Impacto de un modelo de capacitación de la prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en la atención primaria / Impact of a training model for the Child Development Evaluation Test in primary care

ResumenIntroducción: La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI) es una herramienta de tamiz para la detección oportuna de problemas del desarrollo, diseñada y validada en México. Para que sus resultados sean confiables, se requiere que el personal que la aplique haya adquirido los conocimientos necesarios previamente, a través de un curso de capacitación en la unidad de salud que labore. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el impacto de un modelo de capacitación impartido al personal que trabaja en atención primaria en seis entidades federativas en México. Lo anterior mediante la comparación de los conocimientos adquiridos en la capacitación.Método: Se realizó un estudio de evaluación de antes y después, considerando como intervención el haber acudido a un curso de capacitación sobre la prueba EDI de octubre a diciembre de 2013.Resultados: Se incluyeron 394 participantes. Las profesiones fueron las siguientes: medicina general (73.4%), enfermería (7.7%), psicología (7.1%), nutrición (6.1%), otras profesiones (5.6%). En la evaluación inicial, el 64.9% obtuvo una calificación menor a 20. En la evaluación final, disminuyó al 1.8%. En la evaluación inicial aprobó el 1.8% comparado con el 75.1% en la evaluación final. Las preguntas con menor porcentaje de respuestas correctas fueron las relacionadas con la calificación de la prueba.Conclusiones: El modelo de capacitación resultó adecuado para adquisición de conocimientos generales sobre la prueba. Para mejorar el resultado global se requiere reforzar los temas de calificación e interpretación de los resultados en futuras capacitaciones, y que los participantes realicen una lectura previa del material de apoyo.

AbstractBackground: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) Test is a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico for the early detection of child developmental problems. For professionals who will be administering the test in primary care facilities, previous acquisition of knowledge about the test is required in order to generate reliable results. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of a training model for primary care workers from different professions through the comparison of knowledge acquired during the training course.Methods: The study design was a before/after type considering the participation in a training course for the CDE test as the intervention. The course took place in six different Mexican states from October to December 2013. The same questions were used before and after.Results: There were 394 participants included. Distribution according to professional profile was as follows: general physicians 73.4%, nursing 7.7%, psychology 7.1%, nutrition 6.1% and other professions 5.6%. The questions with the lowest correct answer rates were associated with the scoring of the CDE test. In the initial evaluation, 64.9% obtained a grade lower than 20 compared with 1.8% in the final evaluation. In the initial evaluation only 1.8% passed compared with 75.15% in the final evaluation.Conclusions:The proposed model allows the participants to acquire general knowledge about the CDE Test. To improve the general results in future training courses, it is required to reinforce during training the scoring and interpretation of the test together with the previous lecture of the material by the participants.

Diseño de un modelo de supervisión para la aplicación de la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en las unidades de atención primaria en México / Design of a supervision model for administration of the Child Development Evaluation Test at primary care facilities in Mexico

ResumenIntroducción:La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), diseñada y validada en México, se ha aplicado en las unidades de atención primaria del país. Los resultados han sido heterogéneos entre los estados en que se aplicaron las pruebas, a pesar de haber utilizado un modelo de capacitación estandarizado con la misma metodología para la aplicación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar un modelo de supervisión que permita identificar la calidad de la aplicación de la prueba EDI a nivel poblacional.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio en la atención primaria tres estados del país para evaluar la aplicación de la prueba EDI por observación directa (estudio de sombra), y verificar la concordancia del resultado a través aplicar la prueba una vez más (estudio de consistencia).Resultados: Se realizaron 380 estudios de sombra a 51 psicólogos. Al comparar el resultado global, se observó una concordancia del 86.1% con el supervisor (n = 327): el 94.5% por resultado verde, el 73.2% por amarillo y el 80.0% por rojo. Se aplicó la prueba nuevamente en 302 casos, con una concordancia del 88.1% (n = 266): el 96.8% por resultado verde, el 71.7% por amarillo y el 81.8% por rojo. No se encontraron diferencias significativas por grupo.Conclusiones: Tanto el estudio de sombra como el de consistencia fueron adecuados para evaluar la calidad de la aplicación de la prueba, y pueden ser de utilidad para supervisar la aplicación de la prueba EDI en atención primaria. La decisión de uno u otro sistema depende de la disponibilidad de supervisores.

