Plate size does not affect perception of food portion size.

BACKGROUND: Evidences have suggested that larger utensils may provoke 'size-contrast illusions', influencing the perceived volume and food consumption. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the influence of plate size on the visual estimate of food portion size. METHODS: Two 400 g portions of pasta with tomato sauce were presented on two plates of different diameters (24.0 and 9.0 cm). Each participant visually estimated on an individual basis the quantities of the pasta portions (g) present on each plate. In addition, each subject classified the size of the portions on each plate as 'small', 'medium' and 'large'. The mean estimates of the amount of pasta on each plate were compared by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney. The differences in the frequencies of portion classifications between plates were evaluated by the chi-squared test. RESULTS: Forty-eight students (average 25.8 ± 8.9 years) participated in the study. There was no difference in the median amount of pasta estimated for the large and small plates (150 g; range 50-500 and 115 g; range 40-500 g, respectively). The classification of the portion size as 'large' was reported by a significantly greater number of persons when they evaluated the amount of pasta arranged on the large plate compared to the small plate (47.9 versus 22.9%, respectively; P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The size of the plate did not influence the estimate of food portions, even though it did influence the classification of portion size.

Reestenosis hipertófica de píloro tras piloromiotomía, ¿recurrencia verdadera o complicación posquirúrgica? / Recurrent Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis after pyloromyotomy: progression of original disease or delayed surgical complication?

La recurrencia de estenosis hipertrófica de píloro es una entidad rara. Debe sospecharse ante la aparición de vómitos proyectivos tras un periodo postoperatorio sin incidencias por piloromiotomía previa. Suele obedecer a cirugía anterior insuficiente o a lesión duodenal intraoperatoria y habitualmente precisa nueva cirugía reparadora. Se presentan dos casos de reestenosis hipertrófica de píloro, y se discute la naturaleza de esta estidad (AU)

Recurrent Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a rare condition. It must be suspected if new projectile vomiting reoccurs after an uneventful postoperative period. It is usually caused by incomplete previous surgery or accidental duodenal injury during Ramstedt’s procedure. In general a new pyloromyotomy is required. Two cases of hypertrophic pyloric restenosis are presented, and the nature of this condition is discussed (AU)

Infarto omental posperitonitis en un paciente pediátrico. A propósito de un caso / Omental infarction post-peritonitis in children. A case report

El infarto omental (IO) es una entidad poco frecuente en la edad pediátrica. Puede ser primario o secundario a diversos factores (cirugía abdominal reciente, inflamación local, traumatismos abdominales, notable elevación de la presión abdominal, cambios bruscos de la posición corporal o neutropenia cíclica). Su curso clínico es el de un cuadro de dolor abdominal agudo con afectación preferencial del hemiabdomen derecho y síntomas digestivos (náuseas, vómitos). Las pruebas de imagen, en concreto la ecografía o la tomografía computarizada, son imprescindibles para llevar a cabo el diagnóstico de IO. En la ecografía se visualiza una masa hiperecogénica con áreas nodulares hipoecogénicas mal definidas (signo del remolino) y sin vascularización interna en el modo Doppler. Su tratamiento inicial es conservador, e incluye reposo digestivo y analgesia parenteral. Si el paciente no mejora en 48-72 horas, está indicada la cirugía, bien a cielo abierto o por laparoscopia(AU)

Omental infarction (OI) is a rare disease in children. It may be primary or secondary to various factors(abdominal surgery, local swelling, abdominal trauma, increase in abdominal pressure, sudden changes in body position or cyclic neutropenia). Its clinical course is an acute right abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting). Imaging tests, in particular ultrasound or CT, are necessary to carry out the diagnosis of OI. Ultrasound shows a hyperechoic mass with hypoechoic nodular ill-defined area (swirl sign) and no internal vascularity on Doppler. Initial treatment is conservative, including bowel rest and parenteral analgesia. If the patient does not improve within 48-72 hours, surgery is indicated, either open or laparoscopically(AU)

Qualifying instrument for evaluation of food and nutritional care in hospital.

