Background: The objective of the study was to describe the clinical course of infants with pediatrician-diagnosed gastroesophageal regurgitation (GER), after changing to an infant anti-regurgitation formula. Methods: Information on frequency and volume of regurgitation, and disease progression were collected from mothers of 0-to 12-monthold Filipino infants with GER at baseline and 1 month after a pediatrician prescribed-formula containing carob bean gum, galacto-oligosaccharides and partially hydrolyzed whey protein for 14 days. Results: Eighty-nine infants aged ≤ 6 months and 40 aged 7-12 months old were enrolled. The most frequently reported amount of baseline regurgitation was half of the total feed (29 (33%) younger infants and 17 (43%) older infants). Baseline regurgitation frequency ranged from 1-3 times/day (45 (51%) and 21 (52%)) to 4-6 times/day (33 (37%) and 14 (35%)) and 7-9 times/day (11 (12%) and five (13%)). Regurgitation after 1-day consumption was resolved in 16 (18%) and 8 (20%) and in 57 (64%) and 31 (78%) younger and older infants at 14 days. Forty-one (32%) infants still had regurgitation episodes after a 14-day trial with decreased frequency and volume; three (7%) infants did not show any improvement, while one (1%) infant had increased amount of regurgitation. No medicine was given to study participants. Parent-reported sleep disturbance decreased in three (37%) younger infants and 25 (63%) older infants. Conclusion: Nutrition intervention has effectively improved symptom and quality of life among infants with GER within 14 days. Information on underlying conditions among those with unresolved symptoms are needed.

Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of children with hepatic abscess, determine their laboratory & imaging findings, medical and surgical treatments and study factors affecting its outcome. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study done in December 2016 on children 0 to Demographic, clinical and diagnostic data were correlated with the outcome and presence of complications. Results: Thirty cases were identified in 19 years but only 25 charts were available for review. Mean age in years was 5.27 +/- 4.80 SD with male predominance. Fever (96%) and abdominal pain (60%) were common symptoms.Only 9 patients had hepatic abscess culture with Staphylococcus aureus (56%) as the most frequent growth. Anemia (76%) and leukocytosis (96%), and solitary (76%), large abscess >5 cms (60%) involving the right lobe (72%), were the common diagnostic findings. Most were treated with antibiotics alone (60%).All patients improved with no mortality noted, while pleural effusion was seen in 8 out of 12 patients with complications. Only male gender was significantly associated with complications both on chi-square (p0.004) and logistic regression (p 0.008). Conclusion: Hepatic abscess is a liver infection usually seen among young and male population, manifesting as fever with anemia and leucocytosis. Most were complicated by pleural effusion with no deaths reported. Male gender had significant association with complications.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with seroprotection among children 3 months to 18 years old with primary Hepatitis B vaccination series. Methodology: This is a prospective cross-sectional study done among children 3 months to 18 years old with complete primary series of Hepatitis B vaccination. Demographic, social and clinical data were correlated with reactivity to antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (antiHBs) (>10 IU/L),total antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen (total anti-HBc) and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) serologic tests. Results: Among 110 subjects from different age groups,52% had seroprotective anti-HBs levels, with the highest noted among infants (3 months-2 years) at 82%, followed by 41% from the childhood group (3-9 years) and 26% from adolescent group (10-18 years). Seventy-four percent of subjects with <5 years interval from vaccination were seroprotected, 26% in subjects after 5-10 years, and 38% at more than 10 years after vaccination with significant difference on multi-logistic regression (p value 0.000/0.020). None of the other factors including gender, geographic area, age at first dose, vaccination schedule, type and place of vaccination were significantly associated with seroprotection. Conclusion: Fifty-two percent of patients among different age groups were seroprotected. Seroprotection was significantly associated with the interval year after vaccination demonstrated at < 50% 5 years and beyond post-vaccination.

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