The adjusted effect of maternal body mass index, energy and macronutrient intakes during pregnancy, and gestational weight gain on body composition of full-term neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), energy and macronutrient intakes during pregnancy, and gestational weight gain (GWG) on the body composition of full-term appropriate-for-gestational age neonates. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study of a systematically recruited convenience sample of mother-infant pairs. Food intake during pregnancy was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and its nutritional value by the Food Processor Plus (ESHA Research Inc, Salem, OR). Neonatal body composition was assessed both by anthropometry and air displacement plethysmography. Explanatory models for neonatal body composition were tested by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 100 mother-infant pairs were included. Prepregnancy overweight was positively associated with offspring weight, weight/length, BMI, and fat-free mass in the whole sample; in males, it was also positively associated with midarm circumference, ponderal index, and fat mass. Higher energy intake from carbohydrate was positively associated with midarm circumference and weight/length in the whole sample. Higher GWG was positively associated with weight, length, and midarm circumference in females. CONCLUSION: Positive adjusted associations were found between both prepregnancy BMI and energy intake from carbohydrate and offspring body size in the whole sample. Positive adjusted associations were also found between prepregnancy overweight and adiposity in males, and between GWG and body size in females.

May-Thurner Syndrome: The Worst-Case Scenario.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is caused by compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery against the spinal column. It can range from asymptomatic or present with subtle and unspecific signs and symptoms and rarely exhibit severe complications such as pulmonary embolism (PE). The diagnosis is confirmed by typical imaging findings. Treatment may include conservative measures, anticoagulation, endovascular or even surgical options. We report the case of a 20-year-old female who presented with cardiac arrest caused by an acute massive PE. Further study showed partial thrombosis of the internal iliac veins resulting from MTS. She continued anticoagulation therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin and then switched to edoxaban with a good clinical outcome. She was also referred to Vascular Surgery to discuss the possibility of iliac vein stenting. Abdominopelvic vascular compression syndromes include a large spectrum of conditions, and they are rarely considered as an etiology for venous thromboembolism. The clinical presentation of PE varies with several triggering factors and atypical presentation is more common in nonmalignant causes. The combination of noninvasive and invasive imaging modalities might be beneficial to establish a definitive diagnosis. Nevertheless, invasive procedures are often restricted to doubtful cases or to guide endovascular procedures which is the current treatment of choice. There is little evidence using nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants, but there are some case reports detailing their successful use. This case aims to point out the need for a profound understanding of different causes of deep vein and pulmonary thromboembolism; common entities in our practice but with a variety of clinical presentations and potentially caused by rare underlying conditions. MTS can be the origin of serious and deadly complications, hence the importance of early recognition and treatment.

Embolic stroke and misidentification candida species endocarditis: Case presentation and literature review.

Fungal endocarditis is a rare but serious form of infective endocarditis associated with high morbidity and mortality. Among fungal pathogens, Candida species are the most frequently isolated and commonly found in individuals with predisposing factors, such as prosthetic heart valves. The clinical presentation of endocarditis is highly variable and nonspecific, often including symptoms and signs of embolization. In this paper, we present a case of fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis in which the initial presentation was an acute ischemic stroke. The initial misidentification of Candida famata was attributed to limitations in the presumptive methodology used through selective chromogenic culture identification. However, the surgical specimen underwent mass spectrometry, leading to the correct identification of Candida guilliermondii instead of Candida famata. Furthermore, we conducted a non-systematic narrative review of the literature on Candida endocarditis. Our findings underscore the importance of considering fungal endocarditis in the differential diagnosis of patients with possible extracardiac complications, particularly those with a history of heart valve replacement. Early diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment strategy tailored by species identification and antifungal susceptibility testing are crucial in improving patient outcomes.

Effect of Blueberry Supplementation on a Diet-Induced Rat Model of Prediabetes-Focus on Hepatic Lipid Deposition, Endoplasmic Stress Response and Autophagy.

