Population Of Healthy Children Research Articles

Results of preventive medical examinations of minors in the Russian Federation

The aim of the study was the improvement and gain in the efficiency of preventive medical examinations of minors. There were studied the information and statistical materials of the dispanserization of the children population of the Russian Federation in 2014 concerning the health of various age groups in terms of Federal districts and subjects. There were analyzed indices of the coverage of the children’s population with preventive routine medical examination; level and structure of the revealed general and primary prevalence; frequency of the dispensary registration; neediness in additional consultations, examinations and treatment in the conditions of out-patient clinic, a day hospital, a hospital of the round-the-clock stay, the sanatorium organizations, as well as the coverage by these medical services. There was recorded the high level of the coverage of minors by routine medical examinations. The ration of healthy children's population was more than one third from all cases who passed medical examination. The revealed general and primary prevalence rate of the children's population in large part (more than one third) subjects has level above the Russian one. The main reasons of children’s morbidity are diseases of respiratory organs, bone and muscular and nervous systems while teenagers mostly have diseases of bone and muscular system, an eye, appendages of the eye and respiratory organs. The high prevalence of chronic diseases among the children’s population in preventive medical examinations failed to be followed by recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation in sufficient volume. Regional features of results of medical examination allowed to identify the most disadvantaged areas, to identify defects in its organization and the lack of continuity between medical institutions providing this type of services.

Adaptación y validación de un cuestionario para evaluar las prácticas de autocuidado en población infantil sana residente en España

ObjectiveTo adapt and validate the Child and Adolescent Self-Care Performance Questionnaire (CASPQ) to the context of healthy children aged 8 to 12years residing in Spain and evaluate their metric properties. DesignValidation study based on Classical Test Theory. LocationFour schools participating in the Salut i Escola programme of a Primary Care Centre of Barcelona (Spain). ParticipantsFour hundred and ninety-eight elementary school students participated in the study during the first six months of 2016. Main measurementsCultural adaptation of the questionnaire was carried out. Response process and factorial structure were evaluated and the relationships of the adapted questionnaire scores with those of the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire were analysed. Likewise, internal consistency and reproducibility of the scores were evaluated. ResultsFour hundred and eighty-nine questionnaires were obtained. The confirmatory factor analysis of its theoretical structure showed a sufficient adjustment. A positive association was observed between the questionnaire scores and those of KIDSCREEN-27. The overall internal consistency was satisfactory; nevertheless, that of each factor was marginal or moderate. The reproducibility of the scores was optimal. ConclusionsThe CASPQ adapted to the healthy child population of 8 to 12years old shows appropriate metric properties and similar to those of the original questionnaire. Therefore, it is a useful tool to assess self-care practices and plan interventions aimed at its promotion.

Irisin serum levels are positively correlated with bone mineral status in a population of healthy children.

Irisin is a myokine secreted by skeletal muscle during physical activity. Irisin treatment increased cortical bone mineral density (BMD) in young healthy mice and restored bone and muscle mass loss in a mouse model of disuse-induced osteoporosis and muscular atrophy. In humans, Irisin was positively correlated with BMD in young athletes. Considering that the bone mass reached during childhood is one of the most important determinants of lifelong skeletal health, we sought to determine if Irisin levels were correlated with bone mineral status in children. Irisin and bone metabolic markers were quantified in sera and bone mineral status was evaluated by quantitative ultrasound in a population of 34 healthy children (9.82 ± 3.2 years). We found that Irisin levels were positively correlated with the amplitude-dependent speed of sound Z-score (r = 0.305; p < 0.001), bone transmission time Z-score (r = 0.375; p < 0.001) and osteocalcin (r = 0.370; p < 0.001), and negatively with Dickkopf WNT Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 1 (r = -0.274; p < 0.001). In a regression analysis model, Irisin was one of the determinants of bone mineral status to a greater extent than bone alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone, indicating that Irisin might be considered as one of the bone formation markers during childhood.

