Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obesity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

IntroductionChildren and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appear to be at greater risk of excess weight gain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine whether children with ASD have a greater prevalence of obesity and whether the prevalence of ASD is higher in children with obesity.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and PsychINFO until May 21, 2021. We used the meta package in the R in order to calculate the pooled prevalence and relative risk of obesity in children with ASD.ResultsWe found 20 eligible studies investigating the prevalence of obesity in children with ASD, with the prevalence ranging from 7.9 to 31.8% and from 1.4 to 23.6% among controls. All but three studies originated from the USA. The proportion of children with obesity in ASD populations was 17% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13–22). The relative risk of obesity in children with ASD compared with control children was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.34–1.86). There were no controlled studies reporting on the prevalence of ASD in children with obesity.ConclusionChildren and adolescents with ASD have a higher prevalence of obesity than healthy controls. There is a need for further prevalence studies of obesity in children with ASD, especially outside the USA, since the few European studies carried out have failed to show a significant difference between obesity prevalence in children with and without ASD. There is no knowledge at all regarding the prevalence of ASD among children with obesity.     

Long-Term Aspirin Use and 5-Year Survival in Healthy Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study in South Korea

PurposeWe investigated whether long-term aspirin use is associated with 5-year all-cause mortality.Materials and MethodsParticipants were individuals aged ≥40 years who were registered in the 2010 sample cohort database of the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea. Aspirin users were divided into three groups: continuous users (2006–2010), previous users (2006–2009), and new users (2010). Individuals with a history of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease were excluded. Five-year all-cause mortality was defined as mortality due to any cause from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Data were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression.ResultsIn total, 424444 individuals were included. Five-year all-cause mortality was 9% lower in continuous aspirin users than in unexposed individuals [hazard ratio (HR): 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86–0.97; p=0.003]. Five-year all-cause mortality rates in the new aspirin users (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.90–1.11; p=0.995) and previous aspirin users (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94–1.09; p=0.776) were not significantly different from that in unexposed individuals. In the 40–60-year age group, 5-year all-cause mortality in the continuous aspirin users was 24% lower (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.90; p=0.002) than that in unexposed individuals. However, in the >60-year age group, there was no significant association between aspirin use and 5-year all-cause mortality (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90–1.02; p=0.199).ConclusionLong-term aspirin use is associated with reduced 5-year all-cause mortality in healthy adults, especially those aged <60 years.     

Visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Gurage Zone,Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundVisual impairment is one of the major public health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among school children in Gurage Zone, Southern EthiopiaMethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in eight primary schools of Gurage Zone. A total of 1064 pupils, of whom589 boys and 475 girls were selected using multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and visual acuity was measured using Snellen''s chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of visual impairment.ResultsThe prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Factors significantly associated with visual impairment were age group of 13–18 years (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI = 3.83 – 23.25), school grade level of 5- 8 (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.23 – 7.17), rural residents (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.22 – 5.54), family''s monthly income of less than 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.08 – 7.61) and visually impaired parents (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.06 – 4.39).ConclusionThis study found that the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%.     

Mortality and Morbidities according to Time of Birth in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

BackgroundAlthough the overall quality of high-risk neonatal care has improved recently, there is still concern about a difference in the quality of care when comparing off-hour births and regular-hour births. Moreover, there are no data in Korea regarding the impact of time of birth on mortality and morbidities in preterm infants.MethodsA total of 3,220 infants weighing < 1,000 g and born at 23–34 weeks in 2013–2017 were analyzed based on the Korean Neonatal Network data. Mortality and major morbidities were analyzed using logistic regression according to time of birth during off-hours (nighttime, weekend, and holiday) and regular hours. The institutes were sub-grouped into hospital group I and hospital group II based on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care level defined by the mortality rates of < 50% and ≥ 50%, respectively, in infants born at 23–24 weeks'' gestation.ResultsThe number of births during regular hours and off-hours was similar. In the total population and hospital group I, off-hour births were not associated with increased neonatal mortality and morbidities. However, in hospital group II, increased early mortality was found in the off-hour births when compared to regular-hour births.ConclusionEfforts to improve the overall quality of NICU are required to lower the early mortality rate in off-hour births. Also, other sensitive indexes for the evaluation of quality of NICU care should be further studied.     

