Vitamin D Status in Blount Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Blount disease can be defined as idiopathic proximal tibial vara. Several etiologies including the mechanical theory have been described. Obesity is the only causative factor proven to be associated with Blount disease. The aim of this study is to assess if there is an association of vitamin D deficiency and Blount disease. METHODS: This a retrospective study of preoperative and postoperative patients with Blount disease who were screened for vitamin D deficiency. Patients with genu varum due to confirmed vitamin D deficiency and rickets were excluded. The study patients had the following blood tests done: calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) hormones. RESULTS: We recruited 50 patients. The mean age of these patients was 10.4 years (SD±3.88) with average body mass index of 28.7 kg/m (±10.2). Thirty (60%) patients were diagnosed with infantile, 4 (8%) juvenile, and 16 (32%) adolescent Blount disease. Eight (16%) patients were found to be vitamin D deplete (25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L). Of these, 8 patients, 6 were insufficient (25(OH)D levels between 30 and 50 nmol/L) and the other 2 were deficient (25(OH)D levels <30 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children with Blount disease was similar to that of healthy children living in Johannesburg. There is no evidence that vitamin D deficiency is a factor in causing Blount disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective study.

Quality of Care Offered to Children Attending Primary Health Care Clinics in Johannesburg; South Africa

Objective. To assess the quality of child health services provided at primary health care (PHC) facilities in Johannesburg; South Africa. Design. Observational study conducted at 16 PHC clinics. A researcher-developed structured checklist; based on national guidelines and protocols; was utilised. Results. The majority of facilities were adequately equipped and well stocked with drugs. A total of 141 sick child and 149 well child visits were observed. Caregivers experienced long waiting times (mean 135 (standard deviation 72) minutes). Many routine examination procedures were poorly performed; with an adequate diagnosis established in 108 of 141 consultations (77); even though health professionals were experienced and well trained. Triage and attention to danger signs were poor. An antibiotic was prescribed in almost half (65/141) of the consultations; but antibiotic use was unwarranted in one-third of these cases. Health promotion activities (such as growth monitoring) were consistently ignored during sick child visits. HIV status was seldom asked about or investigated; for the mother or for the child. Growth monitoring and nutritional counselling at well child visits was generally inadequate; with not one of 11 children who qualified for food supplementation receiving it. Conclusion. The poor quality of PHC offered to children in the richest city in Africa is a sad indictment of the inability of health service providers to address children's health needs meaningfully. A deliberate and radical restructuring of PHC for children; with clearly defined and monitored standard clinical practice routines and norms; is required to change the status quo