Establishing criteria for hospital nutrition care ensures that quality care is delivered to patients. The responsibility of the Hospital Food and Nutrition Service (HFNS) is not always well defined, despite efforts to establish guidelines for patient clinical nutrition practice. This study describes the elaboration of an Instrument for Evaluation of Food and Nutritional Care (IEFNC) aimed at directing the actions of the Hospital Food and Nutrition Service. This instrument was qualified by means of a comparative analysis of the categories related to hospital food and nutritional care, published in the literature. Elaboration of the IEFNC comprised the following stages: (a) a survey of databases and documents for selection of the categories to be used in nutrition care evaluation, (b) a study of the institutional procedures for nutrition practice at two Brazilian hospitals, in order to provide a description of the sequence of actions that should be taken by the HFNS as well as other services participating in nutrition care, (c) design of the IEFNC based on the categories published in the literature, adapted to the sequence of actions observed in the routines of the hospitals under study, (d) application of the questionnaire at two different hospitals that was mentioned in the item (b), in order to assess the time spent on its application, the difficulties in phrasing the questions, and the coverage of the instrument, and (e) finalization of the instrument. The IEFNC consists of 50 open and closed questions on two areas of food and nutritional care in hospital: inpatient nutritional care and food service quality. It deals with the characterization and structure of hospitals and their HFNS, the actions concerning the patients' nutritional evaluation and monitoring, the meal production system, and the hospital diets. "This questionnaire is a tool that can be seen as a portrait of the structure and characteristics of the HFNS and its performance in clinical and meal management dietitian activities."

The use of body circumferences for the prediction of intra-abdominal fat in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Computerizd tomography (CT) is the gold standard for the evaluation of intra- (IAF) and total (TAF) abdominal fat; however, the high cost of the procedure and exposure to radiation limit its routine use. OBJECTIVE: To develop equations that utilize anthropometric measures for the estimate of IAF and TAF in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The weight, height, BMI, and abdominal (AC), waist (WC), chest (CC), and neck (NC) circumferences of thirty obese women with PCOS were measured, and their IAF and TAF were analyzed by CT. RESULTS: The anthropometric variables AC, CC, and NC were chosen for the TAF linear regression model because they were better correlated with the fat deposited in this region. The model proposed for TAF (predicted) was: 4.63725 + 0.01483 x AC - 0.00117 x NC - 0.00177 x CC (R² = 0.78); and the model proposed for IAF was: IAF (predicted) = 1.88541 + 0.01878 x WC + 0.05687 x NC -0.01529 x CC (R²=0.51). AC was the only independent predictor of TAF (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The equations proposed showed good correlation with the real value measured by CT, and can be used in clinical practice.

Upper trunk fat assessment and its relationship with metabolic and biochemical variables and body fat in polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fat accumulation in the upper region of the body is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is associated with metabolic complications. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between trunk circumference, metabolic indicators, and abdominal and visceral fat in obese PCOS women. METHODS: The weight, fat mass, and subcutaneous arm fat (SAF) of 30 obese PCOS women and 15 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Trunk (TrC), neck (NC) and hip circumferences were measured, and the trunk/hip (Tr/H) ratio was determined. Total abdominal fat (TAF), visceral fat (VF) and trunk fat (TrF) were determined by computed tomography. Biochemical evaluation included glycaemia, insulinaemia, testosterone and lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR) was assessed by the QUICKI index. RESULTS: In the PCOS group, there were positive correlations between NC and TAF (r = 0.49, P < 0.0006), TrC and VF (r = 0.62, P = 0.01), and NC and VF (r = 0.70, P < 0.0002). There was good correlation between TrC and TrF (r = 0.69, P = 0.003). TrF correlated with triglycerides levels positively (r = 0.44, P = 0.02). Women with PCOS and IR had a larger quantity of VF and TrF, but a smaller amount of SAF. Within the PCOS group, women with Tr/H ratio above the median had higher basal insulin levels and lower QUICKI indices compared to women presenting a Tr/H ratio below the median. CONCLUSIONS: TrC is associated with important metabolic variables in PCOS, proving to be a valuable and innovative tool for assessment of body adiposity distribution in obese PCOS women.

Food energy content influences food portion size estimation by nutrition students.

BACKGROUND: Food portion size estimation involves a complex mental process that may influence food consumption evaluation. Knowing the variables that influence this process can improve the accuracy of dietary assessment. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of nutrition students to estimate food portions in usual meals and relate food energy content with errors in food portion size estimation. METHODS: Seventy-eight nutrition students, who had already studied food energy content, participated in this cross-sectional study on the estimation of food portions, organised into four meals. The participants estimated the quantity of each food, in grams or millilitres, with the food in view. Estimation errors were quantified, and their magnitude were evaluated. Estimated quantities (EQ) lower than 90% and higher than 110% of the weighed quantity (WQ) were considered to represent underestimation and overestimation, respectively. Correlation between food energy content and error on estimation was analysed by the Spearman correlation, and comparison between the mean EQ and WQ was accomplished by means of the Wilcoxon signed rank test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: A low percentage of estimates (18.5%) were considered accurate (+/-10% of the actual weight). The most frequently underestimated food items were cauliflower, lettuce, apple and papaya; the most often overestimated items were milk, margarine and sugar. A significant positive correlation between food energy density and estimation was found (r = 0.8166; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the present study revealed a low percentage of acceptable estimations of food portion size by nutrition students, with trends toward overestimation of high-energy food items and underestimation of low-energy items.

