Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children / 소아과

PURPOSE: Obesity has been known to be a cause of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and along with coronary artery disease and diabetes, is associated with metabolic syndrome(MS). This study aimed to ascertain the cause and prevalence of MS in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-seven school children, who showed more than a 95th percentile of body mass index(BMI) for age and sex, underwent oral glucose tolerance tests; fasting plasma lipid profiles, leptin, and CRP were measured; and ultrasonography was done. RESULTS: Out of 277 obese children, the prevalence of MS was 37.5%, with 38.7% occurring in males and 35.2% in females. The prevalence was 20.8% in primary school children and 50.3% in middle school children. MS was present in 25.2% of mildly obese children, 43.9% of moderate and 71.4% of highly obese children, showing increased occurrence among the severer degrees of obese groups. Increased prevalence was observed in males with high blood pressure, and females with high triglyceride levels. The ratio of children satisfying more than one, more than two, more than three, more than four and all of the five criteria for diagnosis of MS were 90.6%, 63.5%, 37.5%, 8.3%, and 0.4%, respectively. Aside from diagnostic criteria for MS, a statistically significant difference was present between obese patients with or without the syndrome in such items as weight, BMI, degree of obesity, visceral fat thickness, ratio of body fat, leptin, and adiponectin, fasting and 2 hour post prandial insulin concentration. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MS is currently on the rise among children, due to the rapidly increasing rate of obesity, westernized diet, higher calorie intake and reduced exercise. The prevalence of MS in obese children was 37.5% - higher than US results - after implementation of modified pediatric criteria established by ATP III Asia-Pacific standard in 2003. It would therefore be necessary to establish an acceptable universal standard for the diagnosis of MS, and extend the study to the general pediatric population in order to acquire more accurate data on the prevalence of the disease.

A Case of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn / 소아과

Fetal alcohol syndrome can be suspected in infants born to mothers with a prenatal history of alcohol abuse if the child exhibits characteristic facial features, together with intrauterine growth retardation, multiple neurological abnormalities, and multiorgan defects. If only a few of the above criteria are satisfied, the term fetal alcohol effects is used. We experienced a neonate who presented with hydrocephalus, low birth weight, seizure, right renal agenesis, characteristic facial features and a maternal history of alcohol abuse, and diagnosed him as fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS), with accompanying meconium aspiration syndrome, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. There is no definite cure for FAS, but it can be prevented by maternal abstinence from drinking; thus maternal education, understanding and early diagnosis of those affected are of importance.

Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Activity in Patients Affected with Rett Syndrome

PURPOSE: In Rett syndrome patients, the incidence of sudden death is greater than that of the general population, and cardiac electrical instability including fatal cardiac arrhythmia is a main suspected cause. In this study, we are going to find out the possible cause of the higher risk of sudden death in Rett patients by the evaluation of heart rate variability, a marker of cardiac autonomic activity and corrected QT intervals. METHODS: Diagnosis of Rett syndrome was made by molecular genetic study of Rett syndrome (MECP2 gene) or clinical diagnostic criteria of Rett syndrome. Heart rate variability and corrected QT intervals were measured by 24 h-Holter study in 12 Rett patients, and in 30 age-matched healthy children with chief complaints of chest pain or suspected heart murmurs. The were compared with the normal age-matched control. RESULTS: Patients with total Rett syndrome, classic Rett syndrome, and Rett variants had significantly lower heart rate variability(especially rMSSD)(P<0.05) and longer corrected QT intervals than age-matched healthy children(P<0.05). Sympathovagal balance expressed by the ratio of high to low frequency(LF/HF ratio) also showed statistically significant differences between the three groups considered(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: A significant reduction of heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic disarray, suggests a possible explanation of cardiac dysfunction in sudden death associated with Rett syndrome.