Estado nutricional-hematológico y parasitosis intestinal de niños escolares de 5 a 12 años de cuatro localidades rurales de Paraguay / Nutritional-hematological status and intestinal parasitosis of school children aged 5 to 12 years in four rural localities of Paraguay

El mundo, actualmente se enfrenta a una doble carga de malnutrición que incluye la desnutrición y la alimentación excesiva. A ello se suman las parasitosis intestinales que es una enfermedad frecuente con importante morbimortalidad en la población infantil, ligadas a la pobreza y malas condiciones higiénico-sanitarias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el estado nutricional-hematológico y parasitológico de niños escolares de cuatro comunidades rurales de Paraguay. Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transverso en el que participaron 102 niños de ambos sexos de 5 a 12 años de edad. Se realizó medición de peso y talla, utilizando balanza calibrada, y un altímetro fijado a la pared. Toma de muestra sanguínea por punción venosa para determinación de parámetros hematológicos, procesados en contador hematológico por impedancia. Muestras de heces de una sola toma fueron recogidas en frascos apropiados con formol al 10%, utilizándose 4 métodos: directo, flotación de Willis, Graham y de concentración. En relación al estado nutricional-hematológico se encontró que el 3,9% de los niños estaba con desnutrición moderada y el 9,8% presentó riesgo de desnutrición; anemia se observó en el 38,2% de los niños. En relación a la parasitosis, el estudio diagnóstico se realizó a 94 niños y se encontró que el 72,2% estaba parasitado, siendo Blastocystis hominis el más frecuente. Tanto la frecuencia de anemia como de parasitosis es alta en esta población, sin embargo no se pudo establecer una relación entre ellas(AU)

Correlación clínica- para-clínica en un escolar con hipertensión porta de etiología a esclarecer / Clinical-paraclinical in a school with portal hypertension to determine

La hipertensión porta (HTP) es el resultado del incremento de la presión dentro del sistema venoso porta. Se presenta con poca frecuencia en el paciente pediátrico pero es una de las mayores causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en el niño con enfermedad hepática. La mayoría de los pacientes con http presentan un estado hiperdinámico, lo cual aumenta el flujo venoso porta y mantiene la hipertensión. Puede ser secundaria a obstrucción a nivel prehepático, intrahepático o extrahehepático.

Portal hypertension (PH) is the result of increased pressure within the portal venous system. It occurs infrequently in the pediatric patient but it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with liver disease. Most patients with PH have a hyperdynamic state, which increases venous flow and portal hypertension remains. May be secondary to obstruction at prehepatic, intrahepatic or extrahehepatic.

Influence of infection on iron profile in severely malnourished children.

Objective. To study the iron profile and find out an accurate diagnostic tool which reflects iron status in different types of infection in severely malnourished children aged 12 months to 71 months. Methods. Hundred and Eight (108) children of whom 72 children were infected and 36 non infected severely malnourished children according to WHO criteria in the age group of 12-71 months were interrogated. 36 healthy control in the same age group were also interrogated. Results. Mean serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin concentration in normal children were significantly higher (P<0.001) than non-infected severely malnourished children. On the other hand mean serum ferritin concentration was significantly higher (P<0.001) in infected group than non-infected group but still lower than normal. Mean serum TIBC concentration significantly reduced in severely malnourished children than normal children but no significant difference was observed between non-infected and infected group. Mean serum iron, and transferrin saturation were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in parasitic infestation. Conclusion. Severely malnourished children had reduced mean serum iron profile. Parasitic infestation influenced the marked reduction of mean serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation level. Mean serum iron concentration was reduced in acute respiratory infection(ARI) and parasitic infestation than other infections. Serum ferritin concentration was elevated in all types of infection as acute phase protein but still lower than normal. So Iron, TIBC and Transferin saturation <16% constitute good evidence for iron deficiency in both infected and non-infected severely malnourished children.

Situación nutricional en pacientes pediátricos internados en un hospital público de la Ciudad de México / Nutritional situation of hospitalized pediatric patients in a public hospital in Mexico City / Estado nutricional de pacientes pediátricos internados em um hospital público da Cidade do México

