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Primary hypertension frequency in children is determined by cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, smoking and inappropriate diet. The success of strategies for its prevention is dependent on a plurality of perinatal and postnatal risk factors. THE AIM of this study was to investigate the influence of potential risk factors like maternal smoking during pregnancy and the diet throughout the first year of the child for primary hypertension occurrence and the level of certain trace elements in children with primary hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 61 students aged 10-17 years with hypertension and a control group of 20 normotensive children. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and the diet of the infant were determined and studied by conducting a survey. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the serum levels of the trace elements Zn, Cu, Cr. The data was processed statistically using Statgraphics. RESULTS: We found that 47.5% of the mothers of children with hypertension had smoked during pregnancy. 80.4% of children with hypertension were formula fed and only 19.6% of them were breast-fed. Significantly lower levels of serum zinc (9,90 ± 1,63 μmol / l) were found in  66.6% of the children with hypertension. Serum copper levels were  statistically significantly lower in 50 % of the children (6,76 ± 2,96 μmol / l). All patients with hypertension had significantly lower chromium (0,68± 0,26 μmol / l). CONCLUSION : Smoking mother during pregnancy and formula feeding during the first year of life can probably be considered risk factors for early hypertension manifestation. The status of trace elements Zn, Cu, Cr showed a deficit in children with hypertension. Given the role of these micronutrients in cholesterol metabolism, their low serum levels may lead to early, preclinical vascular changes.

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SummaryAsthma and allergic rhinitis are common in childhood. Establishing sensitization to aeroallergens is crucial to effectively prevent exacerbation of these respiratory allergic diseases. The study aimed to evaluate sensitization to the most common aeroallergens in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis. We established a correlation between patients sensitized to indoor, outdoor and simultaneously to both allergens. The study population consisted of 276 patients (168 boys and 108 girls) ages 4 to 16 years with asthma (A) and allergic rhinitis (AR). Skin prick tests were performed with 21 commercial allergen extracts: pollens, mites, epithelia and insects, and molds. We found that 217 patients were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen: 117 patients had a positive result to mites, 92 to pollens, 72 to epithelia and insects, and 63 -to mold allergens. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most prevalent aeroallergen. Sensitized only to indoor allergens were 104 patients, 60 -only to outdoor allergens, and 53 were sensitized to both. Mites were the most frequent aeroallergens in children with A and AR. Lately there has been found a significant increase in rates of sensitization to mold allergens, especially to . Our study has Alternaria alternata confirmed the dominant role of indoor allergens in children with respiratory allergic diseases.