Incidence and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Bisphosphonates and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators Treatment in Korea

BackgroundSelective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) were associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to the estrogen effect. In this study, we investigated the effect of SERMs on VTE compared to bisphosphonates (BPs) using the Korean National Health Insurance claims database.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. Women over 50 years old who were first prescribed BPs or SERMs for osteoporosis treatment in 2012 were included. The difference in VTE incidence between the SERMs and BP groups was compared. Both groups were followed up for VTE or PE occurrence, death, or until December 2016. The study population was analyzed by 3:1 matching according to age using a multivariate Cox model.ResultsThe hazard ratio (HR) for VTE was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–1.28) in the SERMs group compared to BP group. Older age (60–69 vs. 50–59 years: HR, 3.77; 95% CI, 2.07–6.86 and 70–79 vs. 50–59 years: HR, 5.88; 95% CI, 3.14–11.02), major osteoporotic fracture (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.16- 2.70), atrial fibrillation (HR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.35–8.11), and estrogen replacement (HR, 3.40; 95% CI, 2.01–5.73) all increased VTE risk. In subgroup analysis of the SERMs group, past hospitalization (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.02–4.92), estrogen replacement (HR, 5.75; 95% CI, 2.29–14.39), and glucocorticoid replacement (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.05–7.0) increased VTE risk.ConclusionSERMs did not increase the risk of VTE compared to BPs in Koreans with osteoporosis. However, old age and estrogen replacement both increased VTE risk.     

Trend of Menarcheal Age among Korean Girls

BackgroundMenarcheal age has been decreasing worldwide. However, few recent studies have observed trends in menarcheal age in larger populations, and the cutoff age for early menarche remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to analyze recent trends of menarcheal age and to determine the cutoff age of early menarche based on nationally representative data.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 351,006 Korean girls aged 12–18 years who were born in 1988–2003 based on the data of the 2006–2015 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We identified the distribution of age at menarche using the complex sample Cox regression model. Trends in the prevalence of early menarche were determined using the complex sample linear model.ResultsNinety-five percent of all the participants reported they had experienced menarche. The mean menarcheal age was 13.0 years (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 12.92–13.04) for girls born in 1988 and decreased to 12.6 years (95% CI, 12.54–12.61) for girls born in 2003. The cutoff age (the 3rd percentile value) for early menarche was 10.5 years during the study period. The prevalence of early menarche significantly increased from 1.8% in 2006 to 3.2% in 2015 (P-for-trend < 0.001). Downward trends of menarcheal age were noted across all body mass index groups, and this trend was most prominent in the obese group.ConclusionWe reported an ongoing downward trend in menarcheal age in Korean girls born in 1988–2003, decreasing by 0.4 years over the 15 years.     

Symptomatic urinary infection in childhood: presentation during a four-year study in general practice and significance and outcome at seven years

Thirty-eight children (12 boys and 26 girls) with symptomatic urinary infection have been studied in general practice. Patients were collected over a four-year period and we report an incidence of urinary infection according to Kass's criterion of 7·7 per 1,000 girls at risk per year and 3·8 per 1,000 boys at risk per year. Eighty-four per cent of the children had symptoms which suggested an origin in the genitourinary tract. Proteus infection was found in five of the boys and only one of the girls. At the end of the four-year study period follow-up had taken place over a mean period of 25 months and recurrent infection had been demonstrated in four boys and 12 girls. All the children had an excretion urogram and two children, both girls, were found to have pyelonephritic scarring. Twelve children with recurrent infection were investigated for vesicoureteric reflux, which was found only in the two children with scarring. At seven years 31 of the children remained in the practice and, with a mean follow-up of 42 months, no significant alteration in the figures for recurrent infection was demonstrated. Guidelines are suggested for the management of childhood urinary infection in general practice.     

