MTHFR 677C-->T and 1298A-->C polymorphisms in children with Down syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia in Brazil.

Down syndrome (DS) is an important risk factor associated with acute leukemia (AL). The presence of polymorphisms that reduce 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity has been linked to the multifactorial leukemogenic process. The authors have conducted a study to test whether 677C-->T and/or 1298A-->C polymorphisms of MTHFR would play an additional role in susceptibility of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in DS children. They also verified whether any polymorphism in the MTHFR gene was associated with the risk of DS. Genetic polymorphisms determination was carried out in 248 samples from healthy individuals as controls and a total of 115 DS children (65 without leukemia and 50 with AML). The present study failed to reveal any association between these polymorphisms and risk of AML in DS children. The data also indicate that MTHFR polymorphisms are not associated with risk of being a DS child.

Iron deficiency and anemia are associated with low retinol levels in children aged 1 to 5 years.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occurrence of anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 1 to 5 years and the association of these events and retinol deficiency. METHODS: This was an observational analytic cross-sectional study conducted in Vitoria, ES, Brazil, between April and August of 2008, with healthy children aged 1 to 5 years (n=692) that lived in areas covered by primary healthcare services. Sociodemographic and economic conditions, dietary intake (energy, protein, iron, and vitamin A ingestion), anthropometric data (body mass index-for-age and height-for-age), and biochemical parameters (ferritin, hemoglobin, and retinol serum) were collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and retinol deficiency was 15.7%, 28.1%, and 24.7%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a higher prevalence of anemia (PR: 4.62, 95% CI: 3.36, 6.34, p<0.001) and iron deficiency (PR: 4.51, 95% CI: 3.30, 6.17, p<0.001) among children with retinol deficiency. The same results were obtained after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic conditions, dietary intake, and anthropometric variables. There was a positive association between ferritin vs. retinol serum (r=0.597; p<0.001) and hemoglobin vs. retinol serum (r=0.770; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia and iron deficiency were associated with low levels of serum retinol in children aged 1 to 5 years, and a positive correlation was verified between serum retinol and serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. These results indicate the importance of initiatives encouraging the development of new treatments and further research regarding retinol deficiency.

Iron deficiency and anemia are associated with low retinol levels in children aged 1 to 5 years / Deficiência de ferro e anemia estão associadas com baixos níveis de retinol em crianças de 1 a 5 anos

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occurrence of anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 1 to 5 years and the association of these events and retinol deficiency. METHODS: This was an observational analytic cross-sectional study conducted in Vitoria, ES, Brazil, between April and August of 2008, with healthy children aged 1 to 5 years (n = 692) that lived in areas covered by primary healthcare services. Sociodemographic and economic conditions, dietary intake (energy, protein, iron, and vitamin A ingestion), anthropometric data (body mass index-for-age and height-for-age), and biochemical parameters (ferritin, hemoglobin, and retinol serum) were collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and retinol deficiency was 15.7%, 28.1%, and 24.7%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a higher prevalence of anemia (PR: 4.62, 95% CI: 3.36, 6.34, p < 0.001) and iron deficiency (PR: 4.51, 95% CI: 3.30, 6.17, p < 0.001) among children with retinol deficiency. The same results were obtained after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic conditions, dietary intake, and anthropometric variables. There was a positive association between ferritin vs. retinol serum (r = 0.597; p < 0.001) and hemoglobin vs. retinol serum (r = 0.770; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia and iron deficiency were associated with low levels of serum retinol in children aged 1 to 5 years, and a positive correlation was verified between serum retinol and serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. These results indicate the importance of initiatives encouraging the development of new treatments and further research regarding retinol deficiency. .

