Impact of body mass index on post-thyroidectomy morbidity

BACKGROUND: The impact of obesity on total thyroidectomy (TT) morbidity (recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia) remains largely unknown. METHODS: In a prospective study (NCT01551914), patients were divided into five groups according to their body mass index (BMI): underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, and severely obese. Preoperative and postoperative serum calcium was measured. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function was evaluated before discharge, and if abnormal, at 6 months. RESULTS: In total 1310 patients were included. Baseline characteristics were similar across BMI groups except for age and sex. Postoperative hypocalcaemia was more frequent in underweight compared to obese patients but the difference was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis. There was no difference between groups in terms of definitive hypocalcaemia, transient and definitive RLN palsy, and postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: Obesity does not increase intraoperative and postoperative morbidity of TT, despite a longer duration of the procedure

Review: Why screen for severe combined immunodeficiency disease?

International audienceNewborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is now routinely performed in many countries across Europe and around the world. The number of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) reflects T cell levels. TREC quantification is possible using dried blood spot (DBS) samples already collected from newborns to screen for other conditions. This method is very sensitive and highly specific. Data in the literature show that the survival rate for children with SCID is much higher when the disease is detected through early screening, as opposed to a later diagnosis. Newborns diagnosed with SCID may receive the appropriate care quickly, before the onset of serious infectious complications, which raises survival rates, improves quality of life, and limits side effects and treatment costs. At the request of the French Ministry of Health, France's National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé) is expected to issue recommendations on this topic soon. The nationwide DEPISTREC study, involving 48 maternity units across France, showed that routine SCID screening is feasible and effective. Such screening offers the additional benefit of also diagnosing non-SCID lymphopenia within the infant population