Puberty in a sample of brazilian schoolboys: onset and anthropometric characteristics / Puberdade em uma amostra de meninos escolares brasileiros: início e características antropométricas

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the age of puberty onset in boys and collect anthropometric data of participants at different puberty stages. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that assessed 430 boys in a random sample representing 48,390 students from public and private schools from the city of Uberaba, Southeast Brazil. The inclusion criteria were males, aged between 5 and 18 years, and absence of previous diseases. Participants and their guardians filled a semistructured questionnaire with questions relevant to their and their parents' puberty. We set the significance at p<0.05 and calculated the 95% confidence intervals. Results: The mean age found in the puberty stage G2 was 11.2±1.8 (95% of participants in stage G2 were 9.2-13.4 years old). Pubarche data showed a mean of age of 11.0±1.6 years (95% of the participants experienced pubarche when they were 8.0-14.0 years old). When compared to the confidence intervals of two classical studies on the subject, our results showed a trend toward earlier pubarche. In addition, the mean age of this event in the children's parents was of 12.1±1.4 years, which was significantly higher than the age of the children's pubarche (p<0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate a secular decreasing trend in pubarche age and an earlier puberty onset. Considering these parameters, is important to design public policies aimed at preventing these early events.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a idade em que a puberdade começa em meninos e coletar dados antropométricos de participantes em diferentes fases da puberdade. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal no qual foram avaliados 430 meninos, uma amostra aleatória representativa da população total de 48.390 estudantes de escolas públicas e particulares de Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Os critérios de inclusão foram: ser do sexo masculino, ter idade de 5 a 18 anos e ausência de doenças prévias. Os participantes e seus responsáveis preencheram um questionário semiestruturado com perguntas pertinentes à sua puberdade e à de seus pais. Os dados foram considerados significantes para p<0,05, e os intervalos de confiança calculados foram de 95%. Resultados: A média de idade encontrada no estágio G2 foi de 11,2±1,8 anos, sendo que 95% dos participantes em G2 tinham entre 9,2 a 13,4 anos. Quanto à pubarca, a média de idade foi de 11,0±1,6 anos, e 95% dos participantes apresentaram pubarca entre 8,0 e 14,0 anos. Quando tais resultados foram comparados aos intervalos de confiança de dois estudos clássicos sobre o tema, houve tendência à pubarca mais precoce. Além disso, a média de idade da pubarca nos pais das crianças foi de 12,1±1,4 anos, significantemente maior em relação à dos filhos (p<0,001). Conclusões: Os resultados indicam uma tendência secular em direção à diminuição da idade da pubarca e um possível início mais precoce da puberdade. É muito importante considerar esses parâmetros para estabelecer políticas públicas destinadas a prevenir esses eventos iniciais.

Lessons from the Field Beyond the Numbers: Narratives of Professionals on Women who Experienced Severe Maternal Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: Several factors might affect the health and the quality of life of women who had a severe maternal morbidity (SMM) or a maternal near-miss (MNM) episode. The objective of the present study was to explore the perspectives of the professionals on the repercussions of SMM or of MNM after interviewing women who survived such episodes. METHOD: Selected cases that captured the attention of professionals were reported. The professionals built individually 10 narratives, which were analyzed with the technique of content analysis. RESULTS: According to the perspectives of the professionals, women surviving a severe maternal condition and their families experienced clinical and psychosocial consequences. Some cases portrayed the intense psychological distress in mourning for the loss of the fetus or of their reproductive capacity and changes in family dynamics generating emotional overload, depression, and gender violence. CONCLUSION: The analysis of narratives may offer an idea on the complexity of the perception of care by professionals and on the need for an interdisciplinary follow-up of women surviving an SMM or an MNM episode.

OBJETIVO: Diversos fatores podem afetar a saúde e a qualidade de vida das mulheres que tiveram um episódio de morbidade materna grave (MMG) ou near-miss materno (NMM). O objetivo do presente estudo foi explorar as perspectivas dos profissionais sobre as repercussões da MMG ou do NMM após terem entrevistados mulheres que sobreviveram a um desses episódios. MéTODOS: Casos selecionados que chamaram a atenção dos profissionais foram relatados. Estes profissionais construíram individualmente 10 narrativas, que foram analisadas com a técnica de análise de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: Segundo as perspectivas dos profissionais, as mulheres que sobreviveram a uma condição materna grave e suas famílias vivenciaram consequências clínicas e psicológicas. Alguns casos relataram um intenso estresse psicológico no luto pela perda do feto ou de sua capacidade reprodutiva e de mudanças da dinâmica familiar, gerando sobrecarga emocional, depressão e violência de gênero. CONCLUSãO: A análise das narrativas pode oferecer uma ideia sobre a complexidade da percepção do cuidado de profissionais e sobre a necessidade de um seguimento interdisciplinar das mulheres sobreviventes de um episódio de MMG ou de NMM.

Leprosy incidence, characterization of cases and correlation with household and cases variables of the Brazilian states in 2010

Abstract BACKGROUND: Leprosy is millenary disease and still persists in several countries. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of leprosy in the Brazilian states and for the country in the year 2010; to describe the cases reported according to the studied variables; to verify the correlation between the overall incidence and the studied variables. METHODS: Ecological descriptive study, with population data from the 27 states, 2010. Information about reported cases were collected: gender, race, percentage of patients younger than 15 years old and living conditions. The analysis was performed using percentages, means, incidence rates and the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: The states of Mato Grosso and Tocantins recorded the highest incidence rates; Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, the lowest; there was a higher incidence of leprosy among men; the incidence of leprosy increases proportionally with the nonwhites among the inhabitants; patients younger than 15 years; the average number of residents per household; and a decrease in coverage of water supply and presence of bathrooms. CONCLUSION: The incidence of leprosy is related to factors as gender, race and house conditions (p<0,05 for all).