Nomograms for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Measurements in the Pediatric Age Group: To Define the Normal and the Expected Abnormal Values in Corrected/Palliated Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review

Our purpose is to provide an overview and to systematically review the strengths and limitations of studies on pediatric and adolescent normal values for cardiovascular MRI parameters. A literature search was performed within the National Library of Medicine using the following keywords: normal, reference values, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and children/pediatric. Eleven published studies evaluating cardiovascular MRI measurements in normal children were included in the present analysis. Our results revealed reasonable consistencies in the protocols employed for cardiovascular MRI. Inter- and intraobserver variability analyses were performed in most studies and generally showed acceptable reproducibility. However, several numerical and methodological limitations emerged. Besides small sample sizes (the largest study enrolled 114 subjects), data for some structures (pulmonary arteries, aortic arch) were limited, and neonates/infants were poorly represented (eg, only two studies). There was heterogeneity regarding measurement normalization (eg, for gender, age, or both), and data were mostly expressed as mean values, while z-scores (commonly used in pediatric echocardiography) were rarely employed. Theoretically, a z-score or a standard deviation of ±2 is considered pathological. Furthermore, differences among races and ethnic groups were not evaluated. In conclusion, our analyses revealed an important need for generation of pediatric and adolescent cardiovascular MRI nomograms built over a wide population of healthy children, using consistent methodologies and with consideration of potentially relevant confounders. More data on expected abnormal values in specific CHD populations (eg, univentricular hearts) also need to be defined. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy Stage: 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1222-1235.

Integrated analysis of long-term growth and bone development in pediatric and adolescent patients receiving bevacizumab.

We conducted an integrated analysis of clinical data to describe long-term effects of bevacizumab on growth and bone development in pediatric and adolescent patients with solid tumors. Clinical data were pooled from five phase I/II trials of bevacizumab versus chemotherapy: BERNIE, HERBY, and AVF4117s enrolled newly diagnosed patients, AVF3842s and AVF2771s enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory disease. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and bone-age data were pooled by treatment group. Growth charts were used to track and monitor growth in relation to a reference population of healthy children. Bone age was measured based on X-ray of the left hand and wrist. Analyses were exploratory/descriptive. Overall, 268 patients received bevacizumab ± chemotherapy and 135 received chemotherapy alone. Baseline characteristics were generally balanced. Median duration of long-term follow-up was 41.8 months (range, 2.4-75.1) with bevacizumab and 22.9 months (range, 2.8-69.2) with chemotherapy alone. Patients had age-appropriate baseline height and weight. Mean height and weight percentiles decreased over time in both treatment groups, but remained within the normal range (height: mean standard deviation score [SDS] range -2 to +3; weight: mean SDS range -2 to +1). Similar trends were seen in BMI. A tendency for reduced growth velocity relative to the reference population was observed at 6 months and 1year in both groups, but there was no additional decrease for patients receiving bevacizumab. Bevacizumab did not appear to have additional negative effects on growth or development of pediatric and adolescent patients with solid tumors.

Correlation between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Lipid Profile among Children with Beta Thalassemia Major.

BACKGROUND:Beta thalassemia major is associated with lipid profile abnormalities, presented as a lower level of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and higher triglyceride level; increasing risk for cardiovascular complications. The previous studies indicated that Vitamin D give a positive impact on the lipid profile in healthy children population. However, its role needs to be determined in a high-risk group of children with beta-thalassemia major.AIM:To determine the correlation between vitamin D (25-OHD) and lipid profile among children with beta-thalassemia major.METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a general tertiary hospital in Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia from January to March 2018. Subjects were children aged below 18-year-old with beta-thalassemia major. The measurement of vitamin D (25-OHD) level and 10-12 hour overnight fasting serum lipid profile including total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL were performed. The analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation and Fisher test. P value < 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS:Forty-five subjects were enrolled in this study, with serum ferritin level ranged from 1017 to 13372 ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (a 25-OHD level less than 20 ng/mL) in this study was 40%, with mean value at 20.6 (SD 5.3) ng/mL. The markers for cardiovascular risk were observed to be elevated, both in Atherogenic Index Plasma (0.32 ± 0.25) and TC: HDL ratio (4.2 ± 1.5). Statistical analysis revealed that Vitamin D had positive correlation with total cholesterol (r = 0.302, p = 0.044) and HDL (r = 0.297, p = 0.048). There was no significant correlation between both vitamin D and triglyceride (p = 0.305), or vitamin D and LDL (p = 0.727).CONCLUSION:Vitamin D correlated positively with total cholesterol and HDL in children with beta-thalassemia major. Positive correlation to HDL indicated a beneficial effect of vitamin D to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complication.

