Radiograph-based study of gender-specific vertebral area gain in healthy children and adolescents as a function of age, height, and weight.

This study reports gender-specific vertebral area gain data from children and adolescents. Vertebral area was measured on lateral and anteroposterior thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs from 100 female and 100 male subjects aged 7-28 yr. T9, T11, T12, L1, and L2 X-ray area calculation was based on calculation of the area of the geometric figure of a trapezoid whose 2 nonparallel sides were equal in length, taking account of the waisted shape of the vertebrae. Both the boys and girls of our study population showed statistically significant dependence (p<0.001) of vertebral area gain on chronologic age, height, and weight right through the end of puberty, and especially so up to age 15 yr. However, height and weight were clearly better predictors of lateral and anteroposterior vertebral area gain than was chronologic age. Once vertebral growth is complete by age 18 yr or so, the lateral vertebral areas of the male subjects-regardless of body weight and height-are, on average, 25% larger, and the anteroposterior areas up to 30% larger than those of their female counterparts. After adjusting for chronologic age, height, and weight however we did not find significant differences, between gender, in vertebral area of male and female subjects, neither among children younger than 11 yr nor adolescents ages of 12-14 yr and young adults older than 18 yr.

[Ultrasound and clinical studies of periventricular leukomalacia in high risk newborn infants. I. Neuro-ultrasound results]. / Sonographische und klinische Untersuchungen zur periventrikulären Leukomalazie bei Risikoneugeborenen. I. Neurosonographische Untersuchungsergebnisse.

The incidence of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in risk neonates was evaluated in a prospective ultrasound study at the Pediatric Hospital of the Medical Faculty, University of Rostock. The study was carried out in 300 registered risk neonates. These risk neonates were divided into 3 groups: < or = 31 gestational week (n = 70), 32-36 gestational week (n = 154), > or = 37 gestational week (n = 76). A prenatal PVL was diagnosed in 41 neonates, a postnatal PVL was found in 56 neonates after the 5th day of life. In 77% of all risk neonates with PVL, the diagnosis was made on the first day of life. After the first day of life, PVL was presented mainly in highly immature neonates. A correlation of PVL to gestational age could only be found in neonates with postnatal PVL. Subarachnoid space enlargement was found to be significantly more frequent in risk neonates with prenatal PVL than in risk infants with postnatal PVL. Residual ultrasound findings of PVL were significantly more frequent in male than in female risk neonates.

Candidosis of the urinary tract with padding phenomenon of the renal pelvises in an infant with obstructive uropathy.

A male infant with obstructive uropathy developed yeast cell agglomerations which were detectable macroscopically and by image-generating techniques within both renal pelvises after Candida albicans infection of the urinary tract. Therapy with flucytosine induced excretion of 'fungal balls' via the urethra. Continuation of therapy with liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) prevented a relapse after development of fungal resistance against flucytosine. Sonographically or radiographically detectable formation of 'concrements' within the urinary tract of patients with an immature or compromised immune system and additional features such as obstructive urinary tract should suggest a localized or systemic mycosis, particularly in the context of long-term antibiotic treatment.