[Pharmacological treatment of obesity. Current situation and new treatments]. / Tratamiento farmacológico de la obesidad. Situación actual y nuevos tratamientos.

The high incidence of obesity in our environment, the progressive and recurrent nature of this disease makes it necessary to know and use all the possibilities of prevention and treatment. When a person suffers from obesity we must offer a treatment plan with specific objectives that will include healthy eating, physical activity and, if necessary, treatment with medication or even surgery. At present in Spain, there are 3 medications available: New molecules will soon be marketed that will expand the treatment possibilities, which will also be reviewed in this article.

[Cardiometabolic effects of weight loss]. / Efectos cardiometabólicos de la pérdida de peso.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity, and, consequently, associated comorbidities, is increasing significantly worldwide. The guidelines recommend a percentage of weight loss> 5% to achieve beneficial effects on metabolic comorbidities associated with obesity. Furthermore, greater weight losses (> 10%) produce more significant improvements, and may even produce remission of some of these comorbidities. In this chapter, we review the evidence of the effect of weight loss through different strategies (lifestyle intervention, pharmacological treatment, or bariatric surgery) on the main cardiometabolic pathologies associated with excess adipose tissue (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality).

Approach to patients with diabetes and obesity in primary care.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment on weight control in patients with diabetes and obesity. DESIGN: Epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional study. SITE: Primary care. In 11 health centres in Málaga and Cádiz during April and October 2022. PARTICIPANTS: 281 patients over 18 years old with type 2 diabetes and obesity are included. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Socio-demographics, clinical, treatment and lifestyle habits variables were obtained from medical records and personal interview. Descriptive statistics were obtained for continuous variables. Statistical tests were performed based on the nature of the variables. RESULTS: Variables like marital status, level of education and occupation, and smoking habit, shows differences regarding the sex (p<0.05). 82.3% of those who received education lost weight, compared to 67.5% of lost weight who received no health education (p=0.004). GLP1 and SGLT2 were more commonly prescribed for women (p=0.048), and SGLT2 more commonly prescribed for men (p=0.047). Patients taking GLP1, SGLT2 or both, regardless of sex, weight loss during the study period was -3.1kg (SE: 0.60), while the loss of those who took other medications was -1.33kg (SE: 0.62). The mean difference was 1.75kg (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: In terms of weight loss, obese diabetics who took GLP1, SGLT2 or both were 2.5 times more likely to lose weight than those who did not. Healthy lifestyle choices are key to weight loss in obese diabetic patients.

Effect of probiotics on glucose levels and weight gain in mice exposed to low doses of malathion.

INTRODUCTION: Owing to its ability to reduce the toxicity of environmental pollutants that are risk factors for diabetes and obesity, the use of probiotic bacteria might aid the treatment of these diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of chronic exposure to low-dose malathion on weight and glucose levels in mice, as well as to evaluate the protective role of a probiotic supplement. METHODS: Weight and serum glucose levels of four groups of mice (control, malathion-exposed [10 ppm], probiotics and malathion + probiotics) were determined every 10 days for 180 days. RESULTS: Malathion administration induced an increase in weight and glucose levels in the malathion group mice in comparison with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of food contaminated with malathion residues increases glucose levels and favors weight gain, while consumption of probiotics reduces the effects generated by residues in food.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Debido a su capacidad para reducir la toxicidad de contaminantes ambientales que constituyen factores de riesgo de diabetes y obesidad, el uso de bacterias probióticas podría ayudar al tratamiento de esas enfermedades. OBJETIVO: Determinar los efectos de la exposición crónica a malatión a dosis bajas sobre el peso y los niveles de glucosa de ratones, así como evaluar el papel protector de un suplemento probiótico. MÉTODOS: Cada 10 días se determinó el peso y la glucosa sérica de cuatro grupos de ratones (de control, expuestos a malatión (10 ppm), probióticos y malatión + probióticos) durante 180 días. RESULTADOS: La administración de malatión provocó un incremento del peso y los niveles de glucosa en los ratones del grupo con malatión comparados con los demás grupos. CONCLUSIONES: El consumo de alimentos contaminados con residuos de malatión aumenta los niveles de glucosa y favorece el incremento del peso; el consumo de probióticos disminuye los efectos generados por los residuos en los alimentos.

