The growth hormone-prolactin relationship: a neglected issue

During embryogenesis, the growth hormone-secreting cells (somatotrophs) and the prolactin-secreting cells (lactotrophs) develop from a common progenitor cell (somatomammotroph). Postnatally, in situations when one of these two hormones is oversecreted, often the second hormone is, too. The question posed is whether the increased secretion of growth hormone together with that of prolactin over long periods of time is a risk factor for malignancy.     

The weighty issue of obesity in paediatric respiratory medicine

Some have observed that developed world is fat and getting fatter. This is even extending into the developing world, and it is important to appreciate that the consequences of childhood obesity last into adulthood and are associated with premature death. From the paediatric respiratory perspective, the deposition of excess adipose tissue in the thoraco-abdominal region begins early in life and is believed to alter diaphragm mobility and chest wall expansion, reduce lung compliance, and result in a rapid shallow breathing pattern with an increased work of breathing and reduction in maximum ventilatory capacity. This results in respiratory symptoms of exertional dyspnoea related to deconditioning which may present as exercise limitation, leading to confusion with common lung diseases such as asthma. The manifestations of the increasingly prevalent problems of overweight and obesity in young people and their interaction with common conditions of asthma and obstructive sleep apnoea will be discussed.     

关于甲泼尼龙琥珀酸钠剂量的问题

王程毅 郑启安(350001福建省妇幼保健院儿科)问: 我们在查阅资料时,发现关于甲泼尼龙琥珀酸钠剂量的描述[1-3]与临床应用有较大的不同.现向专家就甲泼尼龙琥珀酸钠的剂量问题请教: 1.诸福棠实用儿科学:甲基强的松龙每次20~30mg/kg,每6小时1次,1~2d停用.