Combined Effects of Depression and Chronic Disease on the Risk of Mortality: The Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016)

BackgroundThe prevalence of depression is much higher in people with chronic disease than in the general population. Depression exacerbates existing physical conditions, resulting in a higher-than-expected death rate from the physical condition itself. In our aging society, the prevalence of multimorbid patients is expected to increase; the resulting mental problems, especially depression, should be considered. Using a large-scale cohort from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), we analyzed the combined effects of depression and chronic disease on all-cause mortality.MethodsWe analyzed 10-year (2006–2016) longitudinal data of 9,819 individuals who took part in the KLoSA, a nationwide survey of people aged 45–79 years. We examined the association between multimorbidity and depression using chi-square test and logistic regression. We used the Cox proportional hazard model to determine the combined effects of multimorbidity and depression on the all-cause mortality risk.ResultsDuring the 10-year follow up, 1,574 people (16.0%) died. The hazard ratio associated with mild depression increased from 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.73) for no chronic disease to 1.25 (95% CI, 0.98–1.60) for 1 chronic disease, and to 2.00 (95% CI, 1.58–2.52) for multimorbidity. The hazard ratio associated with severe depression increased from 1.73 (95% CI, 1.33–2.24) for no chronic disease, to 2.03 (95% CI, 1.60–2.57) for 1 chronic disease, and to 2.94 (95% CI, 2.37–3.65) for multimorbidity.ConclusionPatients with coexisting multimorbidity and depression are at an increased risk of all-cause mortality than those with chronic disease or depression alone.     

Birthweight,Childhood Body Mass Index,Height and Growth,and Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

IntroductionAdult obesity is linked with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but the importance of body size at ages before PCOS is diagnosed is unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate associations between a woman''s own birthweight, childhood body mass index (BMI), height and growth patterns in relation to her risk of PCOS.MethodsWe included 65,665 girls from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, born in the period 1960–1996, with information on birthweight and measured weight and height at the ages of 7–13 years. Overweight was defined using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. From the Danish National Patient Register, 606 women aged 15–50 years were identified. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox regression analysis.ResultsBirthweight was not associated with PCOS. At the age of 7–13 years, girls with overweight had a higher risk of developing PCOS than girls without overweight; HR 2.83 (95% CI 2.34–3.42) at age 7 years and 2.99 (95% CI 2.38–3.76) at age 13 years. Furthermore, girls with overweight at both 7 and 13 years had a higher risk of developing PCOS than girls without overweight or overweight at only one age. Height was positively associated with PCOS risk at all ages. Girls who were persistently tall or changed from tall to average height had a higher risk of developing PCOS than girls with average height growth.ConclusionOverweight and tall stature in childhood are positively associated with PCOS risk, but birthweight is not.     

Association of objectively measured sleep with frailty and 5-year mortality in community-dwelling older adults

Study ObjectivesTo determine whether actigraphy-measured sleep was independently associated with risk of frailty and mortality over a 5-year period among older adults.MethodsWe used data from Waves 2 (W2) and 3 (W3) (2010–2015) of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, a prospective cohort of community-dwelling older adults born between 1920 and 1947. One-third of W2 respondents were randomly selected to participate in a sleep study, of whom N = 727 consented and N = 615 were included in the analytic sample. Participants were instructed to wear a wrist actigraph for 72 h (2.93 ± 0.01 nights). Actigraphic sleep parameters were averaged across nights and included total sleep time, percent sleep, sleep fragmentation index, and wake after sleep onset. Subjective sleep was collected via questionnaire. Frailty was assessed using modified Fried Frailty Index. Vital status was ascertained at the time of the W3 interview. W3 frailty/mortality status was analyzed jointly with a four-level variable: robust, pre-frail, frail, and deceased. Associations were modeled per 10-unit increase.ResultsAfter controlling for baseline frailty (robust and pre-frail categories), age, sex, education, body mass index, and sleep time preference, a higher sleep fragmentation index was associated with frailty (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.02–2.84) and mortality (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.09–4.09). Greater wake after sleep onset (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02–1.50) and lower percent sleep (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17–0.97) were associated with mortality.ConclusionsAmong community-dwelling older adults, actigraphic sleep is associated with frailty and all-cause mortality over a 5-year period. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying these associations.     

Twenty-year trends in the prevalence of Down syndrome and other trisomies in Europe: impact of maternal age and prenatal screening

