Associations Between Physical Fitness, Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Academic Performance

There is evidence that physical activity (PA) can improve the academic performance. We recruited healthy adolescent girls, aged 11–12 years, and measured their PA with the accelerometer ActiGraph GT3X for the consecutive 5 days. Physical fitness (PF) was measured with eight motoric tests and three anthropometry measures. Academic performance (AP) was assessed for the six academic narrated school subjects. The results revealed that the girls were more physically active during the week days and less active at weekend (557 vs. 516 counts/min). Physical education grade shows the highest overall correlations with the results of the PF test battery (r = 0.53–0.95, p < 0.01). Nevertheless, correlations surprisingly decrease for the combined daily PA (r = 0.45), especially the weekend PA (r = 0.28). Grade point average and PF correlated moderately (r = 0.43-0.64), while they were moderate to high for PA (r = 0.59–0.87). Many questions arose after the completion of the present study and several new topics opened up, such as the question of how parental education affects the duration of PA and AP of the children and the influence of the place of residence AP of the children.

Possible Iodine-Induced Thyrotoxicosis in a Previously Healthy Adolescent following Administration of Iodinated Contrast Media

Introduction. Jod-Basedow Syndrome refers to a paradoxical phenomenon in which large loads of iodine can cause hyperthyroidism. It is most commonly seen in populations already at risk for thyroid disease or those with underlying kidney disease. Case Presentation. We present a case of an acutely ill 17-year-old boy with symptomatic hyperthyroidism following an iodinated contrast CT scan to rule out appendicitis. Discussion/Conclusion. This case underscores the importance of recognizing this phenomenon even in the pediatric population and in those with no preexisting history of thyroid disease. Course complications including bronchospasm, hypertension, transaminitis, and bilateral palmar desquamating rash are rare and highlight the complexities involved in the disease state and in managing side effect profiles of treatment.

Brain volumetric MRI study in healthy adolescent and young person’s using automated method

Objective: Adolescence is a critical period for the maturation of neurobiological processes that underlie higher cognitive functions and social and emotional behaviour. However, there are limited studies that investigated brain volumes in healthy adolescents and young persons. The aim of this study was to compare the Grey Matter (GM), White Matter (WM) and some specific brain subcortical volumes such as hippocampus and amygdala between healthy adolescents and young groups by using VolBrain. Material and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging brain scans were retrospectively obtained from 20 healthy adolescent and young subjects. The mean ages of the adolescent and young persons were 13±1 and 24±2, respectively. Brain parenchyma (BP), GM, WM and asymmetry features were calculated using VolBrain, and the GM and WM volumes of each subjects were compared with those of the both groups. The current study to examine whether regional gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), some brain subcortical structures volumes differed between healthy adolescent and young groups. Also, of the whole brain, hemispheres, and hippocampus, amigdala of adolescent and young subject volumes were measured with an automated method. Results: We have observed that the young group was found to have a 4 % less in volume of GM, when compared with adolescent groups. Conclusion: Our data indicate that quantitative structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data of the adolescent brain is important in understanding the age-related human morphological changes.

Case Report: Paradoxical Inflammatory Response Syndrome in a Previously Healthy, HIV-Negative, Pediatric Patient With Cryptococcus gatii Meningitis

The immunological response of patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM), particularly those not known to be immunocompromised, has generated an increased interest recently. Although CM is an infection with significant rates of morbidity and mortality, its sequelae may also include a post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS) in patients who have already achieved microbiological control. PIIRS can cause substantial immune-mediated damage to the central nervous system resulting in long-term neurological disability or even death. Steroids have been used successfully in the management of PIIRS in adults. In this report, we present the case of a previously healthy adolescent male with Cryptococcus gattii meningitis who experienced neurological deterioration due to PIIRS after the initiation of antifungal therapy. Immunological workup did not demonstrate any frank underlying immunodeficiencies, and genetic primary immunodeficiency screening was unremarkable. He was treated with steroids and recovered clinically; however, intermittent inflammatory episodes needed to be managed through several flares of symptoms. In the setting of the current literature, we discuss the management and monitoring of PIIRS in a pediatric patient, along with considerations of targeted future therapies.