Ultrasonographic characteristics of urolithiasis in children exposed to melamine-tainted powdered formula

Background  Since the outbreak of renal diseases among children who had consumed melamine-tainted powdered formula in 2008, urinary system ultrasound examination was carried out for these children at our hospital. This study aimed to investigate the ultrasonographic characteristics of urolithiasis caused by melamine-tainted powdered formula. Methods  From September 12 to October 9, 2008, urinary system ultrasound examination for children after consumption of melamine-tainted powdered formula was carried out at the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University, China. A total of 15 577 infants and children were subjected to the examination. A questionnaire with items including demographic characteristics, history of exposure and clinical symptoms were completed before examination. Results  Among the 15 577 children, 7988 were boys and 7589 girls with age ranging from 1 month to 15 years (mean age, 22 months). Urolithiasis was found in 562 patients with an identification rate of 3.6%. Urolithiasis was identified mainly in the children aged 36 months or younger (88.6%). Unilateral kidney calculi were found in 431 children and bilateral kidney calculi in 131 children. Eleven of these children also had ureteric calculi, 1 had bladder calculi, 2 had urethral calculi, and 2 had gallbladder calculi. Fifteen children had urinary tract obstruction. Ultrasonographic characteristics of these melamine calculi were different from the calcium oxalate calculi, i.e., the lesions were less echogenic, had a more “sandy” appearance and were less dense. The posterior portion of the calculi could be observed and was accompanied with a feeble or absent acoustic shadow. Conclusions  Melamine-induced calculi were ultrasonographically less echogenic, sand-like and discrete; the posterior portion of the calculi was accompanied with a feeble or absent acoustic shadow. It might be a new type of urolithiasis in children.     

Clinical-immunological characteristics of the state of the thyroid gland in children exposed to ionizing radiation because of the Chernobyl AES accident]

Overall 806 children evacuated from the city of Pripyat were examined for the thyroid condition. The children who received a dose of more than 30 rad for the thyroid manifested primary response in the form of euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia, a high risk of the development in future of autoimmune diseases in the lack of hypothyrosis.     

Growth of human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected children exposed to perinatal zidovudine for the prevention of mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus transmission

BACKGROUND: Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programs have been implemented in several countries, and many children have been or will be exposed to antiretrovirals in utero and during their first weeks of life. Although reducing substantially the number of infected children, the potential adverse consequences of these treatments on the health of HIV-uninfected children need to be assessed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of in utero and postnatal zidovudine exposure on the growth of HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected women. METHODS: We used data prospectively collected in 1408 live born children participating in a clinical trial comparing zidovudine regimens of different durations to prevent perinatal transmission in Thailand (PHPT-1). We used a linear mixed model to analyze the anthropometric measurements (weight for age, height for age and weight for height Z-scores) until 18 months of age according to zidovudine treatment duration (mothers, <7.5 weeks versus more; infants, 3 days versus >4 weeks). RESULTS: Children exposed in utero for >7.5 weeks had a slightly lower birth weight (Z-score difference, 0.08; P = 0.003). However, zidovudine exposure had no effect on the evolution of Z-scores from 6 weeks to 18 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Although a longer in utero zidovudine exposure may have had a negative impact on birth weight, the magnitude of this effect was small and faded over time. Neither the total nor the postnatal duration of exposure was associated with changes in infant Z-scores from 6 weeks to 18 months of age.     

Mental development of 2-year-old children exposed to alcohol in utero.

In a prospective follow-up study, 60 children exposed to alcohol in utero were assessed by a psychologist (Bayley Mental scale) and a speech therapist (Reynell Verbal Comprehension scale) at a mean age of 27 months. Many mothers had been able to reduce their alcohol consumption during pregnancy, so the children could be divided into those exposed to heavy drinking during the first trimester only (group 1, n = 20), those exposed during the first and second trimesters (group 2, n = 20), and those exposed throughout pregnancy (group 3, n = 20). Forty-eight nonexposed children were examined to set the -2 SD limit for subnormal performance on the Bayley and Reynell tests. No definite effect of alcohol exposure on mental or language development was found in group 1. Children in group 3 scored significantly lower than children in group 1 both on the Bayley Mental scale and on the Reynell Verbal Comprehension scale; delay in language development was seen more often in group 2 than in group 1. The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome was made in seven children (one in group 2 and six in group 3) and the diagnosis of fetal alcohol effects in 13 children (one in group 1, three in group 2, and nine in group 3). Efforts should be made to identify and find proper treatment for women who drink alcohol early in their pregnancies.     