AbstractBackground:The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test designed and validated in Mexico has been used as a screening tool for developmental problems in primary care facilities across Mexico. Heterogeneous results were found among those states where these were applied, despite using the same standardized training model for application. The objective was to evaluate a supervision model for quality of application of the CDE test at primary care facilities.Methods:A study was carried out in primary care facilities from three Mexican states to evaluate concordance of the results between supervisor and primary care personnel who administered the test using two different methods: direct observation (shadow study) or reapplication of the CDE test (consistency study).Results: There were 380 shadow studies applied to 51 psychologists. General concordance of the shadow study was 86.1% according to the supervisor: green 94.5%, yellow 73.2% and red 80.0%. There were 302 re-test evaluations with a concordance of 88.1% (n = 266): green 96.8%, yellow 71.7% and red 81.8%. There were no differences between CDE test subgroups by age.Conclusions: Both shadow and re-test study were adequate for the evaluation of the quality of the administration of the CDE Test and may be useful as a model of supervision in primary care facilities. The decision of which test to use relies on the availability of supervisors.

Evaluación diagnóstica del nivel de desarrollo en niños identificados con riesgo de retraso mediante la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil / Diagnostic evaluation of the developmental level in children identified at risk of delay through the Child Development Evaluation Test

ResumenIntroducción: La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), diseñada en México, clasifica a los niños de acuerdo con su desarrollo en desarrollo normal, rezago en el desarrollo y riesgo de retraso. La versión modificada se desarrolló y validó, pero no se conocen sus propiedades en base poblacional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la confirmación diagnóstica en niños de 16 a 59 meses identificados con riesgo de retraso por la prueba EDI.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal de base poblacional en una entidad federativa de México. Se aplicó la prueba EDI a 11,455 niños de 16 a 59 meses, de diciembre de 2013 a marzo de 2014. Se consideró como población elegible al 6.2% (n = 714) que obtuvo como resultado riesgo de retraso. Para la inclusión en el estudio se realizó una aleatorización estratificada por bloques para sexo y grupo de edad. A cada participante se le realizó la evaluación diagnóstica utilizando el Inventario de Desarrollo de Battelle 2ª. edición.Resultados: De los 355 participantes incluidos, el 65.9% fue de sexo masculino y el 80.2% de medio rural. El 6.5% fueron falsos positivos (cociente total de desarrollo ¿ 90) y el 6.8% no tuvo ningún dominio con retraso (cociente de desarrollo de dominio < 80). Se calculó la proporción de retraso en las siguientes áreas: comunicación (82.5%), cognitivo (80.8%), personal-social (33.8%), motor (55.5%) y adaptativo (41.7%). Se observaron diferencias en los porcentajes de retraso por edad y dominio/subdominio evaluado.Conclusiones: Se corroboró la presencia de retraso en al menos un dominio evaluado por la prueba diagnóstica en el 93.2% de la población estudiada.

AbstractBackground: The Child Development Evaluation (or CDE Test) was developed in Mexico as a screening tool for child developmental problems. It yields three possible results: normal, slow development or risk of delay. The modified version was elaborated using the information obtained during the validation study but its properties according to the base population are not known. The objective of this work was to establish diagnostic confirmation of developmental delay in children 16- to 59-months of age previously identified as having risk of delay through the CDE Test in primary care facilities.Methods:A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in one Mexican state. CDE test was administered to 11,455 children 16- to 59-months of age from December/2013 to March/2014. The eligible population represented the 6.2% of the children (n = 714) who were identified at risk of delay through the CDE Test. For inclusion in the study, a block randomization stratified by sex and age group was performed. Each participant included in the study had a diagnostic evaluation using the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition.Results: From the 355 participants included with risk of delay, 65.9% were male and 80.2% were from rural areas; 6.5% were false positives (Total Development Quotient ¿90) and 6.8% did not have any domain with delay (Domain Developmental Quotient <80). The proportion of delay for each domain was as follows: communication 82.5%; cognitive 80.8%; social-personal 33.8%; motor 55.5%; and adaptive 41.7%. There were significant differences in the percentages of delay both by age and by domain/subdomain evaluated.Conclusions: In 93.2% of the participants, developmental delay was corroborated in at least one domain evaluated.

