Body Composition Predicts Growth in Infants and Toddlers With Chronic Liver Disease.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 15 infants and toddlers with chronic liver disease to validate arm anthropometry as an accurate measure of body composition (BC) compared to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and to predict growth from BC. The z score means of the anthropometric indicators were <-2 standard deviation, except for body fat index and subscapular skinfold, which were between -2 and +2 standard deviation. Fat mass was predicted by arm adiposity indicators and fat-free mass by arm muscle area. Bone mineral content explained 87% of variation in length. Two multiple regression models predicted length: 1 with fat mass plus fat-free mass; and the second with fat mass and bone mineral content. These observations suggest that arm anthropometry is a useful tool to estimate BC and the nutritional status in infants and toddlers with chronic liver disease. Length and head circumference can be predicted by fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone mineral content.

INTRODUCTION OF PASTEURIZED/RAW COW'S MILK DURING THE SECOND SEMESTER OF LIFE AS A RISK FACTOR OF TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

OBJECTIVE: to demonstrate that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in school children and adolescents is associated with the early introduction of pasteurized/raw cow's milk in the second semester of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: this non-probabilistic study included 150 subjects (75 patients and 75 controls), divided according to sex and age (range, 6 to 16 years). T1DM was considered to be a dependent variable, and pasteurized/ raw cow's milk (P/RCM) was considered to be an independent variable in the study. The statistical analyses included chi-squared test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: the subjects were 51% male, age 11 ± 3.2 years, and 80% were breastfed, 18% were exclusively breastfed, and 13% received pasteurized/raw cow's milk. The children receiving P/RCM had a higher risk of T1DM [OR, 3.9 (1.2-12.8)]. The presence of T1DM was three times higher in those consuming P/RCM vs. those receiving follow-up formula [RM, 3.2 (1.03-10.07)]. CONCLUSIONS: introducing pasteurized/raw cow's milk in the second semester of life increased by four times the likelihood of developing T1DM in children and adolescents.

Objetivo: demostrar que la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DMT1) en escolares y adolescentes se asocia a una temprana introducción de leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada en el segundo semestre de vida. Material y métodos: en este estudio no probabilístico de casos y controles se incluyeron 150 participantes (75 pacientes y 75 controles), divididos de acuerdo a la edad y el sexo de 6 a 16 años de edad. Se consideró DMT1 como una variable independiente. El análisis estadístico incluyó la prueba de Ji cuadrada y razón de momios con su intervalo de confianza del 95% Resultados: los participantes fueron 51% varones, con edades de 11 ± 3.2 años y el 80% alimentados al pecho materno, 18% en forma exclusiva, y el 13% recibieron leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada. Los niños que recibieron leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada tuvieron un riesgo mayor de DMT1 [OR, 3,9 (1,2-12,8)]. La presencia de DMT1 fue tres veces más elevada en quienes consumieron leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada que en aquellos que recibieron fórmula de seguimiento [RM, 3,2 (1,03-10,07)]. Conclusión: la introducción de leche entera pasteurizada/ no pasteurizada en el segundo semestre de vida incrementó cuatro veces la probabilidad de desarrollo de DMT1 en escolares y adolescentes.

Introduction of pasteurized/raw cow’s milk during the second semester of life as a risk factor of type 1 diabetes mellitus in school children and adolescents / Introducción de leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada de vaca en el segundo semestre de la vida y riesgo de diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en escolares y adolescentes

Objective: to demonstrate that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in school children and adolescents is associated with the early introduction of pasteurized/raw cow’s milk in the second semester of life. Material and methods: this non-probabilistic study included 150 subjects (75 patients and 75 controls), divided according to sex and age (range, 6 to 16 years). T1DM was considered to be a dependent variable, and pasteurized/raw cow’s milk (P/RCM) was considered to be an independent variable in the study. The statistical analyses included chi-squared test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results: the subjects were 51% male, age 11±3.2 years, and 80% were breastfed, 18% were exclusively breastfed, and 13% received pasteurized/raw cow’s milk. The children receiving P/RCM had a higher risk of T1DM [OR, 3.9 (1.2-12.8)]. The presence of T1DM was three times higher in those consuming P/RCM vs. those receiving follow-up formula [RM, 3.2 (1.03-10.07)]. Conclusions: introducing pasteurized/raw cow’s milk in the second semester of life increased by four times the likelihood of developing T1DM in children and adolescents (AU)