Blueberries, red fruits enriched in polyphenols and fibers, are envisaged as a promising nutraceutical intervention in a plethora of metabolic diseases. Prediabetes, an intermediate state between normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, fuels the development of complications, including hepatic steatosis. In previous work, we have demonstrated that blueberry juice (BJ) supplementation benefits glycemic control and lipid profile, which was accompanied by an amelioration of hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics. The purpose of this study is to clarify the impact of long-term BJ nutraceutical intervention on cellular mechanisms that govern hepatic lipid homeostasis, namely autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in a rat model of prediabetes. Two groups of male Wistar rats, 8-weeks old, were fed a prediabetes-inducing high-fat diet (HFD) and one group was fed a control diet (CD). From the timepoint where the prediabetic phenotype was achieved (week 16) until the end of the study (week 24), one of the HFD-fed groups was daily orally supplemented with 25 g/kg body weight (BW) of BJ (HFD + BJ). BW, caloric intake, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were monitored throughout the study. The serum and hepatic lipid contents were quantified. Liver and interscapular brown and epidydimal white adipose tissue depots (iBAT and eWAT) were collected for histological analysis and to assess thermogenesis, ER stress and autophagy markers. The gut microbiota composition and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content were determined in colon fecal samples. BJ supplementation positively impacted glycemic control but was unable to prevent obesity and adiposity. BJ-treated animals presented a reduction in fecal SCFAs, increased markers of arrested iBAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure, together with an aggravation of HFD-induced lipotoxicity and hepatic steatosis, which were accompanied by the inhibition of autophagy and ER stress responses in the liver. In conclusion, despite the improvement of glucose tolerance, BJ supplementation promoted a major impact on lipid management mechanisms at liver and AT levels in prediabetic animals, which might affect disease course.

Efficacy, Toxicity, and Prognostic Factors of Re-treatment With [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in Patients With Progressing Neuroendocrine Tumors: The Experience of a Single Center.

PURPOSE: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective and safe treatment of unresectable or metastatic, progressive neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). However, if progression occurs after the initial PRRT, treatment options remain limited. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a repeat 177Lutetium-[DOTA°,Tyr3]octreotate ([177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE) PRRT course in patients with progressive NET after the first [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE PRRT (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy first treatment (PRRT1)). METHODS: This is a nine-year retrospective observational study of 20 patients who were re-treated with PRRT (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy retreatment (PRRTR)) after PRRT1. RESULTS: The median progression-free survival (PFS) following PRRT1 was 32 months (interquartile range (IQR): 16.5-44.5). After PRRT1, all 20 patients progressed. Of the 20 patients included, two were lost during follow-up. The median PFS after PRRTR was 17.5 months (IQR: 7-39). At the time of analysis, 15/18 patients progressed, and 3/18 had stable disease after PRRTR. Among those patients who progressed, the median time to progression was nine months (IQR: 0-17). The median overall survival from the time of the first cycle of PRRT1 was 66 months (IQR: 65-90). No significant renal or liver toxicity was reported, nor was there a drop in haemoglobin. The decrease in platelet count after PRRTR was statistically significant (p=0.03). Two cycles at PRRTR (vs. 1) were associated with a longer PFS (p=0.014) and the presence of metastases pre-PRRTR was associated with a shorter time to progression following PRRTR (p=0.04).  Conclusion: Patients who progressed after PRRT1 can achieve good PFS and minor toxicity. Our study reinforces the efficacy and safety of PRRTR and provides an analysis of factors associated with better outcomes, which can aid clinicians in clinical decision-making.

Changes in Microbiota Profile in the Proximal Remnant Intestine in Infants Undergoing Surgery Requiring Enterostomy.

Early-life gut dysbiosis has been associated with an increased risk of inflammatory, metabolic, and immune diseases later in life. Data on gut microbiota changes in infants undergoing intestinal surgery requiring enterostomy are scarce. This prospective cohort study examined the enterostomy effluent of 29 infants who underwent intestinal surgery due to congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract, necrotizing enterocolitis, or spontaneous intestinal perforation. Initial effluent samples were collected immediately after surgery and final effluent samples were collected three weeks later. Gut microbiota composition was analysed using real-time PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Three weeks after surgery, an increase in total bacteria number (+21%, p = 0.026), a decrease in Staphylococcus (-21%, p = 0.002) and Candida spp. (-16%, p = 0.045), and an increase in Lactobacillus (+3%, p = 0.045) and in less abundant genera belonging to the Enterobacteriales family were found. An increase in alpha diversity (Shannon's and Simpson's indexes) and significant alterations in beta diversity were observed. A correlation of necrotizing enterocolitis with higher Staphylococcus abundance and higher alpha diversity was also observed. H2-blockers and/or proton pump inhibitor therapy were positively correlated with a higher total bacteria number. In conclusion, these results suggest that positive changes occur in the gut microbiota profile of infants three weeks after intestinal surgery.

