scholarly journals Paediatric Acquired Demyelinating Syndromes

Author(s):  
Ori Haddad ◽  
Yael Hacohen ◽  
Omar Abdel-Mannan

Paediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) are characterised by neurological deficits persisting for at least 24 hours, involving the optic nerve, spinal cord or brain with a clinical spectrum of diagnoses including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOG-Ab associated disease (MOGAD). Important strides have been made in delineating MS from other ADS subtypes over the past decade, including the discovery of serum aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies (Ab).  Both genetic (e.g. human leukocyte antigen, HLA-DRB1*1501 allele) and environmental risk factors (e.g. low serum vitamin D levels and prior exposure to Epstein–Barr virus) may contribute to risk of MS in children.  Some of these risk factors not only confer increased susceptibility to MS but may also affect the disease course. Paediatric AQP4-Ab NMOSD is a rare disease worldwide but variations in incidence/prevalence have been described among different geographic regions and ethnicities. One-third of children who present with an ADS have MOG-Ab, and approximately half of patients with MOG-Ab have a relapsing disease course. It seems there is no racial or gender predominance in MOGAD, which is in contrast to the female and non-white predominance seen in both MS and NMOSD.‎  In this review, we examine the current literature regarding the epidemiology and demographics of these different ADS entities with a particular focus on the genetic and environmental risk factors for MS in children. While insights into disease pathophysiology in paediatric ADS have led recent therapeutic advances, well designed, collaborative large scale epidemiological studies are likely to provide the critical next step to a personalised approach to these conditions.

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Naila Makhani ◽  
Ilena George

AbstractBoth genetic and environmental risk factors may contribute to risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children. Genetic risk factors include the presence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*1501 allele and other non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms. Environmental risk factors include parental smoking, low serum vitamin D levels, and prior exposure to Epstein–Barr virus. Some of these risk factors not only confer increased susceptibility to MS but may also alter the course of the disease. How different risk factors interact is a growing area of research. In this review, we examine the current literature regarding the genetic and environmental risk factors for MS in children.


Author(s):  
Marco Zaffanello ◽  
Giuliana Ferrante ◽  
Salvatore Fasola ◽  
Michele Piazza ◽  
Giorgio Piacentini ◽  
...  

Seasonal variations in UV-B radiation may influence vitamin D status, and this, in turn, may influence the risk of bronchiolitis hospitalization. The aim of this study was using a causal inference approach to investigate, simultaneously, the interrelationships between personal and environmental risk factors at birth/hospital admission (RFBH), serum vitamin D levels and bronchiolitis hospitalization. A total of 63 children (<2 years old) hospitalized for bronchiolitis (34 RSV-positive) and 63 controls were consecutively enrolled (2014–2016). Vitamin D levels and some RFBH (birth season, birth weight, gestational age, gender, age, weight, hospitalization season) were recorded. The discovered RFBH effects on the risk ok bronchiolitis hospitalization were decomposed into direct and vitamin-D mediated ones through Mediation Analysis. Winter-spring season (vs. summer-autumn) was significantly associated with lower vitamin D levels (mean difference −11.14 nmol/L). Increasing serum vitamin D levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of bronchiolitis hospitalization (OR = 0.84 for a 10-nmol/L increase). Winter-spring season and gestational age (one-week increase) were significantly and directly associated with bronchiolitis hospitalization (OR = 6.37 and OR = 0.78 respectively), while vitamin D-mediated effects were negligible (1.21 and 1.02 respectively). Using a comprehensive causal approach may enhance the understanding of the complex interrelationships among RFBH, vitamin D and bronchiolitis hospitalization.