Familial characteristics of children born to HIV-seropositive women]

The family situation of 122 children followed at the Necker hospital is analysed in this study: 40% of these children live with both parents, while 22% live with one parent, 10% with their maternal grand mother and 28% are under the care of the Aide Sociale à l'Enfance (Social Services for Children). At this time, less stable family situations and the separation of a child from his mother are not due to the child's HIV status but rather to the social and family context. A better knowledge of these factors is essential to prevent future family separation. Increased awareness and training in this context is urgently needed by the personnel in care of these children as the situation will undoubtedly become even more serious in the next few years.     

白血病患儿及其父母心理特点调查分析

目的探讨初诊及长期无病生存白血病患儿的情绪、自我意识特征及其父母的情绪特点。方法选用儿童焦虑性情绪障碍筛查表、儿童抑郁障碍自评量表和Piers-Harris儿童自我意识量表分别对40例初诊白血病、20例长期无病生存白血病和50例正常对照儿童进行评定,同时采用焦虑自评量表、抑郁自评量表对两组白血病儿童的父母进行心理测评。结果白血病患儿的焦虑和抑郁总分均显著高于正常对照组(P值分别为0.028和0.045);其中长期无病生存组患儿在躯体化/惊恐、广泛性焦虑和社交恐怖分量表评分明显高于正常对照组(P值分别为0.002、0.019、0.001和0.000)。初诊组患儿在社交恐怖分量表得分亦显著高于正常对照组(P=0.004),在学校恐怖分量表得分显著低于正常对照组(P=0.020)。总体白血病患儿的自我意识总分低于正常对照组(P=0.003),其中长期无病生存组在焦虑、合群、幸福与满足分量表得分显著低于正常对照组(P值分别为0.041、0.037和0.037),但自我意识总分与正常对照组相比差异无显著性(P=0.581);而初诊白血病组患儿在自我意识总分及行为、智力与学校情况、躯体外貌与属性、焦虑分量表得分显著低于正常对照组(P值分别为0.007、0.001、0.005、0.031和0.001)。白血病组父母焦虑和抑郁得分均显著高于我国常模组(P0.001),其中初诊白血病组父母的焦虑和抑郁症状检出率显著高于长期无病生存组(P值分别为0.015和0.032)。患儿父母的焦虑和抑郁得分有明显的相关性(r=0.95,P0.001),但与患儿的焦虑、抑郁及自我意识得分均无显著相关性(P0.05)。结论白血病患儿及其父母较正常对照组有更多的焦虑和抑郁情绪,白血病患儿的自我意识降低。因此,应重视对白血病患儿及其父母进行心理辅导及治疗。     

How do parents adjust to a child with cancer? A clinical study of the psychosocial status of parents of children with cancer]

As chronic life-threatening diseases, cancer or leukemia in children generates an extreme situation for the family involved that can go on for years. Psychosocial care for all family members by a pediatric oncologist should be integrated into the treatment plan, as this is both helpful and necessary.     

Peripheral blood of children exposed to radiation as a consequence of the Chernobyl AES accident]

As many as 103 children exposed to minor doses of radiation after the Chernobyl accident were examined for peripheral blood morphology. Statistical and individual analysis did not reveal any pathological alterations on the part of the hemograms of the radiated children. At the same time they manifested certain deviations in the form of leukopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia, suggesting the action produced by radiation factor. On the whole, these alterations were characterized as adaptation ones of multifactorial genesis. The data obtained support an assumption that the changes in the quantitative composition of blood exposed to radiation in the doses not exceeding the maximal permissible limits were not remarkable, occurring within the physiological boundaries and could be detected only during observations made over time. Emphasis is laid on the necessity of further monitoring of the hemopoietic system of the radiated children according to the current principles of dispensary observation.     

New hospital-based policy for children whose parents present at the ER due to domestic violence, substance abuse and/or a suicide attempt

Child maltreatment is a major social problem with many adverse consequences, and a substantial number of maltreated children are not identified by health care professionals. In 2010, in order to improve the identification of maltreated children in hospitals, a new hospital-based policy was developed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This policy was adapted from another policy that was developed in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 2007. In the new Amsterdam policy, all adults presenting at the emergency department due to domestic violence, substance abuse, and/or a suicide attempt are asked whether they have any children in their care. If this is the case, parents are urged to visit the outpatient pediatric department together with all of their children. During this visit, problems are evaluated and voluntary referrals can be arranged to different care organizations. If parents refuse to cooperate, their children are reported to the Dutch Child Abuse Counseling and Reporting Centre. The two aims of this study are to describe (1) characteristics of the identified families and (2) the referrals made to different voluntary and involuntary care organizations during the first 2 years after implementation of the policy. Data were collected from medical records. One hundred and six children from 60 households were included, of which 68 children because their mother was a victim of domestic violence. Referrals to care organizations were arranged for 99 children, of which 67 on a voluntary basis. The Amsterdam policy seems successful in arranging voluntary support for the majority of identified children.