To estimate time trends in prevalence of symptoms and reported diagnosis related to asthma, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis and eczema among school children in the north-west coastal part of Croatia. Results of two identical cross-sectional surveys conducted on the same area 8 years apart (school years 2001/02 versus 2009/10) in complete adherence to the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood were compared. Surveyed population comprised two age groups: 6-7 years (n = 1634 versus n = 1052) and 13-14 years (n = 2194 versus 1181). Significant (p < 0.001) increases in prevalence (%) of symptoms related to asthma (8.4 versus 14.0), allergic rhinitis (17.5 versus 25.6), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (6.7 versus 15.3) and eczema (3.4 versus 5.9) were observed in the 13-14-year-olds. In the 6-7-year-olds there were observed significant (p < 0.001) increases in prevalence of symptoms of eczema (5.4 versus 8.7) and allergic rhinitis (16.9 versus 22.1) whereas prevalence of symptoms related to asthma (9.7 versus 9.4; p = 0.398) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (5.6 versus 6.8; p = 0.102) showed to be stable. Significant increases in prevalence of reported diagnosis were observed for asthma (5.2 versus 6.9; p = 0.02) and hay fever (10.5 versus 14.6; p < 0.001) in the older, and for eczema (10.6 versus 14.1; p < 0.001) in the younger age group. Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among the school children living on the surveyed area showed a rising trend.

Glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) is the most important energy carrier of the brain across the blood–brain barrier, and a genetic defect of GLUT1 is known as GLUT1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS). It is characterized by early infantile seizures, developmental delay, microcephaly, ataxia, and various paroxysmal neurological phenomena. In most cases, GLUT1DS is caused by heterozygous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the SLC2A1 gene that provoke complete or severe impairment of the functionality and/or expression of GLUT1 in the brain. Despite the rarity of these diseases, GLUT1DS is of high clinical interest since a very effective therapy, the ketogenic diet, can improve or reverse symptoms, especially if it is started as early as possible. We present a clinical phenotype, biochemical analysis, electroencephalographic and neuropsychological features of an 11-month-old boy with myoclonic seizures, hypogammaglobulinemia, and mildly impaired gross motor development. Using sequence analysis and deletion/duplication testing, deletion of an entire coding sequence in the SLC2A1 gene was detected. Early introduction of a modified Atkins diet maintained a seizure-free period without antiseizure medications and normal cognitive development in the follow-up period. Our report summarizes the clinical features of GLUT1 syndromes and discusses the importance of early identification and molecular confirmation of GLUT1DS as a treatable metabolic disorder.

Background and Objectives: Working in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs) can be challenging and differs from work in adult ICUs. This study investigated for the first time the perceptions, experiences and challenges that healthcare professionals face when dealing with end-of-life decisions in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Croatia. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study with focus groups was conducted among physicians and nurses working in NICUs and PICUs in five healthcare institutions (three pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and five neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)) at the tertiary level of healthcare in the Republic of Croatia, in Zagreb, Rijeka and Split. A total of 20 physicians and 21 nurses participated in eight focus groups. The questions concerned everyday practices in end-of-life decision-making and their connection with interpersonal relationships between physicians, nurses, patients and their families. The constant comparative analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. Results: The analysis revealed two main themes that were the same among the professional groups as well as in both NICU and PICU units. The theme “critical illness” consisted of the following subthemes: the child, the family, myself and other professionals. The theme “end-of-life procedures” consisted of the following subthemes: breaking point, decision-making, end-of-life procedures, “spill-over” and the four walls of the ICU. The perceptions and experiences of end-of-life issues among nurses and physicians working in NICUs and PICUs share multiple common characteristics. The high variability in end-of-life procedures applied and various difficulties experienced during shared decision-making processes were observed. Conclusions: There is a need for further research in order to develop clinical and professional guidelines that will inform end-of-life decision-making, including the specific perspectives of everyone involved, and the need to influence policymakers.

Background and Objectives: The incidence of severe and moderate forms of DKA as the initial presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is increasing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This poses a higher risk of developing cerebral edema as a complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), as well as morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the trend and clinical features of children treated in the last 10 years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to the development of DKA. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed in the PICU, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, in Croatia. All children diagnosed with DKA from 2011–2020 were included in this study. Data were received from hospital medical documentation and patient paper history. The number of new cases and severity of DKA were identified and classified using recent International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines. Results: In this investigation period, 194 children with newly diagnosed T1D were admitted to our hospital: 58 of them were treated in the PICU due to DKA; 48 had newly diagnosed T1D (48/58); and ten previously diagnosed T1D (10/58). DKA as the initial presentation of T1D was diagnosed in 24.7% (48/194). Moderate or severe dehydration was present in 76% of the children at hospital admission. Polyuria, polydipsia, and Kussmaul breathing were the most common signs. Three patients (5.2%) developed cerebral edema, of whom one died. Conclusions: During the investigation period a rising trend in T1D was noted, especially in 2020. About one quarter of children with T1D presented with DKA at initial diagnosis in western Croatia, most of them with a severe form. Good education of the general population, along with the patients and families of children with diabetes, is crucial to prevent the development of DKA and thus reduce severe complications.