Differences In Physical Development Research Articles

Impact of war in Ukraine and post-pandemic COVID-19 period on the psychophysiological state of Ukrainian schoolchildren aged 12-13

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the psychophysical state of schoolchildren, taking into account the challenges posed by the post-pandemic COVID-19 period and the military actions in Ukraine. The study covers the impact of these events on the psychological well-being, physical health, social adaptation and educational achievements of schoolchildren. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the article analyses data collected through surveys, interviews, and physical health indicators, as well as psychological tests, to identify key trends and impacts. Materials and methods. The pedagogical experiment involved 103 schoolchildren aged 12-13 from general secondary education institutions of the Chernivtsi region in the period of the academic year 2023-2024 during various sports, health, recreational, and charity events. Results. The obtained results highlighted the problematic areas related to schoolchildren’s psychophysical state caused by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and military conflict in Ukraine. The difference in physical development between the sexes, which is statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicates a critical need to develop individually adapted programmes to promote physical activity among students. The analysis of psychological well-being using the SDQ questionnaire showed a high risk of psycho-emotional problems in 51.3 % of boys and 37.4 % of girls aged 12-13 years, which requires the development of targeted psychological and pedagogical measures. Conclusions. The conducted research indicated existing gaps in the system of modern physical education and the critical need to integrate methods and approaches aimed at improving the schoolchildren’s psychophysical state against the backdrop of general social unrest. Key words: psychophysical state, schoolchildren, military conflict, COVID-19, post-pandemic period.

СРАВНЕНИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ФИЗИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИЯ И ФИЗИЧЕСКОЙ ПОДГОТОВЛЕННОСТИ ПЕРВОКУРСНИКОВ С РАЗНЫМ СОСТОЯНИЕМ ЗДОРОВЬЯ, ПЕРЕНЕСШИХ COVID-19

To study the "post-covid syndrome," as a natural consequence of the pathological course of the new coronavirus infection "covid-19," data from a retrospective analysis of the incidence and testing of motor abilities of freshmen in 2022 are presented. The incidence rate of covid-19 among 2022 freshmen was significantly higher than among 2021 freshmen and had two peaks in October 2021 and February 2022. The ratio of girls who had been ill and did not have covid-19 was significantly higher than in the group of boys. Among young men who had recovered from covid-19, 14.86% belonged to a special medical group, while among those who were not sick, only 4.27% belonged to a special medical group. In the group of girls who had had covid-19, 17.45% belonged to the special medical group, and 11.42% among those who were not sick. Among young men who had been ill and did not have covid-19, 68.92 and 68.29% of freshmen, respectively, had a normal level of body mass index (BMI); 13.51 and 14.63% − reduced BMI values, and 16.22 and 13.42% − high BMI values. Among girls, 64.98 and 69.84% of freshmen were characterized by normal BMI values; 21.52 and 19, 34% − reduced values, and 13.08 and 8.86% − high BMI. Comparison of physical fitness indicators of freshmen who had been ill and did not have covid-19 were performed in subgroups with comparable BMI values. In the group of boys and girls with normal body mass index values, there were no significant differences in physical development and physical fitness among students who had been ill and did not have covid-19. In boys and girls with an insufficient body mass index who had recovered from covid-19, the indicators of active orthostatic test were significantly worse than in those who were not sick. In boys with excessive BMI who have had covid-19, the indicators of the hand dynamometry index and resistance to hypoxia were significantly lower than among non-sick fellow students.

THE ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS OF YOUNG MALE-APPLICANTS OF A MILITARY EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION

Military personnel are trained in conditions of intense physical activity. In the works of a number of authors, the presence of various kinds of deviations from normal physical development among students of civilian universities is noted. Persons with malnutrition, obesity of II-III degree are recognized by specialists of military medical commissions at the place of conscription of applicants for military universities as unfit for admission. The purpose of the study: to study the anthropometric parameters, body composition and physical development of male military universities applicants. The study involved 280 young men at the age of 17, permanently residing in the central area of Russia. Anthropometric data of body length, weight, torso length, limbs, torso girth dimensions were analyzed, Quetelet indices (body mass index), Pirquet (body proportionality index), Pigne (body strength index) were determined. With the help of indices and measurements of the component composition of the body, the characteristic of physical development was determined. As a result of the study, a sufficient variability of anthropometric indicators and body composition in the studied male applicants was revealed, which is due to heredity data and the influence of different living conditions before entering a military university. The values ​​of body length, chest circumference, body surface area were greater in urban applicants, body weight prevailed in rural boys. The Quetelet index corresponded to the norm in most of the studied, however, cases of moderate obesity were found in rural applicants. The Pirque index indicated a proportional physique in most applicants. According to the Pignet index, most of the rural and urban boys had a strong physique. The data of the component composition of the body (the level of fat, muscle and bone mass) confirmed the revealed indicators of the physical development of young men. Significant differences in physical development according to anthropometry and body composition data between youth applicants from urban and rural areas were not identified. The data obtained can be used as a regulatory framework for assessing the quality of the general health of those entering military universities and developing recommendations for the selection of cadets.

