Association between allergic rhinitis, bottle feeding, non-nutritive sucking habits, and malocclusion in the primary dentition

Aim

To determine the association between allergic rhinitis, bottle feeding, non‐nutritive sucking habits, and malocclusion in the primary dentition.

Methods

Data were collected on 1160 children aged 4–5 years, who had been longitudinally followed since the age of 4 months, when they were admitted to nurseries in a suburban area of Tampico–Madero, Mexico. Periodically, physical examinations were conducted and a questionnaire was given to their parents or tutors.

Results

Malocclusion was detected in 640 of the children (51.03% had anterior open bite and 7.5% had posterior cross‐bite). Allergic rhinitis alone (adjusted odds ratio = 2.87; 95% CI 1.57 to 5.25) or together with non‐nutritive sucking habits (adjusted odds ratio = 3.31; 95% CI 1.55 to 7.09) had an effect on anterior open bite. Bottle feeding alone (adjusted odds ratio = 1.95; 95% CI 1.07 to 3.54) or together with allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio = 3.96; 95% CI 1.80 to 8.74) had an effect on posterior cross‐bite. Posterior cross‐bite was more frequent in children with allergic rhinitis and non‐nutritive sucking habits (10.4%).

Conclusions

Allergic rhinitis alone or together with non‐nutritive sucking habits is related to anterior open bite. Non‐nutritive sucking habits together with allergic rhinitis seem to be the most important factor for development of posterior open bite in children under the age of 5 years.     

Increasing prevalence of hypospadias in Western Australia, 1980-2000

Objectives

Hypospadias, a common birth defect, has shown widespread variation in reported rates and temporal trends across countries over the last 30 years. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trends of hypospadias in an Australian population.

Design

Population‐based study of all male infants born in Western Australia (WA) between 1980 and 2000 diagnosed with hypospadias and notified to the WA Birth Defects Registry.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of hypospadias, birth outcome and association with other congenital anomalies, stratified by degree‐of‐severity.

Results

1788 cases of hypospadias were registered in WA in 1980–2000 with an overall prevalence of 34.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 33.2 to 36.4) cases per 10 000 births. The prevalence increased by 2.0% per annum (95% CI: 1.2% to 2.8%) from 27.9 in 1980 to 43.2 per 10 000 births in 2000 (p<0.001). Hypospadias was mild in 84% of cases, moderate‐severe in 11% and unspecified in 5%, with the number of moderate‐severe hypospadias almost doubling over time (p<0.01). There were 1465 (82%) cases of isolated hypospadias and 323 (18%) had co‐existing anomalies. Infants with co‐existing genital (relative risk (RR) 4.5; 95% CI: 3.3 to 6.1) or non‐genital (RR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.2) anomalies were more likely to have moderate‐severe hypospadias compared with isolated cases.

Conclusion

Hypospadias affects one in 231 births and has been reported to have increased significantly over the last 20 years. Future investigation of the aetiology of hypospadias is important to identify potentially modifiable risk factors and ensure optimal male reproductive health in the future.     

Respiratory infections in schoolchildren: co-morbidity and risk factors.

AIMS: To assess co-morbidity and risk factors for otitis media, tonsillopharyngitis, and lower respiratory infections in school children. METHODS: Logistic regression analysis of co-morbidity and risk factors for airway infections in a population based sample of 10 year old children living in Oslo, Norway. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: otitis media, tonsillopharyngitis, and lower respiratory infections in past 12 months. RESULTS: Airway infections in 10 year old children were common, and significant co-morbidity was found between the various airway infections. Home dampness was a risk factor for all infections, adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) to 1.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.6) for otitis media and tonsillopharyngitis respectively. Atopic disease was a constitutional risk factor, particularly strong for lower airway infections (adjusted odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.1). African or Asian ethnicities were associated with the airway infections, adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7) to 1.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory tract infections were common in 10 year old children. There was substantial co-morbidity between upper and lower airway infections. Environmental and constitutional factors were identified and positively associated with the infections. Results support the hypothesis of 1957 that the whole respiratory tract is one unit.     

