BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) worldwide over the past decades. Studies have shown that the number of confirmed diagnoses correlates with the awareness of the disorder among the general public and the professional community, in particular, as well as the availability of formalized screening procedures and modern medical and educational tools for families raising children with ASD in regional population centers. Thus, comparing autism prevalence rates in regions of the same country helps identify regions with limited access to diagnostic services and adequate medical care. AIM: To estimate the overall number of individuals meeting the diagnostic criteria for ASD in Russia and determine the differences in the number of registered individuals with established diagnosis in the constituent territories of the Russian Federation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study and analyzed data from official statistical reports (form 12 Information on the Number of Diseases Registered in Patients Residing in the Service Area of a Healthcare Institution for 20202021). RESULTS: A steady upward trend in the number of individuals with autism has been observed since 2014 in the Russian Federation as a whole and in the federal districts, although the prevalence rates differ from the global median prevalence of ASD (all-Russian figure by almost 40 times). In addition, regional differences (by 104.5 times) in the frequency of the diagnosis have been revealed: from a minimum of 1.7 to a maximum of 177.7 per 100,000 population. The percentile distribution of the number of individuals with ASD that are followed-up at healthcare facilities in the constituent territories of the Russian Federation was in the interquartile range (2575th percentile), below the 25th percentile, and above the 75th percentile in 38, 26 and 21 regions, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study has shown significant differences in the ASD diagnosis rates by regions in the country against a backdrop of a low (compared to international data) number of registered cases of autism. The presented data suggest that, due to the lack of proper diagnosis, a significant number of individuals with ASD do not receive adequate medical care, nor do they receive social, psychological, or pedagogical support. Possible reasons for this probably include low awareness of new diagnostic approaches among psychiatrists; low level of involvement of pediatrics professionals in screening activities; and fear of stigmatization because of a psychiatric diagnosis in the absence of a developed medical care infrastructure that encompasses a social, psychological, and pedagogical support system for people with ASD.

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus infection remains the topical health issue and constitutes serious threat to the entire world. Nowadays, active immunization against new type of coronavirus infection continues in Russian Federation and in all other countries. Vaccination is the crucial component in comprehensive program for COVID-19 prevention and control. Mass immunization of population can prevent both admissions and hospitalization in conditions of high incidence of COVID-19 and thereby reduce the burden on the health system. Despite the remaining complications in combating the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, preventive vaccination is by far the most effective method for protection against this infection Clinical studies on the efficacy of various preventive vaccinations in different regions of the world are extremely relevant especially under conditions of the emergency use authorization for vaccines against new coronavirus infection, the changing epidemiological situation, and the wide variability of different types of vaccines. All countries will need continuously updated data on vaccine efficacy to address new challenges such as weakening post-vaccine protection, new SARS-CoV-2 strains, and need for other preventive measures to mitigate the pandemic.

Background. Cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) is the reason of high mortality in perinatal period, disability in children from risk groups with further development of congenital malformations and chronic diseases. Clear understanding of epidemiology and determination of focus population groups is crucial for development of measures and algorithms of congenital CMVI prevention.Objective. The aim of the study is to study CMVI seroprevalence among immunocompetent adolescents in Russian Federation with reference to the gender, regional, social and economic, and age factors.Methods. We have used for our study data from the survey of senior schoolchildren from 7 municipalities representing various regions of Russian Federation: group 1 (10–12 years old) and group 2 (14–16 years old). The study of CMVI seroprevalence and immune response was performed via the analysis of the level of IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in blood serum. The social and economic well-being of the region was determined by "RIA Rating" experts.Results. Serological prevalence of CMVI in the study group of adolescents (n = 1403) was 70.6% (n = 990). There were no statistically significant gender differences in the distribution of seropositive children in regions (p = 0.525). Infection in boys (72.6%; n = 455; median age — 12.9 (11.0; 14.9)) did not prevail over the infection in girls (68.8%; n = 535; median age — 13.1 (11.0; 14,9)); p = 0,117. The overall prevalence of CMVI increased statistically significant with age — from 68% (n = 486) in group 1 to 73% (n = 504) in group 2 (p = 0.036). The prevalence of CMVI varied statistically significant by region (p = 0.003). There was no correlation between the regional seropositive level and the social and economic situation in the region (r = 0.034, p = 0.192). Immune response intensity did not differ by age, gender, and region with the antibody median of 88.9 CU/ml.Conclusion. More than half of adolescents (by the age of 10) in Russian Federation are infected, and infection increases with approaching to childbearing age, however, age is not the only aspect associated with serological status. Factors affecting immune response intensity require further study. Understanding of the CMV prevalence among children is crucial for determining future prevention approaches in target groups.