The Effects of Age and Gender on Laryngeal Aerodynamics in the Children Population

ObjectivesNormal voice can be differentiated from dysphonic voices by comparing their characteristics using an established normative database. Pediatric normative data using the Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS) have been established in a preliminary study for English-speaking children. However, aerodynamic measures, including physical characteristics varying by geographic region, race, and culture, must be investigated between children with different native languages. Aerodynamic analysis of connected speech requires the collection of language-specific samples and the establishment of language-specific norms. Thus, the main purpose of the present study was to establish pediatric normative data using the PAS for a large pediatric population of healthy Turkish-speaking children of 4–17.11 years of age. Another research aim was to determine age-dependent and/or gender-dependent aerodynamic parameters for this pediatric population. MethodsIn total, 120 children were divided into four age groups: Group I, 4–5.11 years; Group II, 6–9.11 years; Group III, 10–13.11 years; and Group IV, 14–17.11 years. An equal number of male and female participants were assigned to each group. The PENTAX Medical PAS Model 6600 was used. Descriptive statistics for 56 parameters across six protocols were expressed as mean, standard deviation, and range values. Each protocol was analyzed for age, gender, and age–gender interaction. ResultsAge was the most predominant factor, affecting 37 of the 56 aerodynamic parameters investigated. Gender and age–gender factors were observed at an equal frequency, each affecting 16 parameters. Pitch-related parameters were the most altered parameters in each protocol. Age–gender interaction was observed in parameters related to the expiratory airflow. ConclusionsThis study established the normative values of phonatoary aerodynamics for a large pediatric population with a wide age range and developed a normative database for healthy Turkish-speaking children. This is the first study to investigate running speech protocol in aerodynamic assessment.

Schlemm's canal measured by optical coherence tomography and correlation study in a healthy Caucasian child population

To measure the Schlemm's canal (SC) invivo by Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) in a Caucasian paediatric population. Participants of this cross-sectional study were 290 healthy children. In the right eye of each child, SC cross-sectional diameter and area measurements were made with the FD-OCT instrument RTVue® (Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA, USA) in the nasal and temporal quadrants. These SC variables were then assessed for correlation with the factors age, gender, refractive error, anterior chamber angle and trabecular meshwork (TM) metrics. Finally, the reproducibility of the SC measurements was assessed in 30 of the participants. Mean participant age was 10.7±3.4years (range 3-18). SC diameters could be measured in both quadrants in 70.6% and 70.4% of subjects, respectively. Mean SC diameters were similar (p=0.125) for the temporal and nasal quadrants: 266.7±84.1μm (range 131-509) and 273.2±77.3μm (range 124-486), respectively. Mean SC areas were also similar (p=0.167) for the two quadrants: 9975±3514μm2 (range 4000-23000) versus 9688±3297μm2 (range 3000-24000). No differences were detected in SC measurements according to gender, refractive error or angle and TM measurements (R≤0.116; p≥0.125). The exception was age which was directly correlated with SC size (p≤0.041). The reproducibility of the SC measurements was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥0.936). FD-OCT allows the identification of the SC in children. Our data indicate an increase in SC size produced with age.

25-hydroxyvitamin D and health service utilization for asthma in early childhood

IntroductionAsthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a common reason for hospital admission. Studies suggest that low vitamin D levels may be associated with health service utilization (HSU) for childhood asthma.&#x0D; Objectives and ApproachThe primary objective was to determine if vitamin D serum levels in early childhood were associated with HSU for asthma including: a) total HSU, b) hospital admissions, c) emergency department visits and d) outpatient sick visits. Secondary objectives were to determine whether vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy or childhood were associated with HSU for asthma. Prospective cohort study of children participating in the TARGet Kids! practice based research network. HSU was determined by linking each child's provincial health insurance number to health administrative databases. Multivariable quasi Poisson and logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations.&#x0D; Results2926 healthy children ages 0-6 years had 25-hydroxyvitamin D data available and were included in the primary analysis. Mean (IQR) 25-hydroxyvitmain D level was 84 nmol/L (65-98 nmol/L), 218 and 1267 children had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels &lt;50 nmol/L and &lt;75 nmol/L, respectively. In the adjusted models, there were no associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (continuously or dichotomized at 50 and 75 nmol/L), vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy or childhood and HSU for asthma.&#x0D; Conclusion/ImplicationsHigher vitamin D blood values do not appear to be associated with HSU for asthma in this population of healthy urban children.