Systematic review of prevalence studies of autism spectrum disorders

Aim

To quantitatively examine the influence of study methodology and population characteristics on prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders.

Methods

Electronic databases and bibliographies were searched and identified papers evaluated against inclusion criteria. Two groups of studies estimated the prevalence of typical autism and all autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The extent of variation among studies and overall prevalence were estimated using meta‐analysis. The influence of methodological factors and population characteristics on estimated prevalence was investigated using meta‐regression and summarised as odds ratios (OR).

Results

Forty studies met inclusion criteria, of which 37 estimated the prevalence of typical autism, and 23 the prevalence of all ASD. A high degree of heterogeneity among studies was observed. The overall random effects estimate of prevalence across studies of typical autism was 7.1 per 10 000 (95% CI 1.6 to 30.6) and of all ASD was 20.0 per 10 000 (95% CI 4.9 to 82.1). Diagnostic criteria used (ICD‐10 or DSM‐IV versus other; OR = 3.36, 95% CI 2.07 to 5.46), age of the children screened (OR = 0.91 per year, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99), and study location (e.g. Japan versus North America; OR = 3.60, 95% CI 1.73 to 7.46) were all significantly associated with prevalence of typical autism. Diagnostic criteria, age of the sample, and urban or rural location were associated with estimated prevalence of all ASD.

Conclusions

Sixty one per cent of the variation in prevalence estimates of typical autism was explained by these models. Diagnostic criteria used, age of children screened, and study location may be acting as proxies for other study characteristics and require further investigation.     

An 8 year study of risk factors for SIDS: bed-sharing versus non-bed-sharing

Background

It is unclear if it is safe for babies to bed share with adults. In Ireland 49% of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases occur when the infant is bed‐sharing with an adult.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of bed‐sharing during the last sleep period on risk factors for SIDS in Irish infants.

Design

An 8 year (1994–2001) population based case control study of 287 SIDS cases and 831 controls matched for date, place of birth, and sleep period. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by conditional logistic regression.

Results

The risk associated with bed‐sharing was three times greater for infants with low birth weight for gestation (UOR 16.28 v 4.90) and increased fourfold if the combined tog value of clothing and bedding was ⩾10 (UOR 9.68 v 2.34). The unadjusted odds ratio for bed‐sharing was 13.87 (95% CI 9.58 to 20.09) for infants whose mothers smoked and 2.09 (95% CI 0.98 to 4.39) for non‐smokers. Age of death for bed‐sharing and sofa‐sharing infants (12.8 and 8.3 weeks, respectively) was less than for infants not sharing a sleep surface (21.0 weeks, p<0.001) and fewer bed‐sharing cases were found prone (5% v 32%; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Risk factors for SIDS vary according to the infant''s sleeping environment. The increased risk associated with maternal smoking, high tog value of clothing and bedding, and low z scores of weight for gestation at birth is augmented further by bed‐sharing. These factors should be taken into account when considering sleeping arrangements for young infants.     

No increased risk of relapse after meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in nephrotic syndrome

Objectives

To investigate whether meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MCCV) caused relapse in children with steroid‐responsive nephrotic syndrome.

Design

A population‐based study was conducted using an active surveillance system, developed to assess adverse events following vaccination, which linked hospital record information on relapses of nephrotic syndrome to community child health population MCCV data. An ecological study looking at hospital admissions for nephrotic syndrome in different age cohorts of children before and after the MCCV introductory campaign was also carried out.

Settings

South East England, and England and Wales.

Patients

52 children having 162 relapses of nephrotic syndrome. Also, all hospital admissions of children aged 2–18 years with steroid‐responsive nephrotic syndrome in England and Wales between 1995 and 2003, relating admissions to when MCCV was introduced in specific age cohorts.

Main outcome measures and analysis method

Self‐controlled case series analysis looking for increased risk of relapse following MCCV and changes in admission rates for nephrotic syndrome (incidence ratio) following the introduction of MCCV to different age cohorts of children.