Anthropometric assessment of schoolchildren from the La Mancha-Centro health area. Comparison with the Spanish Cross-Sectional Growth Study 2010.

OBJECTIVES: To determine weight, height and body mass index (BMI) of schoolchildren from the La Mancha-Centro health area and compare them with those determined by the Spanish Cross-sectional Growth Study 2010 (SCGS-2010). METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 954 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years. Mean, standard deviation, and percentile distributions of weight, height, and BMI by gender and age were obtained. Differences in each 6-month age group were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a progressive increase in BMI with age, which was significant in girls from nine years of age on and in boys from 8.5 years on. From age 10, average BMI was 2.3 kg/m2 higher than at younger ages (p < 0.001). The biggest difference between genders occurred at age 12: 2 ± 0.98 kg/m2 higher in boys (p = 0.042). Overall, no significant differences were found in weight, height and BMI vs. SCGS-2010, although mean weight of male children from La Mancha-Centro aged between 8.5 and 11.5 years was 3.9 kg higher than that of the rest of Spanish male children. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric parameters of schoolchildren from La Mancha-Centro do not significantly differ from national standards; however, preadolescent males from La Mancha-Centro weigh almost 4 kg more.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar peso, talla e índice de masa corporal (IMC) de escolares del área de salud La Mancha-Centro y compararlos con los definidos en el Estudio Transversal Español de Crecimiento 2010 (ETEC-2010). MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal de 954 escolares entre 6 y 12 años. Se obtuvieron media, desviación estándar y distribuciones percentilares de peso, talla e IMC por sexo y edad. Se analizaron las diferencias en cada grupo semestral de edad. RESULTADOS: Existió incremento progresivo del IMC con la edad, significativo en las niñas a partir de los nueve años y en los niños desde los 8.5 años. Desde los 10 años, el IMC promedio resultó 2.3 kg/m2 superior al de edades menores (p < 0.001); la mayor diferencia entre los sexos ocurrió a los 12 años: 2 ± 0.98 kg/m2 más en los varones (p = 0.042). Globalmente no se hallaron diferencias significativas de peso, talla e IMC con el ETEC-2010, aunque el peso medio de los niños manchegos de 8.5 a 11.5 años fue 3.9 kg mayor que el del resto de los niños españoles. CONCLUSIONES: Los parámetros antropométricos de los escolares manchegos no difieren de los estándares nacionales; sin embargo, los varones preadolescentes manchegos pesan casi 4 kg más.

Baixo peso ao nascer, prematuridade e restrição de crescimento intra-uterino: resultados dos dados de base da primeira coorte de nascimentos indígenas no Brasil (coorte de nascimentos Guarani).

