Growth retardation is an established complication of anorexia nervosa (AN). However, findings concerning final height of AN patients are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess these ...phenomena in female adolescent inpatients with AN.
We retrospectively studied all 211 female adolescent AN patients hospitalized in an inpatient eating disorders department from 1/1/1987 to 31/12/99. Height and weight were assessed at admission and thereafter routinely during hospitalization and follow-up. Final height was measured in 69 patients 2-10 years after discharge. Pre-morbid height data was available in 29 patients.
Patients' height standard deviation scores (SDS) on admission (-0.285±1.0) and discharge (-0.271±1.02) were significantly (p<0.001) lower than expected in normal adolescents. Patients admitted at age ≤13 years, or less than 1 year after menarche, were more severely growth-impaired than patients admitted at an older age, (p = 0.03). Final height SDS, available for 69 patients, was -0.258±1.04, significantly lower than expected in a normal population (p = 0.04), and was more severely compromised in patients who were admitted less than 1 year from their menarche. In a subgroup of 29 patients with complete growth data (pre-morbid, admission, discharge, and final adult height), the pre-morbid height SDS was not significantly different from the expected (-0.11±1.1), whereas heights at the other time points were significantly (p = 0.001) lower (-0.56±1.2, -0.52±1.2, and -0.6±1.2, respectively).
Our findings suggest that whereas the premorbid height of female adolescent AN patients is normal, linear growth retardation is a prominent feature of their illness. Weight restoration is associated with catch-up growth, but complete catch-up is often not achieved.
Survivors of childhood cancer are at high risk for developing non-melanoma skin cancer and therefore are firmly advised to avoid or minimize sun exposure and adopt skin protection measures. We aimed ...to compare sun exposure and protection habits in a cohort of pediatric patients with a history of malignancy to those of healthy controls.
Case-control study of 143 pediatric patients with a history of malignancy (aged 11.2±4.6 y, Male = 68, mean interval from diagnosis 4.4±3.8 y) and 150 healthy controls (aged 10.4±4.8 y, Male = 67). Sun exposure and protection habits were assessed using validated questionnaires.
Patients and controls reported similar sun exposure time during weekdays (94±82 minutes/day vs. 81±65 minutes/day; p = 0.83), while during weekends patients spent significantly less time outside compared to controls (103±85 minutes/day vs. 124±87 minutes/day; p = 0.02). Time elapsed from diagnosis positively correlated with time spent outside both during weekdays (r = 0.194, p = 0.02) and weekends (r = 0.217, p = 0.01), and there was a step-up in sun exposure starting three years after diagnosis. There was no significant difference regarding composite sun protection score between patients and controls. Age was positively correlated with number of sunburns per year and sun exposure for the purpose of tanning, and was negatively correlated with the use of sun protection measures.
Although childhood cancer survivors are firmly instructed to adopt sun protection habits, the adherence to these instructions is incomplete, and more attention should be paid to improve these habits throughout their lives. Since sunlight avoidance may results in vitamin D deficiency, dietary supplementation will likely be needed.
Abstract Objective Recent studies demonstrated an association between low serum sodium levels and reduced bone density. Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are at greater risk for osteoporosis as ...well as for hyponatremia. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between hyponatremia and bone mineral density (BMD) in a large cohort of adolescent inpatients with AN. Methods A historic cohort study of 174 adolescent females (mean age 15.7 ± 1.8 y) hospitalized because of AN between 2003 and 2013. Demographic and clinical data, including age, psychiatric comorbidity, anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, and BMD scores were obtained from the patients' medical charts. Results Mean lumbar spine BMD z-score of the patients was lower than expected in the normal population (mean −1.5 ± 1.2) and positively correlated with body mass index standard deviation score (r = 0.42, P < 0.0001). Sixty-four participants (36.8%) had at least one episode of hyponatremia during the year preceding the BMD measurement. These participants had a significantly lower lumbar spine BMD z-score (−1.8 ± 1.2 versus −1.3 ± 1.2, P = 0.01) compared with participants with no hyponatremia. Lumbar spine BMD z-score was also positively correlated with the levels of free triiodothyronine (r = 0.16, P = 0.038), 17 b-estradiol (r = 0.23, P = 0.005), and luteinizing hormone (r = 0.25, P = 0.001), and negatively correlated with cortisol levels (r = 0.33, P < 0.0001). Having at least one episode of hyponatremia, BMI z-score and cortisol levels were identified as independent predictors of BMD z-score ( P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.034, respectively). Conclusions Hyponatremia may be associated with decreased bone density in adolescent females with AN. Additional studies are required to evaluate whether the correction of hyponatremia will improve BMD.