DIFFERENCES IN THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN BY GENDER

The primary aim of this study is to gain an insight into the “real situation” and to identify gender differences related to physical development among early primary school-aged children in order to reestablish and improve the monitoring system, and make the current school curriculums better. This research included the sample of 447 students (216 boys and 231 girls which was extracted from a population of pupils from five elementary schools, aged 7, 8, 9 and 10 years. Body weight and body height (standing height) was measured according to international standards for anthropometric assessment in a private setting while students were dressed in sports clothing, in the morning hours. Body mass index (BMI) was mathematically estimated according with the equation BMI=weight/height2 (kg/m2). At the level of the sample of respondents from 1st to 4th grade in relation to gender, except for the variables of body height and body weight in the 4th grade, the results of all investigated indicators show that higher values were measured in male respondents. Statistically significant differences were found for the following subspaces in relation to the observed subsample: in relation to gender and in relation to the 1st grade for body weight F=3.979, p=0.048 and for body mass index (BMI) F=6.315, p=0.013, while in relation to 2nd grade, the difference was found in body height F=4.324, p=0.040. There were no statistically significant differences in the observed characteristics of physical development among students of the 3rd and 4th grade. The obtained results on qualitative and quantitative gender differences in physical development in early school age, in addition to theoretical ones, can also have practical significance. Given that this is the age at which the formation of healthy lifestyle habits in children can be significantly influenced, the data of this research can significantly contribute to the adequate organization and implementation of both continuing physical education and extracurricular physical activities of children of the observed age.

Gene mutations in children with permanent congenital hypothyroidism in Yunnan, China.

To investigate molecular and clinical characteristics of children with permanent congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Yunnan, China. The clinical data of 40 children with CH diagnosed and treated in the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province during January 2016 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All children were followed up to 3 years old, and Gesell intelligent score was evaluated at age of 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Developmental status and prognosis were evaluated. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to screen all exons and exon-intron boundary sequences of the 27 known CH associated genes, and the relationship between genotypes and clinical phenotypes was analyzed. Among the 40 children, the thyroid related pathogenic gene mutations were detected in 23 cases with a rate of 57.5%, and a total of 32 mutations of 8 genes were detected. Mutations in DUOX2, TPO and TSHR genes were the most common ones with mutation frequencies of 65.9%(29/44), 11.4%(5/44) and 9.1%(4/44), respectively. DUOX2 gene mutations were detected in 17 children with CH, and a total of 17 mutation types were detected. p.K530* was the most common mutation in DUOX2 gene, accounting for 20.7%(6/29). There was no significant difference in physical development and intelligence assessment between children with DUOX2 heterozygous mutation and compound heterozygous mutations. None of patients could terminate medication at 3 years of the follow-up and all of them were provisionally assessed as permanent CH. The physical and mental development assessment of children with other gene mutations were also in the normal range. The detection rate of DUOX2, TPO and TSHR pathogenic mutations are high among children with permanent CH in Yunnan area, and no correlation is observed between gene mutation types and prognosis in children with CH.

Multiple regression analysis of perinatal conditions, physical development, and complications in assisted reproduction singletons.

