Anthropometric profile and body composition of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy on enteral diet / Perfil antropométrico e composição corporal de crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral em uso de dieta enteral

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the anthropometric variables and body composition of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy based on the type of enteral diet received. Methods A case-series study involving 38 individuals with spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy, aged four to 18 years, fed only by the enteral route, followed up at a Reference Hospital in the city of Recife (PE), Brazil. One group received an exclusively industrialized enteral diet, while the other received a mixed diet (industrialized and homemade). Weight, stature, arm circumference, and arm muscle area were measured. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results There was no significant difference between the groups receiving industrialized and mixed diets, with a high stature deficit frequency (63.6% versus 68.7%; p=0.743), excess fat mass (93.3% versus 58.3%; p=0.060), and fat free mass deficit (73.3% versus 66.7%; p=1.000) observed in both groups. Regarding the nutritional composition of the enteral diet, 54.5% and 53.8% of the individuals in the industrialized and mixed diet groups, respectively, received an industrialized enteral diet with a hypercaloric, hyperlipidic, and hypoproteic nutritional composition. Conclusion It was concluded that there was no difference in anthropometric parameters and body composition based on the type of diet received. It should be considered that the nutritional composition of the most commonly used industrialized diet among the individuals in this study may have influenced the unfavorable outcomes, such as the high frequency of low muscle mass and excess fat mass. This highlights the need for the formulation and availability of an enteral diet that meets the nutritional needs of this population.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar os parâmetros antropométricos e a composição corporal de crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral em função do tipo de dieta enteral recebida. Métodos Estudo tipo série de casos, envolvendo 38 indivíduos com paralisia cerebral tetraparética espástica entre 4 e 18 anos, alimentados apenas por via alternativa, acompanhados em um Hospital de Referência em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Um grupo recebia dieta enteral industrializada exclusiva e outro, dieta mista (industrializada e artesanal). Foram aferidos, peso, estatura, circunferência e área muscular do braço. A composição corporal se deu por meio da utilização de bioimpedância elétrica. Resultados Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos dieta industrializada e dieta mista, sendo constatada elevada frequência de déficit estatural (63,6% versus 68,7%; p=0,743), excesso de massa gorda (93,3% versus 58,3%; p=0,060) e déficit de massa livre de gordura (73,3% versus 66,7%; p=1,000), em ambos os grupos. Quanto à composição nutricional da dieta enteral ofertada, 54,5% e 53,8% dos indivíduos nos grupos dieta industrializada e dieta mista, respectivamente, recebiam dieta enteral industrializada de composição nutricional hipercalórica, hiperlipídica e hipoproteica. Conclusão Conclui-se que não houve diferença nos parâmetros antropométricos e na composição corporal em função do tipo de dieta recebida. Deve-se considerar que a composição nutricional da dieta industrializada mais utilizada pelos indivíduos dessa pesquisa pode ter influenciado os resultados desfavoráveis, como a elevada frequência de baixa massa muscular e excesso de massa gorda. Surgindo por sua vez, a necessidade da formulação e disponibilização de uma dieta enteral que atenda às necessidades nutricionais dessa população.

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Vaccine Response against Hepatitis B in People Aged 50 Years or Older.

Universal immunization against hepatitis B has contributed to reducing incidence of the disease, but older individuals remain susceptible to acquiring the hepatitis B virus worldwide. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of HBV infection in individuals aged 50 years and over in central Brazil and to evaluate the immunogenicity of the monovalent vaccine against hepatitis B in this age group using two vaccine regimens. METHOD: Initially, a cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis B. Then, individuals without proof of vaccination for hepatitis B were recruited for a phase IV randomized and controlled clinical trial using two vaccine regimens: Intervention Regimen (IR) (three doses of 40 µg at months 0, 1 and 6) vs. Comparison Regimen (CR) (three doses of 20 µg at months 0, 1 and 6). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of exposure to HBV was 16.6% (95% CI: 14.0%-9.5%). In the clinical trial, statistical differences in protective titers were observed (p = 0.007; IR 96% vs. CR 86%) and the geometric mean of anti-HBs titers was higher in individuals who received the IR (518.2 mIU/mL vs. 260.2 mIU/mL). In addition, the proportion of high responders was higher among those who received the IR (65.3%). CONCLUSION: reinforced doses should be used in individuals aged 50 years or older to overcome the lower efficacy of the vaccine against hepatitis B.

