Significant increment in the prevalence of overweight and obesity documented between 1994 and 2008 in Mexican college students.

We describe the changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 4606 students that applied to a Mexican University during 1994 to 2008. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age was 17.7 ± 1.2 years-old. Progressive and significant increments of bodyweight (female [F] = 2.6, P = 0.03), body mass index (BMI) (F = 4.4, P = 0.001), and waist circumference (F = 30.08, P < 0.0001) in women, and bodyweight (male [M] = 8.9, P < 0.001), BMI (M = 10.4, P < 0.001), and waist circumference (M = 13.01, P < 0.001) in men were observed. A significant increment (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of overweight since 1994 (n = 87, 12.1%) throughout 1997 (n = 102, 14.1%), 1998 (n = 133, 18.4%), 1999 (n = 1993, 26.8%), and 2008 (n = 206, 19.9%) was documented. Similarly, the prevalence of obesity had a significant increment in all students evaluated (P < 0.0001) since 1994 (n = 29, 13.2%) through 1997 (n = 11, 5.0%), 1998 (n = 45, 20.5%), 1999 (n = 53, 24.1%), and 2008 (n = 82, 37.3%). The increment was significant in both women (P = 0.02) and men (P < 0.001). In summary, we report a significant increment in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mexican students living in an urban setting over a time period of 14 years.

[Comparative study of laparoscopic appendectomy vs open appendectomy]. / Estudio comparativo de apendicectomía laparoscópica con endoasas preatadas vs apendicectomía abierta.

UNLABELLED: Laparoscopy reduces the risk of performing unnecessary appendectomies and offers the advantages of minimal invasive surgery when appendectomy is needed. We report our experience comparing open (Group A) with laparoscopic (Group B) appendectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 20 patients in each group. Age, sex, signs, symptoms, evolution, laboratory, stage of disease, drains, duration of surgery, antibiotics, oral intake restart, postoperative pain at 24, 48 and 72 hours, complications, hospital stay, return to normal activities and cosmesis were reviewed. Statistical differences were determined using Student's t test (two tailed) or chi-square with Yates correction. Surgical technique is described. RESULTS: In both groups most variables were similar (p = ns). Group B presented earlier oral intake restart (p < 0.001), and less postoperative pain at 24 (p < 0.001), 48 (p < 0.01) and 72 hours (p < 0.001). Hospitalization stay was shorter (p < 0.001) and return to normal activities was earlier (p < 0.001) in group B. Better cosmetical appearance was observed in Group B (16 vs. 0 "excellent" -p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach may reduce unnecessary appendectomies and it allows to perform appendectomy in a safe and effective way. In this study, laparoscopic was better than open appendectomy regarding early restart of oral intake, less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization stay, earlier return to normal activities and better cosmetic appearance.

[The differential diagnosis of poliomyelitis and other acute flaccid paralyses]. / Diagnóstico diferencial de la poliomielitis y otras parálisis flácidas agudas.

Between June 1988 to January 1991 a total of 246 children with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) were seen at Hospital Infantil de México, Federico Gómez which was the center of study for AFP for the Poliomyelitis Eradication Program of Mexico. Of the 246 children, 42 has poliomyelitis (17%); 156 has Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (63.4%); 16 had traumatic neuritis of the sciatic nerve secondary to IM injections (TNC) (6.5%); five had transverse myelitis (2%); the rest (27) had other diseases misdiagnosed as polio (10.9%). The basic clinical characteristics for the diagnosis of poliomyelitis are: myalgias and fever at the onset AFP, paralysis is asymmetrical, of distal predominance and causes severe muscular atrophy and skeletal deformities; the GBS presents as an ascending, symmetrical, areflexic paralysis of distal predominance. It does not causes atrophy or deformities. TNC presents several days after IM injections with pain and hypothermia in the affected limbs; TM is a flaccid, symmetrical paraparesis with neurogenic bladder and a sensory level. CSF and neurophysiological studies (EMG and NCV) are very useful for diagnosis. Other entities misdiagnosed as poliomyelitis were: osteoarticular trauma, myopathies and dystrophies, viral myositis, acute cerebellitis, retroperitoneal tumors and upper motor neuron syndromes. Viral studies in stool specimens are essential for the diagnosis of poliomyelitis.

Epileptiform EEG activity of the centromedian thalamic nuclei in children with intractable generalized seizures of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Centromedian thalamic nuclei (CM) epileptiform EEG activities were recorded in children with intractable generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) through implanted recording-stimulating electrodes used for seizure control. Ictal CM epileptiform activities were consistently correlated to widespread surface cortical EEG activities and symptoms in all patients and all types of generalized seizures; i.e., fast spike discharges at CM correlated at onset of tonic and tonic-clonic generalized seizures; slow (1-2 Hz) spike-wave complex discharges at CM correlated for atypical absence seizures; slow polyspike-wave complex discharges correlated for myoclonic seizures; and spike bursts and suppression patterns correlated for combined tonic-atonic-myoclonic seizures. Ictal EEG activities occurred simultaneously at right and left CM and surface at onset of all seizure types, with the exception of myoclonic seizures where CM complete discharges and individual spike-wave complexes significantly lead those of the surface. Brief tonic-atonic spasms clinically undistinguishable from "real" epileptic seizures showed no EEG counterparts at CM and surface. Interictal CM spike-wave complete discharges and individual spike-wave complexes showed variable amplitude-temporal patterns. Amplitude emphasis on CM and frontopolar regions was observed in most of complete discharges, however, and phase shifts between CM and frontopolar regions were observed in individual spike-wave complexes.

