La vaccination des préadolescentes contre les virus du papillome humain (VPH) au Québec et les premières expériences sexuelles

D’après la théorie de la compensation du risque, la vaccination contre les VPH pourrait entraîner une augmentation des comportements sexuels à risque. Cette étude visait à vérifier si une dose supplémentaire du vaccin Q-VPH administrée entre 13 et 15 ans est associée à la survenue des premiers rapports sexuels chez les filles vaccinées au Québec. L’analyse a été réalisée sur les données recueillies dans le cadre d’un essai randomisé en cours, ICIVPH. Après avoir toutes reçu deux doses de vaccin Q-HPV en quatrième année, seules les filles du groupe d’intervention ont reçu une troisième 60 mois après la première. Des filles sans expérience sexuelle à la randomisation et ayant répondu au questionnaire de suivi un an plus tard ont constitué notre sous-groupe d’étude. De 1581 filles, 798 (50,5 %) ont reçu une dose supplémentaire de vaccin Q-HPV et 783 (49,5 %) ne l’ont pas reçue (groupe témoin). À la randomisation, les deux groupes présentaient des caractéristiques similaires : âge moyen (14,8 ans), canadienne-française exclusive (70,5 %), naissance au Canada (91,3 %), utilisation de la contraception hormonale (12,0 %) et tabagisme (4,5 %). De même, un an après la randomisation, des proportions similaires de participantes ont débuté une activité sexuelle (17,2 % vs 19,9 % ; p 0,26), ont eu des rapports sexuels avec pénétration (14,9 % vs 16,4 % ; p 0,24) et ont utilisé le préservatif (67,5 % vs 63,4 % ; p 0,57). Deux participantes, une dans chaque groupe, ont signalé une ITS et une dans le groupe témoin a rapporté une grossesse. Dans l’analyse multivariée, l’initiation de l’activité sexuelle était associée à l’origine canadienne-française exclusive (RC 1,5 ; IC : 95 % : 1,1-2,0), au tabagisme (RC 3,0 ; IC : 95 % : 1,8-5,1) et à la contraception hormonale (RC 2,4 ; IC 95 % : 1,7-3,4). Nous n’avons pas observé une association entre le fait d’avoir reçu une dose supplémentaire de vaccin contre les VPH entre 13 et 15 ans et la survenue des premiers rapports sexuels et d’autres comportements sexuels à risque.Some fear that HPV vaccination may lead to an increase in risky sexual behaviours, based on the theory of risk compensation. This study aimed to test whether receiving an additional dose of Q-HPV vaccine between the ages of 13 and 15, would lead to riskier sexual activity over a year, among teenage girls vaccinated in Quebec, Canada. We analyzed data collected as part of an ongoing randomized trial, ICI-VPH, investigating the role of a booster dose of HPV vaccine. All participants received 2 doses of Q-HPV vaccine in fourth grade. The intervention group received vaccine-booster dose 60 months after their first one. We analysed only girls who had no sexual experience at the time of the randomization and who responded to the follow-up questionnaire one year later. Of 1581 girls, 798 (50.5%) received an additional Q-HPV vaccine dose and 783 (49.5%) did not. At the time of randomization, groups showed similar characteristics: the mean age was 14.8 years, 70.5% self-identified as French-canadian only, 91.3% were born in Canada, 12.0% were using hormonal contraception and 4.5% were smokers. In the year following randomization, similar proportions of participants initiated sexual activity (17.2 % vs 19.9 %; p-value 0.26); initiated intercourse (14.9 % vs 16.4 %; pvalue 0.24); and used condoms (67.5 % versus 63.4 %; p-value 0.57). Only 2 participants reported an STI (one in each study group), and one reported a pregnancy (in the control group). In multivariate analysis, identifying as French- Canadian only (OR 1.5; 95 % CI: 1.1-2.0), tobacco smoking (OR 3.0; 95 % CI: 1.8-5.1) and hormonal contraception use (OR 2.4; 95 % CI: 1.7-3.4) were associated with sexual activity initiation. We did not observe an increase in risky sexual behaviors in adolescent girls who received an additional dose of HPV vaccine between 13 and 15 years of age

Spirulina Supplements Improved the Nutritional Status of Undernourished Children Quickly and Significantly: Experience from Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Aim. Despite high levels of malnutrition, there is still very little information on the nutritional benefits of Spirulina, a natural alga that provides essential amino acids, rare essential lipids, and numerous minerals and vitamins, to undernourished children in the world. Methods. We carried out a prospective study of 50 children aged between six and 60 months. The intervention group consisted of 16 children who received 10 g of Spirulina daily, as well as the local diet administered by the nutritional centre, and the control group of 34 children who just received the local diet. Both groups of children were assessed on day zero, day 15, and day 30. Results. After treatment, the weight-for-age Z scores and weight-for-height Z scores increased significantly in the intervention group. At day 15, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean corpuscular volume, total proteins, and albumin (p<0.05) in both groups, in favour of the intervention group, and at day 30, this difference extended to all of the studied parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion. This study found that the nutritional status of undernourished children who received Spirulina supplements as well as the local diet administered by the nutritional centre improved quickly and significantly

Retinoblastoma in the Democratic Republic of Congo: 20-Year Review from a Tertiary Hospital in Kinshasa

