Colombian reference growth curves for height, weight, body mass index and head circumference.

AIM: Published Growth studies from Latin America are limited to growth references from Argentina and Venezuela. The aim of this study was to construct reference growth curves for height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference of Colombian children in a format that is useful for following the growth of the individual child and as a tool for public health. METHODS: Prospective measurements from 27 209 Colombian children from middle and upper socio-economic level families were processed using the generalised additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS). RESULTS: Descriptive statistics for length and height, weight, BMI and head circumference for age are given as raw and smoothed values. Final height was 172.3 cm for boys and 159.4 cm for girls. Weight at 18 years of age was 64.0 kg for boys and 54 kg for girls. Growth curves are presented in a ± 3 SD format using logarithmic axes. CONCLUSION: The constructed reference growth curves are a start for following secular trends in Colombia and are also in the presented layout an optimal clinical tool for health care.

Thyroid abscess. A case series and literature review.

Thyroid abscess is rare in children but the presence of previous thyroid disease, and congenital remnants such as a pyriform sinus fistula, are predisposing factors. The classical presentation consists of fever, cervical pain and a painful mass. The diagnosis is confirmed through clinical findings, and by diagnostic imaging (ultrasound and computerized axial tomography). A barium swallow must be performed in order to detect a fistula and to consider surgical drain. We present the cases of thyroid abscess in five patients who were admitted in four medical centers (Fundación Cardioinfantil, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Clínica infantil de Colsubsidio and Hospital de la Misericordia) in Bogotá, Colombia between 2000 and 2010.

Absceso tiroideo. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Thyroid abscess. A case series and literature review

La formación de absceso tiroideo es una patología rara en niños; sin embargo, la enfermedad de tiroides previa, remanentes congénitos como fístula de seno piriforme son factores predisponentes. La presentación clásica consiste en fiebre, dolor cervical y sensación de masa dolorosa (frecuentemente izquierda) del lóbulo tiroideo. El diagnóstico se confirma por hallazgos clínicos, ecográficos, tomografía computarizada (TC). Se debe realizar un esofagograma para descartar la presencia de fístula y considerar el drenaje quirúrgico en los casos que lo ameriten. Se presentan los casos de absceso tiroideo en 5 pacientes que ingresaron en cuatro centros médicos (Fundación Cardioinfantil, al Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, a la Clínica infantil de Colsubsidio y al Hospital de la Misericordia) de Bogotá, Colombia, entre los años 2000 y 2010 (AU)

Thyroid abscess is rare in children but the presence of previous thyroid disease, and congenital remanants such as a pyriform sinus fistula, are predisposing factors. The classical presentation consists of fever, cervical pain and a painful mass. The diagnosis is confirmed through clinical findings, and by diagnostic imaging (ultrasound and computerized axial tomography). A barium swallow must be performed in order to detect a fistula and to consider surgical drain. We present the cases of thyroid abscess in five patients who were admitted in four medical centers (Fundación Cardioinfantil, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Clínica infantil de Colsubsidio and Hospital de la Misericordia) in Bogotá, Colombia between 2000 and 2010 (AU)