This study examines trends and geographical differences in total and live birth prevalence of trisomies 21, 18 and 13 with regard to increasing maternal age and prenatal diagnosis in Europe. Twenty-one population-based EUROCAT registries covering 6.1 million births between 1990 and 2009 participated. Trisomy cases included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestational age and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. We present correction to 20 weeks gestational age (ie, correcting early terminations for the probability of fetal survival to 20 weeks) to allow for artefactual screening-related differences in total prevalence. Poisson regression was used. The proportion of births in the population to mothers aged 35+ years in the participating registries increased from 13% in 1990 to 19% in 2009. Total prevalence per 10 000 births was 22.0 (95% CI 21.7–22.4) for trisomy 21, 5.0 (95% CI 4.8–5.1) for trisomy 18 and 2.0 (95% CI 1.9–2.2) for trisomy 13; live birth prevalence was 11.2 (95% CI 10.9–11.5) for trisomy 21, 1.04 (95% CI 0.96–1.12) for trisomy 18 and 0.48 (95% CI 0.43–0.54) for trisomy 13. There was an increase in total and total corrected prevalence of all three trisomies over time, mainly explained by increasing maternal age. Live birth prevalence remained stable over time. For trisomy 21, there was a three-fold variation in live birth prevalence between countries. The rise in maternal age has led to an increase in the number of trisomy-affected pregnancies in Europe. Live birth prevalence has remained stable overall. Differences in prenatal screening and termination between countries lead to wide variation in live birth prevalence.     

Congenital clubfoot in Europe: A population‐based study

We aimed to assess prevalence, birth outcome, associated anomalies and prenatal diagnosis of congenital clubfoot in Europe using data from the EUROCAT network, and to validate the recording of congenital clubfoot as a major congenital anomaly by EUROCAT registries. Cases of congenital clubfoot were included from 18 EUROCAT registries covering more than 4.8 million births in 1995–2011. Cases without chromosomal anomalies born during 2005–2009, were randomly selected for validation using a questionnaire on diagnostic details and treatment. There was 5,458 congenital clubfoot cases of which 5,056 (93%) were liveborn infants. Total prevalence of congenital clubfoot was 1.13 per 1,000 births (95% CI 1.10–1.16). Prevalence of congenital clubfoot without chromosomal anomaly was 1.08 per 1,000 births (95% CI 1.05–1.11) and prevalence of isolated congenital clubfoot was 0.92 per 1,000 births (95% CI 0.90–0.95), both with decreasing trends over time and large variations in prevalence by registry. The majority of cases were isolated congenital clubfoot (82%) and 11% had associated major congenital anomalies. Prenatal detection rate of isolated congenital clubfoot was 22% and increased over time. Among 301 validated congenital clubfoot cases, diagnosis was confirmed for 286 (95%). In conclusion, this large population‐based study found a decreasing trend of congenital clubfoot in Europe after 1999–2002, an increasing prenatal detection rate, and a high standard of coding of congenital clubfoot in EUROCAT.     

Thrombotic Microangiopathy Score as a New Predictor of Neurologic Outcomes in Patients after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

PurposeGiven the morphological characteristics of schistocytes, thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) score can be beneficial as it can be automatically and accurately measured. This study aimed to investigate whether serial TMA scores until 48 h post admission are associated with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing targeted temperature management (TTM) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 185 patients using a prospective registry. We analyzed TMA scores at admission and after 12, 24, and 48 hours. The primary outcome measures were poor neurological outcome at discharge and 30-day mortality.ResultsIncreased TMA scores at all measured time points were independent predictors of poor neurological outcomes and 30-day mortality, with TMA score at time-12 showing the strongest correlation [odds ratio (OR), 3.008; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.707–5.300; p<0.001 and hazard ratio (HR), 1.517; 95% CI, 1.196–1.925; p<0.001]. Specifically, a TMA score ≥2 at time-12 was closely associated with an increased predictability of poor neurological outcomes (OR, 6.302; 95% CI, 2.841–13.976; p<0.001) and 30-day mortality (HR, 2.656; 95% CI, 1.675–4.211; p<0.001).ConclusionIncreased TMA scores predicted neurological outcomes and 30-day mortality in patients undergoing TTM after OHCA. In addition to the benefit of being serially measured using an automated hematology analyzer, TMA score may be a helpful tool for rapid risk stratification and identification of the need for intensive care in patients with return of spontaneous circulation after OHCA.     

