Effect of the adaptation of the food of the hospitalized child on the cover of the nutritional needs]

AIMS: Denutrition remains a major concern in hospitalized children. Daily experience suggests that the meals proposed by hospital dietetic service, although well-balanced and in accordance with the recommendations, may be poorly accepted and consumed by children. The aims of this study were to assess the effect of modification of foods offer on energy intakes as well as nutriments and minerals and trace elements in hospitalized children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 1-month period, 25 consecutive children (range 4-17 years; 13 girls), hospitalized in our pediatric department were included in the study (reasons for hospitalisation comprised: medical reasons [n=7], orthopedic problem [n=16] or surgery [n=2]). They had no restricted diet and received the usual pediatric hospital feeding according to the French recommended dietary allowances (RDA) (D1). They were compared to 21 children--matched for age, sex, nutritional status and pathology, hospitalized during the following 1-month period--who received a modified diet (D2), elaborated by dieticians according to the child's preference and excluded or limited food usually nonconsumed by the children. Food consumption was prospectively measured for 24h by analysis of the nonconsumed foods, as well as browsing and extra food brought by the family. Analysis of energy, carbohydrate, lipid, protein, iron and calcium intake was made using Bilnut 3 software (Nutrisoft, France). RESULTS: D2 covered 119+/-37% of the median energy needs versus 89+/-37% for D1 (p<0.05). The median energy needs were more often reached with D2 as compared to D1 (62% versus 32%, p<0.05). Protein intake was high in both groups, more importantly with D2 (266+/-111% of RDA versus 193+/-77% with D1, p<0.05). We observed no difference between the 2 diets in regards of fat/carbohydrate balance and iron intake. Calcium intake was increased with the adapted diet: 68+/-26% of RDA with D2 versus 49+/-26% with D1 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Adapting food offers to preference influences food and caloric intakes in hospitalized children. This could be an efficient strategy to prevent acute undernutrition in hospital.     

关节内侧间隙测量对髋关节脱位术后稳定性的预测

目的探讨关节内侧间隙测量对髋关节脱位术后稳定性的预测意义。方法分析2004～2007年本院10例髋关节再脱位患儿以及随机抽取的50例术后未发生再脱位患儿的影像学资料,对其术后1d、1周、1．5个月、3个月、4个月、5个月、6个月骨盆平片进行患侧髋关节内侧间隙值OA以及泪滴至髋臼外缘的距离OA的测量,并采用D值（D=OA／OA）进行标准化处理。结果无再脱位组D值基本小于0．8。其中30例采用髋关节外展支具,未出现再脱位,D值位于0．66～0．8之间;脱位组在石膏同定期间,D值基本小于0．7,此时股骨头位于髋臼内,未出现脱位;术后6周至3个月拆除石膏后,D值为0．66．0．8,未采取措施,相继出现脱位,此时D值基本大于0．8。结论测量关节内侧间隙对于评价髋关节脱位术后关节的稳定性以及预测早期再脱位有重要意义。D值小于0．66,关节稳定,不会出现再脱位;D值为0．66～0．8,关节稳定性受到影响,可能出现再脱位,需尽早采取干预措施;D值大于0．8,出现再脱位,简单保守治疗措旆失去作用．需再次手术蚕新复位。     

Flaws in the assessment of the best interests of the newborn

We examined the literature on ethical decisions regarding neonates, to assess whether personal beliefs and prejudices influence end-of-life decisions taken by caregivers. Studies show that religion and familiarity with disability influence caregivers' decisions, whereas the influx of already being a parent, age, sex and professional experience is controverse. Caregivers' attitudes towards end-of-life decisions are also affected by personal concerns about litigation, prejudices and their view of disability. The concept of 'poor quality of life' is widely used as a reference in end-of-life decisions, but this can be interpreted differently, leaving room for a wide range of personal viewpoints. In most cases, parents' opinions are considered important and are sometimes the main determinant in decision making. However, it is unclear whether parents' decisions are based on their own wishes or on the best interests of the newborn.
Conclusion: In neonatal end-of-life decisions, patients may not receive cures based only on their best interests.