Results

There was no increased risk of relapse following MCCV in the self‐control case series, where a relative incidence of 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–1.47) was found in the 6‐month post‐vaccination period, or in the ecological study, which gave an incidence rate ratio of 1.05 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.15) for the quarter when MCCV was introduced and the following two quarters.

Conclusions

We found no association between MCCV and nephrotic syndrome, which is therefore not a contraindication to meningococcal vaccination.     

Stress in mothers of young children with eczema

Objective

To assess parental stress levels of mothers of children less than 6 years old with eczema and compare these levels with those reported for other chronic childhood illnesses.

Methods

Mothers were recruited from hospital‐based out‐patient clinics (55%) or while their child was an in‐patient (45%) for management of eczema. Maternal stress was measured utilising the Parenting Stress Index‐Long Form (PSI) in 33 mothers. The severity of the eczema at the time of interview was documented by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score and the Investigators'' Global Assessment (IGA) score.

Results

The children with eczema had a mean age of 2.8 years. Mothers of children aged 5 years or less with eczema exhibited significantly higher total stress scores (mean PSI 259.6, 95% CI 244.9 to 274.3) as compared to mothers of normal children (PSI 222.8, 95% CI 221.4 to 224.2) and children with other chronic disorders such as insulin‐dependent diabetes (PSI 218.1, 95% CI 204.7 to 231.6) and profound deafness (PSI 221.7, 95% CI 206.4 to 237.0). Stress scores in the parental domain (138.2, 95% CI 128.9 to 147.6) did not differ significantly from the scores of parents of children with severe disabilities such as those requiring home enteral feeding (135.2, 95% CI 129.3 to 141.1) and those with Rett syndrome (132.8, 95% CI 125.0 to 140.6).

Conclusions

Moderate to severe childhood eczema should be regarded as a significant illness in which maternal stress is equivalent to that associated with the care of children with severe developmental and physical problems.     

A meta-analysis of the effect of high weight on asthma

Background

Prevalence rates for both overweight and asthma have been increasing among children in developed countries over the past two decades. Some recent studies have postulated a causal relation between these but have lacked power to form a definitive conclusion.

Aim

To estimate the effect of high body weight in childhood on the future risk of asthma.

Methods

Medline search (1966 to October 2004), supplemented by manual search of reference lists and grey literature. Cohort studies that examined high body weight at birth or during childhood and future outcome of asthma were included. Data from each study were extracted on exposure status, clinical outcome, and study characteristics.

Results

A total of 402 studies were initially identified, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria. The combined results from four studies that examined the effect of high body weight during middle childhood on the outcome of subsequent asthma showed a 50% increase in relative risk (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8). The combined results from nine studies that examined the effect of high birth weight on subsequent asthma had a pooled RR of 1.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.3). There was consistency among the results in sensitivity analyses examining studies containing only estimates of odds ratios, studies containing only the outcome of physician diagnosis of asthma, and studies including all definitions of high body weight.

Conclusions

Children with high body weight, either at birth or later in childhood, are at increased risk for future asthma. Potential biological mechanisms include diet, gastro‐oesophageal reflux, mechanical effects of obesity, atopy, and hormonal influences. Further research might elucidate the causal pathway, which could improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and perhaps lead to knowledge of potential preventive interventions.     

Assessing the population impact of low rates of breast feeding on asthma, coeliac disease and obesity: the use of a new statistical method

Background

Lack of breast feeding has been reported to be associated with a number of chronic childhood disorders.

Aim

To use a recently described measure, the population impact number of eliminating a risk factor over a time period (PIN‐ER‐t), to quantify the burden of low rates of breast feeding in a UK population of babies born in 2002 with regard to asthma, coeliac disease and obesity.

Methods

We performed literature searches for systematic reviews with meta‐analyses that had investigated the association between breast feeding and asthma, coeliac disease and obesity. Based on these data, and published data on the prevalence of breast feeding and the prevalence of the disorders, we calculated PIN‐ER‐t and estimated the number of cases of each disorder which could be prevented by eliminating “no breast feeding” as a risk factor.

