Standardizing anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with new functions for egen

Abstract. A new function for egen has been developed to allow transformation of child anthropometric data to z-scores using the LMS method and the reference data available from the 1990 British Growth Reference and the 2000 US CDC Growth Reference. An additional function allows for children to be categorized according to body mass index (weight/height 2 ) using international cutoff points recommended by the Childhood Obesity Working Group of the International Obesity Taskforce

Treatment of fecal impaction in children using combined polyethylene glycol and sodium picosulphate

Background and Aim: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the gold standard for fecal disimpaction in constipation. A regimen of PEG combined with the stimulant laxative sodium picosulphate (SPS) produced fecal disimpaction in chronically constipated children in the community, but it is unknown if it is effective for more severe constipation. To determine the stool output and effect of a combined PEG and SPS regimen on fecaloma in children with severe constipation and impaction. Methods: Children with symptoms for a duration of >= 2 years, a palpable fecaloma, and enlarged rectum on X-ray (rectal: pelvic ratio > 0.6) were recruited from a tertiary hospital. Daily diaries recorded laxative dose, stool frequency, volume, and consistency (Bristol stool scale, BSS). Abdominal X-rays were taken on day 1 and day 8, and stool loading was assessed using the Leech score. Laxative doses were based on the child's age. The dose of PEG with electrolytes taken was 2-8 sachets (14.7 g/sachet) on days 1-2, reducing to 2-6 sachets on day 3. The SPS dose was 15-20 drops on days 2-3. Results: Eighty-nine children (4-18 years) produced a large volume of soft stool (median/inter-quartile-range: 2.2/1.6-3.1 L) over 7 days. Stool volume on X-rays decreased significantly in the colon (P <0.001). Fecalomas resolved in 40 of 89 children, while 49 needed a second high dose. Rectal: pelvic ratios did not change. Conclusions: A combined high dose of PEG and SPS on days 1 and 2 was effective in removing the fecaloma in half of the children. Administering high doses for a longer period should be tested to provide outpatient disimpaction for severe fecalomas. Rectums remained flaccid after emptying

Standardizing anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with new functions for egen

A new function for egen has been developed to allow transformation of child anthropometric data to z-scores using the LMS method and the reference data available from the 1990 British Growth Reference and the 2000 US CDC Growth Reference. An additional function allows for children to be categorized according to body mass index (weight/height 2) using international cutoff points recommended by the Childhood Obesity Working Group of the International Obesity Taskforce. Copyright 2004 by StataCorp LP. <br /

Standardizing anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with functions for egen: Update

In this article, we describe an extension to the egen functions zanthro() and zbmicat() (Vidmar et al., 2004, Stata Journal 4: 50–55). All functionality of the original version remains unchanged. In the 2004 version of zanthro(), z scores could be generated using the 2000 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Reference and the British 1990 Growth Reference. More recent growth references are now available. For measurement-for-age charts, age can now be adjusted for gestational age. The zbmicat() function previously categorized children according to body mass index (weight/height^2) as normal weight, overweight, or obese. “Normal weight” is now split into normal weight and three grades of thinness. Finally, this updated version uses cubic rather than linear interpolation to calculate the values of L, M, and S for the child‘s decimal age between successive ages (or length/height for weight-for-length/height charts)

Standardizing anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with new functions for egen

A new function for egen has been developed to allow transformation of child anthropometric data to z-scores using the LMS method and the reference data available from the 1990 British Growth Reference and the 2000 US CDC Growth Reference. An additional function allows for children to be categorized according to body mass index (weight/height2) using international cutoff points recommended by the Childhood Obesity Working Group of the International Obesity Taskforce

Standardizing anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with new functions for egen

A new function for egen has been developed to allow transformation of child anthropometric data to z-scores using the LMS method and the reference data available from the 1990 British Growth Reference and the 2000 US CDC Growth Reference. An additional function allows for children to be categorized according to body mass index (weight/height 2) using international cutoff points recommended by the Childhood Obesity Working Group of the International Obesity Taskforce. Copyright 2004 by StataCorp LP.z-scores, LMS,egen

Health-related quality-of-life in children with cystic fibrosis aged 5-years and associations with health outcomes

