bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity level and body mass index among schoolchildren in south‐eastern Sweden
Authors: Raustorp A , Pangrazi RP , Ståhle A 
Published: August 2010

Aim: The aims of this study were to identify current levels of physical activity and to study the relationship between physical activity and body mass index (BMI) using international cut‐off points. Methods: 871 children, aged 7–14 y, were measured for height and weight and the activity levels were analysed using pedometers to measure mean step counts for 4 consecutive days. Results: Step counts were significantly higher in boys than in girls, and showed stability over age and large in‐group differences. BMI showed that 13.2% of the boys and 14.5% of the girls were overweight and 4.5% of both boys and girls were obese. Analysis of step counts and BMIs for boys and girls revealed no significant correlations in any age group. Conclusion: Pedometers differentiate among age groups and gender concerning physical activity and facilitate individual goal‐setting. The result of this study provide baseline information, useful as reference data, on youth physical activity as daily step counts, as well as on youth BMI levels according to new international cut‐off points.
Megestrol acetate promotes euglycemia and appetite in a child with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy
Authors: Alyaarubi S , Ramsay M , Rodd C 
Published: August 2010

This report describes a successful treatment with megestrol acetate in a child with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI). An 8‐y‐old child with PHHI treated with octreotide had marked impairment of appetite sensation and feeding skills. Within 3 wk of starting megestrol acetate (8 mg/kg/d) to stimulate her appetite, she had a significant improvement. By 1 y postinitiation, she had acquired age‐appropriate eating habits. The megestrol acetate caused hyperglycemia, necessitating the discontinuation of all other therapy for her hypoglycemia. Her height growth remained normal but she was found to have asymptomatic adrenal suppression. Conclusion: Megestrol acetate appeared to stimulate appetite and regulate glucose homeostasis in this child with PHHI. Additional studies will be required to document its efficacy and safety in other children with this disorder.
Iron status in a group of Norwegian children aged 6–24 months
Authors: Hay G , Sandstad B , Whitelaw A , Borch‐Iohnsen B 
Published: August 2010