BackgroundThere is no clear clinical conclusion on whether assisted reproductive technology (ART) increases maternal and child risk and affects infant birth and development. This study aimed to perform a multiple regression analysis of the perinatal maternal and infant conditions in an assisted reproductive singleton pregnancy and the physical development and complications of such infants at 6 months old.MethodsThis study enrolled 145 singleton pregnant women who were admitted to Luohe Central Hospital between December 2017 and December 2019 to undergo in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer as a research group, and 160 singleton pregnant women who were naturally conceived at the same time and delivered at our hospital were selected as the control group. The relevant data of the patients were collected, and the perinatal conditions, neonatal complications, physical development and NBN score of infants aged 6 months were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for perinatal complications in assisted reproduction singleton pregnancy.ResultsThe incidence of complications in the perinatal period in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications such as very low birth weight, respiratory distress, neonatal hemolysis, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia, infectious pneumonia and neonatal asphyxia between the two groups (P>0.05). Likewise, at 6 months of age, the infants in the research group showed no significant difference to the control group in physical development indicators, including weight, head circumference, body mass index, height and NBN score (P>0.05). The analysis of the unconditional multivariate logistic regression model revealed hypertension during pregnancy, placental previa, premature membrane rupture, gestational age <32 weeks, and very low birth weight as risk factors that affect perinatal complications in patients with assisted reproductive singleton pregnancy (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe incidence of complications in perinatal patients with assisted reproductive singleton pregnancy is higher than that of natural singleton pregnancy, but there is no significant difference in physical development, NBN score and complications of 6 months old infants.

Neurodevelopmental outcome and respiratory management of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: a retrospective study

BackgroundCongenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disease characterized by sleep apnea. Anoxia often occurs soon after birth, and it is important to prevent anoxia-mediated central nervous system complications; however, data on the relationship between respiratory management and the prognosis for intellectual development of patients with CCHS is not well yet investigate.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review cohort study of patients with CCHS in Japan. We investigated the risk and prognostic factors for developmental outcomes and examined the disease in terms of its symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment.ResultsOf the 123 patients with CCHS included in the survey, 88 patients were 6 years old and older. They were divided into two group based on their intelligence quotient. Those treated using positive-pressure ventilation via tracheostomy in the first three months of life had a better developmental prognosis than those managed via tracheostomy after three months of age and those treated by ventilation using mask (OR = 3.80; 95% CI: 1.00–14.37, OR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.11–19.37). There was no significant difference in physical development (P = 0.64).ConclusionsThe best respiratory treatment for patients with CCHS is ventilation via tracheostomy, initiated ideally before the age of three months.

SUN-036 Evaluation of Gender Experience Among Individuals with Isolated GnRH Deficiency Compared to Controls

Background: Sex hormones play a role in gender identity development. For example, 46,XY individuals with complete androgen insensitivity typically have a female gender identity. Isolated GnRH deficiency (IGD) leads to hypogonadism due to decreased GnRH-induced gonadotropin production. It is unknown if decreased sex hormone exposure leads to differences in gender identity among individuals with IGD compared with the general population. Our objective was to determine if the gender identity in subjects with IGD differs from controls.Methods: We distributed a validated questionnaire; the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents (GIDYQ-AA) (1), to IGD participants who previously enrolled in a phenotyping study. Subjects also provided their age, sex assigned at birth (SAAB), gender and information about their condition and treatment. Group survey scores are expressed as mean ± SD. IGD subject scores were compared with control data (Student’s t-test) obtained from a validation study for the GIDYQ-AA (2).Results: Out of 79 subjects who were contacted, 8 males (M) assigned at birth and 7 females (F) assigned at birth chose to participate and one person actively declined. Average age was 30 y for F and 28 y for M. At the time of the study, all subjects were on hormone supplementation except for one F. A score of 5 indicates a gender identity congruent with SAAB. Among F, mean scaled IGD score was 4.73 ± 0.29 vs. controls (4.8 ± 0.28, n=57; not significant (ns)), and for M it was 4.62 ± 0.52 vs. controls (4.82 ± 0.24, n=37; ns). One female identified as “non-gendered”, one male identified as “intersex/DSD” (14% of respondents), one female did not respond and gender was congruent with SAAB in the remainder. The lowest mean score for an individual question for the IGD F group was in response to whether they felt satisfied being a woman and for the IGD M group, it was in response to whether they felt they were a real man.Conclusions: Men and women with IGD did not show a significant difference in their gender identity compared with controls, and gender was found to be congruent with SAAB for the majority. However, the individual question responses and the self-described gender in this small cohort may suggest that there are differences in how some individuals with IGD experience their gender development. We speculate that this may be related to how they perceive the differences in physical development that they experienced related to their condition. Larger studies in participants with IGD and other disorders that alter sex hormone production/effect are necessary to further understand the relationship between decreased sex hormone exposure during critical developmental periods and gender identity development.