Background: The risk factors for asthma exacerbations are well understood. However, the effect of vitamin D levels on number of asthma exacerbations per year is not clearly studied. The objective of the study was to find out the association of serum vitamin D levels and asthma risk factors on asthma exacerbations. Methods: In this study, ninety-nine subjects from 5 to 15 years of age were recruited at an episode of acute exacerbation. It was a cross sectional study and carried out from 2012 to 2015. Pulmonary function test was done by spirometry. Asthma exacerbation was labeled when forced expiratory volume/ forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio was less than 80% (American Thoracic Society). Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines were used to classify asthma into mild, moderate and severe persistent asthma. Serum vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescence method. Pearson Chi-square test was applied and p value (p<0.05) was considered as statistically significant. Results: Children who had exposure to animal dander had significantly lower asthma exacerbations per year (p-value <0.046). There was no significant association between vitamin D levels and number of exacerbations per years (p-value <0.099). Asthma was prevalent in girls of low socioeconomic status (SES) compared to males. However, there was no significant association between smoke, exercise, home environment, food allergies, weather, pollen and dust with asthma exacerbations. Conclusion: Low levels of vitamin D were not associated with increased number of asthma exacerbations per year. However, children exposed to animal dander had lesser number of exacerbations per year (p-value <0.046). Keywords: Asthma; Vitamin D; Children; Exacerbations, Risk factors.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Japneet Kaur ◽  
Steven Ferguson ◽  
Eduardo Freitas ◽  
Ryan Miller ◽  
Debra Bemben ◽  
...  

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency has been primarily associated with skeletal disorders, however, since vitamin D receptors are found on multiple types of cells, there is also a link to increased chronic disease risk and all-cause mortality. The aim of this study was to examine whether deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels are associated with risk factors of chronic diseases and cognitive dysfunction in 50 to 70 year old adults. Participants completed the health status, three-day dietary record and vitamin D food frequency, sun exposure, and international physical activity questionnaires. Cognitive function of the participants was assessed using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics while body composition (percent body fat, android/gynoid ratio) was assessed using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Applanation tonometry was used to obtain pressure wave forms at the radial artery to examine arterial stiffness and central pressures. A fasting blood draw was taken to measure vitamin D, blood lipid and glucose levels. Fifty percent of the participants (36/72) were vitamin D deficient/insufficient. Individuals in the low physical activity (PA) group had lower serum vitamin D concentration compared to those in the high PA group (p = 0.04). Moreover, serum vitamin D levels were negatively related to risk factors of chronic diseases; blood glucose (r = −0.38; p = 0.01), triglycerides (r = −0.27; p = 0.02), and android/gynoid ratio (r = −0.32; p = 0.01). Deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels are linked to the risk factors of chronic diseases in men and women aged 50 to 70 years.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi D. Harvey ◽  
Stephen C. Shaw ◽  
Peter J. Craigon ◽  
Sarah C. Blott ◽  
Gary C.W. England

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Veysel Kara ◽  
Mehmet Naci Aldemir ◽  
Yasin Emrah Soylu ◽  
Yusuf Kemal Arslan

Objectives: Aim of the study was investigating the effect of serum vitamin D levels on health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Method: One-hundred and twenty-three maintenance hemodialysis patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients divided into 2 groups according to serum vitamin D levels. A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) level of < 20 ng/mL was identified as vitamin D deficiency (n = 78), and a serum level of ≥20 ng/mL was identified as normal (n = 45). Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 (KDQOL-36) survey was used for quality of life measurement. Scores of the all of 5 subscales of KDQOL-36 were calculated. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to define independent risk factors affecting the survey. Results: Mean age of patients was 62 and 56% of patients were male. Mean 25(OH) D levels were 11.86 and 29.57 ng/mL, respectively, in 2 groups. There was statistically significant difference between age and Kt/V levels between 2 groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.041). Age and gender were found as significant predictors of vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.026 and p = 0.021). In symptom and problem list subscale, gender and comorbidity were detected as independent risk factors (p = 0.050 and p = 0.032). Comorbidity was the only independent risk factor for effect of kidney disease subscale (p < 0.001). Independent risk factors associated with burden of kidney disease subscale were comorbidity and serum 25 (OH) D levels (p = 0.003 and p = 0.023). Serum 25(OH) D, gender, and comorbidity were independently associated with physical component summary (PCS) subscale (p < 0.001, p = 0.008, and p = 0.011). The only independently associated factor with mental component summary (MCS) was serum 25(OH) D (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We first showed the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and KDQOL-36 in hemodialysis patients. Lower serum vitamin D levels were negatively associated with burden of kidney disease, PCS, and MCS subscales.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Papandreou ◽  
Zujaja-Tul-Noor Hamid