Fulminant myocarditis associated with pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus.

Fulminant myocarditis associated with influenza A virus is exceedingly rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We describe a previously healthy 10-year-old boy, with a three-day history of flu-like symptoms without antiviral treatment. He was hospitalized with dehydration and hypothermia in the context of persistent vomiting, when he suddenly developed heart failure secondary to fulminant myocarditis. Despite aggressive management, including circulatory support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures, the patient died of cardiogenic shock. The postmortem histopathology was compatible with a multisystem viral infection with myocarditis and pulmonary involvement, and H1N1v polymerase chain reaction was positive. The prevalence of influenza-associated fulminant myocarditis remains unknown. Findings reported in the literature raise the possibility that the novel H1N1 influenza A virus is more commonly associated with a severe form of myocarditis than previously encountered influenza strains.

Linezolid in the treatment of multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in paediatric patients: experience of a paediatric infectious diseases unit.

Linezolid has been used in the treatment of multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in adults with encouraging results, however experience in children is scarce. We describe our experience with the use of linezolid as part of a multidrug regimen in the treatment of 4 patients who had persistent positive cultures, despite prolonged combined therapy.

McConnell in Shock.

The ideal approach to hemodynamically unstable patients requires the quick identification of the type of shock and its etiology. This can be a challenge in critically ill patients due to the limited information, the wide number of differential diagnosis and the need for fast intervention. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a non-invasive, low-cost, real-time and reliable tool used to rapidly and accurately assess hemodynamically unstable patients at the bedside. It can support diagnosis, tailor therapy and guide further workup, especially in patients deemed too unstable to undergo other imaging studies. The authors describe the case of a patient in obstructive shock due to pulmonary embolism, in which McConnell sign was identified by bedside echocardiography, before lab tests and pulmonary computerized tomography angiogram results were obtained.

Congenital Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Deficiency in the Pathogenesis of Protracted Diarrhea in Mitchell-Riley Syndrome.

CONTEXT: Mitchell-Riley syndrome due to RFX6 gene mutations is characterized by neonatal diabetes and protracted diarrhea. The RFX6 gene encodes a transcription factor involved in enteroendocrine cell differentiation required for beta-cell maturation. In contrast to the pathway by which RFX6 mutations leads to diabetes, the mechanisms underlying protracted diarrhea are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) was involved in the pathogenesis of Mitchell-Riley syndrome protracted diarrhea. METHODS: Two case report descriptions. in a tertiary pediatric hospital. "Off-label" treatment with liraglutide. We describe 2 children diagnosed with Mitchell-Riley syndrome, presenting neonatal diabetes and protracted diarrhea. Both patients had nearly undetectable GLP-1 plasma levels and absence of GLP-1 immunostaining in distal intestine and rectum. The main outcome was to evaluate whether GLP-1 analogue therapy could improve Mitchell-Riley syndrome protracted diarrhea. RESULTS: "Off-label" liraglutide treatment, licensed for type 2 diabetes treatment in children, was started as rescue therapy for protracted intractable diarrhea resulting in rapid improvement during the course of 12 months. CONCLUSION: Congenital GLP-1 deficiency was identified in patients with Mitchell-Riley syndrome. The favorable response to liraglutide further supports GLP-1 involvement in the pathogenesis of protracted diarrhea and its potential therapeutic use.

Evolution of Resting Energy Expenditure, Respiratory Quotient, and Adiposity in Infants Recovering from Corrective Surgery of Major Congenital Gastrointestinal Tract Anomalies: A Cohort Study.

This cohort study describes the evolution of resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory quotient (RQ), and adiposity in infants recovering from corrective surgery of major congenital gastrointestinal tract anomalies. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed. The REE and RQ were assessed by indirect calorimetry, and fat mass index (FMI) was assessed by air displacement plethysmography. Longitudinal variations over time are described. Explanatory models for REE, RQ, and adiposity were obtained by multiple linear regression analysis. Twenty-nine infants were included, 15 born preterm and 14 at term, with median gestational age of 35.3 and 38.1 weeks and birth weight of 2304 g and 2935 g, respectively. In preterm infants, median REE varied between 55.7 and 67.4 Kcal/kg/d and median RQ increased from 0.70 to 0.86-0.92. In term infants, median REE varied between 57.3 and 67.9 Kcal/kg/d and median RQ increased from 0.63 to 0.84-0.88. Weight gain velocity was slower in term than preterm infants. FMI, assessed in a subset of 15 infants, varied between a median of 1.7 and 1.8 kg/m2 at term age. This low adiposity may be related to poor energy balance, low fat intakes, and low RQ¸ that were frequently recorded in several follow-up periods.