Results

In the population of the 596 122 babies born in England and Wales in 2002, the number of cases of asthma, coeliac disease and obesity that could be prevented over 7–9 years if “no breast feeding” as a risk factor was eliminated were 33 100 (95% CI 17 710 to 47 543), 2655 (95% CI 1937 to 3343) and 13639 (95% CI 7838 to 19308), respectively.

Conclusions

The population burden of low breast feeding rates is high with regard to these chronic disorders. The use of PIN‐ER‐t allows the population burden of low breast feeding rates to be quantified and communicated in a way that will make it easier for both the general public and decision makers to understand.     

Comparison of alteplase and heparin in maintaining the patency of paediatric central venous haemodialysis lines: a randomised controlled trial

Objectives

To determine whether the tissue plasminogen activator, alteplase, is more effective than heparin in preventing blood clots developing in children''s haemodialysis central lines between dialysis sessions.

Design

A prospective double‐blind, within‐patient multiperiod cross‐over controlled trial of instilling a “lock” of either heparin 5000 U/ml or alteplase 1 mg/ml into the central lines of two children haemodialysed twice weekly, and seven dialysed thrice weekly, over 10 weeks.

Setting

A UK paediatric nephrology unit.

Main outcome measures

Weight of blood clot aspirated from the line at the start of the next dialysis session.

Results

The odds of a clot forming was 2.4 times greater with heparin than alteplase (95% CI 1.4 to 4.0; p = 0.001), and when present they were 1.9 times heavier (31 vs 15 mg; 95% CI 1.5 to 2.4; p<0.0005). There was no effect of inter‐dialytic interval. One child required an alteplase infusion to clear a blocked line following a heparin lock. We subsequently changed our routine locks from heparin to alteplase. Comparing the year before and after that change, the incidence of blocked lines requiring an alteplase or urokinase infusion fell from 2.7 to 1.2 per child (p<0.03), and the need for surgical replacements from 0.7 to nil (p<0.02).

Conclusion

Alteplase is significantly more effective than heparin in preventing clot formation in central haemodialysis lines. This reduces morbidity and improves preservation of central venous access. It is more expensive, though relatively economic if packaged into syringes and stored frozen until needed, but reduces the costs of unblocking or replacing clotted lines.     

Solar disinfection of water for diarrhoeal prevention in southern India

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of solar irradiation in the prevention of diarrhoeal morbidity in children under 5 years of age, in an urban slum in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

Methods

A total of 100 children were assigned to receive drinking water that had been subjected to solar disinfection in polyethylene terephthalate bottles. One hundred age and sex matched controls were also selected. Both groups were followed by weekly home visits for a period of six months for any diarrhoeal morbidity. At the end of the follow up period, the acceptability of the intervention was assessed by interviews, questionnaires, and focus group discussions.

Results

There was significant reduction in the incidence, duration, and severity of diarrhoea in children receiving solar disinfected water, despite 86% of the children drinking water other than that treated by the intervention. The incidence of diarrhoea in the intervention group was 1.7 per child‐year, and among controls 2.7 per child‐year, with an incidence rate ratio of 0.64 (95% CI −0.48 to 0.86). The risk of diarrhoea was reduced by 40% by using solar disinfection. In qualitative evaluation of acceptability, most women felt that solar disinfection was a feasible and sustainable method of disinfecting water.

Conclusions

Solar disinfection of water is an inexpensive, effective, and acceptable method of increasing water safety in a resource limited environment, and can significantly decrease diarrhoeal morbidity in children.     

Peanut-free guidelines reduce school lunch peanut contents

Background

Some schools implement peanut‐free guidelines (PFG) requesting omission of peanut from lunches. Our study assessed parental awareness of, and adherence to, PFG by comparing the percentage of lunches containing peanut between primary school classes with and without PFG in Montreal, Québec.