An adequate iron status is of vital importance for health and development in infancy and early childhood. Iron status was evaluated in a group of full‐term Norwegian children followed longitudinally, at the ages of 6 mo (n= 278), 12 mo (n= 249) and 24 mo (n= 231) by measuring haemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV) and serum ferritin. At 6, 12 and 24 mo of age, 3, 10 and 12%, respectively, had iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) defined as Hb <110 g/l in combination with ferritin <15 μg/l. With more restrictive criteria for defining IDA 10 μg/l) increased from 2 to 3% at 6 mo, from 5 to 7% at 12 mo and from 9 to 13% at 24 mo. Conclusion: Mild iron deficiency anaemia exists among otherwise healthy Norwegian infants and toddlers. The prevention and early treatment of iron deficiency should be a priority for the child health services.
Screening of coeliac disease in north Italian children with type 1 diabetes: limited usefulness of HLA‐DQ typing
Authors: Contreas G , Valletta E , Ulmi D , Cantoni S , Pinelli L 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To determine the contribution of HLA‐DQA1* and HLA‐DQB1* genes to the risk of coeliac disease (CD) in a cohort of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) from northern Italy. Methods: Three hundred and fifty‐seven children with T1DM, attending the Childhood Diabetes Unit of the University of Verona, have been regularly tested for serum IgA endomysial antibodies (EMA). All patients with positive EMA underwent small bowel biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of CD. HLA typing was performed in subjects with T1DM and CD, and in a control group of 79 EMA‐negative patients with T1DM. Results: Of the 357 patients tested, 25 (7%) had CD. The frequency of HLA‐ DQA1*0501‐DQB1*0201 (T1DM + CD 68% vs T1DM 62%) and of DQA1*0301‐DQB1*0302 (T1DM + CD 40% vs T1DM 35%) haplotypes, between T1DM patients with and without CD, was statistically comparable. A trend towards a reduction of the risk of CD (p= 0.055, OR: 0.22, CI 0.05: 1.04) was observed in patients with T1DM (28% vs T1DM + CD 2%) who did not carry either the HLA‐DQA1*0501‐DQB1*0201 or the DQA1*0301‐DQB1*0302 haplotype. Conclusion: A high prevalence of HLA‐DQA1* and ‐DQB1* susceptibility haplotypes for CD was observed both in EMA‐negative diabetics and in those with associated CD. The implementation of screening programmes of CD in a T1DM population, based on the identification of HLA susceptibility haplotypes, seems to be of limited usefulness. Serial serologic screening of diabetic patients remains the advisable strategy.
Neonatal respiratory morbidity risk and mode of delivery at term: influence of timing of elective caesarean delivery
Authors: Zanardo V , Simbi AK , Franzoi M , Soldá G , Salvadori A , Trevisanuto D 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To establish whether the timing of delivery between 37 + 0 and 41 + 6wk gestation influences neonatal respiratory outcome in elective caesarean delivery, following uncomplicated pregnancy, thus providing information that can be used to aid planning of elective delivery at term. Methods: All pregnant women who were delivered by elective caesarean delivery at term during a 3‐y period were identified from a perinatal database and compared retrospectively with pregnant women matched for week of gestation, who were vaginally delivered. Maternal characteristics, neonatal outcome, incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) were analysed. During this time, 1284 elective caesarean section deliveries occurred at or after 37 + 0 wk of gestation. Results: Neonatal respiratory morbidity risk (odds ratio, OR), including RDS and TTN, was significantly higher in the infant group delivered by elective caesarean delivery compared with vaginal delivery (OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.35–5.9; p < 0.01). While TTN risk in caesarean delivery was not increased (OR 1.19; 95% CI: 0.58–2.4; p > 0.05), the RDS risk was significantly increased (OR 5.85; 95% CI: 2.27–32.4; p < 0.01). This RDS risk is greatly increased in weeks 37 + 0 to 38 + 6 (OR 12.9; 95% CI: 3.57–35.53; p < 0.01). After 39 + 0 wk, there was no significant difference in RDS risk. Conclusions: Infants born by elective caesarean delivery at term are at increased risk for developing respiratory disorders compared with those born by vaginal delivery. A significant reduction in neonatal RDS would be obtained if elective caesarean delivery were performed after 39 + 0 gestational weeks of pregnancy.
Health‐related fitness in Swedish adolescents between 1987 and 2001
Authors: Ekblom Ö , Oddsson K , Ekblom B 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To assess trends in neuro‐muscular and cardio‐respiratory fitness and morphological fitness in Swedish adolescents between 1987 and 2001. Methods: Comparison of data from two samples, one from 1987 (n= 479) and one from 2001 (n = 1470). Subjects underwent functional tests of muscular strength in the lower limbs, trunk and upper body, sub‐maximal ergometrics, and measurement of body mass and height. Results: Cardio‐respiratory fitness showed only small changes between 1987 and 2001 among boys, with no changes in girls. Neuro‐muscular fitness, as measured by three functional tests, was lower in 2001 compared to 1987. The most pronounced changes in these functional tests were found in the arm‐hang test, while changes in lower body and trunk strength tests were less. Our results indicate that the difference in the prevalence of overweight in adolescents between 1987 and 2001 is mainly due to a large change in the most unfit group. The fittest group showed only marginal changes. Conclusion: We suggest that the differences in neuro‐muscular fitness are at least partly due to differences in the amount and nature of physical activity, and that this might lead to consequences for health later in life.
A descriptive survey of Swedish child health nurses' awareness of abuse and neglect. II. Characteristics of the children
Authors: Lagerberg D 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To determine whether children considered by child health nurses to be at risk of abuse or neglect differed from the general population in gender, age and health status, and whether such child characteristics were related to nurses' perceptions of case seriousness, or to reporting to the child protection services (CPS). Methods: Questionnaires were sent to nurses in the preventive Child Health Services, 951 of whom identified a total of 6044 children aged 0 to 6 y as suspected of risk of maltreatment. Results: Boys and older children were over‐represented among the identified children, possibly because the attention of the nurses was attracted by salient symptoms in older boys. Children with health problems and boys exposed to disturbed parenting/neglect were perceived as more serious cases than other children. Children aged 4–6 y were more likely to be reported to the CPS than children under 3 y of age. Conclusion: The findings raise the question whether possibly maltreated children who are very young, female or in good health run a particularly high risk of non‐detection, of being considered non‐serious cases and of not being reported to the CPS. The risk of going unnoticed may be higher for some children at risk of maltreatment than for others.
Helicobacter heilmannii gastroduodenal disease and clinical aspects in children with dyspeptic symptoms
Authors: S±kora J , Hejda V , Varvařovská J , Stožick± F , Siala K , Schwarz J 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To evaluate the occurrence and clinical characteristics of Heliobacter heilmannii infection among children presenting with dyspeptic symptoms. Method: Prospective cohort study of 580 patients. Results: Of all examined dyspeptic children, 26.4% were infected with spiral‐shaped organisms, and 0.9% of patients were found to be infected with spiral H. heilmannii‐like organisms. Conclusion: In children with dyspeptic symptoms, the possible presence of gastroduodenal disease due to H. heilmannii should be considered. Further studies are needed to clarify H. heilmannii‐related gastroduodenal pathology in the paediatric population.
Early protein intakes and adiposity: reloaded or downloaded?
Authors: Riva E , Verduci E , Giovannini M , Agostoni C 
Published: August 2010

