Thyroid function in obese Korean children and adolescents: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015

PURPOSE: In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on thyroid function in pediatric obese patients, but no nationwide study evaluating the relationship between thyroid function and obesity has yet been conducted in Korea. We aimed to evaluate thyroid dysfunction in obese Korean children. METHODS: We analyzed the associations between obesity and thyroid hormone levels among 975 Korean boys and girls aged 10–18 years and who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013–2015). RESULTS: Average serum thyrotropin (TSH) and serum free thyroxine (fT4) levels in the nonobese group were 2.7±0.1 μIU/mL and 1.3±0.0 ng/dL, respectively, and those in the overweight group were 3.1±0.2 μIU/mL and 1.2±0.0 ng/dL. Serum TSH level was significantly higher in the abdominal obesity group than in the normal group (P=0.023). fT4 level was significantly lower in both the overweight and abdominal obesity groups than in the normal group (P < 0.001, P=0.014). Serum TSH level was associated positively with abdominal obesity and levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride. Serum fT4 level was negatively correlated with abdominal obesity (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Korean children with abdominal obesity showed increased TSH and decreased fT4 levels compared to normal children.

Effect of atopic dermatitis on the natural course of food allergy in infants and young children

PURPOSE: There have been studies showing that food allergy plays a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. However, there have been few studies about the effect of atopic dermatitis on remission of food allergy. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the difference in remission according to the presence of atopic dermatitis in infants and young children with milk or egg allergy. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 109 infants and young children with IgE-mediated food allergy in a tertiary hospital. They divided into food allergy with atopic dermatitis (FA with AD) and without atopic dermatitis (FA without AD). RESULTS: In the milk allergy group, initial milk-specific IgE levels were 21.16±27.98 kU(A)/L and 11.36±22.88 kU(A)/L, respectively, in FA with AD and FA without AD under 12 months of age. The remission rates of milk allergy at 36 months of age were 64.9% and 90.0%, respectively, in FA with AD and FA without AD. In the egg allergy groups, initial egg-specific IgE levels were 34.48±36.72 kU(A)/L and 15.66±28.60 kU(A)/L, respectively, in FA with AD and FA without AD under 12 months of age. The remission rates of egg allergy at 36 months of age were 61.2% and 90.0% in children with FA with AD and FA without AD. CONCLUSION: Atopic dermatitis may play an important role in the natural history of food allergy in infants. Different strategies are needed for the management of food allergy in young children with atopic dermatitis.

The effect of low-dose intravenous bisphosphonate treatment on osteoporosis in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy / 소아과

PURPOSE: Quadriplegic children with cerebral palsy are more susceptible to osteoporosis because of various risk factors that interfere with bone metabolism. Pamidronate is effective for pediatric osteoporosis, but there are no guidelines for optimal dosage or duration of treatment in quadriplegic children with osteoporosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose pamidronate treatment in these patients. METHODS: Ten quadriplegic patients on antiepileptic drugs (6 male, 4 female patients; mean age, 10.9±5.76 years), with osteoporosis and gross motor function classification system level V, were treated with pamidronate (0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day, 2 consecutive days) every 3–4 months in a single institution. The patients received oral supplements of calcium and vitamin D before and during treatment. The lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) z score and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were measured regularly during treatment. RESULTS: The main underlying disorder was perinatal hypoxic brain damage (40%, 4 of 10). The mean cumulative dose of pamidronate was 4.49±2.22 mg/kg/yr, and the mean treatment period was 10.8±3.32 months. The BMD z score of the lumbar spine showed a significant increase from −4.22±1.24 before treatment to −2.61±1.69 during treatment (P=0.008). Alkaline phosphatase decreased during treatmentn (P=0.037). Significant adverse drug reactions and new fractures were not reported. CONCLUSION: Low-dose pamidronate treatment for quadriplegic children with cerebral palsy increased lumbar BMD and reduced the incidence of fracture.

Characteristics of airborne pollen in Incheon and Seoul (2015–2016)

BACKGROUND: Pollen allergens are one of the main contributors to the development and/or aggravation of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma. OBJECTIVE: An examination of the airborne pollen in residential areas should be conducted to aid the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. METHODS: Airborne pollen samples were collected from 2 sites in Incheon and 2 in Seoul from 2015 to 2016. RESULTS: The highest monthly concentration of airborne pollen was observed in May and September each year. Pollen from 32 families and 50 genera was identified over the 2 years; of these, Pinus spp. showed the highest pollen concentration (41.6%), followed by Quercus spp. (25.3%), and Humulus spp. (15.3%), the latter of which had the highest concentration among weed pollen. The total pollen concentration was significantly higher in Incheon than in Seoul (p = 0.001 in 2015, p < 0.001 in 2016) and higher in 2016 than in 2015. The concentrations of pollen from weed species (Cupressaceae, Humulus spp., Artemisia spp., Ambrosia spp., and Chenopodiaceae) and grass species (Gramineae) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those from tree species. Pollen was distributed from February to November. The first pollen identified in both regions in each year was Alnus spp. Overall, the total concentration of Quercus spp., Betula spp., Humulus spp., Artemisia spp., Ambrosia spp., and Chenopodiaceae pollen increased significantly over the 2 years. CONCLUSION: Region-specific differences exist in the pollen of major allergenic plants. Continuous monitoring of pollen is thus essential for management of pollen-related allergic disorders in each region.