A desnutrição é comum nos pacientes hospitalizados e tem importância especial nos pacientes pediátricos, já que pode comprometer seu desenvolvimento e crescimento. Por esta razão, é importante incluir a avaliação nutricional como parte da atenção ao paciente; esta prática deve ser realizada por meio de indicadores que reflitam o estado nutricional de maneira prática e simples. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a freqüência de desnutrição em pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados por meio de vários indicadores e relacionar ao tempo de internação da criança. A presença de desnutrição crônica, aguda ou crônica-agudizada foi avaliada nos pacientes hospitalizados no Serviço de Pediatria do Hospital Geral do México. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos, de acordo com seu estado nutricional (desnutrição crônica, agudae crônica-agudizada) ou parâmetros bioquímicos inferiores à normalidade e foi realizada uma análise descritiva, assim como teste t Student para considerar a diferença entre médias em ambos os grupos com relação ao tempo de hospitalização. Foram avaliados 126 pacientes pediátricos. De acordo com os indicadores, foram observados: 21,2% pelo escore Z do peso para a estatura (desnutrição aguda), 32,3% e 37,2% pela estatura para a idade (desnutrição crônica) e peso para a idade, respectivamente; além de 13,8% de desnutrição crônica agudizada. Bioquimicamente, 13,5% das crianças apresentaram valores baixos de hemoglobina,32,2% do hematócrito, 31,9% da albumina e 23,7% das proteínas totais. Não houve diferença significativa entre pacientes desnutridos e com estado nutricional adequado em relação aotempo de hospitalização. A desnutrição é comum em pacientes hospitalizados. Este é um dado de grande importância no paciente do pediátrico, pois a desnutrição pode prejudicar seu crescimento e desenvolvimento ideais...

Malnutrition is a common issue among hospitalized patients. It has particular relevance in the children as it can compromise their optimal growth and development. Thus it is important to include nutritional assessment as part of the services given to the patient; this practice should be performed with practical and simple indicators of nutritional status. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of malnutrition among hospitalized pediatric patients through various indicators and to relate nutrition status with the child’s length of stay. We evaluated the prevalence of chronic, acute or chronic-acute malnutrition in hospitalized patients at the Pediatrics ward at Hospital General de México. Patients were divided into groups according to their nutritional status (chronic, acute or chronic-acute malnutrition, according to their anthropometrical and biochemical parameters) and data was assessed descriptively and comparatively by Student ttests to determine mean differences between both groups (malnourished vs. well-nourished) inrelation to length of stay. We assessed 126 hospitalized pediatric patients. We found different types of malnutrition according to various indicators: 21.2% according to Z score of weight-for height(acute malnutrition), 32.3% and 37.2% by height-for-age (chronic malnutrition) andweight-for-age, respectively; in addition, we found 13.8% of chronic-acute malnutrition. Biochemical indicators showed that 13.5% of the population studied had abnormally low hemoglobin values, 32.2% low hematocrite values, 31.9% low albumin values and 23.7%total proteins values. We found no significant difference between malnourished and wellnourishedpatients in relation to length of stay. institutional healthsystem in order to assess and provide and adequate nutrition care attention to the patients toimprove their general condition and prognosis...

La desnutrición es común en los pacientes hospitalizados. Tiene especial importancia en los pacientes pediátricos, puesto que puede comprometer su desarrollo y crecimiento. Espor ello importante incluir la evaluación nutricia como parte de la atención al paciente; esta práctica debe llevarse a cabo a través de indicadores que reflejen el estado nutricio de manera práctica y sencilla. Es por ello que el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de desnutrición en los pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados através de diversos indicadores y relacionarla al periodo de estancia intrahospitalaria del niño. Se evaluó la presencia de desnutrición crónica, aguda o crónica-agudizada en pacientes hospitalizados en el servicio de Pediatría del Hospital General de México. Los pacientes se dividieron engrupos de acuerdo a su estado nutricio (desnutrición crónica, aguda, crónica agudizadao parámetros bioquímicos inferiores a la normalidad) y se llevó a cabo un análisis descriptivo, así como diversas pruebas t para estimar la diferencia entre medias y comparar los dos grupos en relación al tiempo de hospitalización. Se evaluaron 126 pacientes pediátricos. Se observaron diferentes frecuencias de desnutrición de acuerdo a varios indicadores:21.2% de acuerdo al puntaje Z del peso para la talla (desnutrición aguda), 32.3% y37.2% por talla para la edad (desnutrición crónica) y peso para la edad, respectivamente; además se encontró un 13.8% de desnutrición crónico-agudizada...

Factors associated with haemoglobin concentration among Timor-Leste children aged 6-59 months.