ABSTRATO: FUNDO: O baixo peso ao nascer (BPN) continua sendo um importante problema de saúde global, associado a uma série de resultados adversos de saúde ao longo da vida. As evidências sugerem que o BPN é um determinante relevante de morbidade e mortalidade em grupos indígenas, que geralmente têm acesso limitado às políticas públicas de saúde e nutrição. O conhecimento da prevalência de BPN e de suas causas subjacentes pode contribuir com etapas essenciais para a prevenção de seus efeitos sobre a saúde. O estudo teve como objetivo estimar as prevalências de BPN, prematuridade e restrição de crescimento intra-uterino (RCIU) e investigar seus determinantes na primeira coorte de nascimentos indígenas no Brasil. MéTODOS: Este estudo transversal utilizou dados de linha de base coletados da primeira coorte de nascimentos indígenas no Brasil, a Coorte de Nascimentos Guarani. O Brasil é um dos países com maior diversidade étnica do mundo, com 305 povos indígenas e 274 línguas nativas. Os Guarani são uma das cinco maiores etnias, com aldeias localizadas principalmente na região sul. Todos os nascimentos únicos de 1º de junho de 2014 a 31 de maio de 2016 foram selecionados em 63 aldeias indígenas Guarani nas regiões Sul e Sudeste. Foi realizada regressão logística múltipla hierárquica. RESULTADOS: As taxas de prevalência de BPN, prematuridade e RCIU foram 15,5, 15,6 e 5,7%, respectivamente. As chances de BPN foram menores em recém-nascidos de mães que vivem em casas de tijolo e argamassa (OR: 0,25; IC 95%: 0,07-0,84) e foram maiores em filhos de mães ≤20 anos de idade (OR: 2,4; IC 95%: 1,29-4,44) e com anemia crônica antes da gravidez (OR: 6,41; IC 95%: 1,70-24,16). A prematuridade foi estatisticamente associada ao tipo de fonte de energia para cozinhar (fogão a lenha - OR: 3,87; IC 95%: 1,71-8,78 e fogueiras - OR: 2,57; IC 95%: 1,31-5,01). RCIU foi associado à primiparidade (OR: 4,66; IC 95%: 1,68-12,95) e anemia materna crônica antes da gravidez (OR: 7,21; IC 95%: 1,29-40,38). CONCLUSõES: Idade materna, estado nutricional e paridade, condições de moradia e exposição à poluição interna foram associados com resultados perinatais na população indígena Guarani. Esses resultados indicam a necessidade de investir no acesso e melhoria da assistência pré-natal; também no fortalecimento do Subsistema de Saúde Indígena, e em ações intersetoriais para o desenvolvimento de políticas habitacionais e de saneamento e melhorias ambientais ajustadas às necessidades e conhecimentos dos povos indígenas.

[Identification of behavioural and emotional problems in premature children in the primary care setting]. / Identificación de problemas de conducta y emocionales en niños prematuros en el ámbito de atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the usefulness, for use by the primary care pediatrician, of the BASC questionnaire (Behavior Assessment System for Children) for the early detection of psychological and behavioral problems in premature infants. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. SETTING: Primary care (Health Area IV of the Principado of Asturias) and Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Parents of 87 premature children with birth weight less than 1500g and 43 full-term controls, both aged 5-7 years. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The BASC questionnaire (parent version) was applied. RESULTS: Preterm children presented a high rate of inactivity (Z = -4.125, P < 0.001), anxiety (Z = -2.801, P = 0.005) and internalization problems (Z = -2.148, P = 0.032), being more evident at 5 years of age. Preterm boys show higher levels of hyperactivity (Z = -2.082, P = 0.037) and behavioural problems (Z = -2.354, P = 0.019) than girls, who presented more attentional problems (Z = -2.345; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The BASC questionnaire is useful for the detection and early diagnosis at the primary care level of the behavioral and emotional problems of premature children.

Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in medical patients. / La profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en los pacientes con enfermedad médica.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent and serious complication in hospitalized medical patients. Pulmonary embolism is the most common preventable cause of hospital death. VTE extends hospitalization, with a higher resource consumption and an increase in healthcare costs. Risk factors for VTE include intrinsic factors and those related to hospitalization. It is important to know and to identify these factors at the moment of hospital admission and during the course of disease. VTE prophylaxis has demonstrated to be an efficient and effective action. Its implementation reduces life-threatening pulmonary embolism, symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and death rate three months after discharge. An individual and detailed assessment of prophylaxis risk-benefit is a priority. In our country, low molecular weight heparins are still the first option for VTE pharmacological prophylaxis. In those patients at high risk of bleeding or in whom anticoagulation is contraindicated mechanical methods could be used.

Height and weight progression patterns in Mexican children aged between 6 and 12 years and differences with Ramos-Galván growth charts 40 years later.