Methods

Parents, school principals and teachers were queried concerning the school''s PFG and children''s lunches were inspected by a dietician for peanut‐containing foods.

Results

When lunch peanut contents were compared in randomly selected classrooms, peanut was found in 5/861 lunches in classes with PFG (0.6%, 95% CI 0.2% to 1.4%) and in 84/845 lunches in classes without PFG (9.9%, 95% CI 8.0% to 12.2%), a 9.4% (95% CI 7.3% to 11.4%) difference.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that PFG are effective in reducing peanut in classrooms providing a basis for future research that should address whether or not the reduction in peanut achieved by restrictive lunch policies decreases the morbidity associated with peanut allergy in the school setting.Peanut allergy is relatively common¹ and can induce potentially fatal anaphylaxis in highly sensitised individuals. A 1996 Canadian consensus document² recommended avoiding accidental exposure in schools by forbidding food sharing, separating allergic children during meals, encouraging hand washing and washing surfaces on which food had been placed. It recommended that, in earlier grades, peanut‐containing foods should not be permitted in classes attended by peanut‐allergic children.Although it seems intuitive that guidelines prohibiting peanut in children''s lunches (ie, peanut‐free guidelines, PFG) would reduce the risk of accidental exposures, it has not been shown that PFG are communicated and adhered to by parents preparing lunches. Some schools provide clear directives on permissible foods and vigilantly monitor lunch contents, while others provide rudimentary guidance. Our study assessed parental awareness of, and adherence to, PFG by comparing the percentage of lunches containing peanut between primary school classes with and without PFG in Montreal, Québec.     

Is omitting post urinary‐tract‐infection renal ultrasound safe after normal antenatal ultrasound? An observational study

Background

Guidelines recommend obtaining a renal ultrasonogram (RUS) for young children after a first urinary tract infection (UTI).

Objective

The aim of the current study was to assess the concordance of prenatal and post‐UTI RUS findings in children with a first simple UTI.

Methods

This was a prospective study and included all children aged 5 years or younger who were hospitalised with a first simple UTI (determined as clinical response and normalisation of temperature within 48 h on initiation of antibacterial therapy with no complications). Data were collected from each child regarding the results of prenatal and post‐UTI RUS.

Results

Overall, 250 children were included in the study and the results of late‐pregnancy and post‐UTI RUS were available for 84% (n = 209). Complete concordance between the two RUS was demonstrated in 96% (n = 201). The predictive value of normal antenatal to normal post‐UTI RUS was 96% (95% CI: 93% to 99%). These results include four children with mild transient pelvic dilatation. In eight children in whom renal anomalies were demonstrated only in post‐UTI RUS, the influence of these anomalies on the children''s management was negligible.

Conclusions

Prenatal‐RUS have been performed in most children <5 years old hospitalised with a first simple UTI. Concordance with post‐infection tests is very high. Findings which appear only in post‐infectious RUS usually have negligible effects on children''s management. Thus, in such children with normal antenatal RUS omitting post‐UTI RUS could be considered.     

Randomised trial of a parenting intervention during neonatal intensive care

Objective

To evaluate the influence of parenting intervention on maternal responsiveness and infant neurobehavioural development following a very premature birth.

Design

Cluster‐randomised controlled trial, with a crossover design and three‐month washout period.

Setting

Six neonatal intensive care units.

Patients

Infants born <32 weeks'' gestation.

Intervention

The Parent Baby Interaction Programme (PBIP) is a supportive, educational intervention delivered by research nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit, with optional home follow‐up for up to six weeks after discharge.

Main outcome measures

Parenting stress at 3 months adjusted age, as measured by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Other outcomes included the Neurobehavioural Assessment of the Preterm Infant (NAPI) and maternal interaction as assessed by the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS) and the responsivity subscale for Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME).