Autoantibodies to the 65 kDa isoform of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD65Ab) are associated with a range of clinical disorders, including type 1 diabetes (T1D) and stiff‐person syndrome (SPS). In ...this article we describe a young girl who was diagnosed with T1D at the end of her first year of life and developed drug‐resistant epilepsy 18 months later, followed by behavioral disturbances. She was admitted to our center at the age of 5 yr, at which time high GAD65Ab titers were detected in the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The titer remained elevated during 19 months of follow‐up. Furthermore, GAD65Ab in both serum and CSF showed epitope binding characteristics similar to those observed for GAD65Ab in SPS patients, and GAD65Ab in the serum reduced GAD65 enzyme activity. Our results suggest an association between high GAD65Ab titers and epilepsy in children with T1D. Careful titration and characterization of GAD65Ab regarding inhibition of enzyme activity and epitope specificity may be helpful in identifying T1D patients at risk for neurological complications.
Klotho is an aging-modulating protein expressed mainly in the kidneys and choroid plexus, which can also be shed, released into the circulation and act as a hormone. Klotho deficient mice are smaller ...compared to their wild-type counterparts and their somatotropes show marked atrophy and reduced number of secretory granules. Recent data also indicated an association between klotho levels and growth hormone (GH) levels in acromegaly. We aimed to study the association between klotho levels and GH deficiency (GHD) in children with growth impairment.
Prospective study comprising 99 children and adolescents (aged 9.0 ± 3.7 years, 49 male) undergoing GH stimulation tests for short stature (height-SDS = -2.1 ± 0.6). Klotho serum levels were measured using an α-klotho ELISA kit.
Klotho levels were significantly lower (p<0.001) among children with organic GHD (n = 11, 727 ± 273 pg/ml) compared to both GH sufficient participants (n = 59, 1497 ± 754 pg/ml) and those with idiopathic GHD (n = 29, 1645 ± 778 pg/ml). The difference between GHS children and children with idiopathic GHD was not significant. Klotho levels positively correlated with IGF-1- standard deviation scores (SDS) (R = 0.45, p<0.001), but were not associated with gender, pubertal status, age or anthropometric measurements.
We have shown, for the first time, an association between low serum klotho levels and organic GHD. If validated by additional studies, serum klotho may serve as novel biomarker of organic GHD.
Objective: To assess the association between obesity and primary headaches in children and adolescents.
Methods and Procedures: In a prospective study, the short‐questionnaire version based on ...existing International Headache Society diagnostic criteria was administered. Two hundred and seventy‐three children and adolescents (61% females) aged 9–17 years were assessed. One hundred and sixteen (42.5%) subjects were of normal weight, 45 (16.5%) were at risk for overweight (BMI >85th and <95th percentile for age and gender) and 112 (41%) were overweight (BMI ≥95th percentile). The outcome measures were prevalence of headaches, type of headaches, association between headaches and elevated blood pressure in overweight subjects.
Results: Headache was reported in 39 (14.3%) subjects, with a similar rate in females (14.5%) and males (14%). Among 39 subjects with headaches, 20 (17.9%) were overweight, 7 (15.6%) were at risk for overweight and 12 (10.3%) were normal‐weight children. Among females, 7.7% of normal‐weight group suffered from headaches, compared with 14.8% of the at risk for overweight group and 20.3% of the overweight group (P for trend 0.04). Among males, the occurrence of headaches was similar in all three weight groups (P = 0.96). The occurrence of headaches increased from 10.6% among children aged 9–11 years to 21.8% in the 15–18 years age group (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, a significant independent risk for headaches was present in overweight females (odds ratio (OR) = 3.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–12.1) and in adolescents aged 15–18 years (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.07–6.45).
Elevated blood pressure was not independently associated with headaches. Of the 15 children with migraine, 12 were either at risk for overweight or overweight.
Discussion: Overweight females had an almost fourfold excess risk of headaches when compared with normal‐weight girls.
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) presenting with meconium ileus (MI) tend to have worse outcomes than those without MI. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and survival rates among Israeli ...patients with CF with and without MI after a prolonged follow-up (15-30 years).