INTRODUCTION: Children and adolescents weight and height are a reflection of the health status and socioeconomic development of a population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate height and weight progression patterns of Mexican children and compare them with Dr. Ramos-Galván growth charts 40 years later. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey conducted on the population of the National Physical Activation Program "Ponte al 100", which includes boys and girls aged six to 12 years. RESULTS: 43,670 boys and 44,103 girls were assessed, stratified by gender and age. The height progression pattern between six and 12 years was 21 cm in males and 22 cm in females, whereas the weight progression pattern was 9.86 and 10.05 kg, respectively, for males and females. The proportion of six- and 12-year-old boys who were overweight was 11.2 and 9 %, while 14.7 and 15 % were obese. The proportion of six- and 12-year-old girls who were overweight was 8.2 and 9.1 %, whereas 21.7 and 13.3 %, respectively, were obese. When the obtained values were compared with those of Dr. Ramos Galván growth charts for boys and girls, the average difference was 2 cm. CONCLUSIONS: No secular height or weight increase within the last 40 years was documented.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El peso y la talla de niños y adolescentes son un reflejo del estado de salud y desarrollo socioeconómico de la población. OBJETIVO: Evaluar las progresiones de talla y peso de niños y niñas mexicanos y compararlas con las tablas del doctor Ramos Galván a 40 años de distancia. MÉTODO: Encuesta transversal realizada en población del Programa Nacional de Activación Física Ponte al 100, que incluye niños y niñas de seis a 12 años. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 43 670 niños y 44 103 niñas, que se estratificaron por sexo y edad. La progresión de talla entre los seis y 12 años fue de 21 cm en hombres y de 22 cm en mujeres; la progresión de peso fue de 9.86 y 10.05 kg, respectivamente para hombres y mujeres. La proporción de niños de seis y 12 años con sobrepeso fue de 11.2 y 9 % y con obesidad, de 14.7 y 15 %. La proporción de niñas de seis y 12 años con sobrepeso fue de 8.2 y 9.1 % y con obesidad, de 21.7 y 13.3 %, respectivamente. Al comparar los valores obtenidos con los de las tablas del doctor Ramos Galván para niños y niñas, el promedio de diferencia ue de 2 cm. CONCLUSIONES: No se documentó un incremento secular de la talla ni del peso en los últimos 40 años.

An Australian perspective on rewilding.

Rewilding is increasingly recognized as a conservation tool but is often context specific, which inhibits broad application. Rewilding in Australia seeks to enhance ecosystem function and promote self-sustaining ecosystems. An absence of large-bodied native herbivores means trophic rewilding in mainland Australia has focused on the restoration of functions provided by apex predators and small mammals. Because of the pervasive influence of introduced mesopredators, predator-proof fences, and establishment of populations on predator-free islands are common rewilding approaches. This sets Australian rewilding apart from most jurisdictions and provides globally relevant insights but presents challenges to restoring function to broader landscapes. Passive rewilding is of limited utility in arid zones. Although increasing habitat extent and quality in mesic coastal areas may work, it will likely be necessary to undertake active management. Because much of Australia's population is in urban areas, rewilding efforts must include urban areas to maximize effectiveness. Thus rewilding is not synonymous with wilderness and can occur over multiple scales. Rewilding efforts must recognize human effects on other species and benefit both nature and humans. Rewilding in Australia requires development of a shared vision and strategy and proof-of-concept projects to demonstrate the benefits. The repackaging of existing conservation activities as rewilding may confuse and undermine the success of rewilding programs and should be avoided. As elsewhere, rewilding in Australia should be viewed as an important conservation tool.