Intra-individual comparison of 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-DCFPyL normal-organ biodistribution.

PURPOSE: Detailed data comparing the biodistribution of PSMA radioligands is still scarce, raising concerns regarding the comparability of different compounds. We investigated differences in normal-organ biodistribution and uptake variability between the two most commonly PSMA tracers in clinical use, 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-DCFPyL. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 34 patients with low tumor burden referred for PET/CT imaging with 68Ga-PSMA-11 and subsequently 18F-DCFPyL. Images were acquired with 4 cross-calibrated PET/CT systems. Volumes of interest were placed on major salivary and lacrimal glands, liver, spleen, duodenum, kidneys, bladder, blood-pool and muscle. Normal-organ biodistribution of both tracers was then quantified as SUVpeak and compared using paired tests, linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. Between-patient variability was also assessed. Clinical and protocol variables were investigated for possible interference. RESULTS: For both tracers the highest uptake was found in the kidneys and bladder and low background activity was noted across all scans. In the quantitative analysis there was significantly higher uptake of 68Ga-PSMA-11 in the kidneys, spleen and major salivary glands (p <  0.001), while the liver exhibited slightly higher 18F-DCFPyL uptake (p = 0.001, mean bias 0.79 ± 1.30). The lowest solid-organ uptake variability was found in the liver (COV 21.9% for 68Ga-PSMA-11, 22.5% for 18F-DCFPyL). There was a weak correlation between 18F-DCFPyL uptake time and liver SUVpeak (r = 0.488, p = 0.003) and, accordingly, patients scanned at later time-points had a larger mean bias between the two tracers' liver uptake values (0.05 vs 1.46, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Normal tissue biodistribution patterns of 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-DCFPyL were similar, despite subtle differences in quantitative values. Liver uptake showed an acceptable intra-patient agreement and low inter-patient variability between the two tracers, allowing its use as a reference organ for thresholding scans in the qualitative comparison of PSMA expression using these different tracers.

68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-FDG PET/CT in metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma: novel correlations with tumoral biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic disease is common in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and it is usually detected by raising calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Nuclear medicine imaging has an important role in lesion identification/characterisation. We aim to compare 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT performance and to explore the correlations between tumoral markers and functional imaging. METHODS: This a retrospective cross-sectional study including 13 patients with MTC and high calcitonin/CEA levels that underwent both 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. RESULTS: 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT identified MTC metastases in 2twopatients that were 18F-FDG-negative (sensitivity of 69.2% vs. 53.9%, respectively). 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT also detected a higher number of lesions than 18F-FDG PET/CT in seven patients, with only one patient showing the opposite pattern. Both differences lacked statistical significance (p = 0.50 and p = 0.86, respectively) but 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT better performance allowed changes in patients' management. 68Ga-positive/18F-FDG-negative patients were the ones with the lowest calcitonin doubling time and presented a CEA doubling time >24 months, while the patient with more 18F-FDG-positive lesions was the one with the highest CEA/calcitonin ratio. The number of lesions found in 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT were correlated with calcitonin levels (r = 0.73; p < 0.01) but not with CEA ones (r = 0.42; p = 0.15). The number of 18F-FDG hypermetabolic focus were correlated with CEA levels (r = 0.60; p < 0.05) but not with calcitonin (r = 0.48; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe a positive correlation between 68Ga-positive lesions and calcitonin levels and between 18F-FDG-positivity and CEA levels. Tumoral markers pattern in metastatic MTC could help clinicians to decide which exam to perform first.

Colonisation of the proximal intestinal remnant in newborn infants with enterostomy: a longitudinal study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The gut microbiota plays a main role in the maintenance of host's health. Exposure to different conditions in early life contributes to distinct 'pioneer' bacterial communities in the intestine, which shape the newborn infant development. Newborn infants with congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract (CMGIT), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) commonly require abdominal surgery and enterostomy. The knowledge about the colonisation of these newborns' intestine by microorganisms is scarce. This protocol is designed to explore the microbial colonisation over time of the proximal intestinal remnant in newborn infants who underwent surgery for CMGIT, NEC or SIP and require enterostomy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The literature about microbiota colonisation in newborn infants with enterostomy was reviewed and an observational, longitudinal, prospective study was designed. The infants will be recruited at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central. Samples of the enterostomy effluent will be collected every 3 days, through 21 days after the first collection. The microorganisms colonising the proximal intestinal remnant will be identified using the 16S rRNA sequence analysis and a subset of microorganisms will be quantified using real-time PCR. This protocol may serve as basis for future observational and interventional studies on the modulation of the intestinal microbiota (eg, probiotics) on short and long-term outcomes in this population. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central (441/2017) and by the Ethics Committee of NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (n°50/2018/CEFCM). The results will be spread through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03340259.