Vitamina D em crianças e adolescentes com doença falciforme: uma revisão integrativa / Vitamin D in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: an integrative review

Objetivo:Revisar a literatura sobre a frequência da deficiência de vitamina D e suas consequências em crianças e adolescentes com anemia falciforme.Fontes de dados:O levantamento bibliográfico foi feito nas bases bibliográficas Medline, U.S. National Library of Medicine e National Institutes of Health (PubMed), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs) e Cochrane. Os descritores foram selecionados com o uso do Medical Heading Terms (MeSH): “Vitamin D” OU “Vitamin D deficiency” E “anemia, sickle cell” E “child” E “adolescent”. A busca limitou-se aos artigos em inglês, espanhol e português, com data de publicação até abril de 2014.Síntese dos dados:Foram selecionados 11 estudos, entre os 18 encontrados. A pesquisa revelou que os níveis séricos de vitamina D em crianças e/ou adolescentes com anemia falciforme encontram-se baixos em seis de 11 artigos analisados. Essa frequência de deficiência de vitamina D em pacientes com anemia falciforme excede a do grupo de comparação saudável. A baixa ingesta de vitamina D, a sazonalidade, a exposição solar, o metabolismo aumentado próprio da hemoglobinopatia e o aumento da idade são fatores associados à deficiência. Houve associação entre deficiência significativa de vitamina D e fraqueza óssea e crises dolorosas. Há correlação positiva entre aumento dos níveis de vitamina D por meio da suplementação e a capacidade funcional física.Conclusões:A deficiência de vitamina D em crianças e adolescentes com doença falciforme é prevalente e necessita de mais estudos para evidenciar a sua relação com comorbidades e possíveis benefícios da suplementação da vitamina D.

Objective:To review the literature about the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its consequences in children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease.Data sources:The literature survey was performed through the bibliographic databases MEDLINE; U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health (PubMed); Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs), and the Cochrane Library. The keywords were selected using Medical Heading Terms (MeSH): “vitamin D” OR “vitamin D deficiency” AND “anemia, sickle cell” AND “child” AND “adolescent”. The search was limited to articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese, published until April 2014.Data synthesis:Eleven articles were selected among the 18 found. In 6 of the 11 studies, serum levels of vitamin D in children and/or adolescents with sickle-cell anemia were low. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with sickle-cell anemia exceeded that of the comparison group. The low intake of vitamin D, seasonality, exposure to sun, increased metabolism associated with the hemoglobinopathy, and age increase were factors associated with the deficiency. There was an association between a significant vitamin D deficiency and bone weakness and painful crises. There was a positive correlation between increased levels of vitamin D by supplementation and functional, physical capacity.Conclusions:The vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease is prevalent and requires further studies to demonstrate its association with comorbidities and possible benefits of vitamin D supplementation.

Práticas alimentares para crianças expostas ao HIV: revisão integrativa da literatura / Food practice for children exposed to HIV: integrative review of literature

Objetivou-se analisar as evidências a respeito das práticas alimentares para crianças expostas ao Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (HIV). Trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa desenvolvido nas bases de dados LILACS, PUBMED e SCOPUS. O levantamento dos estudos ocorreu em janeiro de 2014. As produções demonstraram a existência de três tipos de alimentação predominante em crianças expostas ao HIV: aleitamento materno, aleitamento artificial e alimentação básica da família. As práticas alimentares de crianças expostas ao HIV não correspondem às práticas preconizadas nacionalmente. É necessário instituir um aconselhamento alimentar pela equipe de saúde, como também um planejamento alimentar adequado, inclusão das crianças nas consultas de puericultura e acesso às fórmulas infantis.

The objective was the analysis of the evidence regarding feeding practices for children exposed to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is an integrative review study, developed on the LILACS, PUBMED, and SCOPUS databases. The study took place on January 2014 and highlighted three predominant practices used on children that have been exposed to the HIV: breastfeeding, formula milk, and a basic family diet. The current feeding practices for children exposed to the HIV do not correspond to the country's recommended practices. The nutritional advice given by a health staff must be implemented, as well as an adequate feeding practice, the inclusion of the children on childcare medical consultations and easy access to child feeding formulas.

Sociodemographic aspects and quality of life of patients with sickle cell anemia

BACKGROUND:Sickle cell anemia is a chronic inherited disease, widespread in the Brazilian population due to the high degree of miscegenation in the country. Despite the high prevalence, there are few studies describing the characteristics of patients and the impact of the disease on quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic profile and the impact of the disease on the quality of life of sickle cell anemia patients. METHODS: Over 18-year-old patients with sickle cell anemia who attended meetings held by the Associação Baiana de Portadores de Doenças Falciformes, an association for sickle cell anemia patients in Bahia, were interviewed. Sociodemographic data were collected and the generic the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, which is used to assess quality of life, was applied. The analysis of the descriptive statistics was performed using the Statistics Program for the Social Sciences software. RESULTS: Thirty-two mostly female (65.6%) patients were interviewed. The mean age was 31.9 ± 12.67 years, 50.0% considered themselves black, 68.8% did not work and 87.5% had per capita income below the poverty line (up to one and a half minimum wages). The SF-36 scores were: limitation by physical aspects 26.56, functional capacity 28.9, emotional aspects 30.20, social aspects, 50.0, pain 50.31, mental health 54.62, general health status 56.09 and vitality 56.71. This shows that the disease has a ...