Measured free 25-hydroxyvitamin D in healthy children and relationship to total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calculated free 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D binding protein

Backgroundvitamin D deficiency in children is still a global health problem. Measuring free 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations could provide a better estimate of the vitamin D status than total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between measured free vitamin D (m-f25(OH)D) and calculated free 25(OH)D (c-f25(OH)D), total 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and other markers of phosphocalcic metabolism.To establish serum m-f25(OH)D concentrations corresponding to a total 25(OH)D > 50 nmol/L which is accepted as vitamin D-sufficiency status in children. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingJanuary and February 2017 in a Mediterranean population. Patientshealthy children. Measurementsm-f25(OH)D and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) by ELISA. Free 25(OH)D was calculated using the formula described by Bikle. Resultsm-f25(OH)D directly correlated with total 25(OH)D (r:0.804,p < .001), serum calcium (r:0.26,p:0.035), and c-f25(OH)D (r:0.553,p:0.016); and inversely with iPTH (r:-0.374, p:0.002), alkaline phosphatase (r:-0.28, p:0.026), and age (r:-0.289, p:0.018). Total 25(OH)D correlated with the same parameters as m-f25(OH)D except for serum calcium. However, c-f25(OH)D correlated only with total 25(OH)D and VDBP, both included in the calculation formula.Multiple regression analysis showed that m-f25(OH)D variations were independently explained by calcium (β:0.156, p:0.026) and total 25(OH)D (β:0.043, p < .001).The optimal m-f25(OH)D cut-off for discriminating between insufficient and sufficient total 25(OH)D was >9.8 pmol/L (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.897 (95% confidence interval (CI): (0.798–0.958); p < .001; sensitivity:72.7% (95%CI: 49.8–89.3); specificity: 95.5% (95%CI: 84.5–99.4)). ConclusionsDirectly measured free vitamin D correlated better with markers of phosphocalcic metabolism than total 25(OH)D and c-f25(OH)D in a population of healthy children.

25-hydroxyvitamin D and health service utilization for asthma in early childhood.

Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a common reason for hospital admission. Studies suggest that low vitamin D levels may be associated with health service utilization (HSU) for childhood asthma. The primary objective was to determine if vitamin D serum levels in early childhood were associated with HSU for asthma including: a) hospital admissions; b) emergency department visits; and c) outpatient sick visits. Secondary objectives were to determine whether vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy or childhood were associated with HSU for asthma. Prospective cohort study of children participating in the TARGet Kids! practice-based research network between 2008 and 2013 in Toronto, Canada. HSU was determined by linking each child's provincial health insurance number to health administrative databases. Multivariable quasi-Poisson and logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy, and childhood and HSU for asthma. A total of 2926 healthy children aged 0-6 years had 25-hydroxyvitamin D data available and were included in the primary analysis. Mean (IQR) 25-hydroxyvitmain D level was 84 nmol/L (65-98 nmol/L), 218 and 1267 children had 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations <50 nmol/L and <75 nmol/L, respectively. In the adjusted models, there were no associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (continuously or dichotomized at 50 and 75 nmol/L), vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy or childhood and HSU for asthma. Vitamin D blood values do not appear to be associated with HSU for asthma in this population of healthy urban children.

Anterior Chamber Angle Tissue as an Incidental Optical Coherence Tomography Finding in a Large Healthy Caucasian Child Population.

The aim of this study was to describe the presence of anterior chamber angle (ACA) tissue as an incidental optical coherence tomography (OCT) finding in healthy children. For this cross-sectional study, we reviewed Fourier-domain OCT images obtained in 422 children, who were chosen as candidates for inclusion in a prior study, and who visited our clinic for a routine vision test. The presence of angle tissue was assessed in the nasal and temporal quadrants. On tomographies showing angle tissue, several measurements were made, including ACA width and trabecular meshwork length and size. Hyperreflective tissue was observed in the ACA recess in 14 eyes of 13 children subjected to OCT (3.3%). This tissue was only present in 1 quadrant. The mean age of the affected children was 10.1±2.5 years (range, 7 to 14); 69% were female patients. Spherical refractive error was -0.5 to +1.75 D. ACA width was 45.9±9.1 (24.8 to 57.9) in the nasal quadrant and 44.3±10.1 (23.9 to 60.1) in the temporal quadrant. Trabecular meshwork length and size were 494±94 μm (322 to 732) and 0.064±0.018 mm (0.03 to 0.11), respectively. In all 13 children, intraocular pressure was ≤18 mm Hg, the appearance of the optic nerve head was normal, and none had a family history of glaucoma. We, here, report the incidental observation of angle tissue in a small percentage of healthy Caucasian children. The follow-up of these children in future work could clarify the possible clinical implications of this observation.

Impact of Infant Supraglottoplasty on Quality of Life.

Objectives The objective of the present study is to examine the impact of supraglottoplasty on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers and infants with severe laryngomalacia and moderate laryngomalacia with feeding difficulties. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary children's hospital. Subjects and Methods Thirty-nine infants who underwent supraglottoplasty were examined. The primary caregiver answered the 47-item short form of the Infant and Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire-47 pre- and postoperatively; the subsection scores were compared. A 1-way analysis of variance was performed to analyze the effect of age and sex. A comparison was made between our cohort and a general population of healthy children. Results The average age at surgery was 4.0 months, and 53% of the patients were male. There was significant postoperative improvement in overall health, physical ability, growth and development, bodily pain, temperament, emotional impact on the caregiver, impact on caregiver's time, and family cohesion scores ( P < .05). The same subscale scores remained significantly improved postoperatively after age and sex were controlled. Preoperative QOL scores were significantly worse than those of the general population in nearly all categories. Postoperative physical ability ( P = .009) and temperament ( P = .011) QOL scores were higher than the those of the general population. Scores for growth and development ( P = .132), bodily pain ( P = .481), and family cohesion ( P = .717) were equivalent to those of the general population. Conclusion QOL was significantly improved after supraglottoplasty for infants with severe laryngomalacia and moderate laryngomalacia with feeding difficulties. After supraglottoplasty, QOL was similar to that of the general infant population in most categories.

Validation of Right Atrial Area as a Measure of Right Atrial Size and Normal Values of in Healthy Pediatric Population by Two-Dimensional Echocardiography.

Right atrial (RA) size is a prognostic indicator for heart failure and cardiovascular death in adults. Data regarding use of RA area (RAA) by two-dimensional echocardiography as a surrogate for RA size and allometric modeling to define appropriate indexing of the RAA are lacking. Our objective was to validate RAA as a reliable measure of RA size and to define normal reference values by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a large population of healthy children and develop Z-scores using a validated allometric model for indexing RAA independent of age, sex, and body size. Agreement between RAA and volume by 2D, 3D TTE, and MRI was assessed. RAA not volume by 2D TTE is an excellent surrogate for RA size. RAA/BSA1 has an inverse correlation with BSA with a residual relationship to BSA (r = - 0.54, p < 0.0001). The allometric exponent (AE) derived for the entire cohort (0.85) also fails to eliminate the residual relationship. The entire cohort divided into two groups with a BSA cut-off of 1m2 to provide the best-fit allometric model (r = 0). The AE by least square regression analysis for each group is 0.95 and 0.88 for BSA < 1m2 and > 1m2, respectively, and was validated against an independent sample. The mean indexed RAA ± SD for BSA ≤ 1m2 and > 1m2 is 9.7 ± 1.3cm2 and 8.7 ± 1.3cm2, respectively, and was used to derive Z-scores. RAA by 2D TTE is superior to 2D or 3D echocardiography-derived RA volume as a measure of RA size using CMR as the reference standard. RAA when indexed to BSA1, decreases as body size increases. The best-fit allometric modeling is used to create Z scores. RAA/BSA0.95 for BSA < 1m2 and RAA/BSA0.88 for those with BSA > 1m2 can be used to derive Z scores.

