A longitudinal study of the growth in height of boys and girls of West Bengal (India) aged six months to 20 years

This study is the first Indian longitudinal growth survey from early childhood to maturity. The heights of 303 boys and 260 girls, from middle-class families in a semi-urban area south of Calcutta, were measured at regular intervals over periods of up to 14 years (between 1952 and 1966). The data were analysed using appropriate mixed longitudinal and curve-fitting techniques.

Growth in height of these middle-class Bengali children, who are not a representative sample of the Indian population, is slightly above the national Indian Council of Medical Research Standards. In both sexes, mean heights are below the 10th centile line of the British standards from an early age onwards, mainly due to a smaller prepubertal growth.

The adolescent growth spurt in the Indians is similar to that seen in British children, as is the age at which it occurs (peak height velocity at 14·0 years in boys, 12·5 years in girls). The sex difference of 14·0 cm in adult stature is attributable to a greater adolescent gain in the boys of 6·0 cm, a greater height in boys at the girls' age at take-off of 3·3 cm and a gain in height by the boys of 4·7 cm between the girls' and boys' ages at take-off.     

Entomophthoromycosis in South Bengal (Eastern India): a 9 years study

Subcutaneous mycoses caused by the family Entomophthoraceae is very rare type of disease and is being reported sporadically from various Tropical countries including India. Here we report 8 cases of rhinoentomophthoromycosis caused by Conidiobolous coronatus and 7 cases of chronic subcutaneous phycomycosis caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. Cases were detected during a span of 9 years between 1991 to 1999, from 9 districts in and around Kolkata (Eastern India). Former type of lesions were detected among 20 to 65 age group of healthy individuals, predominantly males (7:1). In the latter type, male-female ratio was 2:5, and except for one all cases belonged to below 20 years age group of healthy individuals. Several cases were detected only after examination of repeat biopsy samples. With high degree of clinical suspicion, right approach is needed for laboratory confirmation of diagnosis.     

Inheritance of six anthropometric traits in Vaidyas of West Bengal, India

BACKGROUND: Anthropometric traits are important quantitative traits used by biological anthropologists. Surprisingly little is known about their pattern of inter-generational transmission, probably due to lack of use of developed statistical analysis in previous studies. AIM: The present study is an attempt to approach the problem of the inheritance of anthropometric traits through advanced statistical applications. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Measurements of 824 individuals from 200 families including two generations were collected from Barasat, West Bengal. The study includes age correction by regression, familial correlation, heritability estimation and segregation analyses. RESULTS: Results showed that there is strong involvement of the familial component in variation of anthropometric traits. The magnitude of heritability (h2= 57-83%) also supports their strong genetic basis. The results indicated that additive genes are not the only contributing factor; the effect of environment is considerable and that of dominant genes not negligible. Due to genetic interaction with the local environment (specific for each trait), heritabilities vary from one trait to another. Length measurements have higher heritability than breadth measurements. Segregation analysis revealed that either the additive or dominant major gene (MG) is responsible for this effect, which follows simple Mendelian transmission. Beside this, the possibility of the existence of an additional minor gene cannot be discarded. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric traits have a genetic basis but their mode of inheritance is quite complex in nature. There is evidence of major gene effect (along with polygenes) with Mendelian transmission.     

Incidence of influenza and associated illness in children aged 0-19 years: a systematic review

A systematic review was conducted to estimate the incidence of influenza and concomitant morbidity and mortality in children from 0 to 19 years (0-19 years). Medline was searched for observational studies and placebo or non-treated arms of experimental studies providing occurrence rates of laboratory-proven influenza illness.From the 2758 titles identified, 356 full papers were reviewed based on the abstract or title; after searching their reference lists an additional 16 papers were found. Finally 28 studies met our inclusion criteria, reporting a varying seasonal incidence of influenza of up to 46%. However, when analysing two long-term observational studies and averaging seasonal fluctuations, the overall incidence of influenza was found to range from 5% to 9.5% per year. Serious morbidity was seldom reported and no cases of mortality were found. Our review shows influenza as an infection with a moderate average incidence and a self-limiting character that is associated with mild morbidity and rare cases of mortality in children. This systematic review may be subject to two contrasting biases. First, the limited number of children reported in the literature with proven influenza infections would tend to under-represent the incidence of uncommon but serious complications such as death. Second, the preferential reporting of influenza outbreak seasons may over-estimate the importance of influenza. Future population based studies should focus on consecutive influenza seasons and capture indirect benefits of vaccinations such as interruption of transmission in the community so that preventive strategies for children can be reconsidered with special attention to their cost effectiveness.     

