Echocardiographic Comparison of Left Ventricular Systolic Function and Aortic Blood Flow Velocimetry in Children with Ventricular Septal Defect.

BACKGROUND: The assessments of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic dynamics in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) have achieved a major milestone in the evaluation of LV systolic function. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the LV function, LV mass (LVM), and the descending aorta blood flow in children with VSD compared to that obtained in age and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: The mean LVM of the control, 113.5 ± 123.9 was higher than that of those who had VSD, 75.8 ± 83.9, and the difference in mean was found to be statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U = 2.322, P = 0.022). The mean EF of the control, 67.9 ± 10.3 was comparable to that of those with VSD, 65.6 ± 13.9, (Student's t = 1.223, P = 0.223). Similarly, the mean descending aorta blood flow of control, 1.6 ± 2.2 was comparable to that of those with VSD, 3.9 ± 16.1, (Mann-Whitney U = 1.002, P = 0.321). There was a very weak positive correlation between LVM and descending aorta blood flow among the subjects (n = 85, r = 0.117, P = 0.425). There was a very weak negative correlation between LVM and descending aorta blood flow among control. (n = 85, r = -0.065, P = 0.609). CONCLUSION: The LVM among children with VSD is lower than controls but there is no difference between LV function in subjects and controls. There is a linear increase of LVM with descending aorta blood flow.

Dimensional approach to gender dysphoria in Nigeria: Association with socio-demographic and psycho-sexual variables.

Background: Recent changes across the world with respect to gender transitioning of children and adolescents have generated a bio-psycho-socio-cultural discourse among interest groups. Aim: This study sought to examine gender dysphoric symptoms among adolescents and young persons in an African population, using a dimensional approach. Method: A total of 747 primary/secondary school and university students aged 10-24 years were studied using the 27-item Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults (GIDYQ-AA). Participants were divided into early, mid- and late adolescents. The composite and domain scores were calculated using the criteria described by Deogracias, and comparison of the median scores was done using Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. Dunnett's post-hoc test was used for pairwise comparisons. Results: The prevalence of self-identified transgender and self-reported non-heterosexuals was 0.9% (95%CI: 0.36-1.92) and 18.6% (15.85-21.59), respectively. The participants as a group scored 4.56 out of a possible 5 on the gender dysphoria scale, indicating less gender dysphoric symptoms in this cohort. However, participants in mid- and late adolescents had significantly lower scores when compared with early adolescents (P = 0.009). Self-reported transgender had significantly lower scores in the social (P = 0.001) and socio-legal (P < 0.001) indicators of the scale. Conclusion: The findings of this study, although, preliminary demonstrated less gender dysphoric symptoms in this cohort of Nigerian adolescents and young adults compared to the Western population. Nevertheless, some degree of GD was noticed, revealing that this condition is existent in our society.