Associations of leptin, insulin and lipids with retinal microvasculature in children and adolescents.

We investigated whether cardiometabolic risk factors measured in serum (total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], triglyceride, leptin, insulin, glucose and insulin resistance) are associated with the retinal microvasculature, a marker of cardiovascular aging, in healthy children and adolescents. Moreover, we tested whether these associations are due to direct biological effects or more indirectly due to adiposity-related side effects. We recruited 168 healthy Flemish children (7-16 years old, 54.8% boys). Blood samples and retinal photographs were taken during clinical examinations. Arteriolar and venular vessel calibers were calculated using a semi-automated computer program. Multivariable regression models were used and adjusted for age, sex, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and alternate retinal caliber. In a second step, we adjusted for body mass index z-score (zBMI). Only continuous serum leptin was associated with retinal parameters, i.e. wider arterioles; however, this disappeared after adjustment for zBMI. Children with high cardiometabolic risk factors (>90th percentile for serum leptin, insulin and insulin resistance) had wider arterioles compared to children with lower concentrations, even after additional adjustment for zBMI. No significant associations were found with lipids. In this healthy population of children and adolescents, the hormones insulin and leptin and insulin resistance were associated with retinal microvasculature alterations, mainly in children with high cardiometabolic factors (>90th percentile), while lipids were not. These associations were independent of zBMI.

The Uniform Pattern of Growth and Skeletal Maturation during the Human Adolescent Growth Spurt

Humans are one of the few species undergoing an adolescent growth spurt. Because children enter the spurt at different ages making age a poor maturity measure, longitudinal studies are necessary to identify the growth patterns and identify commonalities in adolescent growth. The standard maturity determinant, peak height velocity (PHV) timing, is difficult to estimate in individuals due to diurnal, postural, and measurement variation. Using prospective longitudinal populations of healthy children from two North American populations, we compared the timing of the adolescent growth spurt’s peak height velocity to normalized heights and hand skeletal maturity radiographs. We found that in healthy children, the adolescent growth spurt is standardized at 90% of final height with similar patterns for children of both sexes beginning at the initiation of the growth spurt. Once children enter the growth spurt, their growth pattern is consistent between children with peak growth at 90% of final height and skeletal maturity closely reflecting growth remaining. This ability to use 90% of final height as easily identified important maturity standard with its close relationship to skeletal maturity represents a significant advance allowing accurate prediction of future growth for individual children and accurate maturity comparisons for future studies of children’s growth.

Urinary Tract Infection Antibiotic Trial Study Design: A Systematic Review.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent common bacterial infections in children. No guidance on the conduct of pediatric febrile UTI clinical trials (CTs) exist. To assess the criteria used for patient selection and the efficacy end points in febrile pediatric UTI CTs. Medline, Embase, Cochrane central databases, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched between January 1, 1990, and November 24, 2016. We combined Medical Subject Headings terms and free-text terms for "urinary tract infections" and "therapeutics" and "clinical trials" in children (0-18 years), identifying 3086 articles. Two independent reviewers assessed study quality and performed data extraction. We included 40 CTs in which a total of 4381 cases of pediatric UTIs were investigated. Positive urine culture results and fever were the most common inclusion criteria (93% and 78%, respectively). Urine sampling method, pyuria, and colony thresholds were highly variable. Clinical and microbiological end points were assessed in 88% and 93% of the studies, respectively. Timing for end point assessment was highly variable, and only 3 studies (17%) out of the 18 performed after the Food and Drug Administration 1998 guidance publication assessed primary and secondary end points consistently with this guidance. Our limitations included a mixed population of healthy children and children with an underlying condition. In 6 trials, researchers studied a subgroup of patients with afebrile UTI. We observed a wide variability in the microbiological inclusion criteria and the timing for end point assessment. The available guidance for adults appear not to be used by pediatricians and do not seem applicable to the childhood UTI. A harmonized design for pediatric UTIs CT is necessary.

