Predisposition Of Children Research Articles

A review of the prevalence and factors responsible for mal-nutrition in Pakistan

Problems occupying special attention identified by the World Health Organization also include Childhood malnutrition (Beagle hole et al., 1993). Development goals are also program by the United Nations to halve the problem of under nutrition (Alderman et al., 2005). Despite of the involvement of international organizations still under nutrition has a main contribution to the high mortality rate of the children in the most part of the world (Caulfield et al., 2004). Poverty plays a main part in the high prevalence of childhood under nutrition. The child is said to be under-weight when its weight is lower than the weight of the reference rage for that age. The weight for height deficiency is known as wasting, while height for age deficiency as stunting. Wasting may be due to acute food shortage while prolonged food deprivation can cause stunting (Cosminsky et al., 1993; de Onis et al., 2000; Fernandez et al., 2002; and Zere & McIntyre, 2003). The factors responsible for the predisposition of children to mal nutrition vary and ranges from political instability to the economical status of the area (de Onis et al., 2000). Therefore protocols developed for the preventive measures of mal-nutrition should be multifaceted.

NPSR1 polymorphisms influence recurrent abdominal pain in children: a population-based study.

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) occurs frequently among children and is one of the cardinal symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). The mechanisms of visceral pain and RAP are not fully understood. A heritable component has been demonstrated and a few candidate genes proposed. NPSR1 encodes the receptor for neuropeptide S (NPS) and NPS-NPSR1 signaling is involved in anxiety, inflammation, and nociception. NPSR1 polymorphisms are associated with asthma and chronic inflammatory diseases, but also with IBS-related intermediate phenotypes such as colonic transit time and rectal sensory ratings. Here, we sought to determine whether genetic variability in the NPSR1 gene influences the presence of RAP in children. Twenty-eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPSR1 gene region were successfully genotyped in 1744 children from the Swedish birth cohort BAMSE. Questionnaire information was used to define RAP as episodes of abdominal pain occurring at least once a month in 12-year-olds. The prevalence of RAP was 9% in BAMSE. Association with RAP was observed for seven NPSR1 SNPs, five of which withstood false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple testing (best p=0.00054, OR: 1.55 for SNP rs2530566). The associated SNPs all map in a putative regulatory region upstream NPSR1, where they may exert their genetic effects through the modulation of gene expression. Genetic variation at the NPSR1 locus impacts children's predisposition to RAP episodes in a Swedish population.

Evidence That the Periaqueductal Gray Matter Mediates the Facilitation of Panic-Like Reactions in Neonatally-Isolated Adult Rats

Plenty of evidence suggests that childhood separation anxiety (CSA) predisposes the subject to adult-onset panic disorder (PD). As well, panic is frequently comorbid with both anxiety and depression. The brain mechanisms whereby CSA predisposes to PD are but completely unknown in spite of the increasing evidence that panic attacks are mediated at midbrain's dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (DPAG). Accordingly, here we examined whether the neonatal social isolation (NSI), a model of CSA, facilitates panic-like behaviors produced by electrical stimulations of DPAG of rats as adults. Eventual changes in anxiety and depression were also assessed in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and forced-swimming test (FST) respectively. Male pups were subjected to 3-h daily isolations from post-natal day 2 (PN2) until weaning (PN21) allotting half of litters in individual boxes inside a sound-attenuated chamber (NSI, n = 26) whilst siblings (sham-isolated rats, SHAM, n = 27) and dam were moved to another box in a separate room. Non-handled controls (CTRL, n = 18) remained undisturbed with dams until weaning. As adults, rats were implanted with electrodes into the DPAG (PN60) and subjected to sessions of intracranial stimulation (PN65), EPM (PN66) and FST (PN67-PN68). Groups were compared by Fisher's exact test (stimulation sites), likelihood ratio chi-square tests (stimulus-response threshold curves) and Bonferroni's post hoc t-tests (EPM and FST), for P<0.05. Notably, DPAG-evoked panic-like responses of immobility, exophthalmus, trotting, galloping and jumping were markedly facilitated in NSI rats relative to both SHAM and CTRL groups. Conversely, anxiety and depression scores either did not change or were even reduced in neonatally-handled groups relative to CTRL, respectively. Data are the first behavioral evidence in animals that early-life separation stress produces the selective facilitation of panic-like behaviors in adulthood. Most importantly, results implicate the DPAG not only in panic attacks but also in separation-anxious children's predispositions to the late development of PD.

