Effect of Mass Azithromycin Distributions on Childhood Growth in Niger

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the long-term effects of antenatal betamethasone (ANS, ≤16 mg, =24 mg and >24 mg) in twins on infant and childhood growth.MethodsA retrospective cohort follow up study among 198 twins after ANS including three time points: U1 first neonatal examination after birth and in the neonatal period; U7 examination from the 21st to the 24th month of life and U9 examination from the 60th to the 64th month of life using data from copies of the children’s examination booklets. Inclusion criteria are twin pregnancies with preterm labor, cervical shortening, preterm premature rupture of membranes, or vaginal bleeding, and exposure to ANS between 23+5 and 33+6 weeks. Outcome measures are dosage-dependent and sex-specific effects of ANS on growth (body weight, body length, head circumference, body mass index and ponderal index) up to 5.3 years.ResultsOverall, 99 live-born twin pairs were included. Negative effects of ANS on fetal growth persisted beyond birth, altered infant and childhood growth, independent of possible confounding factors. Overall weight percentile significantly decreased between infancy and early childhood by 18.8%. Birth weight percentiles significantly changed in a dose dependent and sex specific manner, most obviously in female-female and mixed pairs. The ponderal index significantly decreased up to 42.9%, BMI index increased by up to 33.8%.ConclusionsANS results in long-term alterations in infant and childhood growth. Changes between infancy and early childhood in ponderal mass index and BMI, independent of dose or twin pair structure, might indicate an ANS associated increased risk for later life disease.SynopsisFirst-time report on long-term ANS administration growth effects in twin pregnancies, showing persisting alterations beyond birth in infant and childhood growth up to 5.3 years as potential indicator of later life disease risk.

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Efficacy and safety of denosumab treatment in a prepubertal patient with cherubism

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2019-0581 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (7) ◽

pp. 963-966

Author(s):

Haruka Kawamura ◽

Satoshi Watanabe ◽

Takashi I ◽

Izumi Asahina ◽

Hiroyuki Moriuchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autosomal Dominant ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Giant Cells ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Autosomal Dominant Disorder ◽

Osteolytic Lesions ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Childhood Growth ◽

Receptor Activator ◽

Denosumab Treatment

AbstractBackgroundDenosumab is an inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, which strongly suppresses osteoclasts. Cherubism is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by symmetrical swelling of the jaws, in which the bone is replaced by a fibrous granuloma containing osteoclast-like giant cells.Case presentationWe report the efficacy and safety of denosumab treatment in a prepubertal boy with progressive cherubism. The treatment consisting of eight subcutaneous denosumab injections (120 mg/dose) in 6 months not only suppressed the expansion of the osteolytic lesions but also dramatically ossified them. However, a transiently decreased growth rate and rebounded asymptomatic hypercalcemia were associated with the treatment.ConclusionsThe present case demonstrated the therapeutic potential of denosumab for treatment of cherubism, although adverse effects, especially those on childhood growth, remain obscure. Further studies are needed to establish a safe and effective protocol for denosumab treatment of children.

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Evolving Patterns of Cryptosporidiosis: Issues and Implications in the Context of Public Health in India

Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1726149 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bijay Ranjan Mirdha

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Recombination ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Transmission Intensity ◽

