Flow cytometry as a diagnostic tool in childhood solid tumors / Citometria de fluxo como ferramenta diagnóstica em tumores sólidos da infância

RESUMEN Los tumores sólidos infantiles representan aproximadamente el 30% de todos los cánceres pediátricos. En los últimos años se ha incrementado el uso de la citometría de flujo (CF) en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de estas patologías, ya que es un método que permite obtener resultados rápidos y precisos, posibilitando un manejo más precoz. Realizamos esta revisión sistemática para la búsqueda bibliográfica de los siguientes términos en las plataformas de datos Lilacs, PubMed y Scielo: neoplasma, oncología, pediatría, inmunofenotipificación y citometría de flujo. Así, describimos los principales hallazgos hasta la fecha sobre el uso de CF en el diagnóstico diferencial de los cinco principales tumores de células pequeñas, redondas y azules de la infancia: neuroblastoma, sarcoma de Ewing, tumor neuroectodérmico primitivo, tumor de Wilms y rabdomiosarcoma. Además, describimos las principales ventajas y desventajas del método y paneles que se proponen en el diagnóstico diferencial de estas patologías a través de la literatura internacional. A través de esta revisión, observamos que el uso de CF en el diagnóstico de tumores sólidos puede ser útil para la identificación rápida y precisa de la efermedade, así como para el inicio más temprano del tratamiento.

Estimated mental retardation and school dropout in a sample of students from state public schools in Porto Alegre, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between estimated Mental Retardation (MR) and school dropout in a sample of students of the third and fourth grades at state schools in Porto Alegre, the capital of the southernmost state of Brazil. METHOD: In this case - control study, students that dropped out from schools (n=44) and a control group who continued attending schools (n=44) had their intelligence quotient (IQ) determined by the vocabulary and cubes subtests of the Wescheler Intelligence Scale ¾ third edition (WISC¾III). Students with IQ lower than 70 were considered as potential cases of MR. Other prevalent mental disorders in this age range were assessed in both groups using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School¾ Age Children, Epidemiological Version (K-SADS-E). RESULTS: The prevalence of potential MR was significantly higher in the dropped out group than in the control group (p<0.001). Odds ratio for school dropout was significantly higher in the presence of MR even after controlling for potentially confounding factors (age, conduct disorder, grade repetition, family structure and income) (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Children with IQ lower than 70 (potential MR) were at higher risk for school dropout. These children need to be identified at school and specific educational strategies should be implemented to assure their inclusion in the learning process