OBJETIVO: Analisar a ocorrência de anemia e de deficiência de ferro em crianças de 1 a 5 anos e a associação destes desfechos com a deficiência de retinol. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional analítico do tipo transversal, realizado no município de Vitória - ES, entre abril e agosto de 2008, com crianças (n = 692) saudáveis de 1 a 5 anos, residentes em áreas de abrangência de Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Foram avaliados dados sociodemográficos, econômicos, dietéticos (ingestão de energia, proteína, ferro e vitamina A), antropométricos (índice de massa corporal-por-idade e estatura-por-idade) e bioquímicos (níveis séricos de ferritina, hemoglobina e retinol). RESULTADOS: Detectou-se anemia, deficiência de ferro e deficiência de retinol em 15,7%, 28,1% e 24,7% das crianças, respectivamente. A análise univariada evidenciou maior ocorrência de anemia (RP: 4,62; IC 95%: 3,36; 6,34, p < 0.001) e de deficiência de ferro (RP: 4,51; IC 95%: 3,30; 6,17, p < 0.001) entre crianças que apresentavam deficiência de retinol. As mesmas relações se mantiveram após o ajuste pelas variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, dietéticas e antropométricas. Houve relação positiva entre os valores de ferritina sérica vs. retinol (r = 0,597; p < 0,001) e hemoglobina vs. retinol (r = 0,770; p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: A anemia e a deficiência de ferro mostraram-se associadas com baixos níveis de retinol em crianças de 1 a 5 anos, e houve correlação positiva dos níveis de retinol com os de ferritina sérica e hemoglobina. Isto torna importante iniciativas que estimulem o desenvolvimento de novos tratamentos e a ampliação de pesquisas em relação à deficiência ...

Transplante de célula-tronco hematopoética para síndrome mielodisplásica / Bone marrow transplantation in myelodysplastic syndromes

As síndromes mielodisplásicas (SMD) constituem um grupo de doenças hematológicas caracterizadas por citopenias crônicas, associadas a uma maturação celular anormal. A melhor forma de classificação atual destas patologias é o International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), que se baseia no grau de citopenia, número de mieloblastos na medula óssea e alterações citogenéticas. Há quatro estágios: baixo risco, riscos intermediário-1 e 2 e alto risco. Um grupo destes pacientes pode ser curado com o transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas (TCTH). Esta forma de tratamento pode ser considerada para pacientes com idade inferior a 60 anos, que possuam um doador familiar HLA-idêntico. A opção por esta modalidade terapêutica depende de alguns critérios, que incluem o IPSS, o risco de progressão de doença, o risco de infecção e o estado geral do paciente. O TCTH autólogo pode ser considerado em pacientes que alcancem uma remissão completa citogenética e que não disponham de doador HLAidêntico. Em pacientes não candidatos ao TCTH mieloablativo, uma possibilidade é o transplante com regimes de intensidade reduzida. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado resultados favoráveis com esta opção terapêutica, pois, apesar do alto rico de recaída, as taxas de mortalidade associada ao procedimento são menores. Os pacientes com SMD devem ser dispostos em ensaios clínicos que considerem as comorbidades, DECH e riscos de recaída.

The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) encompasses a series of hematological conditions characterized by chronic cytopenias with abnormal cellular maturation. Based on the cytopenias, number of blast cells in bone marrow and cytogenetic abnormalities, MDS may be best classified by the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) in four groups: low risk, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 risks and high risk. A subset of patients can be cured following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). This therapy should be considered for under 60-year-old patients with an HLA-matched sibling donor. The decision in favor of this aggressive therapy depends upon a number of criteria including the IPSS score, risk of disease progression, risk of infection, and the overall health of the patient. Autologous HCT can be considered for those rare patients who are successfully induced into complete remission and do not have an HLA-matched donor. Non-myeloablative allogeneic HCT appears promising for patients with MDS who are not candidates for myeloablative allogeneic HCT. Early results are encouraging. Despite an increased relapsed rate, the treatment-related mortality is lower. Patients should be enrolled in well-designed clinical trials attempting to address the important issues of patient comorbidities, GVHD, and relapse risk.