Renal vascular resistance in normal children – a color Doppler study

To investigate the relationship between age and renal vascular resistance and to establish nomative data of the systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D ratio), pulsatility index (PI), and resistant index (RI) of the renal artery in the normal pediatric population, we studied 252 normal children aged newborn to 13 years (a total of 449 kidneys) with a color Doppler unit. After the normality of the kidney was established, color flow mapping was performed to localize the segmental portion of the renal artery. Flow velocity waveforms were then obtained by pulsed Doppler, and S/D ratio, PI, and RI were calculated. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the age dependence of the S/D ratio, PI, and RI of the renal artery in normal children. Renal vascular resistance continuously declines after birth and stabilizes at the age of 102 – 130 months. Normative data for S/D ratio, PI, and RI of the renal artery in normal children were established for each age group. Since renal vascular resistance decreases with age and stabilizes at 8 – 10 years, we suggest using different normal ranges for each age group when studying renal vascular resistance in pediatric patients. Received October 5, 1995; received in revised form and accepted April 24, 1996     

Comparison of three immunoassays for diagnosing sensitization to latex in children with spina bifida

As natural rubber latex (latex) has become more widespread in our environment, physicians have become increasingly aware of the problem of possible allergic reactions. Many fatal and near-fatal incidents have been reported (mainly during surgery) (1—3) and data has been published on groups frequently exposed to latex, such as patients with spina bifida (4—9), healthcare professionals (10—12) and occupationally exposed persons (13). The incidence of latex allergy in children seems to be increasing (14). Tests are therefore needed which can reliably detect sensitization to latex. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of three commercial immunoassays for measuring specific IgE in serum to latex.     

5-Methoxytryptophol and melatonin in children: Differences due to age and sex

Abstract: It seems clear that the pineal hormone, melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), is involved in the reproductive behavior of several animal species including humans. Moreover, several data also support a role for 5-methoxytryptophol (ML), another pineal hormone, in the control of sexual processes. To test the role of ML in human reproductive axis, 128 healthy children, 68 boys and 60 girls, were studied. Each of these groups was divided in three age subgroups of 6, 11, and 14 years. A single blood sample (0900 hours) was obtained from each subject to determine melatonin, ML, FSH, LH, estradiol (girls), and testoterone (boys) by RIA. Statistical analysis of the data included ANOVA-II (factor I: age, factor II: sex) and an analysis of covariance with age as covariate. A similar plasma melatonin concentration, with a significant decrease between 6 and 11 years, was found in boys and girls. Melatonin concentrations correlate well with initiation of the pubertal development in these children, although no sex differences were found. Concentrations of ML are approximately 50% of those of melatonin. In contrast to melatonin, ML levels show significant age and sex differences. Plasma ML concentration significantly increased in boys ( P < 0.001) and decreased in girls (P < 0.001) after 8 years of age. These results support the hypothesis that, besides melatonin, other pineal compounds such as ML may be involved in the maturation process in humans. The pineal indole ML may also be used as a marker of the different chronobiology in the pubertal development in boys and girls.     

花都区职业性健康体检面临的困境及对策探讨

通过对花都区职业性健康体检工作现状的分析，探讨职业性健康检查面临的困境，包括监督执法力度不足，部门之间不够协调、用人单位领导及劳动者职业卫生意识差、管理制度不完善以及经济因素等，继而提出一些对策：建立健全监督体制、完善管理制度、加强队伍建设、加大宣传和健康教育力度、建立相应的社会保险制度等。     

小儿乙状结肠冗长症病理特点分析

目的 探讨小儿乙状结肠冗长症的病理特点，以提高对该症病理特点的认识。方法 分析我科1993～2002年间经手术治疗12例小儿乙状结肠冗长症的临床病理资料。结果 小儿乙状结肠冗长症病理特点与先天性巨结肠同源病相似。主要表现为乙状结肠肠壁肥厚，部分肌纤维变性。结肠黏膜萎缩，黏膜下充血水肿；肌间神经丛减少，均可见神经节细胞发育幼稚，且数量减少或体积变小，呈固缩或空泡变性。结论 小儿乙状结肠冗长症大多有肠神经元发育异常。     

学龄儿童单纯性肥胖对智商影响的meta分析

目的 应用meta分析正确评价学龄儿童单纯性肥胖对智商的影响。方法 对检索到的符合标准的11篇相关文献进行meta分析，选择随机效应模型进行统计处理。结果 单纯性肥胖组与对照组儿童智商比较，平均较应尺度为-0．3385，平均效应尺度的95％可信区间为-0．8036～0．1266。结论 单纯性肥胖对智商影响的meta分析结果无统计学意义。     

微量元素和重金属对儿童的影响

目的通过对检测微量元素的分析，了解近阶段儿童微量元素分布状况，社会人群对补足常规微量元素的认知情况；通过对检测重金属铅和镉的分析，了解儿童受铅和镉的污染状况，干预后的改变情况。方法随机将2年门诊就诊的资料齐全的122例患儿进行静脉血检测常规微量元素、铅和镉；并对干预处理后的106例儿童进行复查。结果缺铁占22．13％，缺钙占7．37％，缺锌占4．1％，缺镁占1．64％，无铜和磷的缺乏。重金属铅大于100μg／L的49例，占40．16％；镉大于5μg／L的2例，占1．64％。对血铅大于40μg／L的106例患儿进行干预，对干预前后进行统计学比较及u检验，差异具有统计学意义。结论常规微量元素的缺乏有明显下降趋势，人群对补足常规微量元素有很高的认识，其危害明显的减少。重金属的污染对儿童健康的危害有上升的趋势，社会人群的知晓度很小；用合适的干预来降低血铅是很有效的，值得临床推广宣传。     

轻度贫血对学龄儿童体力工作能力的影响

本文报告29对轻度贫血和非贫血儿童在平板机运动试验条件下的最大运动耐受时间,耗氧量、心率和运动后血乳酸浓度。结果表明,轻度贫血组儿童最大耐受时间、最大耗氧量均低于非贫血组。运动后血乳酸高于非贫血组。经一个月补铁治疗后,贫血组最大耐受时间提高0.9分钟,血乳酸降至非贫血组水平,但最大耗氧量无显著性变化。由此说明轻度贫血对学龄儿童体力工作能力有一定的影响。     

Expressed emotion in children: associations with sibling relationships

Objective   To investigate the reliability and validity of the expressed emotion (EE) measure, the Pre-school Five Minute Speech Sample (PFMSS), in child-to-child sibling relationships.
Method   A total of 106 boys aged 7–11 were recruited from 12 mainstream primary schools in North Wales. The children completed the PFMSS regarding their sibling and two self-report measures of sibling relationship: the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ) and a Child Visual Analogue Scale (CVAS). The parents of 60 participants completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire regarding the behavioural problems of the participating child and his younger sibling.
Results   The PFMSS demonstrated good inter-rater and code–recode reliability. The significant associations between EE dimensions such as relationship, positive comments and critical comments with various components of the SRQ and CVAS provided support for the concurrent validity of the PFMSS. Significantly higher levels of Conflict and Rivalry and significantly lower levels of Warmth/Closeness on the SRQ were reported by children with high EE, demonstrating good discriminant validity for the PFMSS. There was no significant association between the child's EE profile and the behavioural difficulties of both siblings as reported by parents.
Conclusions   The study found that the PFMSS is a valid and reliable measure of child EE. Future research is needed to clarify the concurrent validity of the warmth and initial statement components of the measure as well as the association between EE dimensions and behaviour.