The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations among children aged 6-59 months in Timor-Leste. The 2003 Demographic and Health Survey was a multi-stage cluster survey of 4,320 households from four different geographic regions in Timor-Leste. In total, 4,514 children aged 6-59 months were included in the analysis. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb concentration <11.0g/dL) was 38.2% (638/1,668) for children aged 6-23 months and 22.6% (644/2,846) for older children (p<0.001). Girls had a higher mean Hb concentration than boys (11.9g/dL vs 11.7g/ dL, p<0.006) and children who had diarrhoea in the previous two weeks had a lower Hb concentration than children without diarrhoea (11.5g/dL vs 11.9g/dL, p<0.001). Children from the richest and middle-class households had a lower average Hb concentration than those from the poorest households (11.8g/ dL, 11.7g/dL vs 12.0g/dL, p<0.001). Children of mothers with some secondary or more education had a lower mean Hb concentration than children of mothers with completed primary, some primary and no education (11.7 g/dL vs 11.9 g/dL, 11.8 g/dL, and 11.9 g/dL, p=0.002). Children from severely-anaemic mothers had a lower mean Hb concentration than children from moderately-, mild and not anaemic mothers (10.5 g/dL vs 11.1 g/dL, 11.6 g/dL, 12.0 g/dL, p<0.001). After backward stepwise hierarchical multiple regression, wasting, male sex, recent diarrhoea, household wealth index (richest and middle-class), maternal educational status (some secondary or more and some primary), and maternal anaemic status were significantly associated with a lower Hb concentration in children and increased age of child and duration of breastfeeding (6 months) with a higher Hb concentration. Anaemia-prevention programmes among children in Timor-Leste should focus on those children aged less than two years, children with recent diarrhoea, wasted children, high socioeconomic status, and anaemic mothers.

Desnutrición mixta grave complicada: actualizacióndel tratamiento a propósito de un caso / Severe malnutrition complicated mixed: update the treatment of a case

La malnutrición afecta a más de 50 millones de niños de menos de 5 años en los países en desarrollo. Pese al tratamiento, la tasa de mortalidad llega al 50 % en algunos países. Hasta 1990, uno de cada cuatro niños con malnutrición grave fallecía durante el tratamiento. La tasa de letalidad no se modifi có durante los cinco últimos decenios (estudio de más de 60 países). Actualmente hay principios de tratamiento con fundamentos científi cos indiscutibles y la aplicación del protocolos recomendado por OMS - motivo de la presente actualización- reduce costos, letalidad hospitalaria, logra una rehabilitación integral y su aplicación ha originado una caída de la mortalidad a menos del 5% 1 .Se destaca la mortalidad asociada a desnutrición severa, aún pese al tratamiento y realizamos una actualización del tratamiento del desnutrido edematoso grave, presentando el caso de un niño de 1 año de edad, ingresado a la Unidad de Gastroenterología del Hospital del Niño de la Ciudad de La Paz, cuyo cuadro clínico tiene tres semanas de evolución con una enfermedad diarreica aguda (EDA), que se asocia a marcado compromiso del estado general y edema generalizado. El examen físico de ingreso clasifi ca al niño como desnutrido edematoso grave complicado y por su estado clínico crítico e inestabilidad hemodinámica, es transferido a la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), donde pese al manejo especializado y oportuno, el niño fallece.

Malnutrition affects more than 5 million children under 5 years of age in developing countries. In spite of treatment, the mortality rate reaches 50% in some countries. Until 1990, one out of each of four children with severe malnutrition died during treatment .The rate of lethality did not change during the last fi ve decades (studies from over 60 countries). At the present, there exist principles of treatment with indisputable scientifi c bases, and the application of the protocol recommended by WHO - reason for the present actualization - reduces costs, lethality in the hospital, reaches a complete rehabilitation, and its application has originated a fall in mortality to less than 5%.We present the case of a one year-old little boy, admitted to the Gastroenterology Unit of the Children’s Hospital in La Paz whose condition had an evolution of three weeks with an acute diarrheic disease (EDA), associated to a very poor overall state and generalized oedema. The physical exam upon admission, classifi ed the child as mixed undernourished, and due to his critical condition and hemodynamic instability he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (UTI), where in spite of the specialized and appropriate treatment, the child died. We publish this case in order to point out the mortality associated withsevere malnutrition in spite of the treatment in the UTI, and we present an actualization of the treatment.

Serum iron, zinc and copper status of severely malnourished children in Wad Medani, Sudan

To determine status of iron [Fe], zinc [Zn] and copper [Cu] in severely malnourished children in Wad Medani, Central Sudan. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to assess the serum concentrations of iron, zinc and copper in ninety children- sixty severely malnourished children and thirty control. The children were selected randomly from patients admitted to the nutritional section at Wad Medani Children Teaching Hospital in Gezira State, Central Sudan. The age range of the studied children was 3-37 months. The malnourished children were diagnosed and classified into two groups: marasmus and kwashiorkor with 30 patients in each group. Their anthropometric measurements including weight and height were measured. Total serum protein, serum albumin, haemoglobin concentrations and haematocrit were determined using standard methods. Analysis of variance between the three groups showed highly significant differences in all measured biochemical parameters [p<0.001]. Positive and significant correlations were observed between serum albumin and zinc levels [r = 0.4, p=0.01], and between serum copper and haemoglobin levels [r = 0.3, p=0.01]. The nature of the association between these trace elements status and their implications for malnutrition pathophysiology are discussed. The association is established between trace elements [Fe, Zn, Cu] status and malnutrition in children suffering from marasmus and kwashiorkor in the Gezira state

Iron status of Filipino infants and preschoolers using plasma ferritin and transferrin receptor levels.