The dietary reference values for Vitamin D were set primarily considering its role in bone health, but with the discovery of Vitamin D receptors throughout body tissues, new links with other health conditions are now studied, such as for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This paper shall analyze and examine all new research studies carried out, especially in 2013–2015 regarding diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Vast research has been carried out to establish strong relationship between Vitamin D serum levels, supplementation, diabetes, and CVD. However, the results from researches identified in this paper are disputable. Benefits of Vitamin D adequate levels were recognized from gestational period until later in disease development such as diabetes and/or CVD, but since not all studies are in agreement further investigation is suggested. Researches conducting large randomized controlled trials, exploring range of supplement doses, with variable baseline serum Vitamin D levels, and inclusion of array of associated parameters, are still required to conduct large-scale analysis and draw conclusion as a risk factor. Until then it is possible to conclude that maintenance of serum Vitamin D levels holds advantageous aspects in diabetic and cardiovascular conditions, and people should strive to attain them.


Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (17) ◽  
pp. 1623-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milena A. Gianfrancesco ◽  
Pernilla Stridh ◽  
Brooke Rhead ◽  
Xiaorong Shao ◽  
Edison Xu ◽  
...  

Objective:To utilize Mendelian randomization to estimate the causal association between low serum vitamin D concentrations, increased body mass index (BMI), and pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) using genetic risk scores (GRS).Methods:We constructed an instrumental variable for vitamin D (vitD GRS) by computing a GRS for 3 genetic variants associated with levels of 25(OH)D in serum using the estimated effect of each risk variant. A BMI GRS was also created that incorporates the cumulative effect of 97 variants associated with BMI. Participants included non-Hispanic white individuals recruited from over 15 sites across the United States (n = 394 cases, 10,875 controls) and Sweden (n = 175 cases, 5,376 controls; total n = 16,820).Results:Meta-analysis findings demonstrated that a vitD GRS associated with increasing levels of 25(OH)D in serum decreased the odds of pediatric-onset MS (odds ratio [OR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55, 0.94; p = 0.02) after controlling for sex, genetic ancestry, HLA-DRB1*15:01, and over 100 non–human leukocyte antigen MS risk variants. A significant association between BMI GRS and pediatric disease onset was also demonstrated (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05, 1.30; p = 0.01) after adjusting for covariates. Estimates for each GRS were unchanged when considered together in a multivariable model.Conclusions:We provide evidence supporting independent and causal effects of decreased vitamin D levels and increased BMI on susceptibility to pediatric-onset MS.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise J Maple-Brown ◽  
Jaquelyne T Hughes ◽  
Zhong X Lu ◽  
Kanakamani Jeyaraman ◽  
Paul Lawton ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahereh Hassannia ◽  
Ehsan GhaznaviRad ◽  
Rosita Vakili ◽  
Sohaila Taheri ◽  
Seyed Abdolrahim Rezaee

Abstract. Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern associated with the pathogenesis of several chronic disorders, particularly in women. Aim: To evaluate serum vitamin D levels and its deficiency and risk factors among employed women in a sunny industrial city. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum vitamin D levels, biochemical and hematological factors were assessed in 382 healthy employed women. Demographic information was collected using a standard questionnaire and data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The mean vitamin D serum level was 22 ± 19.8 ng/ml. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were 62 % and 12.94 %, respectively. Deficiency was more common among younger subjects (< 29 years old). 23.5 % of subjects had normal and 1.35 % had toxic levels of vitamin D. Maximum serum level was observed in part-time job employees (33 ng/ml), and the lowest in Media and Culture Organizations (15 ng/ml).Vitamin D deficiency was associated with the lack of sunlight exposure at home, and taking anti-hypertensive medications. The common symptoms in deficiency condition were history of hyperlipidemia, depression, weakness, fatigue, finger tingling, leg cramps, and body and muscle pain. Moreover, LDL-cholesterol serum levels were significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group, with a prevalence of 40 %. Conclusion: The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency including depression, weakness, fatigue, tingling, leg cramps and body and muscle pain have been observed in more than 90 % after recruitment and treatment. Therefore, for improving the health and productivity of employees, a routine monitoring system for vitamin D and the other factors should be put in place.


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