Risk Factor and Clinical Outcome of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

PurposeThe development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) deteriorates patients'' quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, clinical features, risk factors and prognostic factors of BOS.ResultsOf 860 patients who survived for ≥100 days, 36 (4.2%) met the diagnostic criteria. The duration of BOS development after transplantation was 466.00 (284.00–642.75) [median (interquartile range)] days. The risk factor for the development of BOS was peripheral blood as the stem cell source with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.550 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.274–5.104, p=0.008]. In multivariate analysis, pretransplant FEV₁/FVC (HR: 0.956, 95% CI: 0.921–0.993, p=0.020) and time from HSCT to diagnosis of BOS (HR: 0.997, 95% CI: 0.994–0.999, p=0.009) were independent prognostic factors associated with mortality.ConclusionPeripheral blood as a stem cell source is a risk factor for the development of BOS. A decreased pretransplant FEV₁/FVC and shorter duration of time from transplantation to diagnosis of BOS are poor prognostic factors for BOS.     

Impact of Social Distancing on Intussusception Incidence in Children

Following nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) to mitigate coronavirus disease 2019 has led to drastic reduction in incidence of communicable disease. Intussusception is commonly preceded by infectious pathogens. Indirect effect from NPI implementation on incidence of intussusception has not been understood fully. We conducted a cohort study to estimate the impact of NPI on incidence of intussusception in Korean children. The net risk ratio of intussusception incidence for 2020 compared to 2010–2019 was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43–0.64) for boys and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.44–0.71) for girls (P for difference = 0.017). Our study showed an association between NPI implementation and reduction of intussusception incidence, with more profound reduction in boys compared to girls.     

Waning Effectiveness of One-dose Universal Varicella Vaccination in Korea, 2011–2018: a Propensity Score Matched National Population Cohort

BackgroundDespite high coverage (~98%) of universal varicella vaccination (UVV) in the Republic of Korea since 2005, reduction in the incidence rate of varicella is not obvious. The study aimed to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of one-dose UVV by timeline and severity of the disease.MethodsAll children born in Korea in 2011 were included for this retrospective cohort study that analyzed insurance claims data from 2011–2018 and the varicella vaccination records in the immunization registry. Adjusted hazard ratios by Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the VE through propensity score matching by the month of birth, sex, healthcare utilization rate, and region.ResultsOf the total 421,070 newborns in the 2011 birth cohort, 13,360 were matched for age, sex, healthcare utilization rate, and region by the propensity score matching method. A total of 55,940 (13.29%) children were diagnosed with varicella, with the incidence rate 24.2 per 1000 person-year; 13.4% of vaccinated children and 10.4% of unvaccinated children. The VE of one-dose UVV against any varicella was 86.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 81.4–89.5) during the first year after vaccination and 49.9% (95% CI, 43.3–55.7) during the 6-year follow-up period since vaccination, resulting in a 7.2% annual decrease of VE. The overall VE for severe varicella was 66.3%. The VE of two-dose compared to one-dose was 73.4% (95% CI, 72.2–74.6).ConclusionWe found lower long-term VE in one-dose vaccination and waning of effectiveness over time. Longer follow ups of the vaccinated children as well as appropriately designed studies are needed to establish the optimal strategy in preventing varicella in Korea.     

Effect of Dementia on Postoperative Mortality in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dementia as an underlying disease in elderly patients with hip fracture, to investigate the effect of dementia on postoperative mortality after surgery of hip fracture, and to analyze the differences in postoperative mortalities according to the severity of dementia through subgroup analysis.MethodsThis study selected 2,346 elderly patients who were diagnosed with unilateral intertrochanteric or femoral neck fractures who underwent surgery between January 2004 and December 2018. The patients were classified into the non-dementia group (2,196 patients) and dementia group (150 patients; no-medication [66 patients] and medication [84 patients] subgroups). The cumulative crude mortality rate was calculated, and 30-day, 60-day, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year mortality rates were compared between the groups. A univariate regression test was performed using age, sex, diagnosis, surgery type, and Charlson''s comorbidity index (CCI), as these variables had P values of < 0.10. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with mortality.ResultsThe 30-day, 60-day, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year postoperative cumulative mortality rates were 1.8%, 3.8%, 5.6%, 8.9%, and 13.6%, respectively, in the non-dementia group, and 2%, 7.3%, 14%, 19.3%, and 24%, respectively, in the dementia group (P = 0.748, P = 0.048, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001). The factors that affected the 1-year mortality were age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.08; P < 0.001), sex (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 2.07–3.47; P < 0.001), CCI (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23–1.47; P < 0.001), and dementia (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.46–1.08; P = 0.016). In subgroup analysis, severity of dementia influenced the 6-month mortality (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.70–2.01; P = 0.018), and 1-year mortality (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.17–1.90; P = 0.027).ConclusionIn elderly hip fracture patients, the comparison between patients with and without dementia revealed that dementia was an independent risk factor for mortality at a minimum of 1 year of follow-up, and the severity of dementia in hip fracture patients was a risk factor for mortality within 6 months and 1 year, postoperatively.     