Wakefulness-sleep modulation of EEG-EMG epileptiform activities: a quantitative study on a child with intractable epilepsia partialis continua.

Continuous all night recordings of epileptiform EEG activities from right frontal scalp and thalamic Centromedian regions and EMG activities from left deltoid muscular region were performed on a child with intractable epilepsia partialis continua, with depth stimulating-recording electrodes used for neuroaugmentive seizure control. In addition, "normal" and "mature" sleep indicators in the same child were simultaneously recorded according to the International Procedures. During wakefulness (W), type B seizures consisted of isolated, high amplitude, negative-positive EEG sharp waves recorded from the right Centromedian region (RCM sharp) correlated with isolated bursts of high amplitude EMG potentials recorded from the left deltoid muscle (LEMG jerks). Type C seizures consisted of clusters of repetitive RCM sharp and LEMG jerks, where individual EEG-EMG activities showed poor correlations. Number and amplitude of type B RCM sharp and LEMG jerks significantly decreased when patient directly shifted from W to slow wave sleep I and II (SWSI and II). Number and amplitude of RCM sharp increased while those of LEMG jerks decreased directly from SWS I and II to slow wave sleep III (SWS III); all forms of EEG-EMG epileptiform type B activities significantly decreased directly or indirectly from W and SWS to paradoxical sleep (PS). Scalp EEG spikes from right frontal and central regions showed almost parallel changes to those of RCM sharp, except during SWS II, when amplitude increased in the former and decreased in the later. Occurrence of type C seizures only decreased during PS and duration decreased directly from SWS I to II and indirectly from SWS I to SWS II and PS; and from W to SWS II and III and PS.

[Acute hemiplegia in childhood and alternating hemiconvulsions secondary to Moya-Moya disease. Report of a case associated with Down's syndrome]. / Hemiplejía aguda de la infancia y hemiconvulsiones alternantes secundarias a enfermedad de Moya-Moya. Reporte de un caso asociado a síndrome de Down.

Moya-Moya disease has been associated to a number of disease entities including Down syndrome. Initial clinical manifestations in our patient were alternating lateralizing seizures with sudden onset hemiparesis. Ct scan demonstrated several infarcts in different stages of evolution, in the territory of left middle cerebral artery. Single digital subtraction angiography showed bilateral occlusion, predominantly on the left side of the supraclinoid portion of the interna carotid arteries with formation of collateral circulation in the diencephalic territory. The association of Moya-Moya disease and Down syndrome is not fortuitous and it is probably due to a congenital vascular dysplasia. It should be suspected in children with trisomy 21 (with or without congenital heart disease) who presents with alternating hemiplegia and convulsions or acute hemiplegia.

AB variant GM2 gangliosidosis: cerebrospinal fluid and neuropathologic characteristics.

A child with AB variant GM2 gangliosidosis who had progressive intellectual deterioration and seizures commencing at the age of 12 months is described. Neuronal loss, and neuronal and astrocytic inclusions characteristic of the gangliosidoses, were seen on cortical biopsy. GM2 ganglioside was detected in the CSF. As CNS ganglioside accumulation in this condition occurs in the presence of normal leukocyte hexosaminidase A and B levels, spinal fluid assay for GM2 ganglioside may serve as a valuable aid in diagnosis.

Glutamyl ribose-5-phosphate storage disease: nephrotic syndrome and cerebral atrophy.

Storage of glutamyl ribose-5-phosphate was identified at autopsy in the brain and kidney of an 8-year-old male who had presented clinically with progressive renal failure and neurological deterioration. In a renal biopsy during life, glomeruli were focally sclerotic and contained foam cells. By electron microscopy, lysosomal accumulation was present in renal tubular and glomerular epithelial cells, hepatic Kupffer cells, and conjunctival connective tissue cells. Ganglion cells in the brain stem had swollen, PAS-positive cytoplasm with central chromatolysis. The cerebral cortex was atrophic and there was loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. The identification of storage was based on biochemical isolation of the compound from the tissues at autopsy. The enzyme deficiency responsible for the storage has not yet been identified.

Spinal cord compression due to cystic duplication of the primitive digestive tract.

Three children are described who presented with the syndrome of spinal cord compression. They had intradural-extramedullary masses, which proved to be histologically benign cysts with characteristics similar to those found in the embryonic foregut. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment of these congenital malformations, stressing the fact that complete recovery is possible. The literature is reviewed.

