ABSTRACT
AIM: The reported incidence of isolated hemihyperplasia (IH) has a very wide range (from 1:13,000 to 1:86,000 live births) and further clarification is needed. We hypothesized that a survey of the birth prevalence of IH among newborn infants may underestimate the incidence of IH by overlooking late-onset cases. METHODS: The prospective international multicenter study utilized the two-steps selection tool for an anonymous survey of volunteers of 15-18 years old. The initial step was "three measurements-three questions" screening, or "face-palms-calves survey". The subsequent step was an in-depth assessment of selected cases to exclude localized, lesional and syndrome-related cases as well as body asymmetry within normative range and to select suspected cases of IH. This step included measurements of various anatomical regions and a subsequent questionnaire. The participants that were selected in a risk group were advised to refer to medical institutions for clinical, genetic and instrumental investigation. RESULTS: Out of 6000 of selected participants (male, M 3452, female, F 2548), 229 (3.82%) were selected for detailed investigation and 57 (0.95%) were assigned to the risk group. Only 36 of them were actually referred to medical institutions and in two cases the diagnosis of IH was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Our survey indicated the prevalence of IH at the age of adolescence as approximately 1:3000. While IH is a hereditary genetic disorder, it may not be detected in newborns and infants and the true prevalence of the disease can be estimated if older age children are screened.
ABSTRACT
Objective The aim of the study was to measure the effects on levels of anxiety in healthy teenagers caused by a temporary change of country and school during a study abroad program. Methods In a prospective study we gathered the data from six anxiety level related tests on high school participants in a study abroad program (age 15-17, n = 364, M 172, F 192). These volunteer participants were divided into two separate groups: with self-reported elevated levels of anxiety (n = 111; YES-group) and with self-reported normal levels of anxiety (n = 253; NO-group). Two control groups of schoolchildren drawn from two local schools were used for comparison (n = 100 each). Three tests were subjective, i.e. self-fill-out tests. The next three tests were objective psychological or neurophysiological tests designed to estimate reflex control, concentration and a feeling for the passage of time. Results The initial mean anxiety level score among the 364 participants was 41.5 ± 16.7 (min 16, max 80) on 5-110 scale. For the YES-group the score was 56.5 ± 15.9, and for the NO-group the score was 34.7 ± 17.4 (p = 0.05). The retesting after they had been in the same place for 7 weeks revealed that the mean anxiety level score of the participants decreased to 37.4 ± 16.9 (min 15, max 72). For the YES-group the score significantly decreased to 39.3 ± 15.5, and for the NO-group the score slightly elevated to 36.7 ± 16.4 producing similar results for both groups (p = 0.81). Conclusion A temporary change of country and school at first results in a rise in anxiety levels in about one third of participants. However, after an extended stay it falls to normal levels.