Oncogénétique en oncopédiatrie

Tumor predisposition in children is rare, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancers in childhood. Tumor predisposition involves very rare tumors such as pleuropulmonary blastoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, rhabdoid tumors, optic pathway glioma, as well as rare tumors such as retinoblastoma, medulloblastoma, nephroblastoma, or more frequent tumors such as sarcomas, neuroblastoma, and leukemias. The identification of these predispositions is important for improved management for both the child and relatives. Prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnosis are options that could be considered for young parents in a perspective of future pregnancies. This manuscript describes the main tumor predispositions in childhood. From each histological subtype, the different diagnosis directions are discussed in view of these main tumor predispositions.

Children in care: A long-term follow up of criminality and mortality

Abstract This article charts the offending and mortality rates over a 25–30 year period of children admitted to care in England and Wales in 1980. The study examines UK criminal records and the Death Index for England and Wales of two groups of children: ones that stayed in care for more than two years, and ones that stayed for less than six weeks. The study shows that all of the children experienced an increased risk of offending and premature death compared with the general population but that it is not possible to evaluate the outcomes without taking account of the their characteristics and risks these pose. The rates for the subsequent offending of children presenting delinquency and other difficult behavior, especially irregular school attendance, and who stay long in care is 2.7 times higher than for those coming into care because of neglect and abuse and 1.6 times higher than for those coming into care due to family breakdown. There was no evidence that being in care per se reduces or increases the risk of offending, as criminal behavior is not constant and the risks associated with it vary over time with much depending on the child's predisposition, life events and the quality of interventions received.

Cancer predisposition in children with Kabuki syndrome

Cancer predisposition in children with Kabuki syndrome

The Vulnerable Child Syndrome

The Vulnerable Child Syndrome

A mechanistic examination of the impact of maternal high-fat diet on long-term offspring obesity risk.

Obesity is currently at epidemic rates in the United States, and this includes a large percentage of women of child-bearing age. It is clear that maternal obesity significantly increases the rates of birth defects, maternal complications, fetal loss, and the incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Equally intriguing is the emerging relationship between maternal obesity and the predisposition of children born of these pregnancies having an increased risk for overweight and obesity as adults. Elucidation of the possible mechanisms by which the intrauterine environment transmits these signals and impacts fetal development is necessary. To investigate these parameters, we have examined changes in expression levels for hypothalamic POMC and NPY in 3-week-old offspring from dams on a high-fat diet during pregnancy. Compared to controls, these mice show significant changes in POMC levels. No differences were found in NPY expression. As the offspring from high-fat diet dams weighed significantly more at this age, alterations in POMC expression may support epigenetic regulation resulting from a high nutritional state during development. We have begun examination of changes in DNA methylation of specific genes related to maternal dietary status. Results from our proposed work will provide significant insight into the underlying causes of the potential long-term risk for development of overweight or obesity associated with an obese intrauterine environment.

Predisposition of Nigerian children with severe malaria to urinary tract infection

The predisposition of children with severe malaria to urinary tract infection was investigated in a group of 112 clinically diagnosed and para sitologically confirmed severe malaria patients (test) and in another subset of 114 apparently physically healthy non-malaria infected subjects (control). Standard bacteriological and parasitological procedures were used in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection and confirmation of malaria infection respectively. Plasmodium falciparum was the only aetiologic agent of malaria encounted in the study. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.008) in the prevalence of urinary tract infection in severe malaria infected patients (30.4%) and control (2.6%) (P Escherichia coli was the predominant agent of urinary tract infection isolated in the study. It is suggested that the alteration of the physiology of the kidney and the lowered immunity prompted by severe malaria may be the enabling factors for the initiation of urinary tract infection. Screening for urinary tract infection among severe malaria patients is advocated in malaria endemic areas. Keywords : Severe malaria, children, urinary tract infection Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5 (2) 2006: 52-56

Hereditary cancer predisposition in children: Genetic basis and clinical implications

Although cancer predisposition syndromes are rare and malignancies arising in this context account for only 1-10% of childhood tumors, studies performed in affected patients and their families have been of unique value for the understanding of cancer development. Three classes of genes (tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes and stability genes) have been identified and shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of familial, as well as sporadic tumors. Cancer has long been recognized as a genetic disease of somatic cells. Despite improved understanding of the molecular basis of predisposition to cancer and better diagnostic tools, the care of these patients and their families remains a major challenge for the clinician. Medical, psychological, ethical and legal issues have to be considered. This review focuses on examples of each class of inherited cancer predisposition syndromes with special implications for patients in the pediatric age group, including retinoblastoma predisposition, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia disorders and Fanconi anemia. The genetic basis of cancer predisposition is discussed as well as the major concepts and controversies in the clinical management of these patients and their families.