Future Research ◽

Cryptosporidium Hominis ◽

Host Preferences ◽

Childhood Growth ◽

Life Years

AbstractCryptosporidiosis is one of the major causes of diarrhea in immune-compromised individuals and children besides causing sporadic water-borne, food-borne, and zoonotic outbreaks. In 2016, Cryptosporidium species infection was the fifth leading cause of diarrhea and acute infection causing more than 4.2 million disability-adjusted life years lost besides a decrease in childhood growth. Human cryptosporidiosis is primarily caused by two species/genotype: Cryptosporidium hominis (anthroponotic) and Cryptosporidium parvum (zoonotic) besides other six rare species/genotypes. Transmission intensity, genetic diversity, and occurrence of genetic recombination have shaped the genus Cryptosporidium population structures into palmitic, clonal, and epidemic. Genetic recombination is more in C. parvum compared with C. hominis. Furthermore, parasite–host co-evolution, host adaptation, and geographic segregation have led to the formation of “subtype- families.” Host-adapted subtype-families have distinct geographical distribution and host preferences. Genetic exchanges between subtypes played an important role throughout the evolution of the genus leading to “adaptation introgression” that led to emergence of virulent and hyper-transmissible subtypes. The population structure of C. hominis in India appears to be more complex where both transmission intensity and genetic diversity are much higher. Further, study based on “molecular strain surveillance” has resulted newer insights into the epidemiology and transmission of cryptosporidiosis in India. The identification at the species and genotype levels is essential for the assessment of infection sources in humans and the public health potential of the parasite at large. The results of the study over three decades on cryptosporidiosis in India, in the absence of a national surveillance data, were analyzed highlighting current situation on epidemiology, genetic diversity, and distribution particularly among vulnerable population. Despite creditable efforts, there are still many areas need to be explored; therefore, the intent of this article is to facilitate future research approaches for mitigating the burden associated with this disease.

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Cooking, smoking, and stunting: Effects of household air pollution sources on childhood growth in India

Indoor Air ◽

10.1111/ina.12730 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samarul Islam ◽

Md Juel Rana ◽

Sanjay K. Mohanty

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Pollution Sources ◽

Household Air Pollution ◽

Childhood Growth

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Prevalence of overweight children aged 7 years: Results of the World Health Organisation Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative in the Republic of Ireland

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665113001651 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 72 (OCE3) ◽

Author(s):

M. M. Heinen ◽

N. Eldin ◽

U. Odywer ◽

C. Hayes ◽

P. Heavey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

World Health Organisation ◽

World Health ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Childhood Growth ◽

Republic Of Ireland ◽

The World ◽

The Republic

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The Childhood Growth of Twin Children

Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae twin research ◽

10.1017/s0001566000001586 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 44 (3-4) ◽

pp. 169-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

B. Luke ◽

S. Leurgans ◽

L. Keith ◽

D. Keith

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Growth Retardation ◽

Z Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Childhood Growth ◽

Severe Stunting ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Z Scores ◽

Twin Children ◽

Current Weight

AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the childhood growth of twin children in terms of the effects of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and discordancy at birth on the incidence and severity of stunting and discordancy in current height and weight. The study was part of a cross-sectional field project conducted at the Annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg. Ohio, USA, during 1990, 1991, and 1993, and including all twin children between 2 and 12 years of age. Mothers of twins were interviewed regarding their children's birthweights and gestational age; the twin children were measured for their current heights and weights. The study population included 990 twin children, including 555 boys and 435 girls, of which there were 254 boy pairs and 194 girl pairs. Birthweight for gestational age and current weight and height were each converted into Z-scores and characterized as severe (Z-score <−2,0), or moderate IUGR or stunting (Z-score > −2.0 and < −1.2). For the present study discordancy in birthweight, and current height and weight was calculated for like-gender twin pairs. Only twin children with severe IUGR at birth showed an increased risk of stunting in their current height or weight, and this risk was only for moderate, not severe, stunting. Boy twins with severe IUGR at birth were at increased risk of moderate stunting in their current weight (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.55, 4.58, P = 0.002), while girl twins with severe IUGR at birth were at increased risk of moderate stunting in their current height (OR 4,09, 95% CI 1.49, 10.99, p = 0.003). Among like-gender twin pairs, there were no differences in mean or categories of birthweight or current weight discordancy, but boy twin pairs did show a significantly greater proportion of current weight discordancy compared to girl twin pairs (p = 0.005). Overall, there was a significant tendency for differences in height and weight between like-gender twin pairs to disappear over time, with the effect being greater for boy twin pairs. We conclude from these findings that twin children tend to overcome growth retardation and discordancy present at birth, and although children who had severe IUGR or discordancy at birth were more likely to have some residual moderate stunting or discordancy in height or weight, they still tended to be within normal values for their gender and current age.

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