Kinrix: a new combination DTaP-IPV vaccine for children aged 4-6 years

Combination vaccines allow the administration of multiple vaccine antigens without the need for multiple injections. Recently, a combined diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis and inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (DTaP-IPV), Kinrix, has been licensed in the USA for use as the fifth DTaP dose and fourth IPV dose in children 4-6 years of age. Clinical trials have shown Kinrix to be immunogenic in 4-6-year-old children, with a safety profile comparable with that of separate DTaP and IPV vaccination. The use of Kinrix reduces by one the number of injections required to provide this age group with all recommended immunizations. Strategies such as the use of combined vaccines can help to maintain high levels of coverage against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis diseases.     

Characteristics of obese children aged 1-4 years at a referral clinic

OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristics and indicators of nutritional status of young, obese children. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 135 children aged 1-4 years seen in an urban referral setting between January 2000 and June 2006 were reviewed. Characteristics associated with severe obesity [percent ideal body weight (%IBW) > or = 160%] were determined. Relationships between %IBW, weight-for-height Z score (WHZ), body mass index (BMI) and BMI Z score (BMIZ) were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic analyses evaluated BMI values classifying severe and moderate (140-159% IBW) obesity. RESULTS: Children were: 41% male, 71% Hispanic, 76% Medicaid/uninsured, 64% ever breastfed, had median BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and median %IBW of 159. Fifty-two percent of mothers had BMI > or = 30 kg/m2. Severely obese children more frequently had an obese mother, birthweight > or = 4 kg, were older, male, never breastfed and reported higher juice intake. WHZ and BMIZ were lowest at 4 years; BMI and %IBW were lowest at 1 year. %IBW and BMI were highly correlated. BMI > or = 22.2 kg/ m2 indicated moderate obesity (sensitivity = 0.90, specificity = 0.93), and BMI > or = 25.0 kg/m2 indicated severe obesity (sensitivity = 0.97, specificity = 0.92). CONCLUSION: Few current health behaviors and many family or past risk factors were associated with degree of obesity. %IBW and BMI may be the most useful nutritional status measures to track progress in young, obese children.     

Population ecology of Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae) in West Bengal, India.

The population abundance of Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti was studied between January 1986 and December 1987 at 2 sites in West Bengal, India, in relation to 8 ecological parameters (air temperature, rainfall, windspeed, relative humidity, soil moisture, soil temperature, soil pH, and soil organic carbon). Sand flies were present throughout the year with minimum abundance in winter months and maximum during monsoon and postmonsoon months. Correlation analysis examined pairwise relationships among the 8 ecological parameters and P. argentipes abundance. Multiple linear regression of sand fly abundance on the 8 parameters showed that average soil temperature and soil moisture, both recorded 1 mo earlier, were associated positively with sand fly abundance. These findings have important implications for Indian kala-azar disease control and prevention. Effective vector management programs are needed most when weather conditions favor increased sand fly abundance, given that greater sand fly abundance increases the likelihood of host-vector contact and the transmission of Leishmania.     

The physical activity of children: a study of 1,602 Irish schoolchildren aged 11-12 years

The adoption of a physically active lifestyle is widely believed to be a component of preventive medicine best initiated in childhood. Information on the factors that influence activity behaviour is prerequisite to effective health promotion. Data were collected from a cohort of preadolescent children in 5th and 6th classes of 62 Irish national primary school. 1,602 children were interviewed, 810 girls and 792 boys. Gender differences in recreational activity were significant (p <.0001), and a significant decline was observed in girls' activity from 5th to 6th class (p<.0001). Evidence of social class effect on behaviour was not convincing. In regression analysis, primary PE (B,0.016, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.021, p <.0001). gender (B, -.209, 95% CI -.277 to -.141, p < .0001), sports club membership (B,.201, 95% CI .131 to .272, p < .0001), and social integration status (B, .039, 95% CI .024 to .055, p < .0001) were identified as significant independent predictors of recreational activity. Parental support and physical self-perception were weak predictors. Findings suggest that the primary school plays an important role in the socialisation of children into active lifestyles.     

