Insights into the pathophysiology of catch-up compared with non-catch-up growth in children born small for gestational age: an integrated analysis of metabolic and transcriptomic data.

Small for gestational age (SGA) children exhibiting catch-up (CU) growth have a greater risk of cardiometabolic diseases in later life compared with non-catch-up (NCU) SGA children. The aim of this study was to establish differences in metabolism and gene expression profiles between CU and NCU at age 4-9 years. CU children (n=22) had greater height, weight and body mass index standard deviation scores along with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and fasting glucose levels but lower adiponectin values than NCU children (n=11; all P<0.05). Metabolic profiling demonstrated a fourfold decrease of urine myo-inositol in CU compared with NCU (P<0.05). There were 1558 genes differentially expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells between the groups (P<0.05). Integrated analysis of data identified myo-inositol related to gene clusters associated with an increase in insulin, growth factor and IGF-I signalling in CU children (P<0.05). Metabolic and transcriptomic profiles in CU SGA children showed changes that may relate to cardiometabolic risk.

Low dose (0.05 units/kg/h) is comparable with standard dose (0.1 units/kg/h) intravenous insulin infusion for the initial treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in children with type 1 diabetes-an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare low dose (0.05 units/kg/h) with standard dose (0.1 units/kg/h) intravenous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children with type 1 diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: Data from five paediatric centres were compared in children who received 0.05 (41 episodes) or 0.1 units/kg/h (52 episodes). RESULTS: In the low vs. standard dose group, at 6 h following admission, the fall in blood glucose levels [11.3 (95% confidence interval 8.6 to 13.9) vs. 11.8 (8.4 to 15.2) mmol/L, p = 0.86] and rise in pH [0.13 (0.09 to 0.18) vs. 0.11 (0.07 to 0.15), p = 0.78] were similar. These changes were comparable between doses in relation to: severity of initial acidosis, children newly diagnosed with diabetes or aged less than 5 years. After adjustment for other clinical and biochemical covariates, insulin dose was unrelated to the change in pH and blood glucose levels at 6 h following admission. Comparisons of safety data, particularly in relation to abnormal Glasgow Coma Score, were inconclusive. CONCLUSION: In this observational study, low dose was as effective as standard dose intravenous insulin infusion in the initial treatment (less than 6 h) of DKA in children with type 1 diabetes. A randomised controlled trial is required to show true equivalence between doses and to evaluate potential safety benefits.

Use of cisapride in treatment of constipation in children.

BACKGROUND: Chronic constipation is a common problem in children. We observed the effects of cisapride in the management of idiopathic constipation in children. METHODS: Thirty-seven children with a history of constipation (i.e., pain and difficulty or delay in defecation for > 3 months) were recruited and randomly assigned to 8 weeks of treatment with either cisapride, 0.2 mg/kg three times daily, or matching placebo after a 2-week run-in period in a double-blind, parallel-group study design. In phase 1 (2 weeks), patients had plain abdominal radiographs to assess degree of faecal load, and those with impaction were given laxatives. After satisfactory clearance of faeces, total gastrointestinal transit time and orocaecal transit time were measured. In phase 2, after 8 weeks of treatment with either cisapride or placebo (0.2 mg/kg t.d.s.), the transit studies were repeated. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, cisapride did not improve either stool frequency or transit time in this study population. CONCLUSION: This study did not demonstrate a clinical role for the use of cisapride in the treatment of idiopathic constipation in children.

Evaluation of fat utilization in paediatric Crohn's disease using 13C-labelled fat.

Carbon-13 breath tests provide a safe and noninvasive way of assessing nutrient absorption and utilization. Disordered protein and carbohydrate metabolism have been reported in children with Crohn's disease, but little is known about their fat utilization. To assess fat oxidation, 13C-Hiolein was administered to 11 children with active Crohn's disease (age range, 10.5-16.9 years; mean, 12.6) before and after treatment with steroids. Expired breath samples were collected at hourly intervals for 12 h, and 13CO2 excretion was measured by mass spectrometry. The mean 95% confidence interval (CI) time to peak 13CO2 excretion was 9 h (range, 7.73-9.97) before treatment and 6.95 h (range, 5.75-8.15) after treatment (p < 0.02). Mean 95% CI cumulative 13CO2 excretion up to peak time (7 h) was 47.53% (range, 24-69%) before treatment and 68.7% (range, 35-80.5%) after treatment with steroids (p < 0.02). Our results demonstrated impaired lipid utilization during active disease and improvement following steroid treatment. The oral 13C-Hiolein test is simple and noninvasive, and its results are reproducible. It provides a new method for estimating fat utilization in paediatric patients, along with the possibility of discriminating between patients with and without impaired utilization during the acute phase of the disease.