The accuracy of ultra-sonographic findings in detection of abdominal tumor size in children (our experience in Children Medical Center)

Introduction: Since abdominal tumors are one of the common causes of childhood death, studying the clinico-pathologic features of them is important for early diagnosis. Our aim in this study was to determine these features in Iranian children and to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosing abdominal masses in children.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective case series study, data about sex, age, primary chief complaint, physical examination, imaging report and pathology finding of 156 children with abdominal tumor, who were admitted to the Children Medical Center in the last 6 years were gathered.Results: Male to female ratio was 0.69. The most common type of tumor in this study was Willm’s (37.5%) and Neuroblastoma (35.7%). Mean age of children with Willm’s tumor and Neuroblastoma was 38.95 and 26.65 months respectively. Ultrasonography has a lower accuracy in patients with tenderness, children with Willm’s tumor, female patients and children under 5 years old.Conclusion: Our different findings regarding tumor type and distribution as opposed to previous studies may be due to genetic and geographic variations. In addition, this study shows that the accuracy of Ultrasonography in children with abdominal tumors depends on children’s sex, age, pain and the type of tumor

α8β1 integrin regulates nutrient absorption through an Mfge8-PTEN dependent mechanism.

Coordinated gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction is critical for proper nutrient absorption and is altered in a number of medical disorders. In this work, we demonstrate a critical role for the RGD-binding integrin α8β1 in promoting nutrient absorption through regulation of gastrointestinal motility. Smooth muscle-specific deletion and antibody blockade of α8 in mice result in enhanced gastric antral smooth muscle contraction, more rapid gastric emptying, and more rapid transit of food through the small intestine leading to malabsorption of dietary fats and carbohydrates as well as protection from weight gain in a diet-induced model of obesity. Mechanistically, ligation of α8β1 by the milk protein Mfge8 reduces antral smooth muscle contractile force by preventing RhoA activation through a PTEN-dependent mechanism. Collectively, our results identify a role for α8β1 in regulating gastrointestinal motility and identify α8 as a potential target for disorders characterized by hypo- or hyper-motility

Sporadic Retinoblastoma and Parental Smoking and Alcohol Consumption before and after Conception: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group.

BackgroundRetinoblastoma is the most frequent tumor of the eye in children and very little is known about the etiology of non-familial (sporadic) retinoblastoma. In this study we examined whether parental tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption (pre- or post-conception) contribute to the two phenotypes (bilateral or unilateral) of sporadic retinoblastoma.MethodsTwo large multicenter case-control studies identified 488 cases through eye referral centers in the United States and Canada or through the Children's Oncology Group. Controls (n = 424) were selected from among friends and relatives of cases and matched by age. Risk factor information was obtained via telephone interview. We employed multivariable logistic regression to estimate the effects of parental tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on retinoblastoma.FindingsMaternal smoking before and during pregnancy contributed to unilateral retinoblastoma risk in the child: year before pregnancy conditional Odds Ratio (OR), 8.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-51, and unconditional OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.7; month before or during pregnancy, conditional OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.5-20.8, and unconditional OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.0. No association was found for maternal or paternal alcohol consumption.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that maternal active smoking during pregnancy may be a risk factor for sporadic retinoblastoma. Our study supports a role for tobacco exposures in embryonal tumors

Maternal diet during pregnancy and unilateral retinoblastoma.

PurposePrevious studies have suggested a role for parental diet in childhood cancer prevention, but there are few studies of retinoblastoma. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between maternal diet and unilateral retinoblastoma.MethodsA case-control study of 163 unilateral RB cases and 136 controls ascertained information on maternal diet during pregnancy using a standardized food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to assess the relation between retinoblastoma and food groups and dietary patterns.ResultsWe observed a negative association between retinoblastoma and intake of fruit [odds ratio (OR) 0.38, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.14-1.02]. Positive associations were seen with intake of cured meats (OR 5.07, 95 % CI 1.63-15.70) and fried foods (OR 4.89, 95 % CI 1.72-13.89). A food pattern of high fruits and vegetables and low fried food and sweets was negatively associated with disease (OR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.61-0.92).ConclusionOur study provides preliminary evidence that mothers who consume diets higher in fruit and lower in fried foods and cured meats during pregnancy may reduce the risk of unilateral retinoblastoma in their offspring

Maternal diet during pregnancy and unilateral retinoblastoma.