It has been hypothesized that feeding human milk through the first year of life may have a protective effect towards a later adiposity development, in contrast with formula feeding. The low protein content of human milk has been hypothesized as a plausible biological hypothesis. Regardless, it is often underscored that feeding human milk is associated with a higher rate of weight gain in the first two months of life.Conclusion: In our opinion, it seems that the protective effect of human milk, if any, on adiposity development is far more complex, and tightly bound to the peculiarity of human milk composition and breastfeeding practice.
Increased QT dispersion in breath‐holding spells
Authors: Jr FJ DiMario 
Published: August 2010

Breath‐holding spells (BHS) in children can be a frightening and clinically challenging paroxysmal, non‐epileptic childhood disorder. The pathophysiology has been found to incorporate central nervous system dysregulation in addition to an underlying genetic predisposition. Akalin and colleagues found group differences (BHS versus controls) in QT dispersion and QTc dispersion. These differences, however, may have been affected mainly by normal sinus arrhythmia from the predominant cyanotic BHS cohort.Conclusion: The subtle differences measured in the current study between pallid and cyanotic breath‐holder groups, in terms of increased QTc dispersion in the pallid group, may represent an additional factor impacted upon by the resting state of underlying central autonomic dysregulation.
Monitoring of IgE‐mediated food allergy in childhood
Authors: Thong BY‐H , Hourihane JO'B 
Published: August 2010

Background: The prevalence of IgE‐mediated food allergy (FA) in childhood varies from 6% to 8% in the first year of life compared to 1% to 2% in adults. In contrast to adults, FA in childhood, often part of the “allergic march”, resolves in more than 85% of children, especially those with hypersensitivity to cow's milk and egg. Aim: This paper explains the rationale for continuing care for childhood FA and describes how children should be monitored for resolution/persistence of FA. Methods: A clinical, multidisciplinary approach and management algorithm based on relevant, peer‐reviewed original research articles and reviews using the keywords anaphylaxis, atopic eczema, children, milk allergy, double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge, egg allergy, epinephrine, failure to thrive, food allergy, food challenge, food hypersensitivity, immunoglobulin E, nutrition, natural history, paediatrics, peanut allergy, prevalence, psychosocial factors, quality of life, radioallergosorbent test, and tolerance from years 1966 to 2003 in MEDLINE. Additional studies were identified from article reference lists. Results: A combination of outcome measures, a multidisciplinary approach involving a dietitian and allergy nurse specialist, and a management algorithm are useful tools in clinical management.Conclusions: Prospective studies of non‐selected children, optimally from birth cohorts, are needed to evaluate the effects of such management programmes regarding FA in childhood.
A high neonatal serum eosinophil cationic protein level is a risk factor for atopic symptoms
Authors: Monti G , Peltran A , Coscia A , Bertino E , Ferrero L , Savant‐Levet P , Guala G , Altare F , Russo R , Fabris C 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To show whether neonatal eosinophil counts (EC) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) can be used in assessing the risk of atopy, alone or in combination with family history of atopy (FHa). Patients and methods: A group of 63 newborns was included: 38 with FHa, 25 without FHa. A blood sample was collected on the 4th day of life for EC and ECP evaluation. Clinical follow‐up was conducted after 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 mo. The χ2 test and the Student's t‐test were used to compare dichotomic and continuous variables, respectively. Variables shown to be significant by univariate analysis were evaluated with a multivariate regression model and the relative risks (RR) were estimated. Results: Twenty‐six newborns (41%) displayed atopic manifestations during the follow‐up. Twenty‐one (55%) of 38 newborns with FHa displayed atopic symptoms versus 5/25 (20%) without FHa (p 0.012). Neither EC nor serum ECP levels were significantly different between newborns with FHa and newborns without. ECP levels did not differ between newborns with single heredity and newborns with dual heredity. EC did not differ significantly between newborns who developed atopy and those who did not. Instead, serum ECP levels were significantly higher in newborns who developed atopy (mean 27.9 μU/1 vs 16.8 μU/1). Atopic manifestations appeared in 16 (62%) of 26 newborns with ECP ±18 μU/1 compared with 10 (27%) of 37 with ECP >18 μU/1 (p= 0.006). In the multivariate regression model, with ECP >18 μU/1 and no FHa as reference class, the class 1 (no FHa and ECP ±18 μU/1) has a low RR (1.4), class 2 (FHa and ECP >18 μU/1) an intermediate RR (2.7) and class 3 (FHa and ECP ±18 μU/1) a very high RR(16.3).Conclusions: Neonatal serum ECP levels, in contrast with EC, were significantly higher in newborns who developed atopic manifestations during follow‐up. The risk of atopy was about twice as great when ECP was ±18 μU/1 (and four times as great in multivariate analysis). When serum ECP was combined with FHa, the RR for newborns with FHa and ECP ± 18 μU/1 was 16 times greater than for those without FHa and ECP ±18 μU/1. The identification of newborns at “extremely high atopic risk” (FHa and ECP ± 18 μU/L) may be expecially useful—in clinical practice—in newborns with only one atopic parent or sibling, for whom it is not universally agreed that dietary and environmental prevention measures should be applied.
Increased QT dispersion in breath‐holding spells
Authors: Akalin F , Turan S , Güran T , Ayabakan C , Yilmaz Y 
Published: August 2010

Aim: Breath‐holding spells are common in infancy and early childhood, and patients are frequently referred to paediatric cardiology clinics for exclusion of heart disease. Recent data reveal subsequent development of epilepsy and neurocardiogenic syncope. Autonomic dysregulation and increased vagal stimulation leading to cardiac arrest and cerebral ischaemia is considered as the cause. Iron deficiency anaemia may be associated with these spells. We studied QT dispersion for the assessment of ventricular repolarization in these patients. Methods: The study group consisted of 19 girls and 24 boys between 3 and 108 mo of age (mean ± SD = 22.7 ± 17.7 mo); and the control group consisted of 13 girls and 12 boys between 3 and 57 mo of age (mean ± SD = 22.9 ± 15.1 mo). QT interval was measured; corrected QT interval (QTc), QT dispersion (QTd) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) were calculated from 12‐lead surface electrocardiograms of the patients and the control group. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in terms of QT and QTc intervals between patient and control groups, while QTd and QTcd values were significantly increased in patients with breath‐holding spells compared to the healthy children. QT dispersion was 59.5 ± 35.9 ms and 44.8 ± 11.9 ms, respectively, in patients and controls (p < 0.05). QTc dispersion was 102.1 ± 41.9ms and 79.6 ± 24.6ms, respectively (p < 0.01). The presence of iron deficiency did not effect the QT and QTc dispersion.Conclusion: QT dispersion is increased in patients with breath‐holding spells, and this finding justifies further investigation for rhythm abnormalities and autonomic dysfunction in this patient group.
The role of matrix metalloproteinases ‐9 and ‐2 in development of neonatal chronic lung disease
Authors: Sweet DG , Curley AE , Chesshyre E , Pizzotti J , Wilbourn MS , Halliday HL , Warner JA 
Published: August 2010

Aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) ‐9 and ‐2 degrade type‐IV collagen, a major constituent of lung basement membrane, and may have a role in the pathogenesis of neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD). We determined factors influencing MMP levels in neonatal bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid to establish whether an imbalance between MMP and its inhibitor could be implicated in CLD. Methods: We measured MMP‐9 and ‐2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) levels in 316 BAL fluid samples from 121 babies of gestational ages 23 to 42 wk over the first 14 d of life to determine effects of gestation and postnatal age. Median MMP‐9, ‐2, TIMP‐1 and MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio in BAL were further studied in a subgroup of 85 babies >33 wk gestation to determine their ability to predict CLD and to establish effects of antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ANCS). Results: MMP‐9, ‐2 and TIMP levels did not vary with postnatal age over the first week. Median MMP‐9 levels and MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio increased with decreasing gestation in preterm babies. The MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio was higher in babies who developed CLD, implying a proteinase/antiproteinase imbalance, but this association disappeared when controlled for gestational age. ANCS had no effect on BAL fluid MMP or TIMP levels.Conclusion: MMPs may have a role in the development of lung injury and fibrosis, but estimating their levels in the first week of life does not help with prediction of CLD.
Intestinal microflora in breastfed colicky and non‐colicky infants
Authors: Savino F , Cresi F , Pautasso S , Palumeri E , Tullio V , Roana J , Silvestro L , Oggero R 
Published: August 2010

Background: Infantile colics are a common problem in the first months of life. During this period, a process of intestinal colonization rapidly occurs. A difference in the gut microflora could play an important role in the pathogenesis of colics, changing the metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acids. Actually, in the literature, only few data have been collected about this topic. In this study, we evaluated intestinal microflora in breastfed colicky and non‐colicky infants. Methods: Seventy‐one breastfed infants, aged 3.2 ± 0.6 wk, free from episodes of gastroenteritis and without previous assumption of antibiotic and probiotic drugs, were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: colicky (42 cases) and non‐colicky (29 cases), according to Wessel's criteria. Stool samples were collected, diluted and cultured on several selective media to detect lactobacilli, clostridia, Gram‐negative anaerobes and Enterobacteriaceae. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t‐test, χ2 test and a non‐parametric test (Mann‐Whitney U‐test). Results: Differences in gut microflora were found among colicky and non‐colicky infants: colicky infants were less frequently colonized by Lactobacillus spp., and more frequently by anaerobic Gram‐negative bacteria.Conclusion: Our study indicates that colicky infants have different patterns of gut microflora. Further studies are required to understand whether gut microflora is the primary cause of colics or its consequence.
Video reveals self‐stimulation in infancy
Authors: Casteels K , Wouters C , Van Geet C , Devlieger H 
Published: August 2010

The medical literature on early childhood masturbation is sparse. Only 12 patients who presented with infantile self‐stimulation under the age of 1 y are described. During the last 2 y, five girls under 1 y of age presented at our department with self‐stimulating behaviour. The diagnosis of this behaviour was difficult, but could be made by watching a video of the attacks. Infantile self‐stimulation is often misdiagnosed and unnecessary investigations and useless treatments are often prescribed. Video recording can be of great help to put forward the correct diagnosis. Masturbation is not so uncommon and treatment consists mostly in reassuring the parents. It can, however, be associated with behavioural problems. Few data are available on the clinical outcome of childhood masturbation, but most children seem to develop normally.Conclusion: Infantile self‐stimulation should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of “strange episodes or attacks”.
Linear IgA bullous dermatosis of neonatal onset: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kishida Y , Kameyama J , Nei M , Hashimoto T , Baba K 
Published: August 2010

Several small blisters were noticed on the forehead and the trunk of a newborn boy on day 1. The blisters gradually enlarged and spread over the whole body including the oral mucosa. A skin biopsy was performed twice and subepidermal bullae with polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltration were demonstrated. Direct immunofluorescence showed linear IgA, IgG and C3 depositions along the basement membrane zone and this finding led to a diagnosis of linear IgA bullous dermatosis. So far, internationally, only one case has ever been reported on the disease at neonatal onset. The skin lesions spontaneously regressed and the mucosal lesions were controlled with diaminodiphenylsulfone.Conclusion: In neonates with prolonged blistering, autoimmune disease such as linear IgA bullous dermatosis should be considered within the differential diagnosis and an immunofluorescence study must be performed.