Sero-survey of rubella IgM antibodies among children in Jos, Nigeria

Sero-survey of rubella IgM antibodies was carried out among children aged 0-10 years in Jos, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from the subjects and sera extracted. Of the 93(100%) assayed for the rubella IgM antibody, 42(45.2%) were seropositive for rubella IgM antibody while 51(54.8%) were seronegative. A breakdown of the seropositive subjects reveals that 14(15.1%) of the infected children were males while 28(30.1%) were females. Those subjects within the age groups of 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 years had the highest prevalence of 8(8.6%) followed by those within the age groups of 7-8, 9-10 years with 7(7.5%). Blood transfusion as a risk factor did not show any significant influence on the status of the subjects. The demographic data of the mothers of the subjects were also linked with the seropositivity of the children

Evaluation Of Mandibular Bone Density To Predict Osteoporosis In Adolescents With Constitutional Delayed Growth

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between constitutional delayed growth (CDG) and mandibular bone trabeculation as well as bone density on panoramic radiographs using a computer software program. Methods: Panoramic radiographs obtained from 25 patients with CDG and 25 healthy adolescents were evaluated for this study. Patients were selected from admission to Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Section of Adolescent Medicine in the first half of the year 2002. All panoramic radiographs were taken under standard conditions, and were randomized and then converted to digital images for density analysis using a scanner. The images were transferred to Osiris computer software program for the evaluation of bone density from 4 different regions on the mandible (right and left mandibular angle and condyle). Results: The CDG group had higher values for the risk of osteoporosis considering the right (t=3.360, p=0.002) and the left condyle (t=3.620, p=0.001) (t-test for independent samples). It was also seen that the CDG group was again at higher risk in comparison to the control group when left mandibular angle values were measured (z=-2.447, p=0.014) (Mann Whitney - U test). Conclusion: We suggest that panoramic radiographs, which are transformed into digital format, can be valuable and economic tools for detecting the risk of osteoporosis in adolescents with CDG.Wo

Influência dos estágios de maturação sexual no estado nutricional, antropometria e composição corporal de adolescentes Influence of the stages of sexual maturation in the nutritional status, anthropometrics and corporal composition of adolescents

Os fenômenos puberais apresentam variabilidade no que diz respeito às idades de início e término, à velocidade e magnitude com que se expressam e as suas inter-relações. Tais fenômenos influenciam as modificações antropométricas e de composição corporal que caracterizam o processo de crescimento e desenvolvimento da adolescência. O artigo tem como objetivo analisar a influência dos estágios de maturação sexual, no estado nutricional, antropometria e composição corporal de adolescentes de ambos os sexos. A revisão de literatura foi realizada utilizando-se os termos "Adolescent, Puberty and Body Composition", por meio de consulta na base de dados do HighWire Press®. Trabalhou-se com artigos publicados desde janeiro de 1995 até julho de 2006, incluindo, outros relevantes ao tema, publicados anteriormente. Na adolescência, para se avaliar o estado nutricional e as modificações antropométricas e de composição corporal, é de extrema importância a consideração não somente da idade cronológica, mas também do estágio de maturação sexual. Cabe ressaltar as consideráveis dificuldades metodológicas existentes nos estudos acerca do estadiamento pubertário. Destaca-se a importância da realização de mais estudos, no sentido de elucidar a influência dos estágios de maturação sexual na evolução dos parâmetros antropométricos e de composição corporal, possibilitando a construção e utilização sistemática de referências que considerem o desenvolvimento pubertário.<br>Puberty phenomena concerning ages of onset and ending, speed and magnitude of expression, and interrelations are variable. Such phenomena influence anthropometric and body composition changes characterizing the process of growth and development during adolescence. This article has the objective of analyzing the influence of sexual maturing status on nutritional status, anthropometry and body composition in adolescents of both sexes. Literature review was accomplished through the use of the terms "Adolescent, Puberty and Body Composition" through consultation to the HighWire Press® database. Articles published from January 1995 to July 2006 were utilized, including others previously published and relevant to the subject. To assess nutritional status, anthropometric and body composition changes, during adolescence it is extremely important that consideration is not restricted to chronological age but extended to sexual maturity as well. The considerable methodological difficulties related to puberty staging should be emphasized. There is a need to accomplish further studies to clarify sexual maturing staging in anthropometric and body composition parameters, enabling systematic building and use of references considering puberty development