Objetivo: demostrar que la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DMT1) en escolares y adolescentes se asocia a una temprana introducción de leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada en el segundo semestre de vida. Material y métodos: en este estudio no probabilístico de casos y controles se incluyeron 150 participantes (75 pacientes y 75 controles), divididos de acuerdo a la edad y el sexo de 6 a 16 años de edad. Se consideró DMT1 como una variable independiente. El análisis estadístico incluyó la prueba de Ji cuadrada y razón de momios con su intervalo de confianza del 95% Resultados: los participantes fueron 51% varones, con edades de 11±3.2 años y el 80% alimentados al pecho materno, 18% en forma exclusiva, y el 13% recibieron leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada. Los niños que recibieron leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada tuvieron un riesgo mayor de DMT1 [OR, 3,9 (1,2-12,8)]. La presencia de DMT1 fue tres veces más elevada en quienes consumieron leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada que en aquellos que recibieron fórmula de seguimiento [RM, 3,2 (1,03-10,07)]. Conclusión: la introducción de leche entera pasteurizada/no pasteurizada en el segundo semestre de vida incrementó cuatro veces la probabilidad de desarrollo de DMT1 en escolares y adolescentes (AU)

[Characterization of obese children with and without metabolic syndrome in a pediatric hospital]. / Caracterización de niños obesos con y sin diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico en un hospital pediátrico.

BACKGROUND: The alterations caused by metabolic syndrome (MS) arise progressively throughout the years, but they can start at a pediatric age. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the biochemical and clinical characteristics of obese children with or without MS. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study, in which we analyzed, according to the 2010 classification of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 103 obese children between 10 and 15 years from an endocrinology service. The variables were weight, size, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, insulin, and HOMA. Means were compared statistically with Student's t test, and Mann-Whitney U. RESULTS: Of 103 patients, 55 showed criteria for MS (53.3 %) and 48 incomplete criteria for MS (46.6 %). In the group without MS, 60.4 and 64.5 % showed insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, respectively. In all the group, 28.1 % showed arterial hypertension, and 23.3 % prehypertension. With regards to the means of other parameters that does not belong to the MS, we obtained weight (p = 0.008), BMI (p = 0.009), insulin (p = 0.027) and HOMA (p = 0.023). More than 60 % showed pre-diabetes and almost 50 % blood pressure alterations. CONCLUSION: It is urgent to perform a screening in obese children, as well as an awareness campaign in mass media, in order to spread the gravity of the problem and trigger the search of medical help, and of health professionals to establish their diagnosis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: las alteraciones producidas por el síndrome metabólico (SM) surgen progresivamente a lo largo de los años, pero su inicio puede ocurrir en una etapa pediátrica. El objetivo fue evaluar las características clínico-bioquímicas de niños obesos con y sin síndrome metabólico (SM). MÉTODOS: estudio transversal-descriptivo en el que se analizaron (clasificación del Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades del 2010) 103 niños de 10 a 15 años con sobrepeso y obesidad de un servicio de endocrinología. Las variables fueron peso, talla, índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia de cintura, glucosa, colesterol HDL, triglicéridos, presión arterial, insulina y HOMA. Se compararon las medias con t de Student y U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: de los 103 pacientes, 55 presentaron criterios para SM (53.3 %) y 48 criterios incompletos para SM (46.6 %). En el grupo sin SM, presentaron resistencia a la insulina e hiperinsulinemia 60.4 y 64.5 %, respectivamente. En todo el grupo hubo un 28.1 % con hipertensión arterial y un 23.3 % con prehipertensión. En cuanto a la comparación de medias de otros parámetros que no forman parte del SM obtuvimos: peso (p = 0.008), IMC (p = 0.009), insulina (p = 0.027) y HOMA (p = 0.023). Más del 60 % presentó resistencia insulínica y casi 50 % alteraciones de la presión arterial. CONCLUSIÓN: urge tamizaje en niños obesos y una campaña informativa en medios de comunicación para motivar la búsqueda de ayuda médica y de profesionales de la salud que establezcan su diagnóstico.

[Focus of childhood obesity from pediatrics]. / Enfoque de la obesidad infantil desde la pediatría.