Metabolic Activity in the Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues by FDG-PET/CT in Obese Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The emerging role of the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the study of the metabolic activity and inflammation in adipose tissue indicates that it might be a reliable tool to complement the risk stratification in obesity. The aims of this study were the evaluation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake by visceral adipose tissues and subcutaneous adipose tissues and to determine eventual differences in patients with and without obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of adult patients who underwent whole body 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/ computed tomography scanning between July and August of 2016. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS™ software v.20. Statisticalsignificance: p < 0.05. RESULTS: We assessed fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans from 156 patients (58.3% of males) with a mean age of 61.0 ± 14.1 years. Half of the patients had a body mass index ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 and 15.4% (n = 24) were obese. In both groups, the mean 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake was higher in visceral adipose tissues. There were no differences in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in visceral adipose tissues between the groups. Obese patients had lower density of adipose tissue,both in subcutaneous adipose tissues and in visceral adipose tissues. Abdominal circumference and density of visceral adipose tissueshad a positive predictive value in the mean 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in visceral adipose tissues. Discussion: Through a non-invasive test, this study demonstrated a significant higher metabolic activity in visceral adipose tissues in both obese and non-obese patients. According to our results, abdominal circumference was an important determinant in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in visceral adipose tissues. We also demonstrated that obese patients had differences in adipose tissue quality. CONCLUSION: Our findings reinforce the importance of the adipose tissue quality and distribution for metabolic risk stratification.

Introdução: O 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose-tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/tomografia computorizada tem sido aplicado ao estudo da atividade metabólica e da inflamação do tecido adiposo, constituindo uma possível ferramenta para complementar a estratificação de risco na obesidade. Os objetivos deste estudo foram a avaliação da captação de 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose pelo tecido adiposo visceral e pelo tecido adiposo subcutâneo e a determinação de eventuais diferenças em doentes com e sem obesidade. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo de doentes adultos submetidos a 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose-tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/ tomografia computorizada entre julho e agosto de 2016. Análise estatística: software SPSS™ versão 20. Significância estatística: p < 0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados os exames 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose-tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/tomografia computorizada de 156 doentes (58,3% eram homens) com idade média de 61,0 ± 14,1 anos. Metade dos doentes apresentava índice de massa corporal ≥ 25,0 kg/m2 e 15,4% (n = 24) eram obesos. Em ambos os grupos, a captação média de 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose foi superior no tecido adiposo visceral. Não houve diferenças na captação de 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose no tecido adiposo visceral entre os grupos. Os doentes obesos apresentaram menor densidade do tecido adiposo, quer no tecido adiposo visceral como no tecido adiposo subcutâneo. A circunferência abdominal e a densidade do tecido adiposo visceral tiveram um valor preditivo positivo na captação média de 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose no tecido adiposo visceral. Discussão: Através de um exame não invasivo, demonstrou-se a existência de atividade metabólica significativamente maior no tecido adiposo visceral, comparativamente ao tecido adiposo subcutâneo, em doentes com e sem obesidade. De acordo com os nossos resultados, a circunferência abdominal foi um determinante importante na captação de 18F-fluorodesoxiglucose no tecido adiposo visceral. Demonstramos ainda que os doentes obesos apresentaram diferenças na qualidade do tecido adiposo. Conclusão: Os nossos resultados reforçam a importância da qualidade e da distribuição do tecido adiposo para a estratificação do risco metabólico.

Parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis and triglyceridemia in surgical term and near-term neonates: A pilot randomized controlled trial of two mixed intravenous lipid emulsions.