Iron status of 1,861 Filipino infants and preschoolers was evaluated by measurements of plasma ferritin (PF), transferrin receptor (TR) and hemoglobin (Hb). One group of subjects (Group I) consisted of all anemic subjects together with a systematic subsample from the Fourth National Nutrition Survey-Biochemical Phase. Results showed that depleted iron stores based on PF (< 12.0 ng/ml) was present in 70.0% of infants and 60.5% of preschoolers. Tissue iron deficiency based on TR (> 8.5 mg/l) was present in higher proportion (80.0% and 73.7% for infants and preschoolers) which was comparable to the proportion of anemia (80.3%). In a subgroup of subjects from the Country Program for Children IV (Group 2) elevated TR was present in 61.4% of infants and 46.5% of preschoolers. A lower proportion of depleted iron stores of 22.7% in infants and 15.2% in preschoolers was observed. Correlation test showed that there was a closer relationship between Hb and TR (r = -0.42) than Hb and PF (r = 0.20) even if PF was expected to give a higher proportion of values below normal. The occurrence of anemia in the presence of elevated TR without any decrease in PF values suggest that the diagnostic ability of PF could be limited in the presence of infection. Therefore, future studies should include biochemical tests such as C-reactive proteins (CRP) to determine the extent of association between anemia and infection.

Childhood malnutrition: an analysis of the effects of nutritional advice.

An analysis of malnutrition was done in 65 infants and preschool children (18 boys and 47 girls) who were under the third percentile of weight for age. Fifty-seven percent of cases has hematocrits of less than 36%, 7% had hematocrits of less than 30% and two had iron deficiency anemia which improved after iron supplement. Eosinophils of more than 400 cells/mm3 were found in 35% of cases. Eleven percent had eosinophils of more than 1,000 cells/mm3. Parasites were found on stool examination in 12.5% of cases. Bone development was retarded in 39% of 23 cases. In 7 cases with bone development delayed more than 6 months, thyroid function and trace elements were analysed and found to be within normal limits. In 5 cases with delayed bone development and height less than 5 cm/year, growth hormones showed normal levels. Proper nutritional advice resulted in improvement in body weight and height in 57% of cases, tricept skin fold in 73%, bicept skin fold in 60%, arm muscle area in 50% and arm fat area in 29% of cases. Improvement was not associated with family income or education of the people who cared for the patients.

The effect of DPT inoculation on the hormonal control of glucose homeostatis in children recovered from malnutrition

The effect of a controlled stress (DPT inoculation) on the hormonal control of glucose homeostasis was investigated in children nutritionally rehabilitated from severe malnutrition. The age range of the 15 children studied was 6-26 months. Plasma insulin (INS), growth hormone (GH) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were measured by radioimmunoassay; plasma glucose (GLU) by a glucoseoxidase method; and red cell insulin binding (%SB) was determined, using A-14 monoiodinated insulin. Measurements were made on two occasions: (T-O) at 10 a.m.,12 hr before DPT inoculation, and (T-36) 36 hr. after inoculation. On both occasions, 4 hr post-prandial blood samples were used, and the mean body temperature(T) on the day of the test was determined. Red cell insulin binding (%SB) was significantly higher at T-36 than at T-O (16.8 ñ 1.7 vs 12.1 ñ 1.2 (14), p=0.005). (Results were expressed as mean ñ SEM, numbers of paired observations in parentheses). The higher %SB after DPT was accompanied by an increase in the number of receptor sites (S) (29.05 ñ 6.5 vs 15.6 ñ 2.5 (14),p=0.025). However, insulin receptor affinity (K x 10(9)M(-1)) was decreased 0.7 ñ 0.1 vs 1.5 ñ 0.3(14), p=0.008). There were no significant differences in the plasma levels of insulin, glucose and interleukin-1, but plasma growth hormone (*U/ml) was increased after DPT, (18.0 ñ 3.0 vs 11.5 ñ 1.2 (13), p=0.04). Body temperature (-C) was also significantly increased after DPT,(99.9 ñ 0.4 vs 98.3 ñ 0.2(14), p=0.006). The change in plasma glucose from T-O to T-36 tended to be associated with both a change in plasma insulin (p=0.06) and plasma growth hormone (p=0.07). Increased insulin binding, as one index of increased insulin sensitivity during fever, can contribute to a reductionin blood glucose. However, the elevation in plasma growth hormone cold buffer the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin, and help to maintain glucose homeostasis