Comparing modalities of conducting the six-minute walk test in healthy children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in children can be performed in the conventional way, or by using a measuring wheel. This study aimed to compare these test modalities and to determine influencing factors. METHODS: The study included 317 healthy children (172 boys) between 6 and 15 years from elementary schools and high schools, who were randomly assigned to perform a 6MWT either with or without a measuring wheel according to the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) was compared between the two measuring modalities as well as different school types. RESULTS: The use of a measuring wheel during the 6MWT led to a significantly greater 6MWD compared to conventional walking. Students of sports schools walked substantially farther than those attending general high schools, irrespective of test modality. In multivariate regression analysis height, post-test heart rate, male sex and the measuring wheel itself were all independently associated with greater 6MWD. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a measuring wheel during a 6MWT reflects physical performance in children and adolescents more accurately as it includes the stretch of way around the cones during lap turns. Test modalities and sports background should be taken into account, especially when performing longitudinal monitoring and multicenter studies.

Sex-, age-, and height-specific reference curves for the 6-min walk test in healthy children and adolescents.

UNLABELLED: The 6-min walk test is a simple and accurate method to measure functional exercise capacity in children. We provide smooth reference curves for the modified 6-min walk test in 696 healthy children and adolescents aged 4-19 years, enabling calculation of sex-, age-, and height-specific Z-scores. CONCLUSION: These reference curves will allow more accurate grading of mobility and exercise capacity in sick or disabled children and monitoring the effects of intervention or treatment.

Medical management of early pregnancy failure (EPF): a retrospective analysis of a combined protocol of mifepristone and misoprostol used in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a combined protocol of mifepristone and misoprostol in the management of early pregnancy failure (EPF) and the average time to expulsion of tissue and rate of side effects. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all consecutive women treated with primary medical management for EPF at our institution from 2006 to 2012. RESULTS: 168 patients were included in the present study. The overall success rate, defined as the absence of the need for surgical intervention, was 61 % and did not differ by calendar year. There was no difference in success rate grouped by diagnosis [intrauterine embryonic/fetal demise (IUED/IUFD) vs. anembryonic gestation; p = 0.30] or gestational age (<9 or ≥9 weeks; p = 0.48). The success rate varied significantly according to the required dose of misoprostol, ≤800 or >800 µg (68 vs. 50 %, p = 0.029). Of the possible predictive factors of success, only the dose of misoprostol required was a significant independent negative predictor. Mean and median time to tissue expulsion after the first dose of misoprostol were 8.4 and 5.5 h, respectively. The incidence of side effects was low with no blood transfusions required. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate in this study is markedly below published data. This can possibly be attributed to retrospective study design, allowing for physician subjectivity and patients' wishes in the absence of strict study requirements. The protocol was well tolerated with a paucity of side effects. We make suggestions for enhancing success rates in the clinical setting by optimizing medication protocols, establishing precise treatment guidelines and training physicians in the accurate interpretation of treatment outcomes.