Growth in Exclusively Breastfed and Non-exclusively Breastfed Children: Comparisons with WHO Child Growth Standards and Korean National Growth Charts

BackgroundThis study examined the relationship of infant feeding with anthropometric indices of children during their first six years of life relative to the Korean National Growth Charts (KNGC) and the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS).MethodsThe study population consisted of 547,669 Korean infants and children who were 6 months-old to 6 years-old (born in 2008–2009) and participated in the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. Data on height, weight, and type of feeding during the first 6 months (exclusively breastfed [BF] vs. mixed- or formula-fed [FF]) were analyzed.ResultsBF boys and girls were significantly shorter and lighter than FF counterparts from the age of 6 months to 4 years, but these differences were not significant after the age of 4 years. BF boys and girls only had significantly lower body mass index at the age of 2 years. Under the age of 2 years 6 months, and especially under the age of 1 year, BF boys and girls were significantly taller and heavier than the 50th percentile values of the 50th percentile value of the WHO-CGS.ConclusionIn this study using large-scaled national data, Korean breastfed children are shorter and lighter by 3 years 6 months–4 years 6 months, but afterward, there is no significant difference from those who had mixed- or formula-feeding. Substantial disparities in the anthropometric indices of Korean infants under the age of 1 compared to KNCG and WHO-CGS were found, regardless of their infantile feeding types. Our results emphasize the importance of constructing a nationwide reference chart based on actual measurements of BF Korean infants.     

Trends of Diabetes and Prediabetes Prevalence among Korean Adolescents From 2007 to 2018

BackgroundTo provide updated prevalence data and to estimate changes in the prevalence of diabetes among Korean adolescents by sex and age between 2007 and 2018.MethodsWe used the data of children and adolescents (8,718 subjects aged 10 to 18 years) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV–VII (KNHANES 2007–2018). The recent prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes was estimated by using the latest KNHANES VII. The linear trends were estimated by comparing 3-year KNHANES cycles according to sex and by using logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes was 0.298% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.289–0.308) and 7.914% (95% CI, 0.43–0.49). The prevalence of diabetes significantly increased from 0.189 to 0.430 during KNHANE IV and VII. A positive linear trend is significant for diabetes (P trends = 0.006) in only male subjects. The prevalence of pre-diabetes significantly increased from 5.86 to 12.08 in both sexes. During KNHANES IV and VII, the prevalence of obesity increased significantly.ConclusionBetween 2007 and 2018, the prevalence of diabetes among Korean adolescents increased. Further studies are required to determine the causes of these increases.     

Efficacy and harms of convalescent plasma for treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionWe systematically reviewed benefits and harms of convalescent plasma (CP) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Material and methodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies assessing CP effects on hospitalized, adult COVID-19 patients were searched until November 24, 2020. We assessed risk of bias (RoB) using Cochrane RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. Inverse variance random effect meta-analyses were performed. Quality of evidence was evaluated using GRADE methodology. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, clinical improvement, and adverse events.ResultsFive RCTs (n = 1067) and 6 cohorts (n = 881) were included. Three and 1 RCTs had some concerns and high RoB, respectively; and there was serious RoB in all cohorts. Convalescent plasma did not reduce all-cause mortality in RCTs of severe (RR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.33–1.10) or moderate (RR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.09–3.86) COVID-19 vs. standard of care (SOC); CP reduced all-cause mortality vs. SOC in cohorts (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49–0.91). Convalescent plasma did not reduce invasive ventilation vs. SOC in moderate disease (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.47–1.55). In comparison to placebo + SOC, CP did not affect all-cause mortality (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.48–1.16) or clinical improvement (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.82–1.40) in severe patients. Adverse and serious adverse events were scarce, similar between CP and controls. Quality of evidence was low or very low for most outcomes.ConclusionsIn comparison to SOC or placebo + SOC, CP did not reduce all-cause mortality in RCTs of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma did not have an effect on other clinical or safety outcomes. Until now there is no good quality evidence to recommend CP for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.