PurposePrevious studies have suggested a role for parental diet in childhood cancer prevention, but there are few studies of retinoblastoma. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between maternal diet and unilateral retinoblastoma.MethodsA case-control study of 163 unilateral RB cases and 136 controls ascertained information on maternal diet during pregnancy using a standardized food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to assess the relation between retinoblastoma and food groups and dietary patterns.ResultsWe observed a negative association between retinoblastoma and intake of fruit [odds ratio (OR) 0.38, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.14-1.02]. Positive associations were seen with intake of cured meats (OR 5.07, 95 % CI 1.63-15.70) and fried foods (OR 4.89, 95 % CI 1.72-13.89). A food pattern of high fruits and vegetables and low fried food and sweets was negatively associated with disease (OR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.61-0.92).ConclusionOur study provides preliminary evidence that mothers who consume diets higher in fruit and lower in fried foods and cured meats during pregnancy may reduce the risk of unilateral retinoblastoma in their offspring

A case-control study of sporadic retinoblastoma in relation to maternal health conditions and reproductive factors: a report from the Children's Oncology group.

BackgroundThe early age at retinoblastoma occurrence, the most common eye malignancy in childhood, suggests that perinatal factors may contribute to its etiology.MethodsIn a large multicenter study of non-familial retinoblastoma, we conducted structured interviews with the parents of 280 cases and 146 controls to elicit information on health during the perinatal period. We used unconditional logistic regression to assess associations between retinoblastoma and parental fertility treatment, birth control use in the year prior to pregnancy, maternal health conditions and the use of prescription medications during pregnancy, and whether mothers breastfed the index child.ResultsBilateral retinoblastoma was related to maternal underweight (body mass index <18.5) prior to pregnancy [Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.5, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.0, 20]. With regards to unilateral retinoblastoma, we observed a negative association with the use of condoms in the year prior to pregnancy (OR = 0.4, CI 0.2, 0.9), and a trend towards a positive association with maternal diabetes (OR = 2.2, CI 0.8, 6.6).ConclusionsResults from our study suggest a role for several maternal health and reproductive factors. Given that there are few epidemiologic studies of retinoblastoma, our results require replication in studies which utilize medical record review

Additional file 1: of A case–control study of sporadic retinoblastoma in relation to maternal health conditions and reproductive factors: a report from the Children’s Oncology group

Table S1. Multiple imputation/propensity score analysis of retinoblastoma in relation to maternal medical conditions and prescription drug use which occurred in the month before or during the pregnancy. Table S2. Multiple imputation/propensity score analysis of associations between maternal pregnancy history, body size, and breastfeeding with retinoblastoma using unconditional logistic regression. Table S3. Multiple imputation/propensity score analysis of sporadic retinoblastoma in relation to the mother’s birth control use and fertility treatment. (DOC 141 kb

Sporadic Retinoblastoma and Parental Smoking and Alcohol Consumption before and after Conception: A Report from the Children’s Oncology Group

<div><p>Background</p><p>Retinoblastoma is the most frequent tumor of the eye in children and very little is known about the etiology of non-familial (sporadic) retinoblastoma. In this study we examined whether parental tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption (pre- or post-conception) contribute to the two phenotypes (bilateral or unilateral) of sporadic retinoblastoma.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Two large multicenter case-control studies identified 488 cases through eye referral centers in the United States and Canada or through the Children’s Oncology Group. Controls (n = 424) were selected from among friends and relatives of cases and matched by age. Risk factor information was obtained via telephone interview. We employed multivariable logistic regression to estimate the effects of parental tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on retinoblastoma.</p><p>Findings</p><p>Maternal smoking before and during pregnancy contributed to unilateral retinoblastoma risk in the child: year before pregnancy conditional Odds Ratio (OR), 8.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–51, and unconditional OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3–4.7; month before or during pregnancy, conditional OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.5–20.8, and unconditional OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.0. No association was found for maternal or paternal alcohol consumption.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The results of this study indicate that maternal active smoking during pregnancy may be a risk factor for sporadic retinoblastoma. Our study supports a role for tobacco exposures in embryonal tumors.</p></div