Childhood obesity.

Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world. Today it is estimated that there are more than 300 million obese people world-wide. Obesity is a condition of excess body fat often associated with a large number of debilitating and life-threatening disorders. It is still a matter of debate as to how to define obesity in young people. Overweight children have an increased risk of being overweight as adults. Genetics, behavior, and family environment play a role in childhood overweight. Childhood overweight increases the risk for certain medical and psychological conditions. Encourage overweight children to expand high energy activity, minimize low energy activity (screen watching), and develop healthful eating habits. Breast feeding is protective against obesity. Diet restriction is not recommended in very young children. Children are to be watched for gain in height rather than reduction in weight. Weight reduction of less than 10% is a normal variation, not significant in obesity.

Magnesium sulfate in severe perinatal asphyxia: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to study whether postnatal magnesium sulfate infusion could improve neurologic outcomes at discharge for term neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia. METHODS: Forty term (> or =37 weeks of gestation) neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia were studied in a prospective, longitudinal, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 3 doses of magnesium sulfate infusion at 250 mg/kg per dose (1 mL/kg per dose) 24 hours apart (treatment group) or 3 doses of normal saline infusion (1 mL/kg per dose) 24 hours apart (placebo group). Both groups also received supportive care according to the unit protocol for perinatal asphyxia. RESULTS: In the treatment group, moderate encephalopathy was present in 35% (7 of 20) of the patients and severe encephalopathy in 65% (13 of 20) of patients at admission. In the placebo group, 40% (8 of 20) of patients had moderate encephalopathy and 60% (12 of 20) of patients had severe encephalopathy. The mean serum magnesium concentration in the treatment group remained at > or =1.2 mmol/L for 72 hours after the first infusion. At discharge, 22% (4 of 18) of infants in the treatment group had neurologic abnormalities, compared with 56% (10 of 18) of infants in the placebo group. Also, neuroimaging (head computed tomography) performed on day 14 yielded abnormal findings for fewer infants in the treatment group than in the placebo group (16% vs 44%). Infants in the treatment group were more likely to be receiving oral feedings (sucking) at discharge than were those in the placebo group (77% vs 37%). Good short-term outcomes at discharge occurred for 77% of the patients in the treatment group, compared with 37% of the patients in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Postnatal magnesium sulfate treatment improves neurologic outcomes at discharge for term neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia.

Recurrent abdominal pain in children.

Eighty five children with recurrent abdominal pain(RAP) were studied. Organic cause was noticed in 70 cases and non-organic in 15 cases. Giardiasis was the commonest organic cause in 57 (67.0 percent), either alone or with other parasitic infestations. Other organic causes include gallstones (4.7 percent), urinary infections (4.7 percent), esophagitis/gastritis (3.5 percent) and abdominal tuberculosis (2.3 percent). Single parent, school phobia, sibling rivalry, RAP in other family members and nocturnal enuresis are significant factors associated with nonorganic causes