[Conventional nutritional support (CNS) in hospitalized surgical patients]. / Atención nutricional convencional (ANC) en pacientes quirúirgicos hospitalizados.

OBJECTIVE: To compare nutritional status assessment methods on hospital admission and discharge in surgical patients receiving conventional nutritional support (CNS). METHODS: One hundred eighty-three patients hospitalized in the surgical ward of the Hospital of PUC-Campinas and aging from 30 to 60 years were assessed; of these, 54.6% were females and 45.4% were males. A nutritional support protocol was used to collect the data with identification and diagnosis data obtained from medical records, antecedents, anthropometry, eating history during hospitalization, total energy intake in the usual diet (UD), energy requirement (ER) and nutritional status. The Wilcoxon test was used for the statistical analysis and the Kappa (k) Coefficient was used to verify the agreement between the nutritional status on hospital admission and discharge. The adopted significance level was 5% (0.05). RESULTS: The analysis of the values on hospital admission and discharge showed that the nutritional status remained constant on admission and discharge when analyzed by groups of diseases. The relationship between nutritional status on hospital admission and discharge in patients with benign biliary tract diseases and vascular diseases presented an excellent agreement between the two moments (k = 1000). It was verified that, discounting the effect of randomness, the nutritional status on admission and discharge agreed in 71.43% and 50% respectively in these two clinical conditions regarding the nutritional diagnosis of being well nourished. In benign diseases of the digestive tract and neoplasias, a good agreement was also observed (k = 0,887 and k = 0,820 respectively). In the total sample, the agreement analysis was high (k = 0,918) showing that the nutritional status remained constant during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: These findings may be attributed to the routine monitoring of nutritional status which allowed an adequate support during hospitalization even when the energy requirement and intake differed.

[Priapism: diagnosis and treatment]. / Priapismo: diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Priapism, prolonged and painful erection, is an exceptional cause of consultation in the pediatric population. High- and low-flow priapism and recurrent prolonged erection must be differentiated, as the prognosis and treatment of these entities differ. Assessment of patients with priapism begins with a detailed history, physical examination, and complete blood cell count. The definitive diagnosis is given by penile Doppler ultrasonography, corpora cavernosa blood gas analysis, and pelvic arteriography. We present two patients who attended our emergency service in the last year and propose an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of this entity.

Priapismo: diagnóstico y tratamiento / Priapism: Diagnosis and treatment

El priapismo, erección prolongada y dolorosa, es un motivo excepcional de consulta pediátrica. La distinción entre el priapismo de alto y bajo flujo, así como la diferenciación de la erección prolongada recurrente, es esencial por su diferente tratamiento y pronóstico. La historia clínica, la exploración y el hemograma son el primer escalón diagnóstico. El eco-Doppler peneano, la gasometría de cuerpos cavernosos y la arteriografía de ilíacas permiten el diagnóstico definitivo. Presentamos 2 casos vistos en nuestra urgencia en el último año y realizamos una revisión de la literatura especializada estableciendo un algoritmo de diagnóstico y tratamiento

Priapism, prolonged and painful erection, is an exceptional cause of consultation in the pediatric population. High- and low-flow priapism and recurrent prolonged erection must be differentiated, as the prognosis and treatment of these entities differ. Assessment of patients with priapism begins with a detailed history, physical examination, and complete blood cell count. The definitive diagnosis is given by penile Doppler ultrasonography, corpora cavernosa blood gas analysis, and pelvic arteriography. We present two patients who attended our emergency service in the last year and propose an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of this entity

