BMI relationship to the onset of puberty: assessment of growth parameters and sexual maturity changes in Egyptian children and adolescents of both sexes.

Background Puberty is the period of human growth and development. To determine the onset of puberty with regards to the effect of higher adiposity, together with growth parameters of the participants at various stages of sexual maturity for both sexes. Methods The study was conducted on 1944 children (8-16) years; 1022 girls (52.6%) and 922 boys (47.4%) were taken at random. Pubertal assessment was done using Tanner staging that assigned breast development in females and pubic and axillary hair in males and females. Testicular volume was recorded using a Prader orchidometer. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body mass (BM) fat, body fat percentage, through applying a body impedance analyzer, and others were recorded. Results The mean ages at the onset of puberty for females and males in our study were 10.29 ± 1.1 and 11.34 ± 1.02 years, respectively. Pubic hair (stage PH2) was attained at mean age of 10.72 ± 0.84 and 11.98 ± 1.03 years for females and males, respectively. For axillary hair (stage AH2), the mean age was 12.47 ± 0.68 years for females and 13.8 ± 0.58 years for males. The mean age at menarche was 12.41 ± 0.65 years. In concordance to BM fat and percentage, all pubertal stages started earlier in females with BMI ≥85th percentile comparable to females within average BMI. As for males, no significant relation was noted between mean pubertal ages and BMI values. Conclusions A significant association of mean ages of Tanner stages to excess weight especially in females warranted the increasing awareness about health care, nutritional aspects, and living circumstances.

The Potential Implication of FTO rs17817449 Gene Polymorphism on BMI Mediated Risk For Type2 Diabetes Among Obese Egyptian Children And Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variations of the FTO gene were associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes determinants in the European population, notably raised blood levels of insulin and glucose. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the association of FTOrs17817449 with obesity/BMI and type 2 diabetes risk among obese Egyptian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, (PCR-RFLP assay) was used for genotyping FTOrs17817449polymorphism (SNP) in 120 obese children and 120 controls conducted from attendants of genetic & endocrinology Unit and outpatient clinics, Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University Hospitals. In combination with anthropometric measurements of obesity, predisposition to T2D risk was analyzed (fasting insulin, fasting glucose, insulin resistance). RESULTS: Consanguinity was evident in 32.5% of cases. Positive family history of both obesity and T2D was found to be significant statistically (p<0.05). FTO rs17817449G allele was positively associated with WC (Waist Circumference) (Mean ± SD 84.1 ± 9. 3), raised BMI (Body Mass Index) (32.7 ± 3.5), fasting glucose (114.1 ± 12.8mg/dl), fasting insulin (7.2 ± 1.2µU/ml) and insulin resistance (61.1% of cases) (p<0.001). The odds ratio of obesity was 1.75(95%CI 1.02-3.02) for GT and GG genotype. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin showed statistically significant risk for T2D in the obese group. CONCLUSION: Genetic variation in FTOrs17817449(G allele) was definitely associated with raised BMI, BMI z-score and fasting insulin, and lowered QUICKI values, that predicted the risk for type 2 diabetes among obese children harboring the mutant G allele.

Screening for developmental delay in preschool-aged children using parent-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaires: additional insights into child development.

BACKGROUND: Developmental delay is a delay in areas of speech, language, motor, social and cognitive development. Because of the negative impact of intellectual and learning disabilities, early identification of children with developmental and behavioral problems using appropriate screening tests is crucial. OBJECTIVES: Utilization of parent-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQs) for detecting the developmental delay in preschool age children and clarification of possible associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1012 children aged 24-60 months enrolled from six centers (n=608) and six villages (n=404) located in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. All children were screened by nine age-based questionnaires in the first stage of assessment. Children whose scores were ≤ cut-off points in one or more of the screened developmental areas were considered to have suspected developmental delay (SDD) and underwent further evaluation in the second stage assessment. RESULTS: Among the 1012 studied children aged 24-60 months, 978 (96.4%) had normal development. SDD had an overall prevalence of 3.4%, with the highest rates of SDD in problem-solving (3%), followed by communication (2.4%), fine motor skills (2.2%) and social-personal domain (1%), with no SDD in gross motor skills. SDD was more commonly observed in boys, with a significant association with both parental education and consanguinity. Problems with learning (32.3%) was the most commonly observed provisional diagnosis, followed by language disorders (29.4%). Children with SDD in more than one area of ASQ skills also had mild to borderline IQ scores. CONCLUSION: The use of of parent-completed ASQs showed an overall prevalence of developmental delay in children aged 24-60 months of3.4%. Male gender, consanguinity and parental education were identified as risk factors for developmental delay. Family counselling about the child's developmental state is needed.