Functional characterization of plantar pressure patterns in gait of typically developing children using dynamic pedobarography

BackgroundAbnormal foot posture is a common complaint presented in pediatric and pediatric orthopedic clinics. Functional, objective assessment of foot posture, with the potential for early identification of pathologic foot deformities, has, however, been lacking to date. While quantifying functional and regional impulses via dynamic pedobarography can improve the clinical assessment of children’s feet, normative values have not yet been reported or characterized.Research QuestionThe objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify and characterize the pattern and spectrum of foot impulses in walking-aged, typically developing children; and (2) compare these to impulses from non-disabled adults.MethodsFoot impulses of 102 participants (52 female) in five pre-determined age groups (2−3, 4–6, 7–10, 11−14, 15−17 years) were examined using dynamic pedobarography. Each pressure map (3 per foot per child) was divided according to anatomical foot regions: the hallux, heel, medial forefoot, lateral forefoot, lesser toes (D2 to D5), and midfoot. The impulse was calculated for each region and used to generate regional percent impulses and impulse ratios to assess anteroposterior and mediolateral balance within the foot.ResultsThe impulse through the midfoot was highest in the youngest age group, with a corresponding lower impulse through the medial forefoot. As age advanced, the midfoot impulse decreased (p = 0.001), and the forefoot balance shifted slightly more medially (%Medial Forefoot: p = 0.004; Medial-Lateral Forefoot Balance: p = 0.019). When compared to adults, there were no significant differences between 15−17 year old children and adults in any of the regional percent impulses and impulse ratios. This indicates that skeletal maturity of the foot by late adolescence results in functional characteristics seen in adults.SignificanceThe age-standardized norms of functional and regional impulse measures in children reported in this study can be used as a comparative benchmark in the clinical assessment of children presenting with various foot deformities.     

Prevalence and risk factors of steatosis and advanced fibrosis using transient elastography in the United States' adolescent population

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents.AIM To determine the prevalence and risk factors of steatosis and advanced fibrosis using transient elastography(TE) in the United States' adolescent population.METHODS Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018, adolescent participants aged 13 to 17 years who underwent TE and controlled attenuation parameter(CAP) were included in this study. Forty-one factors associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis were collected. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to identify statistically significant predictors.RESULTS Seven hundred and forty participants met inclusion criteria. Steatosis(S1-S3), based on CAP, and advanced fibrosis(F3-F4), based on TE, were present in 27% and 2.84% of the study population, respectively. Independent predictors of steatosis grade included log of alanine aminotransferase, insulin resistance, waistto-height ratio, and body mass index. Independent predictors of fibrosis grade included steatosis grade, non-Hispanic black race, smoking history, and systolic blood pressure.CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a high prevalence of steatosis in the United States' adolescent population. Almost 3% of United States' adolescents had advanced fibrosis. These findings are concerning because a younger age of onset of NAFLD can lead to an earlier development of severe disease, including steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver decompensation.     

晚期肿瘤患者营养状况与焦虑、抑郁的相关性分析

目的 研究晚期肿瘤患者营养状况与焦虑、抑郁不良情绪的相关性。方法 筛选2019年1月至2020年1月在重庆市 巴南区人民医院肿瘤科住院的晚期肿瘤患者，调查营养风险筛查2002（NRS 2002）评分、体质指数（BMI）、血液学指标（总蛋白、 白蛋白、血红蛋白）；用住院患者焦虑抑郁量表（HADS）对患者的焦虑、抑郁情况进行评估；分析晚期肿瘤患者营养状况与焦 虑、抑郁之间的关系。结果 1501例晚期肿瘤患者中 22.39%（336/1501）的患者 BMI<18.5 kg/m2，NRS 2002≥3 分发生率为 56.70%（851/1501）。存在营养风险患者总蛋白、白蛋白、血红蛋白以及BMI更低；比较不同癌种，晚期消化道肿瘤患者营养不 足及存在营养风险比例最高。焦虑症状阳性率为78.61%（1180/1501），抑郁症状阳性率为69.62%（1045/1501），NRS 2002评分 与焦虑、抑郁呈正相关；BMI与焦虑、抑郁呈负相关。结论 晚期肿瘤患者营养不足、营养风险发生率高，焦虑、抑郁不良情绪普 遍，NRS 2002评分越高，BMI越低，焦虑抑郁程度越重。针对营养风险高、营养不足的晚期肿瘤患者我们应加强营养治疗以及 对焦虑、抑郁不良情绪的干预。     

