Síndrome de arlequim idiopática: sucesso terapêutico com toxina botulínica / Idiopathic harlequin syndrome: successful therapy with botulium toxin

A síndrome de arlequim é uma rara desordem autonômica que se caracteriza por anidrose e falta de rubor unilateral da face, podendo acometer as regiões cervical e torácica. De forma paradoxal, há rubor e sudorese compensatórios no lado contralateral à alteração. É idiopática na maioria dos casos, mas pode ser congênita, secundária a lesões estruturais e à iatrogenia pós-cirúrgica. O tratamento é direcionado ao fator causal. Descreve-se caso de paciente com diagnóstico de síndrome de arlequim idiopática, sendo realizada aplicação de toxina botulínica na hemiface acometida pelos sintomas compensatórios com boa resposta terapêutica

Harlequin syndrome is a rare autonomic disorder characterized by anhidrosis and lack of unilateral flushing of the face, which may affect the cervical and thoracic regions. Paradoxically, there is compensatory flushing and sweating on the contralateral side to the alteration. It is idiopathic in most cases, but it can be congenital or secondary to structural or post-surgical iatrogenic lesions. Treatment is directed at the causative factor. We describe the case of a patient with a diagnosis of idiopathic Harlequin Syndrome with botulinum toxin application in the hemiface affected by compensatory symptoms with good therapeutic response.

Unexpected findings of hepatitis B and delta infection in northeastern Brazil: A public health alert.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Research has shown that hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta virus (HDV) are a worldwide public health problem. This study aims to estimate the prevalence rates of HBV and HDV infection in five municipalities of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total sample between 3856 and 4000 individuals. Questionnaires were used to register sociodemographic characteristics and factors associated with transmission. Patients were tested for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibodies against hepatitis Delta virus (anti-HDV). Factors associated with HBV were detected by means of multivariate Poisson regression. RESULTS: Overall, 3983 subjects were included. Ninety-two of the participants were HBsAg-positive (2.30%, 95% CI 1.80-2.80), and anti-HBc was detected in 1535 (38.50%, 95% CI 37-40). The factors associated with the presence of anti-HBc were: (1) Municipality (P<0.001); Age (P<0.001); School education (P<0.001); Illicit drug use (P=0.001); non-HBV vaccine (P=0.041). Among the HBsAg carriers, eight were anti-HDV-positive (8.69%, 95% CI 2.90-14.40). The most frequent HBV genotype was D4. The only HDV genotype was HDV-8. CONCLUSION: HBV exhibited intermediate endemicity in the studied region. Traditional factors were associated with exposure to the virus. The presence of the HDV was confirmed. The most frequent HBV and HDV genotypes were unlike the ones currently described in Brazil.

Association between maternal depressive symptoms with child malnutrition or child excess weight / Associação entre sintomas depressivos maternos com desnutrição ou excesso de peso infantis

Abstract Objectives: to verify associations between maternal depressive symptoms with child malnutrition or child excess weight. Methods: prospective study with data from the BRISA prenatal cohort in São Luís, Brazil, obtained from the 22nd to the 25th week of gestation (in 2009 and 2010) and, later, when children were aged 12 to 32 months (in 2010 and 2012). Maternal depressive symptoms were identified using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). For the excess weight evaluation, BMI z-score for age > +2 was used. For measuring child malnutrition, height z-score for age < -2 was used. The confounding factors were identified using a directed acyclic graph in DAGitty software. Results: we did not find associations between maternal depressive symptoms with child malnutrition or child excess weight. The prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms was 27.6% during gestation and 19.8% in the second or third year of the child's life. The malnutrition rate was 6% and the excess weight rate was 10.9%. Conclusions: no associations between maternal depressive symptoms in prenatal or in the second or third year of the child's life and child malnutrition or excess weight were detected.

Resumo Objetivos: verificar associações entre sintomas depressivos maternos com desnutrição ou excesso de peso infantis. Metódos: estudo prospectivo com dados da coorte BRISA Pré-Natal, em São Luís - MA, obtidos com 22 a 25 semanas de idade gestacional, em 2009/10 e quando as crianças tinham de 12 a 32 meses, em 2010/12. Os sintomas depressivos maternos foram identificados pela Escala de Rastreamento Populacional para Depressão do Centro de Estudos Epidemiológicos (CES-D) ≥ 22 pontos, e pela Escala de Depressão Pós-Parto de Edimburgo (EPDS) ≥ 12. Na avaliação do excesso de peso foi utilizado o escore z do IMC para idade > +2, e para desnutrição infantil foi utilizado o escore z de altura pela idade < - 2. Os fatores de confusão foram identificados em gráfico acíclico direcionado no programa DAGitty. Resultados: não foram encontradas associações entre sintomas depressivos maternos com desnutrição ou excesso de peso infantis. A prevalência dos sintomas depressivos maternos foi de 27,6% no pré-natal e de 19,8% no segundo ou terceiro ano de vida da criança. A taxa de desnutrição foi de 6% e de excesso de peso foi de 10,9%. Conclusões: não foram detectadas associações entre sintomas depressivos maternos no pré-natal ou no segundo ou terceiro ano de vida da criança com desnutrição ou excesso de peso na criança.