An analysis of modern medical literature carried out to study the main concomitant pathology in children with autism spectrum disorders gas revealed what concomitant diseases are more common in children with autism than in the general population. The structure of concomitant somatic pathology of children with autism includes disturbances from the gastrointestinal tract, sleep disturbances, the risk of overweight and obesity that affects the quality of life and complicates the manifestations of the main disease. The review of the current scientific literature has provided preliminary evidence that targeting the gut ecosystem has the potential to influence both autism spectrum disorders symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms. The use of prebiotics and probiotics to correct behaviour and treat gastrointestinal diseases in children with autism has had limited effectiveness. The effectiveness and safety of using a gluten-free and casein-free diet in autism spectrum disorder is remaining controversial: a number of studies have reported no significant changes in autism symptoms, and the risk of developing nutrient deficiencies limits its clinical use. A combination of behavioural interventions and the use of the paediatric slow-release melatonin molecule are effective in the treatment of sleep disorders in children with autism. Conclusion. The high prevalence of concomitant somatic pathology in children with autism affects the course of the main disease, requiring a comprehensive examination of these children for its timely diagnosis and treatment. Taking into account the polyetiological nature of the etiopathogenetic mechanism of the development of autism spectrum disorder, the treatment of children with autism by a paediatrician should be carried out using evidence-based methods, with multidisciplinary support by specialists in the profile of existing concomitant disorders.

Introduction. Non-specific respiratory diseases, in particular, various clinical forms of bronchitis in young children and adolescents, are remaining not only a scientific problem, but also have medical and social impact. The aim of this work is to clarify the differential diagnostic criteria for different forms of bronchitis in children based on a comprehensive assessment of the results of bacteriological, clinical-radiological and bronchological examinations of patients. Materials and methods. The results of clinical observation and examination of 50 children with recurrent (35) and obstructive (15) bronchitis aged from 4 months to 3 years old are presented. According to age, all patients were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of children aged from 4 months to 1 year old (10), the second group included children aged from 1 to 3 years old (40). Smears taken from the mucous membrane of the anterior pharynx served as material for bacteriological examination. X-ray and bronchological examinations were conducted according to the indications, taking into account the severity and course of the disease. Conclusion. Our data indicate that the frequency of microbial sensitization in children with recurrent bronchitis is higher than in children with obstructive form of bronchitis that is obviously a favourable background for the development of infectiousallergic bronchial asthma. For patients with obstructive bronchitis, the state of bacterial polysensitization is more typical. Conducted studies indicate the feasibility of a comprehensive approach and evaluation of various clinical forms of bronchitis in young children, taking into account bacteriological, clinical-radiological and bronchological data that help to clarify the mechanisms of pathogenesis of this pathology and the use of rational methods of therapy.

Communication during the treatment process is vital as it relates directly to the treatment outcomes. For patients and their family members, obtaining and possessing reliable information is essential for building successful and strong communication between physician, patient and in cases of paediatric cancer, the official guardians of the child and family members. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyse communication barriers in communication between physicians and parents (guardians), medical staff and parents (guardians) of paediatric cancer patients. Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort research among parents of paediatric cancer patients who took care of their children while receiving programmed chemotherapy was carried out. The information was collected indirectly: the information was provided by respondents remotely and anonymously using Google Forms. Results. The survey involved 106 family members of paediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at Ukrainian medical institutions specializing in the paediatric cancer treatment. 66% (n=70) of the respondents indicated that it was difficult to find contact with physicians; 85% (n=90) of respondents stated that it was difficult to find the contact with nurses and medical staff; 39,2% of the respondents reported the communication lapses with their attending physicians because the latter were busy and had no enough time to communicate. Considering that the overwhelming majority of respondents (79, 3%) noted physicians and medical staff as the most convenient source of reliable information on paediatric cancer, the researchers proposed to create an information platform for parents of paediatric cancer patients in order to provide access to information on the main issues of paediatric cancer. Conclusions. The research has revealed the following challenges: lack of adequate communication between the patients’ parents and physicians and / or medical staff; parents’ feeling unprepared to receive and comprehend information because of emotional trauma; poor communication between parents and physicians and / or medical staff due to the lack of time. A tool to eliminate these communication barriers can be suggested: this implies the creation of a video channel with visual thematic and clearly structured content for parents of paediatric cancer patients.