Results

112 infants were recruited in the intervention phases and 121 in the control phases. Mean standardised NAPI scores at 35 weeks did not differ between the PBIP and control groups. Both groups had low but similar NCATS caregiver scores before discharge (36.6 in the PBIP group and 37.4 in control, adjusted mean difference −0.7, 95% CI −2.7 to 1.4). At three months, adjusted age mean PSI scores for the PBIP group were 71.9 compared with 67.1 for controls (adjusted mean difference 3.8, 95% CI −4.7 to 12.4). NCATS scores and HOME responsivity scores were similarly distributed between the groups.

Conclusion

This early, nurse‐delivered, parent‐focused interaction programme intervention had no measurable effects on short‐term infant neurobehavioural function, mother–child interaction or parenting stresses.     

Prevalence rates for constipation and faecal and urinary incontinence

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence rates for constipation and faecal and urinary incontinence in children attending primary care clinics in the United States.

Methods

Retrospective review of case records of all children, 4–17 years of age, seen for at least one health maintenance visit during a 6 month period and followed from birth or within the first 6 months of age in our clinics. We reviewed all charts for constipation, faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence.

Results

We included 482 children in the study, after excluding 39 children with chronic diseases. The prevalence rate for constipation was 22.6% and was similar in boys and girls. The constipation was functional in 18% and acute in 4.6%. The prevalence rate for faecal incontinence (⩾1/week) was 4.4%. The faecal incontinence was associated with constipation in 95% of our children. The prevalence rate for urinary incontinence was 10.5%; 3.3% for daytime only, 1.8% for daytime with night‐time and 5.4% for night‐time urinary incontinence. Faecal and urinary incontinence were significantly more commonly observed in children with constipation than in children without constipation.

Conclusion

The prevalence rates were 22.6% for constipation, 4.4% for faecal incontinence and 10.5% for urinary incontinence in a US primary care clinic. Children with constipation had higher prevalence rates for faecal and urinary incontinence than children without constipation. Boys with constipation had higher rates of faecal incontinence than girls with constipation.     

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Great Britain and Ireland: British Paediatric Surveillance Unit Surveys, 1993 94 and 2001-02

Objective

To conduct and report monitoring of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in Great Britain and Ireland following the 1988–90 survey (VKDB‐90).

Design

Two 2‐year surveys conducted during 1993–4 (VKDB‐94) and 2001–02 (VKDB‐02).

Setting

Data collected from all consultant paediatricians in Great Britain and Ireland.

Patients

All infants presenting with bleeding resulting from vitamin K (VK) deficiency.

Main outcome measures

Incidence of VKDB, related mortality/morbidity and VK prophylaxis recommended/received, noting predisposing features.

Results

Compared with previous studies, VKDB‐02 found fewer cases of VKDB (RR: 0.27 (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.59), p<0.001) with no deaths, no long‐term morbidity and reduced incidence among those receiving any oral dosing (RR: 0.24 (95% CI: 0.06 to 1.01), p<0.059). Breast‐fed infants accounted for the vast majority of cases. The number receiving no prophylaxis fell consecutively over time: 20 of 27 in VKDB‐90, 10 of 32 in VKDB‐94 and 4 (because of parental refusal) of 7 in VKDB‐02. Seven received one oral dose of VK in VKDB‐90, 16 in VKDB‐94 and none in VKDB‐02. Underlying liver disease was found in six cases in VKDB‐90, 12 in VKDB‐94 and one in VKDB‐02.

Conclusions

In the most recent survey, the incidence of VKDB was about one third that in the two earlier studies. Late onset VKDB remains virtually confined to breast‐fed infants who have received either no VK or just one oral dose. The effectiveness of oral prophylaxis regimens has improved over the last 15 years, but parental refusal of prophylaxis has become more problematic.     

Characterisation of morbidity in a UK, hospital based, obesity clinic

Aim

To identify clinical features which predict those most at risk of co‐morbidities within an obesity clinic.

Methods

Children attending an obesity clinic had fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids measured prior to a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). History and examination established birth weight, family history of type 2 diabetes/obesity, pubertal status, and presence of acanthosis nigricans. Central and total fat mass was estimated by bio‐impedance.