Evidence demonstrating the pharmacist's direct impact on clinical outcomes in pediatric patients: An opinion of the pediatrics practice and research network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

AbstractThe pharmacist's role in pediatric care is critical for the provision of safe medication use secondary to differences in physical development, frequent off label use of medications, need for dose calculations, and the lack of standard dosage forms. Many regulatory agencies, health care organizations, and professional societies support the pharmacist as a member of the interdisciplinary team. However, specific details showcasing how pharmacists impact the care of pediatric patients in a quantifiable and meaningful way have not been well described. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of evidence demonstrating measurable clinical outcomes directly resulting from pharmacist participation in pediatric patient care. This report is an opinion paper of The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Pediatrics Practice and Research Network and has been endorsed by the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA). This article represents the opinion of the Pediatrics Practice and Research Network of ACCP. It does not necessarily represent an official ACCP commentary, guideline, or statement of policy or position.

Characteristics of physical growth of schoolchildren in Mongolia and their forming factors

The article considers the findings of hygienic assessments of educational conditions in urban and rural schools in Mongolia and socio-economic conditions of living of schoolchildren and analysis of anthropometric measurements of schoolchildren aged of 7-16 years in relation to the assessment of harmonicity of their physical development. Hygienic conditions in Mongolian schools are characterized by improper organization of the educational - accomplishment process, high occupancy rate in classes causing insufficient space for a pupil and disconformity of school furniture parameters of school desks and chairs to growth and age requirements of pupils. Comparative assessment of socio-economic factors revealed (выделено автором) that the majority (84.1%) of rural pupils reside in uncomfortable houses and gerdwellings, 58.5 % - in large families with many children, 46.3 % - in families with poor living conditions. There were obtained data about differences in physical development of urban and rural schoolchildren pronounced with age by the gain in the number of children with disharmonious development and children with lower physical indices of the development, delayed by 1-2 years appearance of the crossing of growth and growth shift typical for rural children in comparison with their urban counterparts. According to results of multivariate regression analysis most significant factors for the formation of physical development of school children in descending order are academic workload, the place of residence, the number of children in the family, uncomfortable living conditions, household income and parent’s education. In the presence of these factors, the risk of the formation of disharmonious physical growth of school children increases by 1.8-2.8 times. The probability of the risk offormation of disharmonious physical development of schoolchildren living in rural areas was found to be by 2.5 times more than for their urban counterparts. The results can be usedfor scientific substantiation and development of targeted health measures.

DAMPAK ALOKASI DANA DESA TERHADAP PEMBANGUNAN DAN KESEJAHTERAAN MASYARAKAT DESA DI KABUPATEN BANTUL DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA

This study aimed to determine the impact of village funds on development and welfare in Bantul Regency Special Region of Yogyakarta. The study was conducted by comparing indicators of development and welfare between before and after the village funds. The sample of the study was 75 villages of Bantul Regency. The data analysis used paired sample t-test to saw the impact resulting from the allocation of village funds. The test results showed that there were significant differences in physical development and community welfare between before the existence of village funds and after the village funds were given. These results indicated that the provision of village funds by the government has an impact on physical development and community welfare in the Bantul Regency Special Region of Yogyakarta.

WITHDRAWN: Iodine supplementation for preventing iodine deficiency disorders in children.

Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood, as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages. It is still prevalent in large parts of the world. To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall, and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately, in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists, databases of ongoing trials and the Internet were searched. We included randomised controlled trials and prospective controlled trials not using randomisation of iodine supplementation in children living in areas of iodine deficiency. Two reviewers did the initial data selection and quality assessment of trials independently. As the studies identified were not sufficiently similar and not of sufficient quality, we did not do a meta-analysis but summarised the data in a narrative format. Twenty-six prospective controlled trials were related to our question, assessing a total of 29613 children. Twenty of them were classified as being of low quality, six of moderate quality. Most studies used iodised oil as a supplement, but other supplements were also used. The intervention groups were compared to a non-supplemented control group, different doses or different forms of iodine supplementation.There was a clear tendency towards goitre reduction with iodine supplementation; this was significant in several studies. Significant differences in physical development were not seen, except in one study. Results for differences in cognitive and psychomotor measures were mixed, with only few studies showing a positive intervention effect. One study suggested that infant mortality was lowered after iodine supplementation.Most studies showed a significant increase in urinary iodine excretion and levels recommended by the WHO were reached in most cases after supplementation. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were significantly reduced in one study. In 1.8% of the children investigated, adverse effects were found, most of them were minor and transient. Despite most of the included studies being of low quality, the results suggest that iodine supplementation, especially iodised oil, is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children. Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen, although results were not always significant. Adverse effects were generally minor and transient. Insufficient evidence was available on non-oil supplements. High quality controlled studies investigating relevant long term outcome measures are needed to address the question of the best form of iodine supplementation in different population groups and settings.

CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF FITNESS AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN FROM FIRST-GRADE SWIMMING CLASSES COMPARED TO PEERS

Introduction. In the changes occurring in competitive sport, proper choice and selection for sport and the age of starting the training are of great importance. Aim. Determining the magnitude of changes in physical fitness and physical development of first-grade children practicing swimming in relation to the non-training peers. Material and methods. The study included two groups of children - the first one was a children practicing swimming (26 boys and 23 girls) and the second one was a non-training class (26 boys and 23 girls). In both groups, MTSF trials were conducted in September and June. The results of the study focused on three aspects: the evaluation of sexual dimorphism, the identification of differences and their direction between groups and sex. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in physical development among children who practiced swimming. There were statistically significant differences in body heights in the non-training group - only in the first study (boys – 120.30; girls – 117.86) also in body weight in the first study (boys – 24.57; girls – 21.22) and also in the second study (boys – 26,80; girls – 22,83). In the assessment of physical fitness, in the group of children training swimming, sexual dimorphism was found in: standing long jump (only in the first study boys – 151,65, girls – 134,96); hand strength measurement (only in the first study boys – 23.5; girls – 19,36); bent arm hang, both in the first study (boys – 13,40; girls – 7,70) and also in the second study (ch-14,46; dz-6,31); forward stretches (only in the first study boys – 5; girls – 1.34); 4x10m run both in the first study (boys – 14,54; girls – 15,23) and also in the second study (boys – 13,66; girls – 15,11). Whereas, in the control group in: standing long jump (also only in the first study boys – 107.78; hand strength measurement in both the first study (boys – 18,95; girls – 12,26) as in the second study (boys – 12,09; girls – 12,77); bent arm hang (only in the first study (boys – 8.21; girls – 3.02); forward stretches in both the first (boys – 2,43; girls – 1,30) as in the second study (boys – 3,30; girls – 2,19). Conclusions. In both groups, boys as well as girls reported statistically significant changes in physical development, which is a normal symptom of growth, but only in the group of girls a statistically significant increase in BMI occured. In evaluating swimming training and its effect on fitness, it can be stated that the boys were positively influenced by such tests as (bent arm hang and sit-ups) and negatively by 50 m and 600 m run. On the other hand, among girls: positive only in the sit-ups test, and negative, as in the group of boys in at 50 m and 600 m run. In the group of girls, it was also noted that the trainees, despite the fact that in the first study achieved a significantly better result in the bent arm hang test, in the second attempt they obtained a considerably weaker result, while the non-training girls in the second measurement achieved a statistically better result than the first one.

Sex differences in early growth during the first three years of life in offspring from mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Newborns born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are thought to be at high risk for lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity and hypertension, in adulthood. A longitudinal study of 78 pregnant women with PIH and their newborns, who visited Okayama University Hospital from 2009 to 2013. We investigated the change in growth of offspring born to mothers with PIH and compared it with the standard growth curve in Japanese to examine whether there was rapid catch-up growth during the first 3years of life. Subjects were 78 pregnant women with PIH and their offspring, who visited Okayama University Hospital from 2009 to 2013. Valid responses were obtained from 29 of 78 (37.1%) women. Body weight and length at birth were at the third percentile or less in females, and at the 10th percentile or less, in males. When body weight and length were compared at 6months, 18months, and 3years old between male and female toddlers, male toddlers slowly caught up until 3years old, but female toddlers rapidly caught up in the first 6months. Furthermore, in newborns with fetal growth restriction caused by the intrauterine environment of PIH, differences in physical development between male and female toddlers were more remarkable. There is a significant sex difference in catch-up growth during the first 3years, which might be involved in lifestyle-related diseases in adulthood, suggesting continuous follow-up is necessary, especially for female offspring.