Una Perspectiva Australiana del Proceso de Resilvestrar Resumen El proceso de resilvestrar es reconocido cada vez más como una herramienta de conservación, pero con frecuencia depende del contexto ambiental, lo que inhibe su aplicación generalizada. En Australia, el proceso de resilvestrar busca mejorar la función ambiental y promover los ecosistemas auto-sustentables. Una ausencia de herbívoros nativos corpulentos significa que el resilvestreo trófico en la isla principal de Australia se ha enfocado en la restauración de las funciones que proporcionan los superdepredadores y los mamíferos pequeños. Debido a la influencia generalizada de los mesodepredadores introducidos, los cercos contra depredadores y el establecimiento de poblaciones en islas libres de depredadores son estrategias comunes de resilvestreo. Esto coloca al resilvestreo australiano aparte del que ocurre en muchas jurisdicciones y proporciona información relevante a nivel mundial, pero presenta retos para la restauración de la función en paisajes más amplios. El resilvestreo pasivo es de utilidad limitada en las zonas áridas. Aunque el aumento de la extensión del hábitat y la calidad en las áreas meso-costeras puede funcionar, probablemente sea necesario emprender un manejo activo. Ya que la mayoría de la población de Australia se encuentra en áreas urbanas, los esfuerzos de resilvestreo deben incluir a las áreas urbanas para maximizar su efectividad. Por lo tanto, el resilvestreo no es sinónimo de la naturaleza y puede ocurrir en múltiples escalas. Los esfuerzos de resilvestreo deben reconocer los efectos que los humanos tienen sobre otras especies y deben beneficiar a la naturaleza y a las personas. El resilvestreo en Australia requiere del desarrollo de una visión compartida y de proyectos con prueba de concepto para demostrar sus beneficios. La reinvención de las actividades de conservación existentes como resilvestreo podría confundir y debilitar el éxito de los programas de resilvestreo, por lo que debería evitarse. Como en todos lados, el proceso de resilvestrar en Australia debería verse como una herramienta importante de conservación.

Inyección Intraarticular Única de Ácido Hialurónico en la Artrosis de Rodilla: Estudio Multicéntrico Prospectivo Abierto (ART-ONE 75) mediante Comparación Post-Hoc con Placebo.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La viscosuplementación del líquido sinovial mediante la inyección intraarticular (IA) de ácido hialurónico (AH) es un tratamiento sintomático ampliamente utilizado en la artrosis de rodilla (AR). Además de los productos diseñados para realizar inyecciones múltiples (normalmente de 3 a 5 inyecciones, en intervalos de 1 semana), se presta especial atención a los productos de una única inyección, ya que ofrecen ventajas específicas, como son un menor número de visitas al médico y de intervenciones invasivas con sus riesgos asociados. Sin embargo, aún existen dudas sobre la eficacia de estas inyecciones únicas, en comparación con los regímenes de inyecciones múltiples. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico, abierto, prospectivo, post-mercado (ART-ONE 75) con el producto de inyección única ARTHRUM 2,5% (3 ml, 75 mg AH), en 214 pacientes que sufrían de AR. Los pacientes fueron seguidos en D30, D60, D120 y D180 (días). El perfil promedio de los pacientes en el momento de la inclusión fue de 62,9 años, 56% mujeres, grados I-III de Kellgren-Lawrence (46% KL III), IMC de 27,2 kg/m2 y 4 años desde el diagnóstico de AR. Se realizó una comparación post-hoc con una inyección IA única de placebo (326 pacientes, agrupados de 3 estudios ECA), que proporcionaron un perfil de paciente similar. RESULTADOS: el criterio principal fue la variación desde el inicio de la puntuación de la escala WOMAC A (dolor, escala 0-100) en D60, que se redujo en 28,9 (17,4) para la población por intención de tratar (ITT, por sus siglas en inglés) (199 pacientes), 28,0 (17,8) para la población por protocolo (PP) en la inclusión (175 pacientes), y en 27,7 (16,8) para la población PP al finalizar (143 pacientes).Los criterios secundarios y accesorios incluyeron WOMAC A en otras ocasiones, WOMAC B (rigidez), WOMAC C (función), calidad de vida y discapacidad en cada momento de seguimiento. Todos los índices mejoraron significativamente y continuaron mejorando al final del estudio. La evaluación terapéutica en D180 mostró que más del 75% de los pacientes se encontraban satisfechos con la reducción del dolor, la mejora de la movilidad, y la reducción de analgésicos y AINE. El porcentaje de pacientes definidos como respondedores de OMERACT-OARSI fue superior al 86%, a partir de D60 y en adelante. La tolerancia general fue buena, sin que ocurriera ningún evento adverso grave. El resultado de la comparación post-hoc para la escala WOMAC A mostró un tamaño del efecto [IC 95%] desde TE = 0,33 [0,15; 0,51] en D60 a TE = 0,65 [0,45; 0,85] en D180 (p <0,001), frente a la inyección de placebo (solución salina), lo cual es un resultado clínicamente relevante a favor de ARTHRUM 2,5%. CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio confirma la eficacia clínica de una única inyección IA de 3 ml de solución de AH conteniendo 75 mg de AH nativo de alto PM (> 2 MDa).