Abnormal glucose tolerance in a pediatric cystic fibrosis cohort: Trends in clinical outcomes and associated factors in the preceding years

Background and aimsDeterioration of anthropometric and lung function parameters was shown to precede the onset of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) in adults. In children, studies have been conducted in small cohorts with relatively short observation period. Study objectives were to document the longitudinal trends of anthropometric, pulmonary, nutritional and metabolic parameters from cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosis to the ascertainment of abnormal glucose tolerance and identify parameters associated with the incidence of such abnormalities in a pediatric CF cohort.Methods and resultsRetrospective cohort study of 281 children with CF. Longitudinal trends of anthropometric, lung function, nutritional and metabolic data were generated from CF diagnosis to the ascertainment of abnormal glucose tolerance defined as the presence of either impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), unconfirmed CFRD or CFRD. Cox models and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to identify factors associated with developing abnormal glucose tolerance.Forty-five percent of cohort had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 27% IGT, 10% unconfirmed CFRD and 18% CFRD. Children who developed CFRD displayed lower height z-scores from a very early age. Conversely, HbA1c levels began to rise closer to CFRD ascertainment. Height z-scores (HR: 0.45; CI 95% [0.29–0.69]) and HbA1c (HR: 2.43; CI 95% [1.86–3.18]) in years preceding ascertainment were associated with the risk of developing CFRD.ConclusionChildren who developed CFRD display distinctive trends for height z-scores from a very early age, whereas HbA1c appears as a marker of established glucose metabolism derangements.     

Optic pathway tumor in children: Toward a new classification for neurosurgical use

ObjectOptic pathway tumors (OPT) represent a challenge for pediatric neurosurgeons. Role of surgery is debated due to the high risk of iatrogenic damage, and in lasts decades it lost its importance in favor of chemotherapy. However, in some cases surgery is necessary to make biomolecular and histological diagnosis, to manage intracranial hypertension (IH) and to cooperate with medical therapies in controlling tumor relapse. With the aim to standardize selection of surgical OPT cases, we propose a simple, practical and reproducible classification.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data of 38 patients with OPT treated at our institution (1990–2018). After careful analysis of MRI images, we describe a new classification system. Group 1: lesion limited to one or both optic nerve(s). Group 2: chiasmatic lesions extending minimally to hypothalamus. Group 3: hypothalamo-chiasmatic exophitic lesions invading the third ventricle; they can be further divided on the base of concomitant hydrocephalus. Group 4: hypothalamo-chiasmatic lesions extending widely in lateral direction, toward the temporal or the frontal lobes. Patients’ data and adopted treatment are reported and analyzed, also depending on this classification.ResultsTwenty children were operated on for treatment of OPT during the study period. Permanent clinical impairment was noted in 5 (25%) of operated patients, while visual improvement was noted in 1 patient. OS rate was 100% at 5 years, with a median follow up of 9 years (ranging from 2 to 23). Prevalence of intracranial hypertension and proportion of first-line surgical treatment decision were significantly higher in groups 3-4 compared to groups 1-2 (P < 0.001 for both tests).ConclusionSurgery can offer a valuable therapeutic complement for OPT without major risk of iatrogenic damage. Surgery is indispensable in cases presenting with IH, as in groups 3 and 4 lesions. Eligibility of patients to surgery can be based on this new classification system.     

血液净化技术在危重患者治疗中的应用进展

近年来血液净化技术不断发展，新模式和新材料不断涌现。在多种病因导致的危重患者中，血液净化均可以发挥重要的治疗作用。特别是对于内环境严重紊乱的危重患者，血液净化已经成为重要的生命支持手段。因为连续性血液净化技术对血流动力学影响较小，在危重患者的治疗中更具有优势。免疫吸附等新技术的出现，对一些危重患者的原发病也有很好的治疗效果。但是目前还存在抗凝剂选择、容量控制等需要进一步研究的问题。     

Los ingresos ectópicos y su relación con la aparición de complicaciones y estancias prolongadas

Objective

To analyze the relationship between the type of hospital admission (outlier and non-outlier admissions) and the appearance of clinical complications and the average stay.