Cognitive outcome of 458 children over 25 years of neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism

Abstract Objectives: To describe the neurocognitive profile of 458 children with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening, followed under the same treatment protocol over 25 years. To correlate estimated full-scale IQ (FSIQ) scores with age at the start of treatment, disease severity, and maternal education. Methods: Observational, analytical, retrospective, and longitudinal cohort study, that evaluated children detected between 1991 and 2014, who underwent at least one psychometric assessment (WPPSI- R and/or WISC-III). Estimated FSIQ scores are described and correlated with prognosis determinants. Results: Median T4 at diagnosis was 2.8 µg/dL (0.0-16.5), the median age at the start of treatment was 18.5 days (3-309). Maternal education (n = 445): 2.7% of illiteracy, 59.8% with basic education. Estimated FSIQ scores were 88.0 (±11.8) in WPPSI-R (age 5.6 ± 0.5 years) and 84.1 (±13.0) in WISC-III (age 9.1 ± 1.4 years). The intellectual deficit was identified in 11.6%. Correlation between age at the start of treatment and estimated FSIQ was found only in the WPPSI-R test (p = 0.02). Initial T4 and maternal education significantly correlated with estimated FSIQ scores in both tests, with the latter being the most important determining factor. Conclusions: In this large cohort of mainly low socioeconomic status children, most children achieved normal cognitive levels; however, a significant percentage presented with below-average estimated FSIQ scores and intellectual deficits. Maternal education was the main determining factor in cognitive level followed by hypothyroidism severity.

Diabetic ketoacidosis as the initial presentation of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents: epidemiological study in southern brazil / Cetoacidose diabética como apresentação inicial de diabetes tipo 1 em crianças e adolescentes: estudo epidemiológico no sul do brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the variables associated with the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) diagnosis and its impact on the progression of the disease. Methods: We reviewed the records of 274 children and adolescents under 15 years, followed in a Pediatric Endocrinology clinic of a university hospital in Curitiba-PR. They had their first appointment between January 2005 and April 2015. Results: Most patients received their T1DM diagnosis during a diabetic ketoacidosis episode. The associated factors were: lower age and greater number of visits to a physician's office prior to diagnosis; diabetic ketoacidosis was less frequent in patients who had siblings with T1DM and those diagnosed at the first appointment. Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, tachydyspnea, and altered level of consciousness were more common in the diabetic ketoacidosis group. There was no association with socioeconomic status, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, and length of the honeymoon period. Conclusions: Prospective studies are necessary to better define the impact of these factors on diagnosis and disease control. Campaigns to raise awareness among health professionals and the general population are essential to promote early diagnosis and proper treatment of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as variáveis associadas ao diagnóstico de diabetes melito tipo 1 (DM1) na vigência de cetoacidose diabética e seu impacto na evolução da doença. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 274 crianças e adolescentes com idade até 15 anos acompanhados em um ambulatório de endocrinologia pediátrica de um hospital universitário de Curitiba, Paraná, cuja primeira consulta ocorreu entre janeiro de 2005 e abril de 2015. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes teve diagnóstico de DM1 na vigência de cetoacidose diabética. Os fatores associados foram: menor idade e maior número de consultas prévias ao diagnóstico; a cetoacidose diabética foi menos frequente quando havia um irmão com DM1 e quando o diagnóstico foi feito na primeira consulta médica. Náuseas ou vômitos, dor abdominal, taquidispneia e alteração do nível de consciência foram mais frequentes no grupo com cetoacidose diabética ao diagnóstico. Não se observou associação com nível socioeconômico, tempo de sintomas antes do diagnóstico e duração do período de lua de mel. Conclusões: São necessários estudos prospectivos para definir melhor o impacto desses fatores no diagnóstico e no controle da doença. Campanhas de conscientização dos profissionais de saúde e da população são necessárias para que haja diagnóstico precoce e tratamento adequado do diabetes melito em crianças e adolescentes.

Physical exercise in type 1 diabetes: recommendations and care

Abstract - The management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is based on three pillars: insulin therapy, nutrition, and regular practice of physical activity. Physical exercises are associated with metabolic demands that depend on the individual's energy stores and level of physical conditioning, and vary according to environmental conditions and intensity, duration, and type of exercise. All these factors, added to eventual distress with competitions, exert influence on glucose metabolism. The athletic career of diabetic individuals is often hindered by a risk of hypoglycemia during and after the exercise, frequent hyperglycemia before, during, and after certain physical activities, occurrence of ketoacidosis, and presence of chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications. Aerobic exercises reduce the levels of blood glucose while anaerobic exercise may promote transient hyperglycemia. Although diabetic individuals may achieve excellence in sport, their physical performance should be maximized by strict blood glucose control, adequate modifications in insulin dose on the day of the exercise, and appropriate nutritional intake. This review discusses the impact of physical exercise on glucose metabolism, as well as nutritional considerations and strategies appropriate to the practice of physical exercises by patients with T1DM.