Human cerebellar hypoplasia: a syndrome of diverse causes.

Seven children had congenitally small cerebella. Perinatal asphyxia was not a factor. Clinical signs in infancy were generalized muscular hypotonia, delayed development, truncal titubation, and intention tremor. Most had fixation nystagmus and esotropia. Three had seizures and an abnormal EEG. Pneumoencephalography in each case revealed a small cerebellum with prominent folia, large fourth ventricle, wide vallecula, large cisterna magna, and normal lateral and third ventricles. A computerized tomography scan in one case showed similar findings. One patient had an absent corpus callosum. One patient died at 2 1/2 years. The cerebellar hemispheres and vermis were small. Granular cells were absent throughout. Purkinje's cells were preserved, but had dendritic swellings with radiating fibrils. Cerebellar, pontine, and inferior olivary nuclei showed mild neuronal loss. The clinical and pathologic findings resemble those of animal models of cerebellar hypoplasia produced by fetal exposure to certain viruses, toxins, or repeated low doses of radiation. Cerebellar hypoplasia is a clinical syndrome of several causes, but with many symptoms and signs in common.

Intraventricular hemorrhage--an animal model.

Hemodynamic monitoring was carried out in 9 newborn beagle puppies exposed to hypercarbic insult. 4 animals were exposed to slowly increasing carbon dioxide tensions without hypoxemia; 5 animals were exposed to rapid, intense increase in carbon dioxide tensions without hypoxemia. 2 of the 5 puppies (40%) exposed to the rapid hypercarbia developed intraventricular hemorrhage characteristic of that found in the immature human. All of the puppies exhibited germinal matrix layers comparable to those of 30- to 32-week gestational age human infants. Significantly higher systemic arterial and jugular venous pressures were documented during the baseline and experimental periods in the 2 animals that bled. A predisposition to hemorrhage may have been present in these 2 animals because of hypertension in the baseline period. This preliminary study demonstrates that a histological model for IVH exists in an animal which is stable enough for extensive hemodynamic monitoring.

Granulomatous encephalitis, intracranial arteritis, and mycotic aneurysm due to a free-living ameba.

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis are well recognized clinicopathological entities caused by free-living amebas. Associated arteritis and "mycotic aneurysms" with infiltration of intracranial arteries by lymphocytes, amebic trophozoites and cysts have not been previously reported. A 26-month-old girl had a 3-week history of encephalitis, characterized, initially, by vomiting and low-grade fever. Subsequently, she developed ataxia, generalized weakness, lethargy, and esotropia. The first CSF showed 490 RBC/microliters, 705 WBC/microliters with 90% mononuclears. Her pupils reacted briskly to light. Moderate nuchal rigidity, nystagmus, fixed downward gaze, anisocoria, bilateral 6th nerve palsy, left arm monoparesis and left Babinski were present. CAT scan revealed slight symmetrical dilatation of anterior horns of lateral ventricles and an area of abnormal enhancement above the 3rd ventricle. She died 14 days after admission, 5 weeks after onset of symptoms. The brain showed focal necrotizing encephalopathy, involving thalami, cerebellum, brain stem, and cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord. Numerous free-living amebic trophozoites and cysts were present within a chronic granulomatous encephalitis. There were trombosis of basilar, posterior cerebral, and vertebral arteries with profuse chronic panarteritis, fibrinoid necrosis, and mycotic aneurysms.

[Cause of arthritis in childhood. Relation to age, sex and affected joints]. / Causas de artritis en la infancia. Relación con la edad, sexo y articulaciones afectadas.

In a retrospective study (1963--1976) out of 514 children with the general diagnosis of arthritis, the diagnoses most frequently established were; pyogenic arthritis (45.9%), rheumatic fever (18.7%) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (17%). Less frequent were tuberculous arthritis (5.8%), systemic lupus erythematosus (3.9%), hemophilic hemarthrosis (2.1%), and other connective tissue diseases (1.5%). Age of onset was significantly lower in patients with pyogenic arthritis. Pyogenic, tuberculous and hemophilic arthritis in most cases were characterized by large joint monoarthritis. Acute polyarthritis was common in rheumatic fever. Chronic polyarthritis was a frequent feature in the other cases. It is concluded that age of onset, number and site of affected joints, as well as evolution time may be useful in the diagnosis.

Sanfilippo A syndrome in the fetus.

A family is reported in which Sanfilippo A syndrome affected three siblings: the proband and twin premature infants. The feasibility of intrauterine diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) Type IIIA, was demonstrated by the excessive accumulation of 35SO4-mucopolysaccharides in fibroblasts cultured from amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis Cross-correction studies and enzymatic analysis of cultured skin fibroblasts from the proband and the infants revealed the absence of the MPS IIIA correction factor, heparan sulfate sulfatase. However, when the premature infants expired shortly after birth, no central nervous system histopathology or ultrastructural abnormalities were found. From these observations it would appear the the third trimester fetus with MPS type IIIA has little CNS involvement.