BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal disease that requires surgery in children. The mortality rate in appendicitis is greatly affected by rupture or leakage of the appendix. In establishing the diagnosis of appendicitis, several modalities are needed, namely, with a pediatric appendicitis score and ultrasound. In addition to operative measures, non-operative therapeutic research is also developing, especially for cases of appendicitis without complications. Pathologically, the occurrence of complications in appendicitis is influenced by good vascularization for tissue healing through the process of angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). AIM: We aimed to see the effect of VEGF and folic acid levels on the occurrence of complicated appendicitis. METHODS: This research method is laboratory experimental design. A total of 32 rabbits used were male rabbits weighing 2500–3000 g that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Samples were examined for VEGF levels and then the appendix lumen was obstructed with Silk No.-O thread. Thirteen hours later, blood samples are taken back to check VEGF and folic acid (FA) levels and an appendectomy is performed for histopathological examination. RESULTS: There is a decrease of basal VEGF levels regarding histopathological results. In complicated appendicitis, the basal VEGF level was lower than acute appendicitis and normal; 8.61 (±4.87), 7.66 (±3.47), and 5.75 (±4.88), respectively. Similar trend was found in basal FA levels. In complicated appendicitis, it has a lower level than both acute appendicitis and normal; 2.00 (±2.08), 1.14 (±1.00), and 0.44 (±0.22) in order. However, there is no statistical significance in both trends (p = 0.775 and p = 0.058). CONCLUSION: There was a trend showing low value of VEGF and FA that were a predictor of appendicitis and complicated appendicitis. Unfortunately, no statistical significance was shown in this study.

Background Chronic inhalation of air pollutants may causebronchoconstriction, bronchiolitis, and edema of airway, thus alterlung volume. To measure the lung volume, a simple lung functiontest, the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), can provide a feature oflung volume in liters/minute.Objective The purpose of this study was to measure PEFR val-ues of primary school children in a high air pollution level area(Medan) and compare the results with the PEFR values of those ina low air pollution level area (Tebing Tinggi).Methods A cross sectional study was conducted on primary schoolchildren (10-12 years of age) during May-July 2000 in Medan andTebing Tinggi. Data were obtained by questionnaires. Physical ex-amination included age, sex, height, weight, and PEFR value. PEFRvalues were measured by Mini Wright peak expiratory flow meter(MPFM) from three blows. The highest volume was taken as thePEFR value. Statistical analysis was done by t-test and p<0.05was considered significant.Results There were 212 primary school children eligible for thisstudy; 107 came from the high air pollution level area and 105from the low air pollution level area. The PEFR values did not dif-fer significantly between the two groups (p>0.05)Conclusion PEFR values in a high air population level area werenot statistically different compared with those in low air pollutionlevel area

A retrospective study was done on patients with bronchopneumonia hospitalized at the Dr. Pirngadi Hospital Medan/School of Medicine, University of North Sumatera; during January 1985 through December 1989. The purpose of this study is to assess the morbidity and mortality of bronchopneumonia with measles and the nutritional status of the patients. Out of the 14.082 patients admitted, 1310 children suffered from bronchopneumonia (10.7%). Ninety nine of them were also with measles (7.6%). Most of the patients with bronchopneumonia without measles were in the age group 0-1 year (58.7%). The mortality waas 24.8% and the highest mortality rate was in the age group of 4-5 years (34.6%). Most of the patients with bronchopneumonia and measles were in the age group of 1-2 years (30.3%). The mortality rate of bronchopneumonia with measles was 22.2% and the highest mortality rate was in the age group of 3-4 years (35. 7%). Bronchopneumonia with or without measles occurred more in malnourished patients rather than in well-nourished cases. All of the patients who had bronchopneumonia with measles in the present study had never been immunized against measles.

Background Obesity has been associated with respiratory complications and it is believed to reduce lung volume. Obesity imposes additional stress on ventilation during exercise and may even result in pulmonary function impairment. Exercise induced-bronchospasm has also been found in obese children. Lung function tests can be useful to confirm diagnosis, response to therapy, or prediction of lung and respiratory diseases. The peak flow meter is an inexpensive, practical way to measure lung function, and can detect the early warning signs of a decrease in lung function. Objective To compare the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) before and after physical exercise in obese and non-obese primary school Methods A quasi-experimental study using the one group pretestth th th percentile) using a mini-Wright peak flow meter to evaluate the PEFR before and after eight minutes of physical exercise. Height, weight, body mass index, and physical status were determined before testing. Results PEFR between obese and non-obese children was significantly ConclusionThe PEFR for obese children is significantly lower than non obese children even before physical exercise. [Paediatr Indones. 2009;49:20-4].

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