GENETIC PREDISPOSITION FOR PRIMARY HYPOLACTASIA OF THE ADULT TYPE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH RECURRENT ABDOMINAL PAIN

Aim: Primary hypolactasia of the adult type (HL) presents clinically as lactose intolerance (LI), a frequent cause of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). It bears the risk of impaired bone growth due to avoidance of dairy products and thus inadequate calcium intake. Using a molecular genetic assay, genetic predisposition for HL was found in 24% of female adults in our region. There are only few data on this predisposition in children and adolescents as assessed by this method. We used it to determine genetic HL predisposition in children and adolescents with RAP to identify individuals at risk for LI and impaired bone growth. Methods: From VII-XII'04 65/220 patients with self reported RAP fulfilled the ROME II criteria for RAP (f: 38; m: 27; 25/65 < 8 yrs. 40/65 > 8 yrs.) and presented clinically with LI. The LCT genotypes CC, TC and TT were determined by an allele specific PCR-based assay (defining the LCT-[13910]-polymorphism near the lactase phlorizin hydrolyse gene), using 150 microliters of capillary blood or saliva. For compliance reasons lactose H2 breath tests were performed in the elder patients only (17/65). Results: 36/65 patients with RAP and clinical LI were CC homozygote (55.4%; f: 24, m: 12). 23/65 (35.4%; f: 12, m: 11) were TC heterozygote and 6/65 (9.2%; f: 3, m: 3) TT homozygote. 9/17 patients undergoing H2 breath tests had positive results: 7/9 had the CC-, and 2/9 the TC-genotype. Genotypes of the 8 patients with negative results were as follows: CC = 3, TC = 2, TT = 3. Summary: 90.8% of patients with RAP and clinically suspected LI had the CC or TC genotype for HL. Because these genotypes are both associated with a higher risk for osteoporosis, these patients and those with positive H2 breath tests are warranting close observation. An explanation for the negative functional test results in the 3 CC patients might be a higher individual threshold to the oral lactose load. Conclusion: The PCR-based genotyping for lactose gene polymorphisms presented might serve as a valuable screening method for paediatric patients with RAP and at risk for LI and osteoporosis that needs to be performed only once, is unexpensive, easy and feasible from minute blood and saliva volumes respectively.

Sepsis predisposition in children with human immunodeficiency virus

To review predisposition to sepsis in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Summary of the literature with review by experts in the field. In industrialized regions, new diagnoses of vertically acquired HIV infection are falling due to perinatal interventions. Provision of HAART has resulted in an enlarging cohort of clinically stable HIV-infected children, with low viral loads and normal CD4 T-lymphocyte counts. Access to HAART in "developed" countries has markedly decreased the rate of progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the prevalence of organ-specific complications of HIV, the risk of recurrent sepsis, and the high early childhood mortality from HIV infection. There are currently no data on whether initiation of HAART during acute sepsis reduces short-term morbidity or mortality. Undiagnosed, antiretroviral-naive, HIV-infected infants still present sporadically with opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jiroveci and cytomegalovirus pneumonia. HIV-infected children have a greater burden of disease due to viral, bacterial, and fungal sepsis, and the case fatality rate for nonopportunistic infections may be greater than in non-HIV-infected children. In "developing" countries, with limited access to HAART, the natural history of HIV infection has altered very little, with the majority of infected children dying from either opportunistic or nonopportunistic disease before 3 yrs of age. Pediatric HIV infection is not a homogeneous condition in the era of HAART. Susceptibility to sepsis, morbidity, and mortality differ according to stage of disease, access to HAART, and virologic and immunologic response to treatment. These issues should be considered if HIV-infected children are to be enrolled and stratified in clinical trials.

Predisposition of children with reverse malaria to primary tract infection in Calabar, Nigeria

Predisposition of children with reverse malaria to primary tract infection in Calabar, Nigeria

An epidemiological approach to the etiology of middle ear disease in The Netherlands.

The etiology of middle ear disease in Nijmegen, The Netherlands was studied on the basis of a data set collected in a prospective epidemiological study on otitis media with effusion (OME) in a cohort of 1439 preschool children. A factor analysis was used to evaluate two hypotheses: (1) that OME, acute otitis media (AOM), common cold and tonsillitis are manifestations of the same pathological entity, and (2) that a group of children can be distinguished who develop these conditions more frequently than average. The results only partly supported these hypotheses. The correlation between OME, AOM, common cold and tonsillitis was lower than expected from a review of the literature. Common cold appeared to be the ubiquitous ENT disease in childhood and, depending on the child's predisposition, could be accompanied by OME, AOM or tonsillitis. The course of middle ear and upper airway disease showed a gradual scale from "healthy" to "ill" with most of the children suffering from these conditions at an average frequency.

