation of the LHR include polycystic ovaries and primary amenorrhea.     

Resurgence of measles in Singapore: profile of hospital cases

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the profile of cases of measles seen at a general hospital during a recent outbreak that occurred despite a measles vaccination program. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study from January 1991 to March 1998. All patients with measles (ICD code 055. 9) seen at the emergency unit or as inpatients were included. RESULTS: There were 87 cases identified. The diagnosis was clinical in all and proven serologically in 71%. Eighty-five per cent of the cases occurred between January 1997 and March 1998. There was a bi-modal age distribution with peaks in the very young (相似文献   

Personality profiles and heart rate variability (vagal tone) in children with recurrent abdominal pain

The aim of the study was to explore psychological factors and autonomic activity in children with recurrent abdominal pain and to compare them with those in a control group of healthy children. The Personality Inventory for Children was used for assessment of developmental, emotional and psychosocial factors in 25 children with recurrent abdominal pain (age, 7-15 y). Parasympathetic and sympathetic functions in these children and in 23 healthy control subjects (age, 7-13 y) were also investigated, non-invasively using a computerized polygraph. Vagal tone (parasympathetic function) was indexed by calculation of respiratory sinus arrhythmia in beats/min. Skin conductance (sympathetic function) was recorded by the constant current method. On the Personality Inventory for Children, 16 patients had high scores on somatic concern. Several patients had scores in the clinical range for depression, withdrawal and anxiety, but the mean scores for these personality profile scales were well within the normal range of healthy children. Interestingly, there was a spike on the L (Lie)-scale for most of the patients and 15 patients had scores above or close to the clinical cut-off value. As compared with the scores in healthy children, vagal tone and sympathetic tone were normal. Conclusion: Many children with recurrent abdominal pain have scores in the clinical range for depression, withdrawal, anxiety and L-scale indicating coping problems, denial and a trend towards somatic concern that may contribute to the evolution of abdominal pain. Autonomic nerve activity was not disturbed in these children.     

Overcoming surfactant inhibition with polymers

Inhibition of the function of pulmonary surfactant in the alveolar space is an important element of the pathophysiology of many lung diseases, including meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The known mechanisms by which surfactant dysfunction occurs are (a) competitive inhibition of phospholipid entry into the surface monolayer (e.g. by plasma proteins), and (b) infiltration and destabilization of the surface film by extraneous lipids (e.g. meconium-derived free fatty acids). Recent data suggest that addition of non-ionic polymers such as dextran and polyethylene glycol to surfactant mixtures may significantly improve resistance to inhibition. Polymers have been found to neutralize the effects of several different inhibitors, and can produce near-complete restoration of surfactant function. The anti-inhibitory properties of polymers, and their possible role as an adjunct to surfactant therapy, deserve further exploration.     

Understanding infant formula

The World Health organisation recommends breast feeding infants for the first six months of life. When this breast feeding does not occur either through parental choice or medical need, infant formulas will be required. There is a bewildering array of formulas on the UK market for many different requirements. When faced with an unsettled infant many parents (and healthcare professionals) will experiment with the infant formula available and then attend the paediatric clinic looking for help and advice. It is therefore essential that paediatricians understand what milks are available and what the key differences between different products are. This review attempts to provide a simple guide through many of the formulations currently available in the UK; and offers advice for the dietary management of the child with extra calorie requirements, infants with cow's milk protein allergy, gastro oesophageal reflux disease, apparent unresolved hunger and infantile colic. Whatever the underlying condition, there is likely to be an infant formula that is suitable in this generation of ever expanding formulations.