Immunoglobulin (Gm and Km) allotypes in nine endogamous groups of West Bengal, India

Blood samples from 898 individuals of nine endogamous groups of West Bengal, India were typed for determining the haplotypic structure in the gamma-light chain (Gm) and kappa-light chain (Km) of immunoglobulin (IgG). The Gm haplotype frequencies detected by Glm (1), Glm (2) and G3m (5) markers suggest that in this eastern state of India there is considerable variation of frequencies of the typical Mongoloid haplotype Gm1,5, which shows a high incidence in Rajbanshi, Rabha, Garo and Lodha groups. On the contrary, this haplotype is probably absent in the high caste groups, Rarhi Brahmin and Vaidya, and is relatively infrequent in Jalia Kaibarta, a scheduled caste of the south-western part of the state. The Km1 allele is also high in frequency among Rajbanshi, Rabha, Garo and Munda in comparison with Rarhi Brahmin and Vaidya, suggesting the former four groups' strong Mongoloid affiliation. This survey signifies that there is considerable variation in the extent of Mongoloid admixture in Bengali populations. Such admixture is not restricted in specific social class either. It further demonstrates that heterogeneity of the genetic structure of Bengali populations do not correspond to the present social ranking on the basis of caste hierarchy.     

Menstrual characteristics: A study of the adolescents of rural and urban West Bengal,India

Abstract

Background: It has been observed that menstrual characteristics are generally influenced by lifestyle, socio-cultural and biological factors.

Aim: The present study examines: (a) variation in menstrual characteristics between rural and urban adolescents; and (b) whether these characteristics can be predicted from various socio-economic variables related to place of residence.

Subjects and methods: The sample of the present study constituted 715 adolescent girls from rural (325) and urban (390) areas of West Bengal, a State of India. These girls belong to a Bengali-speaking Hindu ethnic group. Data on socio-economic variables and menstrual characteristics were collected using pretested questionnaires.

Results: Rural and urban adolescents differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with respect to age at menarche, skipped and irregular cycles, premenstrual syndrome, duration of menstrual discharge, mean number of days of peak discharge and problems related to menstrual discharge. Place of residence was found to be a significant predictor of age at menarche (β = 0.27, p < 0.01). Significant association was observed between some of the socio-economic variables and various menstrual characteristics among the study participants.

Conclusions: Menstrual characteristics differ significantly between rural and urban adolescents. Moreover, various socio-economic variables pertaining to place of residence significantly affect the menstrual characteristics among adolescents.     

Somatotype and blood pressure of rural South African children aged 6-13 years: Ellisras longitudinal growth and health study

BACKGROUND: Physique has been useful in assessing the outcome of underlying growth and maturity processes, which leads to a better understanding of variation in child and adult health. However, a high endomorphy rating has been associated with hypertension in adults, posing a serious threat to their health status, while receiving little attention in children. AIM: The study examined the association between somatotypes, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) in 6-13-year-old rural children, in Ellisras, South Africa. SUBJECTS: A total of 1902 subjects (980 boys and 922 girls) aged 6-13 years were studied as part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study. Height, weight, four skinfold sites, two breadths, and two girths were measured according to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The Heath-Carter method of somatotyping was used, together with internationally recommended cut-off points for BMI in children. Hypertension, defined as the average of three separate BP readings, where the systolic or diastolic BP is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex, was determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension ranges from 1 to 5.8% in boys and 3.4-11.4% in girls. The prevalence of overweight ranges from 1.1 to 2.9% in boys and 0.6-4.6% in girls. Systolic BP and BMI showed a significant positive correlation at age 6 years (r = 0.436) and 10-13 years (r = 0.180-0.246 in boys and r = 0.221-0.271 in girls). Diastolic BP showed an insignificant correlation with the BMI and somatotype components in boys and girls. CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between BP and BMI, and ectomorphy components even after being adjusted for age, gender and height. The need to manage hypertensive individuals is evident in this sample to combat this chronic disease from an early age. Follow-up studies should investigate the relationship between BP and the dietary intake of these children.     

On a new species of Aplectana (Nematoda,Cosmocercidae) from Kulti,Burdwan, West Bengal,India

During routine survey for amphibian nematodes from coalfield areas of West Bengal, India 7 male and 12 female nematodes were recovered from the rectum of one out of three Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1899) examined for helminth infection from Kulti, Burdwan. On examination the recovered nematodes were found to belong to a new species of the genus Aplectana (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) and the name Aplectana duttaphryni sp. nov. is proposed for them. This species is most similar to those species which possess gubernaculum but differs from all by distribution pattern of caudal papillae. Aplectana duttaphryni sp. nov. represents 49^th species assigned to the genus, but only the 4^th species reported from Oriental realm and second from India.     