Appropriate tube size selection based on radiological images.

CC When endotracheal intubation with a plain tube or doublelumen tube (DLT) is needed, selecting the appropriate tube size is important. A large tube may cause laryngotracheal injury, whereas a small tube may cause inadequate ventilation, due to air leak. Moreover, an overly large or small tube increases the chances of repeated intubation, which may cause airway trauma. In clinical practice, selection of the tube size is usually based on clinical experience, which may be clinically acceptable in most adult patients. In pediatric patients, unfortunately, the age-based formula for predicting tube size, which is used world wide, is not always successful because of differences in physical development [1]. Recently, technical developments in radiological imaging have allowed measuring the diameter of a patient’s airway at various points. Chest computed tomography (CT) or plain X-ray can be used to predict the appropriate size of a DLT or an uncuffed plain tube by measuring the diameter of the left main bronchus or the tracheal transverse diameter at the 7 th cervical vertebra [1-5]. Moreover, because the tracheal width is closely correlated with the left main bronchus width, if direct measurement of the left main bronchus width is impossible, the tracheal width can be more helpful in estimating the left main bronchus width than demographic data, such as height, weight, and age [6,7]. Ultrasound can also be useful for measuring the diameter of a patient’s airway, especially the tracheal diameter. Sustic and colleagues demonstrated a strong correlation between the tracheal width measured by ultrasound and the tracheal width by CT [8]. Additionally, they found a strong correlation between the tracheal width, measured by ultrasound, and the left main bronchus width, measured by CT, and that 25% of patients had the incorrect size of left-sided DLT. In pediatric patients, ultrasound can also be helpful in selecting the proper size of an uncuffed endotracheal tube [9]. More recently, three-dimensional (3-D) spiral chest CT, with which multi-planar reconstruction is possible, has been intro duced. It allows more precise evaluation of a patient’s airway. A study in this issue of the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology [10] demonstrated a moderate correlation between the anteroposterior (AP) diameter at 2 cm below the carina of the left main bronchus, obtained from the 3-D images, and the 2-D images, and that the AP diameter was longer on 3-D images than on 2-D images. In the study, if left-sided DLTs were chosen based on the AP diameter measured 2 cm below the carina of the left main bronchus from the 3-D and 2-D images, the same sized leftsided DLTs were expected in 51% of patients. This suggests that prediction of the left-sided DLT size, based on the AP diameter on 2-D images, may be reconsidered, although a large prospec tive study should be performed to confirm the superiority of 3-D images in predicting the appropriate size of left-sided DLT. In conclusion, appropriate tube size selection is important. Tube size selection based on radiological images may be reasonable and may have a greater likelihood of successful intubation at the first attempt than tube size selection based on clinical ex perience.

Dental Composites and Amalgam and Physical Development in Children

Resin-based composite dental restoration materials may release bisphenol-A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical. Using secondary analysis of a randomized clinical safety trial of amalgam vs. composites, we tested the hypothesis that dental restoration materials affect children’s growth. Children (N = 218 boys, N = 256 girls) aged 6 to 10 yrs at baseline with ≥ 2 decayed posterior teeth were randomized to amalgam or composites (bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-dimethacrylate composite for permanent teeth, urethane-dimethacrylate compomer for primary teeth) for treatment of posterior caries throughout follow-up. Primary outcomes for this analysis were 5-year changes in BMI-for-age z-scores, body fat percentage (BF%), and height velocity; exploratory analyses (n = 113) examined age at menarche. Results showed no significant differences between treatment assignment and changes in physical development in boys [(composites vs. amalgam) BF%, 4.9 vs. 5.7, p = 0.49; (BMI-z-score) 0.13 vs. 0.25, p = 0.36] or girls (8.8 vs. 7.7, p = 0.95; 0.36 vs. 0.21, p = 0.49). Children with more treatment on primary teeth had greater increases in BF% regardless of material type. Girls assigned to composites had lower risk of menarche during follow-up (hazard ratio = 0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.95). Overall, there were no significant differences in physical development over 5 years in children treated with composites or amalgam. Additional studies examining these restoration materials in relation to age at menarche are warranted (clinicaltrials.gov number NCT00065988).