Blenderized tube feeding for children: an integrative review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze scientific evidence on the use of blenderized tube feeding in children regarding nutritional composition, family satisfaction, and health outcomes. DATA SOURCE: Survey was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases using the following search terms: blenderized tube feeding OR blended tube feeding OR homemade OR pureed AND enteral nutrition AND enteral tube. The methodological quality of the selected articles was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme and Hierarchical Classification of Evidence. DATA SYNTHESIS: After analysis, 11 articles were included in the present review. Most studies demonstrated improvements in health outcomes and greater family satisfaction after replacing the commercial enteral feeding with blenderized tube feeding. CONCLUSIONS: When guided and monitored by the healthcare team, a blenderized tube feeding ensures an adequate nutritional composition. The use of this method is also associated with positive health outcomes such as reductions in gastrointestinal symptoms and hospitalizations. Moreover, a high frequency of family satisfaction was verified.

Epidemiology of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C among manual cane cutters in low-income regions of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades the epidemic of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections has extended deep into Brazil, including small towns and rural areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C viruses (HCV), and to evaluate immunization coverage against hepatitis B in a group of rural workers in Brazil. METHODS: In 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 937 manual sugarcane cutters of the Midwest and Northeast Regions of Brazil. All individuals were interviewed and screened for HIV, syphilis, HBV and HCV. Correlating factors with lifetime HBV infection were investigated using logistic regression. Positive Predictive Values, Negative Predictive Values, sensitivity and specificity were also calculated relative to vaccination against Hepatitis B, comparing anti-HBs titers to vaccination reports. RESULTS: Most reported previous hospitalization (55%), occupational injuries (54%), sharing of personal items (45.8%), alcohol consumption (77.2%), multiple sexual partners in previous 12 months (39.8%), and no condom use during sexual intercourse in last 12 months (46.5%). Only 0.2% reported using injection drugs. Anti-HIV-1 was detected in three individuals (0.3%). Serological markers of lifetime syphilis (treponemal test) were detected in 2.5% (95% CI: 1.6-3.6) of participants, and active syphilis (treponemal test and VDRL) present in 1.2%. No samples were positive for anti-HCV. The prevalence of lifetime HBV infection (current or past infection) was 15.9%, and 0.7% (95% CI 0.4 to 1.5) were HBsAg-positive. Previous hospitalization (OR 1.53, CI 1.05-2.24, p < 0.01) and multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months (OR 1.80, CI 1.25-2.60, p < 0.01) were predictors for lifetime HBV infection. Although 46.7% (95% CI 43.4-49.9) of individuals reported having been vaccinated against hepatitis B, only 20.6% (95% CI 18.1-23.3) showed serological evidence of previous hepatitis B vaccination (positive for anti-HBs alone). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of syphilis and HBV compared to the general population and the high frequency of risk behaviors show the potential for sexual and parenteral dissemination of these agents in this rural population. In addition, the low frequency of hepatitis B vaccinated individuals suggests a need for improved vaccination services.

Unruptured congenital aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva in an African population: a six-year experience at an echocardiography laboratory.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVA) are considered rare congenital anomalies. Apart from a few reported cases of SVA in African patients, there is little information on the clinical presentation of this entity in Africans. We describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of four consecutive African patients in whom the diagnosis of SVA was established over the last six years at the echocardiography laboratory of our institution. In this report we compare the clinical and echocardiographic features in our patients with those of others published in the literature.

Isolated unguarded tricuspid valve: a rare cause of syncope and new-onset right cardiac failure in adult.

An unguarded tricuspid valve is a rare congenital anomaly. We describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of two young adult African patients with syncope, new-onset right cardiac failure, in whom the diagnosis of isolated unguarded tricuspid valve was established. One of the patients underwent tricuspid annuloplasty with good surgical results.

Rupture of a submitral ventricular aneurysm into the left atrium diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.

Submitral ventricular aneurysm is a thoroughly studied pathology but is not well known due to its rarity. Clinically, it is manifested by symptoms and signs of heart failure, mitral regurgitation and/or ventricular arrhythmias, and may be associated with thromboembolic phenomena and myocardial ischemia due to compression of the coronary arteries by the aneurysm. A rare complication of this type of aneurysm is rupture into the left atrium. Transthoracic echocardiography plays an important role in the definitive diagnosis of this pathology, although the role of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of these patients is less known. We report a case of a submitral ventricular aneurysm complicated by rupture into the left atrium, which was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.