Background. To determine clinical profile and management of retinoblastoma among children at Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of Congo. Patients and methods. The medical records of patients with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma seen at the University Hospital of Kinshasa from January 1985 till December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic profile, clinical data, modes of treatment and outcome were analysed. Results. A total of 49 children, of whom 40 had adequate data on record were identified as retinoblastoma (28 males and 12 females). Nine cases had bilateral disease. The median age at the first symptoms was 9 months (range, 1 month to 6 years) for unilateral retinoblastoma and 18 months (range, 1 month to 3.5 years) for bilateral retinoblastoma. The median age at the first oncology consultation was 2.4 years (range, 6 months to 6 years) for unilateral retinoblastoma and 2.4years (range, 9 months to 4 years) for bilateral disease. Leukokoria was present in 67.5% of subjects. Seventy-five percent abandoned the treatment. The mortality was 92.5%. Conclusion. In Democratic Republic of Congo, retinoblastoma remains a life threatening disease characterized by late referral to a specialized unit and affordability of chemotherapy; all leading to an extension of the disease and high mortality

Clinical Study Spirulina Supplements Improved the Nutritional Status of Undernourished Children Quickly and Significantly: Experience from Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Aim. Despite high levels of malnutrition, there is still very little information on the nutritional benefits of Spirulina, a natural alga that provides essential amino acids, rare essential lipids, and numerous minerals and vitamins, to undernourished children in the world. Methods. We carried out a prospective study of 50 children aged between six and 60 months. The intervention group consisted of 16 children who received 10 g of Spirulina daily, as well as the local diet administered by the nutritional centre, and the control group of 34 children who just received the local diet. Both groups of children were assessed on day zero, day 15, and day 30. Results. After treatment, the weight-for-age scores and weight-for-height scores increased significantly in the intervention group. At day 15, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean corpuscular volume, total proteins, and albumin ( &lt; 0.05) in both groups, in favour of the intervention group, and at day 30, this difference extended to all of the studied parameters ( &lt; 0.05). Conclusion. This study found that the nutritional status of undernourished children who received Spirulina supplements as well as the local diet administered by the nutritional centre improved quickly and significantly

Factors Associated with Growth Retardation in Children Suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia: First Report from Central Africa

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the risk factors associated with poor growth among SCA children. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa, the capital’s country. The nutritional status was assessed using the Z scores of the anthropometric indices. Results. We gathered data on the 256 patients, 138 females (53.9%), who entered the study. The mean age at presentation was 8.4 ± 4.9 years of age. Underweight, stunting, and wasting were found, respectively, in 47.7%, 10.5%, and 50.3% of SCA children. A history of hand-foot syndrome, more than 3 blood transfusions, being less than 12 months of age when receiving the first transfusion, more than two severe sickle crises per year, a medical history of severe infections, and the presence of hepatomegaly were associated with poor growth. When comparing sickle cell patients under 12 years of age (n=159) to a group of 296 age-matched children with normal Hb-AA, a significantly higher proportion of subjects with stunting and underweight were found among SCA. Conclusion. Nutritional status encountered in Congolese sickle cell children has been described for the first time in this study. A high prevalence of poor growth in SCA children was found in our study

Bone marrow transplantation or hydroxyurea for sickle cell anemia: long-term effects on semen variables and hormone profiles.

Ten male subjects affected by sickle cell anemia (SCA) were studied to evaluate the long-term effects of therapies on their fertility. Their ages ranged from 18 to 34 years (median: 32 years). Four subjects were treated by hydroxyurea (HU) and 6 by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The median follow-up after HU initiation and HSCT was 10.5 years (range: 8-15 years) and 15.5 years (range: 8-21 years), respectively. Three of the 6 in the HSCT group and two of the 4 in the HU group were azoospermic. One HSCT subject had normal semen and hormone variables, showing that normal fertility can occasionally be expected after transplantation in SCA. The remaining 4 patients (2 HSCT and 2 HU) were oligozoospermic. With regard to HU, semen impairment appears to be related to the duration of treatment. To draw general conclusions, further research with a large number of patients treated since childhood with HU or HSCT is warranted

Clinical Study Retinoblastoma in the Democratic Republic of Congo: 20-Year Review from a Tertiary Hospital in Kinshasa

Background. To determine clinical profile and management of retinoblastoma among children at Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of Congo. Patients and methods. The medical records of patients with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma seen at the University Hospital of Kinshasa from January 1985 till December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic profile, clinical data, modes of treatment and outcome were analysed. Results. A total of 49 children, of whom 40 had adequate data on record were identified as retinoblastoma (28 males and 12 females). Nine cases had bilateral disease. The median age at the first symptoms was 9 months (range, 1 month to 6 years) for unilateral retinoblastoma and 18 months (range, 1 month to 3.5 years) for bilateral retinoblastoma. The median age at the first oncology consultation was 2.4 years (range, 6 months to 6 years) for unilateral retinoblastoma and 2.4years (range, 9 months to 4 years) for bilateral disease. Leukokoria was present in 67.5% of subjects. Seventy-five percent abandoned the treatment. The mortality was 92.5%. Conclusion. In Democratic Republic of Congo, retinoblastoma remains a life threatening disease characterized by late referral to a specialized unit and affordability of chemotherapy; all leading to an extension of the disease and high mortality

Cherubism in sub-Saharan Africa: a first case-report in a child

Cherubism is rare disease and has been rarely reported in African pediatric population. We report here the case of a 10-year-old child who was referred to our hospital for bilateral jaws swelling. Physical examination revealed bilateral swelling symmetry of the face. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen showed loose fibrous stroma, proliferating fibrous connective with tissue interspersed with multinucleated giant cells, small thin walled blood vessels and scattered sparse mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. Our patient presented cherubism. Cherubism is rarely described in children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Genetic and molecular investigations plays an important role in diagnosis but were not available in poor resources settings in developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo