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BACKGROUND: Failure to thrive (FTT) in pediatric populations is a diagnostic challenge with implications for growth and development. Despite its prevalence, detailed epidemiological data, especially concerning organic versus non-organic etiologies, are sparse. This study examines the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of organic and non-organic FTT in a pediatric outpatient setting at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. METHODS: This retrospective chart review included pediatric patients aged three months to 14 years diagnosed with FTT at KAMC from 2016 to 2023. FTT was defined by weights below the 3rd percentile or a decline across two major growth percentiles. Patients were stratified into organic and non-organic FTT groups based on predefined criteria. Prevalence rates, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were compared to draw distinctions between the two categories. RESULTS: Out of 349 evaluated patients, organic FTT was present in 160 patients (45.8%), with gastrointestinal conditions and endocrine disorders being the most common etiologies. Non-organic FTT, accounting for 189 (54.2%) of cases, was primarily associated with inadequate nutritional intake and behavioral factors. Notably, the non-organic FTT group exhibited a significantly higher rate of condition resolution (45.0%) compared to their organic counterparts (32.5%). Furthermore, significant laboratory parameter differences were noted, indicating a higher white blood cell count in organic cases, among other findings. CONCLUSIONS: Non-organic FTT was more prevalent and demonstrated higher resolution rates, suggesting better outcomes with timely intervention and appropriate care strategies. The study advocates for increased educational efforts for caregivers and healthcare providers and calls for further research to explore effective management protocols for FTT.
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Introduction One of the world's most pressing problems right now is childhood obesity. After potassium, magnesium (Mg) is the second most prevalent intracellular cation and the fourth most prevalent mineral in the human body. Numerous symptoms of magnesium insufficiency can include hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, as well as cardiac and neurological symptoms. Additionally, chronically low Mg levels have been associated with a number of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and osteoporosis. Objectives This study aimed to compare the magnesium (Mg) level between normal-weight and obese children in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia over the past seven years and evaluate the vitamin D and phosphorus between the two groups as a secondary objective. Methods This is a single-center, case-control study conducted on patients followed up in our center from January 2016 to December 2022. All pediatric patients were between two and 14 years of age. They were divided into two groups: one with children whose body mass index (BMI) was over the 85th percentile and the other with children whose BMI was between the 3rd and 85th percentiles. Results Mean serum Mg levels showed no significant correlation between the obese group (0.82 mg/dl) and the normal-weight group (0.83 mg/dl). However, vitamin D and phosphorus demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups. The obese group revealed a vitamin D of 1.6±0.24 and phosphorus of 4.2±0.46. On the other hand, the normal group had a vitamin D of 44.0±28.2 and phosphorus of 1.5±0.26. Conclusion There was a negative correlation between Mg levels and weight in pediatric patients. However, a positive relationship was observed between the Mg intake and Mg levels. Moreover, sodium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels showed significant differences.
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Background Overweight and obesity among children are progressively turning into global issues. Numerous factors have been linked to the proliferation of pediatric obesity. However, there are still questions as to whether the corresponding proliferation in the use of technology could be linked to the increase in body mass index (BMI) among children. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between high BMI in female elementary school-age children and time spent using electronic devices. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted across three female elementary schools located in Jeddah between 2017 and 2018. All schools which are affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard in Jeddah were included. Demographic data, school performance, sleep routine, physical activity, parents' beliefs, and family demographic data were collected from the legal custodian of the children. The research group visited schools to obtain children's BMI measurements. Results The number of participants who responded to the survey was 681. The results showed that the increase in BMI was non-significantly linked with the period spent using electronic devices, the use of electronic devices before sleep, nor the kind of device used. However, there was a significant association between high BMI and one type of electronic device: the television. There was a significant association between high BMI and the denial by parents that their children were obese. Furthermore, 50% of children were obese while 92.9% of overweight children's parents did not believe that there was a problem with the weight of their children. Conclusion There is no significant association between screen time spent on electronic devices and high BMI among female elementary school-age children. However, lack of physical activity, fast food consumption, and genetic predispositions are still major contributing factors for childhood obesity and overweight. Nearly all parents of children who are overweight did not perceive their children as being overweight, which brings to the fore the subject of lack of awareness about childhood obesity among parents.