The prevalences of overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in the last two decades in the adult and children population. The Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development reported in 2010 that Mexico ranks first worldwide in childhood obesity. The 2006 National Health and Nutrition Survey reported that one of every three teenagers are overweight and obese. In the last decades, pediatric hospitals in different parts of the world reported the prevalence of secondary malnutrition, since in those days overweight and obesity did not represent health problems. Currently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been scarcely studied in pediatric hospitals. In the Hospital de Pediatría (Children's Hospital) of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social's Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente it is reported a prevalence of overweight of 15.4 % and obesity of 12.2 %, which reflects a nutritional transition.Due to the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in this pediatric hospital of reference, one could conclude that the pediatrician should be able to make a correct evaluation of the nutritional state, because, if he does not detect these problems, we will be condemning children to suffer from a chronic disease for the rest of their lives, and with all the implications in the short, medium and long term.

Las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad se han incrementado alarmantemente en las dos últimas décadas en la población adulta e infantil. La Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos reportó en el 2010 que México era el primer lugar mundial de obesidad en niños. La Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006 reporta que uno de cada tres adolescentes presentan sobrepeso y obesidad. En décadas pasadas los hospitales pediátricos en diferentes partes del mundo reportaban la prevalencia de desnutrición secundaria, ya que el sobrepeso y la obesidad no representaban problemas de salud. Actualmente la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad ha sido poco estudiada en hospitales pediátricos. En el Hospital de Pediatría del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social se reporta una prevalencia de sobrepeso de 15.4 % y de obesidad de 12.2 %, lo que refleja una transición nutricia. Debido a esta alta prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en este hospital; pediátrico de referencia, se podría concluir que el pediatra debería estar capacitado para realizar una correcta evaluación del estado nutricio, ya que si él no detecta estos problemas, estaremos condenando a los niños a padecer una enfermedad crónica por el resto de su vida, con todas las implicaciones que tiene a corto, mediano y largo plazo.

Serum lipids in parents and siblings of children with Alagille syndrome: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alagille syndrome, a dominant inherited disorder, is characterized by cholestatic liver disease, associated to interlobular bile duct paucity combined with; cardiac, skeletal, ocular and facial abnormalities. Increased levels of serum lipids are present in more than 80% of probands. Parents and siblings of children with Alagille syndrome are often found to have a mild expression of this probable disease gene; it is not known if dyslipidemia occurs in parents and siblings of children with Alagille syndrome. The aim of the study was to investigate the lipid profile in sibs and parents of children with Alagille syndrome. METHODOLOGY: Four children with Alagille syndrome and 21 first-degree relatives were studied. SETTING: A pediatric referral hospital. PERIOD: July-October 2005. DESIGN: cross-sectional. VARIABLES: Total, low-density, high-density cholesterol and triglyceride. STATISTICS: chi2, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTS: Probands had higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol and triglycerides than their siblings (p<0.05); however, no differences with their parents were observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia does not seem to be a phenotypic expression in first degree relatives of children with Alagille syndrome. The increased level of serum lipids observed in some of the parents is similar to the expected prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the adult Mexican population.

Liver function test results predict nutritional status evaluated by arm anthropometric indicators.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the anthropometric indicators based on weight and height with the anthropometric indicators based on arm measurements and to predict the anthropometric nutritional status with liver function tests (LFTs) in children with chronic liver disease (CLD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study in a referral pediatric hospital enrolled 79 children with CLD (mean age 72.6 +/- 61.8 months, 54% female). An independent variable of LFT was used to determine the outcome variable of nutritional status. Anthropometric indicators of height versus age, weight versus height, head circumference versus age, and arm indicators versus age were analyzed with Pearson correlation, the determination coefficient r, and multiple regression. RESULTS: A total of 44.3% of patients studied had growth impairment. The anthropomorphic indicator of weight for height identified malnutrition in 11.4%, compared with 43% identified by mid- to upper arm circumference (MUAC) and 40.5% identified with total arm area. MUAC (P < 0.001), total arm circumference (P < 0.001), arm muscle area (P = 0.009), and arm fat area (P = 0.023) identified more cases of z score less than -2 SD than weight/height. The presence of ascites misled weight-for-height measurements. Conjugated bilirubin and albumin had significant correlations with almost all of the anthropometric indicators. Alkaline phosphatase correlated significantly with all of the arm anthropometric indicators. A regression analysis led to 7 prediction models; the highest prediction of z score less than -2 SD was with triceps skinfold and conjugated bilirubin, albumin, and gamma-glutamyltransferase; height-for-age z score less than -2 SD was predicted by measurements of conjugated bilirubin, prothrombin time, and alanine aminotransferase. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented underline the correlation between the liver damage severity evaluated by LFT and the nutritional status estimated by anthropometric indicators. In our view these observations reflect the close relationship between liver function and the degree of liver damage to growth and current nutritional status.