The influence of physical activity, sedentary behavior on health-related quality of life among the general population of children and adolescents: A systematic review.

BackgroundThe association between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents has been mostly investigated in those young people with chronic disease conditions. No systematic review to date has synthesized the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life in the general healthy population of children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to review systematically the existing literature that evaluated the relations between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life in the general population of children and adolescents.MethodsWe conducted a computer search for English language literature from databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PSYCINFO and PubMed-related articles as well as the reference lists of existing literature between 1946 and the second week of January 2017 to retrieve eligible studies. We included the studies that assessed associations between physical activity and/or sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life among the general population of children and adolescents aged between 3–18 years. The study design included cross-sectional, longitudinal and health intervention studies. We excluded the studies that examined associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life among children and adolescents with specific chronic diseases, and other studies and reports including reviews, meta-analyses, study protocols, comments, letters, case reports and guidelines. We followed up the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement in the reporting of this review. The risk of bias of the primary studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We synthesized the difference in health-related quality of life scores between different levels of physical activity and sedentary time.ResultsIn total, 31 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized in the review. Most of the included studies used a cross-sectional design (n = 21). There were six longitudinal studies and three school-based physical activity intervention studies. One study used both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. We found that higher levels of physical activity were associated with better health-related quality of life and increased time of sedentary behavior was linked to lower health-related quality of life among children and adolescents. A dose-response relation between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life was observed in several studies suggesting that the higher frequency of physical activity or the less time being sedentary, the better the health-related quality of life.ConclusionsThe findings in this study suggest that school health programs promoting active lifestyles among children and adolescents may contribute to the improvement of health-related quality of life. Future research is needed to extend studies on longitudinal relationships between physical activity, sedentary behavior and health-related quality of life, and on effects of physical activity interventions on health-related quality of life among children and youth.

Postoperative complications and long-term functional outcome in children operated for idiopathic rectal prolapse.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative complications and the long-term gastrointestinal functional outcome after surgical treatment for rectal prolapse on a strategy with stapled anopexy for short (< 5cm) prolapse and Delormes procedure for longer (> 5cm) rectal prolapse. A total of 38 patients were included with a postoperative follow-up period ranging from 1month to 9.1years. Thirty patients (83%) completed the Rome III questionnaire on gastrointestinal function, with the follow-up period ranging from 2months to 7years. Thirty-five patients were treated with stapled anopexy as a primary surgical treatment. One minor complication with slight postoperative bleeding was observed, but the recurrence rate was 34.3%. Treatment of recurrence with re-stapling gave success rate of 44.4%. Ten patients (3 primary and 7 with recurrence after stapled anopexy) were treated with Delormes procedure with no observed complications or recurrence. Four out of nineteen patients treated with stapled anopexy fulfilled the criteria for functional gastrointestinal symptoms and in 3 out of 8 treated with Delormes procedure. No patients reported continence problems. The recurrence rate for stapled anopexy was high and none with Delormes procedure. The functional outcome was comparable with a healthy population of children.

Bite force and electromyography evaluation after cranioplasty in patients with craniosynostosis

This long-term follow-up investigation aimed to assess masticatory muscle function in 15 patients with craniosynostosis with detachment of the temporal muscle during fronto-orbital advancement 6 years after cranioplasty compared with a non-operative stomatognathic healthy cohort in the same age group (n = 25). The follow-up assessment for the operated children occurred on average 5.2 ± 1.7 years after surgery at the age of 7 ± 1.6 years. The maximum bite force was assessed, in addition to the bilateral function of both temporal and masseter muscles, which were analyzed using superficial electromyography. The maximum bite force was 257 ± 89 N 255 ± 88 N (right/left), respectively, in the group of operated children and 212 ± 61 N and 203 ± 57 N (right/left), respectively, in the control group, without clinical relevant difference between groups. The surface electromyography signal of the temporal muscle correlated positively with the bite force and showed a slightly lower average resting tone activity in the control group, whereas muscle fatigue occurred slightly faster in the operated children in both muscles without statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no measurable dysfunction in the temporal muscle after the operative correction of craniosynostosis compared with a healthy population of children.