Cut-off Values of Diagnostic Indices to Detect Iron Deficiency in Chinese Breast-fed Infants / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. The commonly used cut-off values for identifying iron deficiency are extrapolated from older children and may not be suitable for infants. Therefore, our study aimed to establish appropriate cut-off values for the evaluation of iron status in Chinese infants. Pregnant women who delivered at ⋝37 gestational weeks with normal iron status were recruited. Later, infants with normal birth weight and who were breastfed in the first 4 months were selected. Blood samples were collected to assess hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, mean corpuscular volume and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Cut-offs of all iron indices were determined as the limit of 95% confidence interval.

Effect of impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy on newborns / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy can result in significant adverse outcomes for newborns. This study was designed to investigate the effect of different degrees of impaired glucose tolerance on newborns.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Glucose challenge test (GCT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed in pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Based on the results of the two tests, their newborn infants were classified into five groups: gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, n=182), gestational impaired oral glucose tolerance [GIGT, subdividing into GIGT 1 h (n=57) and GIGT 2-3 h groups (n=156)based on the occurrence time of abnormal blood glucose after glucose load], GCT abnormal but OGTT normal (only GCT abnormal, n=38) and normal glucose tolerance (control, n=1 025). The perinatal outcomes were compared among the five groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidences of macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), small for gestational age (SGA), neonatal hypoglycemia and premature birth in the GIGT (1 h) group were significantly higher than those in the control group, but similar to those in the GDM group. The incidences of macrosomia, SGA, neonatal hypoglycemia and premature birth in the GIGT (2-3 h) and the only GCT abnormal groups significantly decreased as compared with those in the GDM group, and similar to those in the control group. GIGT (1 h ) group showed higher incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia and premature birth than the GIGT (2-3 h) and the only GCT abnormal groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Different degrees of maternal impaired glucose tolerance have different effects on newborns. As maternal GDM, maternal GIGT (1 h) may increase the risk of macrosomia, LGA, SGA, neonatal hypoglycemia and premature birth.</p>

Microsurgical treatment for craniopharyngioma combined transorbital-subfrontal and temporal craniotomy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience in microsurgical removal of craniopharyngioma using combined transorbital-subfrontal and temporal craniotomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen patients with craniopharyngioma varied from 3.1 cm to 6.2 cm in diameter. The tumor was located in the suprasellar region in 7 patients, extended to the third ventricle in 6, and down to the intrasellar from the suprasellar region in 4, and in the third ventricle in 1. Complete or partial cystic tumor was seen in 13 patients, and solid tumor in 5, and calcified tumor in 12. All the patients were operated on via combined transorbital subfrontal and temporal approach. The tumor was dissected in the spaces I, II and IV with great attention to the preservation of the perforating arteries from the carotid, posterior communication and anterior choroidal arteries to the structure of the hypothalamus. The solid portion of the tumor was removed by piecemeal.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumor was totally removed in 14 patients and subtotally in 4. Postoperation, follow-up for 8 to 41 months showed no change in 3 residual tumors and one lost to follow-up. All patients Postoperative Karnofsky scales showed 80 - 90, in 12 patients, 60 - 70 in 5 patients, and 50 in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Combined transorbital-subfrontal and temporal approach can provide an excellent exposure to the sellar region, craniopharyngioma and its surrounding structures. This approach ensures less cerebral retraction for easy access to craniopharyngioma, including other large neoplasm of the middle cranial base with ventricle or posterior cranial base extension. Microsurgical techniques play an important role in removing tumor and preserving hypothalamic function.</p>