Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment Modalities for Bone Loss in SCI - Proposal for Combined Approach.

Increased risk of bone fracture due to bone mineral density (BMD) loss is a serious consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Traditionally, pharmaceutical approaches, such as bisphosphonates, have been prescribed to prevent bone loss. However, there is controversy in the literature regarding efficacy of these medications to mitigate the drastic bone loss following SCI. Individuals with SCI are particularly at risk of osteoporosis because of the lack of ambulation and weight bearing activities. In the past two decades, functional electric stimulation (FES) has allowed for another approach to treat bone loss. FES approaches are expanding into various modalities such as cycling and rowing exercises and show promising outcomes with minimal consequences. In addition, these non-pharmacological treatments can elevate overall physical and mental health. This article provides an overview of efficacy of different treatment options for BMD loss for SCI and advocates for a combined approach be pursued in standard of care.

The Effect of Palatoplasty on Growth.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of palatoplasty on growth velocity in undernourished and nourished orally fed children with cleft palate. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted using a data query with cleft-associated ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes to identify children who underwent cleft palate repair between 2006 and 2022 at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Data gathered included demographics, admission variables, weight gain, and weight percentile as per the WHO growth chart data. Inclusion was limited to patients with complete growth data and without parenteral feeding support. Nutritional status was defined as undernourished (≤3rd percentile) and nourished (>3rd percentile). Between and within-group comparisons were made using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients met the study criteria. Among undernourished patients, the median pre- and postsurgical weekly weight gain was 0.09 kg and 0.05 kg (p = <0.0001), and the median growth percentiles were 0.67% and 1.1%, respectively (p = 0.03). Among nourished patients, the median pre- and postsurgical weekly weight gain was 0.12 kg and 0.07 kg (p = <0.0001), and the median growth percentiles were 25.4% and 29.5%, respectively (p = <0.0001). The postsurgical reduction in weight gain per week was similar across nutritional status (p = 0.43), however, the nourished group demonstrated a larger increase in median growth percentile (3.3% vs. 0.23%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that palatoplasty does not independently improve growth velocity in children who were able to maintain an oral preoperative diet. In the case of undernourished children, there was no clinically significant improvement in postoperative growth percentiles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.