Influence of the quality implementation of a physical education curriculum on the physical development and physical fitness of children

BackgroundThis study was constructed as a comparison group pre-test/post-test quasi-experiment to assess the effect of the implementation of the PE curriculum by specialist PE teachers on children's physical development and physical fitness.Methods146 classes from 66 Slovenian primary schools were assigned to quasi-test (71) and quasi-control (75) groups. Data from the SLOFIT database was used to compare the differences in physical fitness and development between groups of children whose PE lessons were delivered by specialist PE teachers from the second grade onwards (quasi-test, n = 950) or by generalist teachers in all first three grades (quasi-control, n = 994). The Linear Mixed Model was used to test the influence of specialist PE teachers' teaching.ResultsThe quasi-control group showed significantly lower improvement of physical fitness by -0.07 z-score units (95% CI -0.12 to 0.02) compared to the quasi-test group. A significant difference of -0.20 (-0.27 to -0.13) was observed in explosive strength, and of -0.15 (-0.23 to -0.08) in running speed, and in flexibility by -0.22 (-0.29 to -0.14). No significant differences in physical development were observed.ConclusionsSpecialist PE teachers were more successful than generalist teachers in achieving greater improvement of children's physical fitness, but no differences were observed in physical development of quasi-test and quasi-control group.

Physical development in patients with phenylketonuria on dietary treatment: A retrospective study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the growth and physical development in patients with phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency who follow exclusively dietary treatment. MethodsAnthropometric measurements of 160 patients with hyperphenylalaninemia who were followed at our center over a 25year period were obtained. Only patients treated exclusively with a protein-restrictive diet supplemented with amino acid mixtures were included. Height, weight and body mass index were measured at birth, at diagnosis, at 6 and 12months of age, and annually until 18years of age in patients with phenylketonuria or until 9years of age in patients with mild hyperphenylalaninemia and compared to official national reference values. The final height of PKU patients was also compared to their expected family height. ResultsThe analysis of z scores suggested no significant differences in physical development between PKU patients and the healthy population during the study period. The final height of PKU patients revealed that they were 2 to 4cm taller than expected when compared to the mean family height (p<0.001). The mean weight and BMI at puberty suggested that many patients with severe PKU, but not other phenotypes, were overweight during this period. ConclusionPhysical development can be optimal in PKU patients regardless of their phenotype and the severity of the diet. A tendency to excessive weight gain is seen in adolescence in the most severe phenotypes.

Iodine supplementation for preventing iodine deficiency disorders in children.

Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood, as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages. It is still prevalent in large parts of the world. To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall, and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately, in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists, databases of ongoing trials and the Internet were searched. Date of latest search: October 2003. We included randomised controlled trials and prospective controlled trials not using randomisation of iodine supplementation in children living in areas of iodine deficiency. Two reviewers did the initial data selection and quality assessment of trials independently. As the studies identified were not sufficiently similar and not of sufficient quality, we did not do a meta-analysis but summarised the data in a narrative format. Twenty-six prospective controlled trials were related to our question, assessing a total of 29613 children. Twenty of them were classified as being of low quality, six of moderate quality. Most studies used iodised oil as a supplement, but other supplements were also used. The intervention groups were compared to a non-supplemented control group, different doses or different forms of iodine supplementation. There was a clear tendency towards goitre reduction with iodine supplementation; this was significant in several studies. Significant differences in physical development were not seen, except in one study. Results for differences in cognitive and psychomotor measures were mixed, with only few studies showing a positive intervention effect. One study suggested that infant mortality was lowered after iodine supplementation. Most studies showed a significant increase in urinary iodine excretion and levels recommended by the WHO were reached in most cases after supplementation. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were significantly reduced in one study. In 1.8% of the children investigated, adverse effects were found, most of them were minor and transient. Despite most of the included studies being of low quality, the results suggest that iodine supplementation, especially iodised oil, is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children. Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen, although results were not always significant. Adverse effects were generally minor and transient. Insufficient evidence was available on non-oil supplements. High quality controlled studies investigating relevant long term outcome measures are needed to address the question of the best form of iodine supplementation in different population groups and settings.

Physical development of first-year students of the Astrakhan Medical Institute

The aim of the work was to study the peculiarities of the growth and development of the contingent of young people who entered the Astrakhan Medical Institute in 1980 and 1981, and to identify differences in physical development compared to students from other fields.