Results

Of the 126 children evaluated, 10.3% (n = 13) had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); the majority (n = 11) of these would not have been identified on fasting glucose alone. Those with IGT were more likely to have a parental history of type 2 diabetes (relative risk 3.5). IGT was not associated with acanthosis nigricans. Twenty five per cent (n = 19) of those evaluated (n = 75) had evidence of the “metabolic syndrome” (MS). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were related to insulin sensitivity (HOMA‐R); HDL cholesterol was also related to birth weight SDS. We observed a trend for those with MS to have a lower birth weight SDS. The severity of obesity did not influence the likelihood of IGT or MS.

Conclusions

Significant numbers of obese children have associated co‐morbidities. Analysis of fasting blood glucose samples alone is not satisfactory to adequately evaluate glucose homoeostasis. The overall level of obesity does not predict co‐morbidities. Special attention should be given to those with parental diabetes and a history of low birth weight who are more likely to have IGT and abnormal lipid profiles respectively.     

Comparison of complementary and alternative medicine use: reasons and motivations between two tertiary children's hospitals

Aims

To compare prevalence, reasons, motivations, initiation, perceived helpfulness, and communication of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use between two tertiary children''s hospitals.

Methodology

A study, using a face‐to‐face questionnaire, of 500 children attending the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK was compared to an identical study of 503 children attending the Royal Children''s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Results

One year CAM use in Cardiff was lower than Melbourne (41% v 51%; OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.52–0.85), reflected in non‐medicinal use (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.29–0.58) and general paediatric outpatients (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.21–0.67). Compared to Melbourne, factors associated with lower CAM use in Cardiff included families born locally (father: OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.44–0.77) or non‐tertiary educated parents (mother: OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.38–0.77). Cardiff participants used less vitamin C (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.18–0.51) and herbs (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.34–0.71), attended less chiropractors (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.06–0.37) and naturopaths (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.33), but saw more reflexologists (OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.08–10.29). In Cardiff, CAM was more popular for relaxation (OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.03–3.57) but less for colds/coughs (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.27–0.73). Most CAM was self‐initiated (by parent) in Cardiff and Melbourne (74% v 70%), but Cardiff CAM users perceived it less helpful (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.31–0.68). Non‐disclosure of CAM use was high in Cardiff and Melbourne (66% v 63%); likewise few doctors/nurses documented recent medicinal CAM use in inpatient notes (0/21 v 2/22).

Conclusions

The differences in CAM use may reflect variation in sociocultural factors influencing reasons, motivations, attitudes, and availability. The regional variation in use and poor communication highlights the importance of local policy development.     

SIDS risk factors and factors associated with prone sleeping in Sweden

Objective

To compare the current prevalence of risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Sweden with a decade earlier, and assess factors associated with prone sleeping.

Methods

The results of a cohort study (Infants of Western Sweden) and a population based case‐control study (Nordic Epidemiological SIDS Study) were examined. Subjects were 5600 healthy 6 month old infants born in 2003 in the Western Sweden region and 430 healthy Swedish infants born between 1991 and 1995.

Results

Prone sleeping decreased from 31.8% to 5.6% and supine sleeping increased from 35.3% to 47.3%. Side or side/supine sleeping increased from 25.2% to 43.8%. Maternal smoking during pregnancy decreased from 23.5% to 9.5%. The risk for prone sleeping increased if the mother was unemployed (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.0), if she was a heavy smoker in the third trimester (OR 44.1, 95% CI 1.6 to 1199.6), and if the child was irritable (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.1), shared a bedroom with siblings (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 6.6), or never used a dummy (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.4).

Conclusions

Parents have complied with advice to prevent SIDS given at infant welfare centres for the last 10 years. A change in the preferred sleeping position from side variants to exclusively supine, and reducing the number of pregnant women smoking may be beneficial. Use of a prone sleeping position was associated with maternal employment status, maternal smoking, temperament of the child, dummy use, and sharing a bedroom with siblings.