ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Dyslipidemia is considered as a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Yet various trials with wide ranges of doses and durations have reported contradictory results. We undertook this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine whether omega-3 supplementation can affect lipid profile in children and adolescents. METHODS: Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched up to March 2021. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect method. Effect size was expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 index. In order to identification of potential sources of heterogeneity, predefined subgroup and meta-regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 14 RCTs with 15 data sets were included. Based on the combination of effect sizes, there was a significant reduction in TG levels (WMD: -15.71 mg/dl, 95% CI: -25.76 to -5.65, P=0.002), with remarkable heterogeneity (I2=88.3%, P<0.001). However, subgroup analysis revealed that omega-3 supplementation significantly decreased TG only in studies conducted on participants ≤13 years old (WMD=-25.09, 95% CI: -43.29 to -6.90, P=0.007), (I2=84.6%, P<0.001) and those with hypertriglyceridemia (WMD=-28.26, 95% CI: -39.12 to -17.41, P<0.001), (I2=0.0%, P=0.934). Omega-3 supplementation had no significant effect on total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels. Also, results of nonlinear analysis showed significant effect of treatment duration on HDL status (Pnon-linearity=0.047). CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation may significantly reduce TG levels in younger children and those with hypertriglyceridemia. Also, based on the HDL-related results, clinical trials with longer duration of intervention are recommended in this population.
Subject(s)
Dyslipidemias , Hypertriglyceridemia , Humans , Adolescent , Child , Lipids , Dietary Supplements , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Dyslipidemias/drug therapy , Hypertriglyceridemia/drug therapyABSTRACT
Background: Although poor dietary habits have a great effect on the health status of children, especially in toddlers, a few questionnaires exist for the assessment of dietary imbalances. This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the NutriCHEQ in Iranian healthy toddlers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, first, the NutriCHEQ was translated to Persian and culturally adapted by the forward-backward translation technique. In order to assess the face validity, we used a cognitive interviewing technique of 25 parents/caretakers of healthy toddlers. In the next step, experts assessed content validity, respectively. One item was removed during the content validity process. Then, a blueprint of NutriCHEQ was distributed among 156 parents/caretakers of healthy toddlers in different focal points in Tehran for assessing construct validity by nonlinear principal components analysis. In addition, the anthropometric indices checklist and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) were filled out for toddlers. Then, construct validity was assessed. The Varimax rotation ran for two sections separately. The four-factor structure was confirmed. Results: The model showed a good fit, and all the extracted variance of four factors were satisfactory (F1 = 20.77; F2 = 22.30; F3 = 14.75; and F4 = 13.71). All of the extracted items of the NutriCHEQ in two parts showed 71.53% cumulative variance. For criterion-related validity, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the NutriCHEQ and Z-score (rho = 0.632, P < 0.001). The Bland-Altman result indicates 95% limits of agreement between the NutriCHEQ questionnaire and Z-score. Conclusions: Therefore, we concluded that NutriCHEQ is a valid, reliable, and convenient instrument to identify the Iranian toddlers' nutritional status. Therefore, it can be used for research and clinical settings.
ABSTRACT
Toxocariasis is an extensive helminthic infection that leads to visceral larva migrans in humans. A 2.5-year-old girl referred for abdominal mass. She had history of pharyngitis for two weeks. There were no other symptoms. Abdominal examination revealed an irregular solid mass in right lower quadrant (RLQ). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an echohetrogenic large mass in RLQ, liver, and retroperitoneal area. Abdominal CT scan showed a huge mass. At laparotomy a large retroperitoneal mass that involved right liver lobe, bladder, ileocecal valve, small and large intestines was found. At histopathology diagnosis of toxocariasis was made.