[Is the individual motivational interviewing effective in overweight and obesity treatment? A systematic review]. / ¿Es efectiva la entrevista motivacional individual en la malnutrición por exceso? Una revisión sistemática de la literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of individual motivational interviewing (MI) in the ambulatory treatment of the overweight and obese. DESIGN: The protocol of this systematic review is registered in PROSPERO N° CDR42017058814. DATABASES: EBSCO-CINAHL, Pubmed, Scielo, PsycoINFO from 2010 to 2017. STUDY SELECTION: We included studies with overweight and obese adult participants, randomized trial and case control studies, with MI being applied individually and face to face, with primary or secondary results in changes in body composition (weight or BMI), published in English or Spanish, with available text and in peer-reviewed journals. DATA EXTRACTION: We obtained anthropometric, behavioral, psychosocial, and other variables as effects of MI. In addition, we collected descriptive variables of the interventions. RESULTS: Eleven articles were included in this revision. There is a great variability between the studies in terms of population, kind of intervention, and time of follow-up. In most of them, some effect was observed in reducing bodyweight, reaching a maximum of 7kg in the group that received the MI. There are positive variations in psychosocial and metabolic variables in the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Individual MI interventions have a modest effect on the variation of bodyweight, and could have a positive impact on behavioral, psychosocial, and other variables. More studies are needed to elucidate the best form of MI application with regard to effectiveness on different variables. The primary healthcare system is in an advantageous position for generating fruitful research on this motivational strategy.

COGNITIVE AND SOCIOEMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING AT 4½ YEARS IN CHILDREN BORN TO MOTHERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROBLEMS WHILE PREGNANT.

Cognitive and socioemotional functioning at 4½ years of age were examined in children born to mothers with substance-abuse problems (n = 22) recruited from residential treatment institutions while pregnant, and then compared to children born to mothers with mental health problems (n = 18) and children from a low-risk group (n = 26). No significant group differences in cognitive functioning were found, but the children born to mothers with substance-abuse problems showed more caregiver-reported socioemotional problems than did the low-risk children, like the children born to mothers with mental health problems. Birth weight had an effect on internalizing problems at 4½ years and mediated the relation between group and socioemotional problems, although not when controlling for caregiver education, single parenthood, and anxiety and depression. At 4½ years, 7 children born to mothers with substance-abuse problems were placed in foster care. These children had lower birth weight and higher caregiver-rated internalizing problems. In addition to emphasizing the importance of the quality of the prenatal environment, this study suggests that families with previous substance abuse are in need of long-term follow-up to address socioemotional problems and enhance further positive child cognitive development. The foster-placed children may be in particular need of long-term follow-up.

How do low-birthweight neonates fare 2 years after discharge from a low-technology neonatal care unit in a rural district hospital in Burundi?