Escrutinio poblacional del nivel de desarrollo infantil en menores de 5 años beneficiarios de PROSPERA en México / Population-based study of child developmental screening in Mexican PROSPERA beneficiaries younger than 5 years old

ResumenIntroducción:La prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), diseñada y validada en México, clasifica a los niños de acuerdo con su desarrollo en desarrollo normal (verde) y desarrollo anormal (amarillo o rojo). No se conocen los resultados de su aplicación en base poblacional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el nivel de desarrollo de niños menores de 5 años en situación de pobreza (beneficiarios del Programa PROSPERA) utilizando la prueba EDI.Método:La prueba EDI fue aplicada por personal capacitado y con los estándares para la aplicación de la prueba en menores de 5 años que acudieron al control del niño sano en unidades de atención primaria de noviembre de 2013 a mayo de 2014 en un estado del norte de México.Resultados: Se aplicó la prueba EDI a 5,527 niños de 1-59 meses de edad. El 83.8% (n = 4,632) se encontró con desarrollo normal y el 16.2%, con desarrollo anormal: amarillo con el 11.9% (n = 655) y rojo con el 4.3% (n = 240). La proporción con resultado anormal fue del 9.9% en < 1 año y del 20.8% a los 4 años. Por edad, las áreas más afectadas fueron el lenguaje a los 2 años (9.35%) y el conocimiento a los 4 años (11.1%). Las áreas motor grueso y social tuvieron mayor afección en el área rural. En el sexo masculino, las áreas de motor fino, lenguaje y conocimiento.Conclusiones: La proporción de niños con resultado anormal es similar a lo reportado en otros estudios de base poblacional. La mayor proporción de afección a mayores edades refuerza la importancia de la intervención temprana. La diferencia en las áreas afectadas entre el medio urbano y rural sugiere la necesidad de una intervención diferenciada.

AbstractBackground:Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil or Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test, a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico, classifies child development as normal (green) or abnormal (developmental lag or yellow and risk of delay or red). Population-based results of child development level with this tool are not known. The objective of this work was to evaluate the developmental level of children aged 1-59 months living in poverty (PROSPERA program beneficiaries) through application of the CDE test.Methods: CDE tests were applied by specifically trained and standardized personnel to children <5 years old who attended primary care facilities for a scheduled appointment for nutrition, growth and development evaluation from November 2013 to May 2014.Results: There were 5,527 children aged 1-59 months who were evaluated; 83.8% (n = 4,632) were classified with normal development (green) and 16.2% (n = 895) as abnormal: 11.9% (n = 655) as yellow and 4.3% (n = 240) as red. The proportion of abnormal results was 9.9% in children <1 year of age compared with 20.8% at 4 years old. The most affected areas according to age were language at 2 years (9.35%) and knowledge at 4 years old (11.1%). Gross motor and social areas were more affected in children from rural areas; fine motor skills, language and knowledge were more affected in males.Conclusions: The proportion of children with abnormal results is similar to other population-based studies. The highest rate in older children reinforces the need for an early-based intervention. The different pattern of areas affected between urban and rural areas suggests the need for a differentiated intervention.

[Impact of a training model for the Child Development Evaluation Test in primary care]. / Impacto de un modelo de capacitación de la prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en la atención primaria.

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) Test is a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico for the early detection of child developmental problems. For professionals who will be administering the test in primary care facilities, previous acquisition of knowledge about the test is required in order to generate reliable results. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of a training model for primary care workers from different professions through the comparison of knowledge acquired during the training course. METHODS: The study design was a before/after type considering the participation in a training course for the CDE test as the intervention. The course took place in six different Mexican states from October to December 2013. The same questions were used before and after. RESULTS: There were 394 participants included. Distribution according to professional profile was as follows: general physicians 73.4%, nursing 7.7%, psychology 7.1%, nutrition 6.1% and other professions 5.6%. The questions with the lowest correct answer rates were associated with the scoring of the CDE test. In the initial evaluation, 64.9% obtained a grade lower than 20 compared with 1.8% in the final evaluation. In the initial evaluation only 1.8% passed compared with 75.15% in the final evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model allows the participants to acquire general knowledge about the CDE Test. To improve the general results in future training courses, it is required to reinforce during training the scoring and interpretation of the test together with the previous lecture of the material by the participants.

[Design of a supervision model for administration of the Child Development Evaluation Test at primary care facilities in Mexico]. / Diseño de un modelo de supervisión para la aplicación de la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en las unidades de atención primaria en México.

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test designed and validated in Mexico has been used as a screening tool for developmental problems in primary care facilities across Mexico. Heterogeneous results were found among those states where these were applied, despite using the same standardized training model for application. The objective was to evaluate a supervision model for quality of application of the CDE test at primary care facilities. METHODS: A study was carried out in primary care facilities from three Mexican states to evaluate concordance of the results between supervisor and primary care personnel who administered the test using two different methods: direct observation (shadow study) or reapplication of the CDE test (consistency study). RESULTS: There were 380 shadow studies applied to 51 psychologists. General concordance of the shadow study was 86.1% according to the supervisor: green 94.5%, yellow 73.2% and red 80.0%. There were 302 re-test evaluations with a concordance of 88.1% (n=266): green 96.8%, yellow 71.7% and red 81.8%. There were no differences between CDE test subgroups by age. CONCLUSIONS: Both shadow and re-test study were adequate for the evaluation of the quality of the administration of the CDE Test and may be useful as a model of supervision in primary care facilities. The decision of which test to use relies on the availability of supervisors.

[Diagnostic evaluation of the developmental level in children identified at risk of delay through the Child Development Evaluation Test]. / Evaluación diagnóstica del nivel de desarrollo en niños identificados con riesgo de retraso mediante la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil.

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (or CDE Test) was developed in Mexico as a screening tool for child developmental problems. It yields three possible results: normal, slow development or risk of delay. The modified version was elaborated using the information obtained during the validation study but its properties according to the base population are not known. The objective of this work was to establish diagnostic confirmation of developmental delay in children 16- to 59-months of age previously identified as having risk of delay through the CDE Test in primary care facilities. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in one Mexican state. CDE test was administered to 11,455 children 16- to 59-months of age from December/2013 to March/2014. The eligible population represented the 6.2% of the children (n=714) who were identified at risk of delay through the CDE Test. For inclusion in the study, a block randomization stratified by sex and age group was performed. Each participant included in the study had a diagnostic evaluation using the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition. RESULTS: From the 355 participants included with risk of delay, 65.9% were male and 80.2% were from rural areas; 6.5% were false positives (Total Development Quotient ˃90) and 6.8% did not have any domain with delay (Domain Developmental Quotient <80). The proportion of delay for each domain was as follows: communication 82.5%; cognitive 80.8%; social-personal 33.8%; motor 55.5%; and adaptive 41.7%. There were significant differences in the percentages of delay both by age and by domain/subdomain evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: In 93.2% of the participants, developmental delay was corroborated in at least one domain evaluated.

[Population-based study of child developmental screening in Mexican PROSPERA beneficiaries younger than 5 years old]. / Escrutinio poblacional del nivel de desarrollo infantil en menores de 5 años beneficiarios de PROSPERA en México.