Background: The impact of early cystic fibrosis (CF) on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) in preschool children is poorly characterised, and data on relationships between HRQOL and health outcomes in young children with CF are limited. We aimed to characterise and compare parent-proxy and child-reported HRQOL and evaluate relationships with clinical outcomes at age 5-years. Methods: Subjects were participating in the multi-centre Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Bronchoalveolar Lavage (ACFBAL) trial investigating BAL-directed versus standard CF therapy. Children aged 5-years and their parents rated HRQOL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) and Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) questionnaires. Results: PedsQL and CFQ-R questionnaires were completed by 141 primary caregivers and 135 and 130 children, respectively. There were no differences in HRQOL between children randomised to BAL-directed versus standard CF therapy. Children with CF rated worse HRQOL than healthy children and there was poor parent-child concordance across HRQOL domains. Nutritional status, CF-CT scan score, forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV), and pulmonary exacerbations correlated with HRQOL at age 5-years. FEV z-scores positively correlated with parent-proxy HRQOL in CFQ-R Respiratory (p = 0.018), Physical

Pseudomonas aeruginosa genotypes acquired by children with cystic fibrosis by age 5-years

Background: We describe Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisitions in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) age

Exercise Echocardiography in Asymptomatic Survivors of Childhood Cancer Treated With Anthracyclines: A Prospective Follow-Up Study

Background. Exercise echocardiography reveals abnormalities in asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors who previously have been treated with anthracyclines We determined the added value of monitoring childhood cancer survivors with exercise echocardiography compared to monitoring with resting echocardiography alone to predict anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity Secondary aims were to evaluate change in resting cardiac function over 10 years and to determine risk factors for late cardiotoxicity Procedure. We invited a cohort of 110 originally asymptomatic anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors, who had undergone cardiac tests including exercise echocardiography 10 5 years earlier, for new cardiac evaluation Each subject underwent a resting echocardiogram at both evaluations At first evaluation a repeat echocardiogram was performed following peak exercise Resting echocardiogram parameters were converted to z-character Results. Ninety-two of 1 10 survivors (mean anthracycline close 307 mg/m(2), mean follow-up time from start of treatment 8 2 years at first and 18 8 years it second evaluation) were evaluated prospectively Mean resting fractional shortening z-character (RFSz) decreased from -0 18 to -0.93 Higher cumulative anthracycline close was a risk factor for a lower RFSz at late follow-up (P=0 6002) Adding exercise fractional shortening (XFS) to I model containing RFSz did not improve prediction of abnormal RFSz at late follow-up Conclusions. Monitoring with exercise echocardiography has no added value to monitoring with resting echocardiography alone in predicting late anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in Childhood cancer survivors RFSz deteriorates over time, even in originally asymptomatic: patients Previous treatment with higher cumulative anthracycline dose is the main risk factor for a lower RFSz at late follow-up Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010,54 579-584 (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, In

Normal Ranges of Streptococcal Antibody Titers Are Similar Whether Streptococci Are Endemic to the Setting or Not ▿

Group A streptococcal (GAS) serology is used for the diagnosis of post-streptococcal diseases, such as acute rheumatic fever, and occasionally for the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis. Experts recommend that the upper limits of normal for streptococcal serology be determined for individual populations because of differences in the epidemiology of GAS between populations. Therefore, we performed a study to determine the values of the upper limit of normal for anti-streptolysin O (ASO) and anti-DNase B (ADB) titers in Fiji. Participants with a history of GAS disease, including pharyngitis or impetigo, were excluded. A total of 424 serum samples from people of all ages (with a sample enriched for school-aged children) were tested for their ASO and ADB titers. Reference values, including titers that were 80% of the upper limit of normal, were obtained by regression analysis by use of a curve-fitting method instead of the traditional nonparametric approach. Normal values for both the ASO titer and the ADB titer rose sharply during early childhood and then declined gradually with age. The estimated titers that were 80% of the upper limit or normal at age 10 years were 276 IU/ml for ASO and 499 IU/ml for ADB. Data from our study are similar to those found in countries with temperate climates, suggesting that a uniform upper limit of normal for streptococcal serology may be able to be applied globally