Anterior displacement of anus: a common association with constipation in infancy.

Background: Anterior displacement of the anus (ADA), a common congenital abnormality of anorectal region, has been recognized as a common cause of constipation. However, the more recent studies have failed to demonstrate an association between the anterior displacement and constipation self. Objective: Investigate the association between ADA and constipation. Methods: Four hundred and three neonates have been examined and their anal position index (API) has been determined. API less than 0.46 and 0.34 in males and females, respectively, is defined as ADA. A 6-month prospective cohort study has been conducted to evaluate the association between ADA and constipation. Results: Overall incidence of ADA is 24.8%, while the incidence is significantly higher in females than males (32.0% and 17.7%, respectively; p <0.01). Compared to the first child, later birth order, especially the second child, trends to have an increased risk of ADA (Odd ratio=1.75; 95%CI=1.06-2.90). Average maternal age of ADA is higher than control (28.2 and 26.6 years, respectively; p=0.02). Overall incidence of constipation is 10.1% without any difference between ADA group and control (12.0 and 9.5%, respectively). Nevertheless, at six months incidence of constipation is higher in ADA than in control (6.7% and 0.8%, respectively; p < 0.01). The incidences of ADA in infants with constipated events at 2, 4 and 6 months of age are 10.0%, 33.3%, and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusion: ADA is a common finding with reported incidence of one-quarter of neonates. Female genre, later birth order and higher maternal age are risk factors of ADA. Children with ADA have an increased tendency toward constipation corresponding with increasing age. API measurement during pediatric examination is recommended to achieve a complete evaluation of infancy constipation.

Normal anal position index in Thai newborns.

BACKGROUND: The quantitative measurement of the normal anal position by anal position index (API) has been reported from various institutes. The existing API data appear to vary among the ethnic differences. To date, the normal anal position in Thai children has never been reported. OBJECTIVE: Aim of the present study was to establish the normal values of the API in Thai newborns. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 403 normal newborn born at Srinakharinwirot University Hospital between November 2003 and September 2004 was performed Demographic data and anal position index are reported separately for each gender split. Correlations between API and other anthropometric parameters were tested. RESULTS: There was significant difference of API between males (0.51 +/- 0.07; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.52) and females (0.38 +/- 0.08; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.39). API was not different between preterm and term newborn in each gender split. API had no significant correlation with gestational age (r=0.018, p-value = 0.71), birth weight (r=0.014, p-value = 0.79), birth length (r=0.02, p-value = 0.69) and head circumference (r=0.047, p-value = CONCLUSION: Analposition indexes in Thai newborn infants are 0.51 and 0.38 in male and female, respectively API had no correlation with gestational age and other anthropometric parameters such as birth weight, length, and head circumference.

Effect of fruit and vegetable intake on skin carotenoid detected by non-invasive Raman spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies found the inverse correlation between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, various cancers, insulin resistance, and other chronic conditions. Skin carotenoid levels are highly correlated with serum levels; however, the direct measurement of skin carotenoids is difficult to perform. Raman spectroscopy has been described as a highly sensitive, specific and accurate method of skin carotenoid detection. OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed the relation between fruit and vegetable intake and skin carotenoid levels measured by Raman spectroscopy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-nine healthy volunteers were enrolled in the present study. Demographic data and fruit and vegetable intake were recorded. Skin carotenoid levels were measured by Raman spectroscopy and were reported as Skin Carotenoid Score (SCS). The data were compared and were reported as 3 groups based on the amounts of fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS: There were no significant differences of age, body weight, height and body mass index among the groups. Mean skin carotenoid score of low fruit and vegetable intake (25,733 +/- 2,956) was significantly lower than SCS of moderate intake (31,333 +/- 4,792, p = 0.03) and high fruit and vegetable intake (35,125 +/- 6,081, p < 0.01). Mean SCS of underweight participants (29,250 +/- 4,621) was not significantly different from normal (33,384 +/- 6,614) and overweight participants (27,575 +/- 3,811), p = 0.06. CONCLUSION: Using Raman spectroscopy, the authors found that skin carotenoid levels were directly correlated with the degree of fruit and vegetable intakes. We suggest that Raman spectroscopy should be possible to replace the invasive chemical technique for the dermatologic carotenoid measurement.