In an analysis of data on children 4 to 18 years old from the Mediterranean-European Area Project, we found FGIDs to be more frequent in girls. Functional constipation, aerophagia, abdominal migraine, and IBS are the most common disorders. However, the prevalence of FGIDs varies significantly among countries.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a clustering of metabolic abnormalities: insulin resistance - hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and low HDL - cholesterol serum concentrations), impaired glucose tolerance and/or type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of different variables of metabolic syndrome, including leptin, in 74 non-obese children and 68 children with non-syndromal obesity. As metabolic syndrome variables, we have included body mass index, waist circumference, trunk-to-total skinfolds (%), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, uric acid, fasting insulin, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Factor analysis showed 4 factors in each group. In non-obese children, waist circumference, BMI, fasting insulin, triglycerides, trunk-to-total skinfolds (%), leptin and uric acid loaded positively on factor 1, and HDL-C loaded negatively on this factor; systolic and diastolic blood pressure had high positive loadings in factor 2; HDL-C and leptin showed positive loadings and triglycerides and uric acid, negative loadings in factor 3; and, finally, glucose and insulin showed positive loadings in factor 4. These four factors explained 72.16 % of the total variance in the non-obese group. In obese children, BMI, waist circumference, leptin, diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure loaded positively on factor 1; diastolic blood pressure, trunk-to-total skinfolds (%), uric acid and systolic blood pressure showed high positive loadings in factor 2; fasting insulin, glucose and triglycerides showed positive loadings in factor 3; and, finally, triglycerides showed positive loadings and HDL-C negative loadings in factor 4. These four factors explained 74.18 % of the total variance in the obese group. Our results point to a different homeostatic control of metabolic syndrome characteristics in obese and non-obese children. Leptin seems to play a key underlying role in metabolic syndrome, especially in the obese group.

In Spain, the most frequent clinical presentation of CD is the classical form, mainly diagnosed during the first 2 years of life. The observed incidence of CD in Spanish children is much higher than the present CD incidence rates observed in other European countries.

Background=objective: Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have beneficial effects in preterm neurophysiological development and are semi-essential. Their levels and variation in plasma and red cells in term and preterms are better known than their intestinal absorption. In this paper the absorption of supplemented arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is evaluated in a preterm group. Design: Four newborn randomized groups were studied. Group T comprised 11 terms on regular formula. Preterms: group P (n ¼ 9) was on a classic preterm formula. Intervention: groups PA (n ¼ 9) and PB (n ¼ 13) were on the same formula but PB contained AA and DHA in similar proportion to breast milk. At 20 days a 3 day metabolic balance was taken for Ca, P i , Mg, total fat and individual fatty acids (C8 -C24, saturated unsaturated). Results: Calcium absorption was (mean AE s.d.) 51 AE 13% in terms. In preterms it was respectively 45 AE 18, 38 AE 11 and 37 AE 21%. Total fat absorption was 92.0AE 8.0% in terms, and from 95.0 AE 2.0 to 91.0 AE 8.0% in preterms. Absorption of 8:0, 10:0 and 12:0 showed a very high and constant rate despite significant intake differences (715 -33 mg=kg=day). Linoleic acid and a-linolenic acid were absorbed in the three groups at around 94% regardless of a greater LA intake in group P. Details of absorption (mg=kg=day) were: for AA, intake 17 AE 7, fecal excretion 5 AE 4, net retention 12 AE 5 (75.0 AE 18%); for DHA, intake 10 AE 3, fecal excretion 3 AE 2, net retention 6 AE 4 (62.3AE 30%). Conclusion: Intestinal absorption of fatty acids is high and is comparable in terms and preterms as regards the studied acids. Longer acids were less well absorbed. The supplemented amounts of AA and DHA were less well absorbed and probably not impairing calcium absorption. Sponsorship: University of Alicante, University of Miguel Hernández.

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