A multicenter retrospective study. Forty-nine patients with CF, representing 13.8% of all patients with CF in Israel, presented with MI (current age 17.4 +/- 7.9 years) between 1975 and 2006. They were compared with 38 patients with CF (current age 19.3 +/- 6.5 years) without MI matched by sex and CF transmembrane conductance regulator mutation.
A total of 66.2% of patients with MI and 73.6% without MI were followed for a prolonged period (24.9 +/- 2.7 years). Of the patients with MI, 31 were managed operatively, whereas 18 were treated successfully with gastrograffin enema, with similar clinical outcomes. Five patients in the MI group and 3 in the control group died during the study period. Bacterial colonization, z score of body mass index, and pulmonary function tests were similar in patients with and without MI in the long term. In younger patients, many clinical parameters were more prevalent in patients with MI (P = 0.004). However, these differences disappeared after the long-term follow-up (up to 31-years).
Patients with CF presenting with MI had similar pulmonary function and nutritional status, as well as survival rates as did the control patients without MI. The distinct genetic mutation found in our population may explain in part the favorable results compared with other studies. In addition, it seems that early diagnosis and treatment of MI in patients with CF may be beneficial, subsequently lowering morbidity, and increasing survival.
Aim: To assess the relationship between childhood obesity and penetrative sexual abuse in girls.
Methods: All obese girls referred to a hospital based pediatric endocrine unit were interviewed by a ...social worker or psychologist. Questions aimed to elicit any history of physical, emotional and sexual abuse are included. Overweight was defined as BM >95th percentile for age and gender. Body mass index (BMI) Z score (BMIZ) was calculated as measured BMI minus mean BMI for age and gender divided by standard deviation. Penetrative abuse was defined if a history was elicited of forced intercourse with any form of oral, vaginal or anal penetration.
Results: A history of penetrative abuse was elicited in 5 out of 145 (3.5%) obese girls, their mean ± SD age was 11.9 ± 3.1 years. Abused girls were significantly more obese than the remainder of the patients (BMIZ 4.76 ± 1.34 vs. 3.39 ± 1.28 p = 0.02). Forty‐two of all girls had BMI Z scores ≥4, and of these four (9.5%) had been abused. All girls had changes in normal daily behaviour including seductive behaviour, seclusion, self‐mutilation and new onset day enuresis.
Conclusion: In the evaluation of girls with marked obesity, particularly if associated with behavioural changes and failure to respond to therapy, the possible occurrence of penetrative sexual abuse should be considered.
Several studies have shown a linear correlation between nutritional status and pulmonary function in patients with cystic fibrosis. Our study aims were: 1) To evaluate the effect of nutritional ...supplementation via gastrostomy on nutritional, clinical, and pulmonary parameters, and 2) To identify predicting factors for success of long-term nutritional rehabilitation.
Twenty-one Israeli patients, aged 8 months to 20 years, underwent gastrostomy insertion from 1992 to 2001. All patients were pancreatic insufficient, and all carried severe mutations (W1282X in 62% of the patients). Anthropometric and clinical data were obtained for each patient: 0-12 months before and 6-12 months and 18-24 months after gastrostomy placement. Standard deviation scores (SDS) for height, weight, and body mass index as well as percent of height-appropriate body weight were calculated.
The mean percent-of-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decreased significantly during the first year of gastrostomy feeding (n = 16), from 44.2% +/- 13.9 to 41% +/- 13.3 (P = 0.05). However, during the second year of therapy (n = 10), a trend toward improvement was observed (from 39.4 +/- 12.1 to 41.4 +/- 16.1). Weight, and BMI z-scores as well as weight percent-of ideal body weight increased significantly. Height z-score for age decreased during the first year (from -1.9 +/- 1.3 to -2.1 +/- 1.4), However, a trend toward improvement was observed during the second year. A significant correlation was found between the change in weight z-score and height z-score during the first (r = 0.488, P = 0.016) and the second (r = 0.825, P < 0.001) years. There was no difference between compliers and noncompliers regarding height, weight, and BMI either before or after gastrostomy placement. A significant correlation between age at insertion of gastrostomy and improvement in height z-score (r = 0.52, P = 0.016) was observed. Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (n = 8) did not affect the response to supplemental feeding.
We observed a trend toward improvement of pulmonary disease during the second year, and a significant improvement in weight, height, and BMI z-scores. Compliance, diabetes, and young age prior to tube insertion did not predict success of nutritional rehabilitation.
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