ABSTRACT
Amygdala atypical volume development and functional connectivity (FC) at small gestational ages (GA) have been found across childhood. This adult-oriented study assesses whether altered amygdala structure and function is present following low-risk preterm birth. T1-weighted and resting-state functional MRI images of 33 low-risk preterm (30-36 weeks' GA) and 29 full-term (37-42 weeks' GA) young adults of both sexes, aged between 20 and 32 years old, were analyzed using FreeSurfer (v6.0.0) and Coon Toolbox (v21.a). The social-emotional assessment included Happé's Strange Stories Test, the Moral Judgment Test, Delay-Discounting Test, Adult Self Report, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. No differences were found in social-emotional outcomes or amygdala volumes between the groups. Low-risk preterm young adults showed increased FC between the left amygdala, right amygdala and medial frontal cortex (MedFC) (F = 9.89, p-FWE = 0.009) at cluster level compared to their full-term peers. However, significant results at connection level were not observed between left and right amygdala. Lastly, increased FC at cluster level between the right amygdala and MedFC, and left amygdala and MedFC, was related to better social-emotional outcomes only in low-risk preterm young adults (F = 6.60, p-FWE = 0.036) at cluster level. At connection level, in contrast, only right amygdala-MedFC increased FC was significantly associated with better social-emotional outcomes. This study reveals that low-risk prematurity does not have an effect on social-emotional outcomes or structural amygdala volumes during young adulthood. However, individuals who were considered to be at a lower risk of exhibiting neurodevelopmental alterations following preterm birth demonstrated increased FC between the left and right amygdala and MedFC.
Subject(s)
Premature Birth , Male , Female , Young Adult , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Adult , Child , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Emotions/physiology , Amygdala/physiology , Infant, PrematureABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of a diet based on carbohydrates on the nutritional status of a pediatric population through a study performed in a rural area of the province of Los Ríos (Ecuador). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 871 Ecuadorian children from a rural environment in an ambulatory medical clinic created for the purposes of the study. Basic anthropometric measurements (weigh, height, head circumference and upper arm circumference) and clinical data from physical examination were recorded. The anthropometric measurements were compared with the growth charts used in Spanish children, which were taken as the standard reference measurements. Information on nutrition was obtained from interviews with the mothers. RESULTS: A total of 871 children were evaluated (53 % boys; 47 % girls). Mean age was 6.39 years (range: 0-14 years; mode 4). Comparison of the data obtained with the standard growth charts for the Spanish pediatric population revealed significant differences in body mass index in boys aged 5-14 years and in girls aged 3-12 years and highly significant differences in boys aged 6-13 years and in girls aged 3-12 years. Significant differences in middle upper arm circumference were found in boys and girls aged 1-14 years and highly significant differences were found in boys aged 1-12 years and in girls aged 2-12 years. A middle upper arm circumference of less than 14 cm (slight malnutrition) was found in 6.67 % of boys and in 9.15 % of girls; a middle upper arm circumference of less than 12.5 cm (serious malnutrition) was found in 1.82 % of boys and in 2.82 % of girls. Nutritional interviews revealed that the overall caloric intake was approximately 1,500 cal/ day. Eight percent of calories came from carbohydrates, 15 % from fats and 5 % from proteins. CONCLUSIONS: A poor diet affects the child population's nutritional status qualitatively but not quantitatively. Nutritional deficit favors the prevalence of childhood diseases that could be avoided by suitable feeding and hygiene. Because of the lack of economic and health resources, prevention is the fundamental weapon for maintaining health in underdeveloped countries. Childhood nutritional status is influenced by diet, which in turn is influenced by physical, climatic, cultural and political factors, and by stress, which is provoked by infections and parents' behavior. Nutritional status in children is a clear reflection of the socioeconomic status of a given population.
Subject(s)
Nutritional Status , Adolescent , Anthropometry , Child , Child, Preschool , Ecuador , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
Objetivos: Valorar la repercusión de una dieta fundamentada en hidratos de carbono en el estado nutricional de la población infantil según un estudio realizado en una zona rural de la provincia de Los Ríos (Ecuador).Pacientes y métodos: Se valoraron 871 niños ecuatorianos pertenecientes al ámbito rural en un consultorio médico ambulante habilitado para el estudio. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas básicas (peso, talla, perímetro cefálico y perímetro braquial) y datos clínicos procedentes de la exploración física. Las medidas antropométricas observadas se compararon con las tablas de crecimiento utilizadas para la población infantil española, que se tomaron como estándar. Se realizó además una encuesta nutricional a las madres. Resultados: Se incluyeron 871 niños (53% varones, 47% mujeres). Edad: rango, 0-14; media, 6,39; moda, 4. Comparando los datos observados con las tablas de crecimiento utilizadas para la población infantil española, tomada como estándar se encontraron los siguientes resultados: índice de masa corporal: diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en varones de 5 a 14 años y mujeres de 3 a 12 años, diferencias altamente significativas (p < 0,01) en varones de 6 a 13 años y mujeres de 3 a 12 años; perímetro braquial: diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en varones y mujeres de 1 a 14 años, diferencias altamente significativas (p < 0,01) en varones de 1 a 12 años y mujeres de 2 a 12 años. Perímetro braquial < 14 cm (malnutrición leve): 6,67% de varones y 9,15% de mujeres; perímetro braquial < 12,5 cm (malnutrición grave), 1,82% de varones y 2,82% de mujeres. Encuesta nutricional: la ingesta energética fue aproximadamente de 1.500 calorías/día, de las cuales el 80% eran hidratos de carbono, el 15% grasas y el 5% proteínas. Conclusiones: Una dieta pobre cualitativamente, aunque no cuantitativamente, se pone de manifiesto en el estado nutricional de la población infantil. El déficit nutricional lleva consigo la prevalencia de gran número de enfermedades infantiles que podrían ser evitadas con la alimentación y la higiene adecuadas. Los escasos recursos económicos y sanitarios hacen que la prevención sea el arma fundamental para preservar la salud de los países subdesarrollados. Sobre la nutrición infantil influyen tanto la alimentación, a su vez influida por factores ambientales de orden físico, climático, cultural y político, como el estrés provocado por las infecciones y la conducta de los padres. El estado nutricional infantil es un claro reflejo del estado socioeconómico de una población determinada (AU)