BACKGROUND: Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil or Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test, a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico, classifies child development as normal (green) or abnormal (developmental lag or yellow and risk of delay or red). Population-based results of child development level with this tool are not known. The objective of this work was to evaluate the developmental level of children aged 1-59 months living in poverty (PROSPERA program beneficiaries) through application of the CDE test. METHODS: CDE tests were applied by specifically trained and standardized personnel to children <5 years old who attended primary care facilities for a scheduled appointment for nutrition, growth and development evaluation from November 2013 to May 2014. RESULTS: There were 5,527 children aged 1-59 months who were evaluated; 83.8% (n=4,632) were classified with normal development (green) and 16.2% (n=895) as abnormal: 11.9% (n=655) as yellow and 4.3% (n=240) as red. The proportion of abnormal results was 9.9% in children <1 year of age compared with 20.8% at 4 years old. The most affected areas according to age were language at 2 years (9.35%) and knowledge at 4 years old (11.1%). Gross motor and social areas were more affected in children from rural areas; fine motor skills, language and knowledge were more affected in males. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of children with abnormal results is similar to other population-based studies. The highest rate in older children reinforces the need for an early-based intervention. The different pattern of areas affected between urban and rural areas suggests the need for a differentiated intervention.

Physical activity and reduced risk of depression: results of a longitudinal study of Mexican adults.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of physical activity (PA) on the risk of depression among Mexican adults over a 6-year follow-up period. METHOD: We evaluated longitudinal data from the Health Worker Cohort Study, which follows employees of the Mexican Institute for Social Security in Morelos State, Mexico, over time. Depressive symptoms and PA were assessed at baseline and at a follow-up measurement 6 years later. The study population was free of depressive symptomatology at baseline, as assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). After 6 years, the CES-D was completed once again by the participants to estimate their risk of depression based on the different PA patterns they reported during the follow-up period. PA was estimated using a questionnaire that has been applied in similar longitudinal studies and has been validated in Spanish, with metabolic equivalents (METs) as the unit of measurement. We identified three PA patterns: highly active, moderately active, and inactive. The relative risk of depression (CES-D score ≥ 16 points) was estimated using multivariate logistical regression analysis according to the PA patterns at a follow-up measurement 6 years later. RESULTS: The incidence of depression after 6 years was higher among inactive participants (16.5%) than among those with an active PA pattern (10.6%). We found that more active PA patterns have an important protective effect against depression. The odds ratio (OR) for the more active PA patterns was 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.25, 0.87], and for individuals with a moderately active PA pattern, the OR was 0.57, 95% CI [0.34, 0.93]. These ORs were obtained after adjusting for confounding variables and baseline PA levels. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that PA may reduce risk of depression in Mexican adults. These findings have potential applications for depression prevention programs in target populations with similar social and cultural contexts.

Association between dietary patterns and insulin resistance in Mexican children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance (IR) is a metabolic disorder that is increasing worldwide and has been associated with several negative health outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different dietary patterns and IR among Mexican children and adolescents. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis on baseline data from Mexican children and adolescents aged 7­18 years participating in the Health Workers Cohort Study. We included 916 children and adolescents of both sexes. Fasting serum glucose and insulin levels were determined by standardized methods. We defined IR using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) as ≥3.5. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. The associations of interest, those between IR and dietary patterns, were analyzed with multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: IR prevalence was 20.3% among girls and boys aged 7­18 years, for whom the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.7%. We identified 3 major dietary patterns in this group: 'Western', 'prudent' and 'high protein/fat'. For the purposes of this analysis we compared the upper versus the lower quintile of each dietary pattern. Independently of other covariates, participants in the highest quintile of the Western pattern had 92% greater odds of IR (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.08­3.43) compared with those in the lowest quintile. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that high carbohydrate diets like our Western dietary pattern may increase IR in young people. This result emphasizes the importance of preventive nutrition interventions geared toward Mexican children and adolescents.

Higher risk for obesity among Mexican-American and Mexican immigrant children and adolescents than among peers in Mexico.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1,717 children and adolescents of Mexican origin ages 5-19 years living in Mexico and Texas to explore the influence of country of birth and country of longest residence on their overweight and obesity status. Descriptive statistics were used to compare demographic and anthropometric characteristics of participants born and raised in Mexico (Mexicans), born in Mexico and raised in the United States (Mexican immigrants), and born and raised in the United States (Mexican-Americans). Univariate and multivariate nominal logistic regression was used to determine the demographic predictors of obesity adjusted by country of birth, country of residence, age, and gender. Almost half (48.8%) of the Mexican-Americans and 43.2% of the Mexican immigrants had body mass index at the 85th percentile or above, compared to only 29.3% of the Mexicans (P < .001). Thus, Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants were more likely to be obese than their Mexican peers [Mexican-Americans: odds ratio (OR) = 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-3.4); Mexican immigrants: OR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.0)]. In addition, males were more likely than females to be obese [OR = 1.6 (95% CI 1.2-2.1)], and adolescents 15-19 years of age were less likely than their younger counterparts [OR = 0.5 (95% CI 0.4-0.7)] to be obese. The high prevalence of obesity among children of Mexican origin in the United States is of great concern and underscores the urgent need to develop and implement obesity preventive interventions targeting younger children of Mexican origin, especially newly arrived immigrant children. In addition, future obesity research should take into consideration the country of origin of the study population to develop more culturally specific obesity interventions.

Physical activity and risk of metabolic syndrome in an urban Mexican cohort.

BACKGROUND: In the Mexican population metabolic syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent. It is well documented that regular physical activity (PA) prevents coronary diseases, type 2 diabetes and MS. Most studies of PA have focused on moderate-vigorous leisure-time activity, because it involves higher energy expenditures, increase physical fitness, and decrease the risk of MS. However, for most people it is difficult to get a significant amount of PA from only moderately-vigorous leisure activity, so workplace activity may be an option for working populations, because, although may not be as vigorous in terms of cardio-respiratory efforts, it comprises a considerable proportion of the total daily activity with important energy expenditure. Since studies have also documented that different types and intensity of daily PA, including low-intensity, seem to confer important health benefits such as prevent MS, we sought to assess the impact of different amounts of leisure-time and workplace activities, including low-intensity level on MS prevention, in a sample of urban Mexican adults. METHODS: The study population consisted of 5118 employees and their relatives, aged 20 to 70 years, who were enrolled in the baseline evaluation of a cohort study. MS was assessed according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program, ATP III and physical activity with a validated self-administered questionnaire. Associations between physical activity and MS risk were assessed with multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of the components of MS in the study population were: high glucose levels 14.2%, high triglycerides 40.9%, high blood pressure 20.4%, greater than healthful waist circumference 43.2% and low-high density lipoprotein 76.9%. The prevalence of MS was 24.4%; 25.3% in men and 21.8% in women. MS risk was reduced among men (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.57-0.95) and women (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.64-0.94) who reported an amount of >or=30 minutes/day of leisure-time activity, and among women who reported an amount of >or=3 hours/day of workplace activity (OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.59-0.96). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that both leisure-time and workplace activity at different intensity levels, including low-intensity significantly reduce the risk of MS. This finding highlights the need for more recommendations regarding the specific amount and intensity of leisure-time and workplace activity needed to prevent MS.

Morphometric study of the ventricular segment of the human fetal heart between 13 and 20 weeks' gestation.

UNLABELLED: Our objective was to determine the normal dimensions of the ventricular segment of the human fetal heart between 13 and 20 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: 103 hearts obtained by necropsy were dissected and measurements of different portions of ventricles were determined under stereoscopic magnification. In each ventricle were measured anteroposterior and lateral diameters, inlet and outlet length, and thickness of walls at different levels. Our results showed the cardiac apex was constituted by the left ventricle in 68.9% of the hearts. Both ventricles showed linear growth during this period of fetal development. Ranges in median values of external and internal ventricular measurements were determined. The left ventricular wall was thicker than the right, and the right ventricular cavity was larger. This study provides morphometric reference information concerning the dimensions and growth of both ventricles of the fetal heart, which may be useful in pediatric cardiac surgery and echocardiography.