A two-year longitudinal study of dietary intake in relation to the growth of 405 English children initially aged 11-12 years

This report is of a two-year longitudinal study of dietary intake and growth in height and weight of 405 children, initially aged 11-12 years. Between 1979 and 1981 they each recorded their food intake on five occasions for three consecutive days using a diet diary with a 20 min private interview on the fourth day. Computerized food tables were used. Social class was recorded. The usual differences in height, weight and growth increments between the social classes were found. There were no significant differences in nutrient intake between social classes. Within a social class there were few statistically significant correlations between energy or protein intake and height or weight increments. It was concluded that a very high reliability of food intake measurements would be required in order to relate diet to growth and many other factors (e.g. energy expenditure, body composition and puberty) may also mask any such relationship. Social class alone would seem an inadequate means of allowing for such factors.     

Fexofenadine is efficacious and safe in children (aged 6-11 years) with seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: This is the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showing statistical improvement of an H(1)-antihistamine in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis in all symptoms throughout the entire treatment period. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. METHODS: This study was conducted at 148 centers in 15 countries. Nine hundred thirty-five children (aged 6-11 years) were randomized and treated with either fexofenadine HCl 30 mg (n = 464) or placebo (n = 471) tablets twice a day for 14 days. Individual symptoms (sneezing; rhinorrhea; itchy nose, mouth, throat, and/or ears; itchy, watery, and/or red eyes; and nasal congestion) were assessed at baseline and then daily at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM (+/-1 hour) during the double-blind treatment period. Each total symptom score was the sum of all symptoms, excluding nasal congestion. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline in the average of the daily 12-hour evening reflective total symptom scores throughout the double-blind treatment. Safety was evaluated from adverse-event reporting, vital signs, physical examinations, and clinical laboratory data at screening and study end point. RESULTS: Fexofenadine was significantly superior to placebo in the primary efficacy analysis (P 相似文献   

A decade-long temporal analyses of human group-A rotavirus among children with gastroenteritis: Prevaccination scenario in West Bengal,eastern India

Despite the significant reduction in the global infantile death toll due to rotaviral diarrhea, India still contributes substantially to rotavirus-related hospitalization as well as mortality rates. The rotavirus surveillance study conducted from 2008 through 2017 among children (≤5 years) with moderate to severe gastroenteritis seeking healthcare facilities at two hospitals in eastern India, revealed a change in the proportion of rotavirus positivity, seasonality, and age-group specificity along with the cycling of different usual and unusual genotypes in this endemic setting. G1 strains predominated during 2008-2010, while G2 and G9 genotypes eventually upsurged during 2011-2013. G1 strains re-established their lead during 2013-2015, while G3 emerged for the first time in eastern India in 2015 and rooted itself as the cardinal strain 2016 onwards. Evolutionary analyses of all the predominant genotypes (G1, G2, G3, and G9) revealed that they were mostly phylogenetically distant to the rotavirus vaccine strains as depicted in the phylogenetic dendrogram. These decade-long epidemiological studies during the pre-vaccination period in West Bengal (eastern India) underscore the cocirculation of multiple rotavirus genotypes in addition to sporadic occurrence of zoonotic strains like G10P[6] and G11P[25].     

Body scaling of grip configurations in children aged 6-12 years

This study examined the influence of body scale on the grip configurations used by young children (6-12 years old) to displace cubes that varied systematically in size (L) and mass (M). It was determined if the scaling relation we had developed for adults K = log Lc + ((log Mc)/(a + bLh + cMh)) where L(c) and M(c) is the length side and mass of the cubes, respectively, and L(h) and M(h) are the length and mass of the hand, respectively, it would also predict the change in grip configurations across this age range in a fashion consistent with the principle of similitude. The statistical and scaling analyses revealed that the invariant body-scaled relation that specified the adult grip transitions also held for the 6- to 12-year-old children.     

Postnatal growth of the sheep lung: a morphometric study

Stereologic methods were used to study lung development in sheep from 2 to 171 days of age. Most growth occurs within the first 2 months when there is a threefold increase in lung volume, but allometric relationships show that this increase does not keep pace with body weight. Alveolar and capillary surface areas increase as lung volume to a power only slightly larger than 1, suggesting a modest increase in complexity; this is confirmed by only a two- to threefold increase in total alveolar number. Allometric power functions are essentially unchanged even during the first 30 days so that throughout development, the surface for gas exchange is added at a fairly constant rate. A slight increase in septal volume during the first 30 days is probably due to relative increase in capillary luminal volume through a progressive distension of capillaries. The results suggest that the active newborn lamb requires an alveolar lung, but in the postnatal period functional needs increase only moderately. In contrast, other mammals, such as the rat, are helpless as newborns and have a primitive saccular lung that must undergo considerable morphogenesis to meet the demands of the active adult.