Иммунизация пневмококковой полисахаридной вакциной детей с ювенильным идиопатическим артритом без системных проявлений: результаты проспективного исследования

Background: Various mild cognitive impairments in children are socially significant disorders that are often found in the practice of pediatric neurologists, but the apparent lack of epidemiological data does not allow us to judge the scale of the problem. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of combined mild cognitive disorders in a large cohort of Russian children, 5th grade students at school. Materials and methods: The results of the examination of Russian schoolchildren of municipalities representing cities of all federal districts of the Russian Federation (RF) are analyzed. Cognitive functions were tested, which consisted of six subtests. According to the results of testing, using the method of assessing cognitive functions in population studies, the frequency of assigning participants to a high-risk group of combined mild cognitive impairment and the probability of diagnosis of combined mild cognitive impairment were evaluated. The analysis of the links between the breadth of results performed at the level of mild cognitive impairment, integrative cognitive success, the results of individual cognitive subtests with academic performance and the leading hand factor was carried out. . Results: 1,067 5th grade students at school were included in the study, 1,036 participants completed it, 51% of them girls. Belonging to the cluster of integrative cognitive successes and representation of the leading hand had no gender differences, subtests for visual-spatial perception/memory and constructive practice were better performed by boys (p 0.001 and p = 0.020), and girls, as a rule, performed better subtests for verbal-logical thinking and voluntary activity. attention (p = 0.050 and p = 0.051). According to the results of cognitive testing, a high risk of combined mild cognitive impairment was detected in 30.2% of the examined, and the probability of diagnosis of combined mild cognitive impairment was 7.5%. It was found that of the studied factors, the breadth of the results obtained at the level of moderate cognitive impairment and the effectiveness of the verbal-logical thinking subtest are more related to academic performance. At the same time, the strength of these ties was very moderate. The image of the leading hand was in no way associated with cognitive factors, including academic performance at the level of moderate cognitive impairment, but left-handedness was partially associated with better academic performance in literature. Conclusions: The results of the study, conducted for the first time on a multi-regional cohort of Russian schoolchildren, demonstrated a wide scale of the potential prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in children, and also revealed a number of patterns in the neurobiology of cognitive development.

Background. Modern preventive vaccination is intended to protect and enhance the health of every person considering age and health issues. Vaccination of children with chronic diseases in our country remains extremely topical and arguable problem that associated with many pending issues for doctors of various specialties, including those working as primary care specialists.Objective. The aim of the study is to develop major approaches and to prove scientifically the efficacy and safety of preventive vaccination for children with various chronic diseases.Methods. We have conducted comprehensive study of 100 children aged from 1 month to 17 years 11 months. Children were divided into 4 groups according to the specific disease. Vaccinal and infectious history was analyzed. The post-vaccination period was estimated due to the results of the questionnaire completed by parents. Vaccination immunogenicity was estimated based on the results of the level of specific antibodies to various controlled infections (measles, rubella, parotitis, hepatitis B, pertussis, haemophilus influenza type b).Results. Protective titers of antibodies against haemophilus influenza type b were revealed in 96.2% of all examined patients, tetanus and hepatitis B — in 95.2%, against pertussis — in 92.5%, rubella — in 91%, measles — in 87.5%, parotitis — in 71.9%, chickenpox — in 69% children a month after the completed vaccination. The postvaccinal period was characterized as favorable in most patients. Major changes in overall health status occurred after vaccination in 42% of children was the following: subfebrile fever, capriciousness, or fatigue. Local reactions have developed only in 15% of cases.Conclusion. The results of this study have demonstrated the preventive vaccination efficacy and safety in children with various chronic diseases