Body mass index and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents in two Mexican populations.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among children and adolescents living in central Mexico, and its association with body mass index (BMI). METHODS: In a sample of 1366 subjects from 7 to 24-years-old, a self-administered questionnaire was used to determined demographic characteristics. The definition of pediatric MS was determined using analogous criteria to Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) as > or = 3 of the following: concentration of triglycerides > or = 100 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol < 45 mg/dL for males and < 50 mg/dL for females, waist circumference > or = 75th percentile (sex specific), glucose concentration > or = 110 to < 126 mg/dL, and systolic or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90th percentile (age, height, and sex specific). RESULTS: Most of the sample was in the 10-14- (32.4%) and the 15-19-year (35.4%) age groups, mostly females (57%), and 31% of this young sample was overweight (mean BMI = 21.6 kg/m2). About 1 in every 5 participants had full criteria for MS (19.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.4-22.1 among females, and 20.2%, 95% CI: 17.1-23.7 among males), and only 1 in every 10 was free of any MS component. The most common component was a low HDL level, observed in 85.4% of the sample. Unfavorable fat distribution, as indicated by a large waist circumference, was present in 27.9% of the sample. About 66% of those 10-14-year-olds with a large BMI were positive for MS. CONCLUSIONS: MS and overweight are major problems for youth in Mexico. Immediate and comprehensive actions at home and schools are needed if Mexico wants to avoid the heavy burden that this disorder will have for its population in the near future.

Frecuencia y factores de riesgo asociados a desnutrición de niños con cardiopatía congénita / Frequency and risk factors associated with malnutrition among children with congenital heart disease in a cardiology hospital

Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia y factores asociados a desnutrición en niños con cardiopatía congénita (CC). Material y métodos. Estudio transversal analítico, hecho entre agosto de 1997 y mayo de 1998, en el servicio de cardiopatías congénitas del hospital de Cardiología del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social de la Ciudad de México, México, a 244 menores de 17 años, de ambos sexos, con diagnóstico de CC y sin otras malformaciones. El estado de nutrición se evaluó mediante los índices peso/edad (P/E), talla/edad (T/E) y peso/talla (P/T), y se definió desnutrición con puntuaciones Z mayores a -2. Se consideraron factores de riesgo: edad, sexo, antecedentes perinatales, historia de alimentación, administración de suplementos nutricios, estado socioeconómico y funcionalidad y composición de la familia. Se formaron cuatro grupos de CC: acianógenas con flujo pulmonar aumentado (AFPA) o con flujo pulmonar normal (AFPN); cianógenas con flujo pulmonar aumentado (CFPA) o disminuido (CFPD). Análisis estadístico: ji cudrada, U-Mann Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis. Se aplicó regresión logística para el control de las variables de confusión y se calculó razón de momios (RM) e intervalos de confianza al 95 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento). Resultados. El grupo de AFPA (62.7 por ciento) fue el más frecuente, seguido por CFPD (15.6 por ciento), AFPN (11.5 por ciento) y CFPA (10.2 por ciento); con P/E, 40.9 por ciento tuvieron desnutrición; con T/E, 24.6 por ciento; y con P/T, 31.1 por ciento. Los grupos más afectados fueron los lactantes y los ninos con CFPA. Los factores asociados a desnutrición fueron: presencia de cardiopatía cianógena (RM 2.54; IC 95 por ciento 0.98-6.58) y la falta de administración de algún complemento nutricio (RM 2.38; IC 95 por ciento 1.06-5.34). Entre mayor número de miembros en una familia (RM 1.42; IC 95 por ciento 0.99-2.05) mayor frecuencia de desnutrición; a mayor edad menor riesgo de desnutrición (RM 0.92; IC 95 por ciento 0.89-0.96). Conclusiones. La desnutrición en niños con CC es frecuente; es más común en niños más pequeños y con cardiopatías cianógenas. Se necesitan programas orientados a las familias para prevenir y disminuir la desnutricion en estos niños. El texto completo en inglés de este artículo está disponible en: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html