[Comparative analysis of nutritional status, food intake and length of hospitalization considering two hospitals: public versus private]. / Comparación del estado nutricional, consumo alimenticio y tiempo de hospitalización de pacientes de dos hospitales, uno público y otro privado.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the nutritional status of hospitalized patients is important for the prevention of hospital malnutrition and planning of nutritional intervention. OBJECTIVE: To comparatively analyze the nutritional status of patients admitted to two hospitals, one public and another private, caring for populations with different socioeconomic profiles. CASE STUDY AND METHODS: This was a prospective study and samples were collected from patients of two hospitals, one public (PUH) and another private (PRH), which respectively represent the underprivileged and the more affluent populations. The analysis considered 51 patients from the PUH, aged between 53.9 +/- 15.6 years and 51 from the PRH, aged between 55.0 +/- 13.9 years, paired and grouped according to the following diseases: neoplasia (n+25), digestive tract disorders (n+11) and others (n+15). The statistical analysis was made by means of the T-Student test to compare PUH and PRH variables with p < 0.05, as well as to compare different variables in the same hospital, with p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.005 and p < 0.001. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences when the variables evaluated in both hospitals were compared, except for the length of hospitalization of patients with digestive tract disorders, which was longer for HPR. Upon hospitalization, 21.0% and 17.6% presented a body mass index (BMI) indicative of malnutrition. The patients with neoplasias presented current weight (CW) lower than habitual weight (HW). Both the patients with neoplasias and those with digestive tract disorders presented insufficient energy consumption in the period before hospitalization (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between the length of hospitalization and the current weight/habitual weight ratio (r = 0.194, 0 < 0.05, n = 102) and BMI (r=-0.186, p < 0.05, n = 102), according to Pearson's coefficient. CONCLUSION: The similarity of nutritional conditions found points to similarity of nutritional status for patients of both institutions and reflects the changes in the nutritional status of the population. The nutritional intervention should consider the nutritional needs of the population assisted.

Estudio del mobiliario escolar en una población infantil / Study of the school furniture in a children population

El estudio describe las dimensiones de mobiliario (sillas y mesas) utilizado por una población infantil, así como su distribución en el espacio de la clase. Se elige a una población escolar randomizada, perteneciente a un colegio de educación primaria, y se miden las dimensiones del mobiliario (sillas y mesas) utilizado y consideradas en la norma ISO 5970: altura, profundidad, anchura mínima y ángulo del asiento, altura y anchura del respaldo, ángulo asiento-respaldo, altura, anchura, profundidad e inclinación de la mesa, altura libre y profundidad para muslos, rodillas y piernas y distancia asiento-mesa). Se toman fotos desde distintos ángulos para estudiar la distribución del mobiliario en el entorno de la clase. La población estudiada es n = 68, perteneciente a los cursos de 3º, 4º, 5º y 6º de primaria, con edad media de 10,38 ñ 1,244 años y de los que el 51,5 por ciento son niñas y el resto niños. Se han encontrado 5 modelos diferentes de sillas (A, B, C, D y E) y dos de mesas (A y B); en ambos casos se ordenaron en función del tamaño. La distribución del mobiliario en las clases es similar en los cursos de 3º y 4º (distribución en forma de U) y en los de 5º y 6º (distribución en filas y columnas).En el mobiliario utilizado por los niños en la escuela aparecen distintos tipos de mesas y sillas que se distribuyen en cada clase según su tamaño, sin embargo, las dimensiones de éste no se corresponden con las recomendaciones de la norma ISO (AU)

[Results of the microsurgical treatment of the peripheral nerve suture in children]. / Resultados del tratamiento microquirúrgico de las suturas de nervios periféricos en niños.

Thirty-five children (20 boys and 15 girls) between 4 and 16 years old who were surgically treated for total nerve section are reviewed. The nerve anastomosis was made with optical microscopy. Epineural suture (10 cases), funicular suture (10 cases), and nerve graft (19 cases) was made. Median (10 sections), ulnar (10 sections), radial (3 sections), and sciatic (4 sections) was repaired. Excellent and good results was obtained in 90% of cases. Daniels and Higuet-Zachary scheme was employed. The minimum follow-up time was 2 year.

Central hypoventilation syndrome associated with ganglioneuroblastoma.

In this paper the authors describe a case of central hyperventilation syndrome associated with a neural crest tumor. The girl had several apneic spells at the age of three years. She had a tracheostomy and mechanically assisted ventilation while asleep. Routine hematologic studies and chest x-ray were within normal limits. Computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left paraspinal mass suggestive of a neural crest tumor. This mass was excised and histopathologic findings of this tumor revealed a ganglioneuroblastoma.

Peno-scrotal transposition.

Peno-scrotal transposition is an infrequent genital malposition due to a defect in the caudal migration of the inchoate scrotum during intrauterine life. It is frequently associated with urogenital and/or gastrointestinal malformations. Glenn and Anderson (1973) have classified the abnormality into the following categories, according to severity: Bifid scrotum Incomplete or partial peno-scrotal transposition Complete peno-scrotal transposition or pre-penile scrotum Ectopic scrotum We analyse corrective surgical techniques for this malposition and we present our experience.

[Femoral hernia in children]. / Hernia femoral en el niño.

Femoral hernia is rare in adults and even less common in children, to the point that expert surgeons have limited experience with it. Eleven patients with femoral hernia have been operated upon in our service during the past 15 years. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 6 cases (54.5%), and we underline that the ideal therapy began with this early diagnosis. We review the etiologies, clinical findings and treatment of femoral hernia in children.