The Predisposition To Pray

Previous research into prayer during childhood and adolescence has tended to emerge from the context of developmental psychology with little regard for the role of social and contextual influences. The present study redresses that balance by employing path analysis to examine the influence of home, church and denominational identity on an attitudinal predisposition to pray and the practice of prayer among 4,948 eleven year old children in England. Even after controlling for the child's own practice of prayer, which is itself a function of strong social and parental influences, the path model draws attention to the direct influence on these children's predisposition to pray of church attendance, parental church attendance and denominational identity. The implications of these results are discussed for the statutory acts of Christian worship required in state maintained schools in England and Wales.

Brief report: Search for DNA markers in two autistic males with the fragile X syndrome

Kanner (1943) was the first investigator in the field of infantile autism to suggest a genetic predisposition in children who later developed the symptoms of autism. Family and twin studies of autism have shown that autism is occasionally aggregated in families (reviewed by Folstein & Rutter, 1987). These kinds of studies, however, tell us little about the nature of the genetic defect or defects. A number of recent studies have reported an increased prevalence of the fragile X chromosome in autistic populations. A recent review summarized the results of 10 studies of a total of 594 autistic males and arrived at a mean rate of 8.4~ of autistic males having the fragile site 0tregman, Dykins, Watson, Ort, & Leckman, 1987). The meaning of this association is not clear. However, it has been suggested that when a chromosomal abnormality is associated with a disease, a gene causing the disease may be located within the region of the abnormality. Thus, the association does suggest a discrete region of the genome in which to search

Anxiety reaction of hospitalized children.

This study suggests that the child's emotional reaction to hospitalization is determined by personal, interpersonal and environmental factors. The personal attribute investigated was the child's predisposition to experience anxiety, namely, trait anxiety. The interpersonal influence was the perceived level of maternal anxiety, and the environmental influence was type of hospitalization--traditional hospital or day clinic. We hypothesized that hospitalized children with high trait anxiety would experience higher anxiety state than children with low trait anxiety; hospitalized children who perceive anxious rather than calm mothers would experience more anxiety; children in a traditional hospital would experience higher anxiety state than children in a day clinic; and the most anxious children would be those who have high trait anxiety, are exposed to anxious mothers and are hospitalized in a traditional hospital. Results indicate that the child's level of trait anxiety predicted the level of experienced anxiety and so did perceived maternal anxiety. Type of hospitalization did not influence the level of anxiety, but children with high trait anxiety who attributed to their mothers a high level of anxiety reported more anxiety in the day clinic rather than in the hospital. The findings imply that, when helping children and families deal with hospitalization, personal, interpersonal and environmental factors have to be considered.

SOCIALIZATION OF AGGRESSION AND THE PERCEPTION OF PARENTS IN FANTASY

Research on both the prediction and determinants of overt aggression in children has usually focused on the intensity of aggressive motivation as a major antecedent variable. For example, in studies attempting to predict overt aggression from related fantasy it has been usual practice to correlate a broad index of fantasy aggression with a category of overt aggressive behavior like fighting or delinquent activity. The implicit hypothesis seems to be that frequency of fantasy aggressive acts is an index of aggressive drive and should be positively correlated with occurrence of overt aggression. Most of these studies failed to find a positive and linear relation between these two variables (7, II, 15, I6). However, recent investigators (5, 9, 12, 13) have stressed that aggressive motives are conflictful and subject to inhibitory influences and they have attempted to measure the strength of these avoidance or inhibition tendencies. In these more recent studies evaluation of fantasy indices of aggression anxiety significantly improved the power of the fantasy behavior to predict occurrence of overt aggression. The present research utilized hypotheses concerning the child's acquisition of inhibitions on aggression to predict types of fantasy content that should be related to overt aggression in young boys. Current theorizing about the developmental determinants of aggressive behavior suggests that a perception of the parent as hostile and nongratifying influences the child's predisposition to aggressive behavior in two ways. It has been assumed that these conditions increase aggressive motivation and, in addition, are contrary to the conditions which motivate the learning of prohibitions on aggression. With respect to the latter, it is suggested that an important motive for the acquisition and practice of parental prohibitions on aggression is anxiety over anticipated loss of parental love. The more intense the anxiety over this anticipated loss the stronger will be the re-