Anthropometric measurements of children attending a vaccination clinic in Yaounde, Cameroon

Background

Growth faltering is a frequent public health problem in children and anthropometric measurements are useful tools for follow-up and early diagnosis. This problem has not been studied in the Cameroonian setting, that''s why we undertook this study.

Objectives

To have a synopsis of the nutritional status in apparently healthy children attending a vaccination clinic and show the importance of anthropometric measurements in routine child health care.

Design

A retrospective study.

Patients and Participants

1351 children aged (6–24months), who attended the vaccination clinic of the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital over a 6 month period, were enrolled in the study.

Method

The registers of the vaccination clinic of the above hospital were retrospectively reviewed from 1^st March to 31^st August 2005. The following parameters were noted: age, height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and Z scores calculated for the following indicators: weight for age (WAZ), weight for height (WHZ), and height for age (HAZ).

Results

Our results show that 12 children (1.1percent) in the 0–6 months age group and 4 (1.6 percent) in the 6–12 months age group had WAZ less than -2 indicating underweight. Also 10 children (0.9 percent) and 2 (0.8 percent) in the 0–6 and 6–12 months age groups respectively had WHZ less than −2, indicating wasting. HAZ was less than −2 in 70 children (6.4 percent) and in 8 (3.2 percent) in the 0–6 and 6–12 months age groups respectively indicating stunting. The MUAC was less than 12.5 cm in 6 children (2.4 percent).

Conclusions

From our results, we conclude that growth faltering is common in supposedly healthy children attending our vaccination clinic. Anthropometric measurements are thus recommended and should be encouraged in routine child care settings for early diagnosis of growth retardation and to provide useful interventions.     

江西客家人体质特征

目的 了解江西客家人的体质特征并分析江西客家人在蒙古人种中的分型地位. 方法 采用国际学术界规定方法,在江西赣州调查了337例男性(城市客家人男性为154例,乡村客家人男性为183例)和346例客家人女性(城市女性为150例,乡村女性为196例))成人的86项体质指标,计算了23项体质指数,统计了指数分型比例,与我国族群资料进行了比较,对江西客家人体质特征进行了初步分析. 结果 (1)江西客家人上眼睑有皱褶率低,有蒙古褶率高,眼裂狭窄,眼外角多高于眼内角,鼻根高度多为中等型,直鼻背,鼻基部多上翘,鼻翼高度多为中等,鼻宽值多大于眼内角间宽值,上唇皮肤部高度多为中等,男性红唇薄型率略高于中等型率,女性薄型率最高.江西客家人发黑,皮肤黄色率最高,眼褐色率最高.江西客家人头面部观察指标表现出蒙古人种北方族群的头面部特征.但其鼻翼较宽,又表现出南亚类型的一定体质特点.(2)江西客家人男女性均以圆头型、高头型、中头型、中鼻型率最高.男性以阔面型率最高;女性则以狭面型率最高.江西客家人头面部测量指标值更接近于北方族群,头面部指数值介于南方、北方族群之间.(3)江西客家人城市、乡村的男性与女性身高均属于中等身材.江西客家人男女性均以长躯干型、亚短腿型率最高.男性和城市女性以中胸型率最高,乡村女性以宽胸型率最高.男性与乡村女性中肩型、宽肩型率均较高.男性以中骨盆型率最高. 结论 聚类分析显示,客家人既具有北方族群体质特征,又具有南方族群体质特征.     

江苏淮安地区汉族Heath-Carter法体型研究

目的 探讨江苏省淮安市成年人体型特征.方法 应用Heath-Carter人体测量法对该地区汉族成人20-85周岁,总计732人,其中包括城市311人(城市男性157人,城市女性154人)、乡村421人(乡村男性213人,乡村女性208人)进行了体型评定,并将该地区汉族的体型与我国部分省份的群体体型进行比较.结果 1.江苏淮安汉族城市男性和乡村男性平均体型值分别为5.3-5.1-1.5和5.1-5.0-1.8;城市女性和乡村女性平均体型值为6.3-4.6-1.4和6.5-4.7-1.5.2.江苏淮安汉族城市男性和乡村男性的体型都属于内胚层-中胚层均衡体型;城市女性和乡村女性的体型都属于偏中胚层的内胚层体型.3.随着年龄的增长,城市、乡村男性外因子值普遍下降,内因子值和中因子值均先上升后下降;城市、乡村女性内因子值和中因子值上升,外因子值下降.4.江苏淮安汉族成人体型城、乡间差异不显著,性别间差异显著.5.与国内其他汉族族群相比,江苏汉族男、女体型与山东汉族和四川汉族比较接近.6.与国内其他民族相比,江苏淮安汉族男、女平均体型点与蒙古族比较接近,与壮族和仡佬族关系最为疏远,该地区的体型接近于我国北方族群.结论 江苏淮安汉族体型接近我国北方族群.     

