Introduction: The finding of reduced value of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in children is frequent in daily medical practice. It is important to correctly interpret the findings as adequate further diagnostic evaluation of the patient in order to make the determination on the significance of such findings. In children younger than 4 years always consider the transient impairment of immunoglobulins, maturation of child and his immune system can lead to an improvement in the clinical picture. In older children decreased IgA may lead to serious illnesses that need to be recognize and acknowledge through the appropriate diagnostic methods. Material and methods: Research was realized at the University Clinical Center Tuzla. Children with suspected deficient immune response due to reduced values of IgA observed and, goes through further diagnostic evaluation at the Polyclinic for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology and Department of Microbiology, as well as the Clinic of Radiology. In the period of year 2013, there were a total of 91 patients with reduced values of IgA, age up to 13 years, of which 55 boys and 36 girls. Results: Our study followed 91 patients, for the year 2013, through their medical charts and made evaluation of diagnostic and screening tests. The significance of this paper is to draw attention to the importance of diagnostic approach to IgA deficient pediatric patient and relevance of knowledge of individual diagnostic methods as well as to the proper interpretation of the results thereof.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a common disease that requires frequent and long hospitalizations, the active participation of health workers and family members in the care of such patients, and it leads to reduction of physical activity and lifestyle changes with the patient, which significantly affects the quality of life of patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVE: To determine the quality of life of patients with heart failure in relation to severity of the clinical features. RESPONDENTS AND METHODOLOGY: Analysis of life quality was performed for 120 patients suffering from heart failure, both genders, all age groups in relation to severity of the clinical features. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to NYHA classification of heart failure. The control group consisted of 10 subjects who do not suffer from heart failure. Assessment of quality of life was performed using the SF-36 questionnaire which consists of 8 segments classified in the dimension of physical and mental health. RESULTS: Study group consisted of 130 participants with heart failure had 66 (51%) of male, and other were females, divided into 4 NYHA groups, where every group had 30 subjects (23.1%), and one control group of 10 subjects (7.7%). The analysis of gender and age distribution within the groups found no statistically significant difference (X2=1.70; df=4; p=0.79), (ANOVA; F=0.74; p=0.57). The values of SF-36 score expressed as the median in the control and 4 NYHA groups were decreasing as the functional class progressed. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient showed that there is a strong negative correlation between the scores of SF 36 (total, segments and dimensions) and heart failure expressed through the NYHA classes. CONCLUSION: Quality of life in patients with heart failure was exacerbated and associated with severity of the clinical features.