BACKGROUND: Cholestasis is a common complication in infants receiving prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN). We studied the effects of two intravenous lipid emulsions composed with either 30% soybean oil, 30% medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), 25% olive oil, and 15% fish oil (SMOF) or with 50% MCT and 50% soybean oil n-6 (MCT/SOY) on the incidence of cholestasis in surgical term and near-term neonates. METHODS: A single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial compared the incidence of cholestasis using either SMOF or MCT/SOY in neonates born at gestational age ≥34 weeks undergoing major surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of conjugated serum bilirubin >1 mg/dL. Other liver enzymes were assessed as secondary outcomes. A post-hoc analysis assessed serum triglycerides levels. Odds ratios were estimated by mixed-effects regression models. RESULTS: Enrollment was prematurely interrupted because the MCT/SOY became unavailable, thus 49 infants (SMOF 22, MCT/SOY 27) completed the study. The exposure (time on PN, cumulative dose of lipids) was similar in both groups. Similar cumulative incidence rates were found for elevated conjugated bilirubinemia and other liver enzymes. Hypertriglyceridemia >250 mg/dL (12/49) was more frequent in MCT/SOY (37.0%, 95% CI 21.53-55.77) than in SMOF (9.1%, 95% CI 2.53-27.81, p = 0.024). Triglyceridemia at the first assessment (median 8 postnatal days) was significantly higher with MCT/SOY than with SMOF (181 vs. 134 mg/dL, p = 0.006). Over the whole study period, mean triglyceride concentration was 36.5 mg/dL higher with MCT/SOY compared with SMOF (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Both emulsions had similar effects on the incidence of cholestasis and markers of liver integrity, but MCT/SOY induced higher serum triglyceride concentrations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02633384.

Fat mass index performs best in monitoring management of obesity in prepubertal children.

OBJECTIVE: An early and accurate recognition of success in treating obesity may increase the compliance of obese children and their families to intervention programs. This observational, prospective study aimed to evaluate the ability and the time to detect a significant reduction of adiposity estimated by body mass index (BMI), percentage of fat mass (%FM), and fat mass index (FMI) during weight management in prepubertal obese children. METHODS: In a cohort of 60 prepubertal obese children aged 3-9 years included in an outpatient weight management program, BMI, %FM, and FMI were monitored monthly; the last two measurements were assessed using air displacement plethysmography. The outcome measures were the reduction of >5% of each indicator and the time to achieve it. RESULTS: The rate of detection of the outcome was 33.3% (95% CI: 25.9-41.6) using BMI, significantly lower (p<0.001) than either 63.3% using %FM (95% CI: 50.6-74.8) or 70.0% (95% CI: 57.5-80.1) using FMI. The median time to detect the outcome was 71 days using FMI, shorter than 88 days using %FM, and similar to 70 days using BMI. The agreement between the outcome detected by FMI and by %FM was high (kappa 0.701), but very low between the success detected by BMI and either FMI (kappa 0.231) or %FM (kappa 0.125). CONCLUSIONS: FMI achieved the best combination of ability and swiftness to identify reduction of adiposity during monitoring of weight management in prepubertal obese children.

Kawasaki disease.

INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease among children in developed nations. Its incidence has risen in recent years and 20% of untreated patients develop coronary artery abnormalities. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data of cases diagnosed in Hospital Fernando Fonseca and to identify factors that may influence prognosis. POPULATION AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all children admitted to Hospital Fernando Fonseca with Kawasaki disease between June 1996 and December 2003. Diagnosis was based on the presence of fever plus four of the classic criteria or three of them in association with coronary aneurysms. Demographic and clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings, therapeutic measures and evolution were analyzed. SPSS for Windows was used for statistical analysis, applying the Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 23 children were admitted. The incidence was 8.2 per 100 000 children under 5. Their ages ranged from 6 months to five years (median 20 months). Half of the patients were aged < 2 years, and 21 (91%) were under 5. Most were male (74%) and white (83%). Nine children lived in the same area and ten (43%) had a concomitant infectious disease (parvovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus, enterovirus and herpesvirus 6). Twenty children had typical Kawasaki disease. Twenty-two received combined therapy with aspirin and high dose immunoglobulin, which was administered, on average, on the seventh day of the disease. Coronary disease was diagnosed in seven (30%) children. The frequency of cardiac lesions was highest in the youngest age group (< 2 years). The mean follow-up was 16 months. There was no mortality and aneurysmal changes persisted in only one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac disorders were more frequent in the youngest age group, as has been reported elsewhere. The common geographic origin and the evidence of several infectious agents suggest that infection may trigger the immunopathogenesis of KD.