嗅觉相关结构MRI体积测量的研究进展

嗅觉是人体重要的感觉功能之一。嗅觉功能的改变会影响相应的神经结构体积变化,通过MRI对相关结构体积的定量测量,可以准确、客观地评估及检测嗅觉功能。本文对嗅觉相关结构体积的变化、嗅觉功能评分的改变及其相关性进行综述。     

胸腰段椎体成形术单侧经椎弓根穿刺的研究

目的 通过测量经皮穿刺经椎弓根植骨最佳进针点、角度、深度等相关参数,总结单侧经椎弓根穿刺的规范化方案,为临床手术操作提供依据.方法 取10具人体胸腰段(T11～L3)脊柱防腐标本,根据Roy-Camille法,确定进针点和靶点,用3 mm克氏针分别进行穿刺并在X线水平面和矢状面透视下观察,直到穿刺位置满意.在X线照片上测量上倾角、外倾角;取出克氏针测量进针的深度;变换X线照片上的进针点位置后测量最大上倾角和最大下倾角.结果 安全穿刺途径的上倾角、外倾角随T11～L3逐渐增大,深度T11～T12逐渐增大,L1～L3逐渐增大,可允许误差的最大下倾角、最大上倾角T11～L3逐渐增大.外倾角的可变动范围极其狭小.结论 本试验得到安全穿刺途径的各参数数据,对单侧经椎弓根穿刺椎体成形术的临床操作有指导意义.并发现当椎弓根细小或角度偏小时,单侧经椎弓根穿刺胸腰段椎体成形术对操作的精确度提出了非常高的要求.

Abstract：

Objective To measure such operative parameters of unipedicular kyphoplasty as optimal entry point, angle and depth so as to provide rationales for its clinical management and formulate a standardized protocol for unipedicular vertebroplasty. Methods Ten dry thoracolumbar specimens were prepared for measurement. The entry and target points were defined according to the Roy-Camille method. A 3mm Kirschner wire was used to puncture and view in the anteroposterior and lateral aspects of radiography until a satisfying position. The outside oblique and upward oblique angles were measured on the radiographic pictures. After extraction, the depth of Kirschner wire was measured. The positions of entry point were changed and the largest upward oblique angle and largest declination angle measured on the radiographic pictures. Results For safe puncturing, as the outside oblique and upward oblique angles enlarged from T11 to L3, the length enlarged from T11 to T12 and L1 to L3. The accepted error was that the largest upward oblique angle and largest declination angle enlarged from T11 to L3. The alteration range for outside oblique angle was extremely narrow. Conclusion The experimental results provide the guiding data for the operative management of unipedicular thoracolumbar vertebroplasty. ff the pedicle is too small or the angle too narrow,the operative sophistication of vertebroplasty will be highly demanding.     

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment of mandibular distal occlusion and the progress of therapy: A case report

BackgroundStudies have demonstrated a relationship between dental malocclusion and posture defects. The aims of the study were to present (1) the effect of a physiotherapeutic approach to a patient with a distal occlusion defect with the use of a set of exercises to strengthen the muscles responsible for mandibular protrusion, and (2) a non-invasive and easy-to-use method to monitor the effects of therapy.MethodsFive year old girl with a distal occlusion and with a low basic postural tone was referred to physiotherapy. A therapeutic program i.a. concerning a strengthening of the temporomandibular joint muscles with the use of a flexible tape was proposed. To assess the functional changes of the masticatory apparatus a photoanthropometric method was used. In side-face photos, proportions of 2 linear measurements and values of two angles on the first day of therapy, after 2 and after 4 months of exercises, with the mandible located freely and in the maximum protrusion were compared.ResultsA comparison of indices and angles showed a marked improvement in mandibular mobility already after two and four months of the exercises. Using the elastic resistance tape in addition to general developmental exercises allowed for increasing the mobility in the temporomandibular joint.ConclusionMalocclusion should not be considered separately, without taking into account the body posture. The work of the physiotherapist can benefit the orthodontist, correcting postural defects and consequently affecting malocclusion. A comparison of linear measurements and angles can be used to assess the progress of the therapy.     

Relationship between height and hypertension among women in India: Evidence from the fourth round of National Family Health Survey

Background and aimsHypertension (HTN) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially among women. Literature suggests an association between height and hypertension. We did this study to ascertain an association between hypertension and height and explore their determinants among Indian women of reproductive age group (15–49 years).MethodsWe did a secondary data analysis of the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015–16) and included 5,36,093 women between 20 and 49 years. Blood pressure and height were measured using the standard procedures. Weighted analysis was done to depict the association between the two variables.ResultsOverall prevalence of HTN was 13.49%. We observed an inverse association between height and mean blood pressure of the women, and shorter women had a higher prevalence of HTN. The height of women was found to be associated with lower systolic blood pressure but not with diastolic blood pressure. Women's height depicted significant associations with age and other socio-economic and geographical parameters. Prevalence of HTN depicted a significant association with height and across other subgroups stratified by these parameters.ConclusionWe observed a positive association between the systolic BP and the height of the female. Height is one of the most convenient forms of identifying target groups that should not be missed during screening women for NCDs, especially during pregnancy to prevent premature morbidity and mortality. We recommend disseminating this concept to our primary health care workers, who are also the point of first contact for early screening and halt the burden of disease.     

Temporal trends in muscular fitness of English 10-year-olds 1998–2014: An allometric approach

Objectives

To identify temporal trends in muscular fitness of English children using allometric scaling for height and weight to adjust for the influence of body size.