OBJECTIVES: As neonatal care is being scaled up in economically poor settings, there is a need to know more on post-hospital discharge and longer-term outcomes. Of particular interest are mortality, prevalence of developmental impairments and malnutrition, all known to be worse in low-birthweight neonates (LBW, <2500 g). Getting a better handle on these parameters might justify and guide support interventions. Two years after hospital discharge, we thus assessed: mortality, developmental impairments and nutritional status of LBW children. METHODS: Household survey of LBW neonates discharged from a neonatal special care unit in Rural Burundi between January and December 2012. RESULTS: Of 146 LBW neonates, 23% could not be traced and 4% had died. Of the remaining 107 children (median age = 27 months), at least one developmental impairment was found in 27%, with 8% having at least five impairments. Main impairments included delays in motor development (17%) and in learning and speech (12%). Compared to LBW children (n = 100), very-low-birthweight (VLBW, <1500 g, n = 7) children had a significantly higher risk of impairments (intellectual - P = 0.001), needing constant supervision and creating a household burden (P = 0.009). Of all children (n-107), 18% were acutely malnourished, with a 3½ times higher risk in VLBWs (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Reassuringly, most children were thriving 2 years after discharge. However, malnutrition was prevalent and one in three manifested developmental impairments (particularly VLBWs) echoing the need for support programmes. A considerable proportion of children could not be traced, and this emphasises the need for follow-up systems post-discharge.

Maternal systemic or cord blood inflammation is associated with birth anthropometry in a Tanzanian prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVES: HIV infection is associated with chronic systemic inflammation, with or without antiretroviral therapy. Consequences for foetal growth are not understood, particularly in settings where multiple maternal infections and malnutrition are common. The study was designed to examine maternal systemic circulating and umbilical cord blood cytokine concentrations in relation to birth anthropometry in a Tanzanian prospective cohort. METHODS: A 9-plex panel of maternal plasma cytokines in HIV-positive (n = 44) and HIV-negative (n = 70) mothers and the same cytokines in umbilical cord blood collected at delivery was assayed. Linear regression modelled associations between maternal or cord blood cytokines and birth anthropometry. RESULTS: Health indicators (haemoglobin, mid-upper-arm circumference, body mass index) in HIV-positive mothers without considerable immunosuppression did not differ from HIV-negative women. Despite this, HIV-exposed infants had lower birthweight and length. Subgroup analyses indicated that HIV management using HAART was associated with lower plasma TNF-α, as were longer durations of any antiretroviral therapy (≥2 months). Greater maternal plasma TNF-α was associated with earlier delivery (-1.7 weeks, P = 0.039) and lower birthweights (-287 g; P = 0.020), while greater umbilical cord TNF-α (-1.43 cm; P = 0.036) and IL-12p70 (-2.4 cm; P = 0.008) were associated with shorter birth length. Birthweight was inversely associated with cord IL-12p70 (-723 g; P = 0.001) and IFN-γ (-482 g, P = 0.007). Maternal cytokines during pregnancy did not correlate with umbilical cord cytokines at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammation identified in maternal plasma or umbilical cord blood was associated with poorer birth anthropometrics in HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed infants. Controlling maternal and/or foetal systemic inflammation may improve birth anthropometry.

Placental pathology in HIV infection at term: a comparison with HIV-uninfected women.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and correlate placental characteristics from pregnancies in HIV-infected and HIV-negative women with maternal and infant clinical and immunological data. METHODS: Prospective descriptive study of placentas from term, uncomplicated vaginal births in a cohort of HIV-infected (n = 120) and HIV-negative (n = 103) women in Cape Town, South Africa. Microscopic and macroscopic features were used to determine pathological cluster diagnoses. The majority of HIV-infected women received some form of drug treatment for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV. Data were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: HIV-infected women were older (median [IQR] 27.4 years [24-31] vs. 25.8 [23-30]), more likely to be multiparous (81.7% vs. 71.8%) and had lower CD4 counts (median [IQR] 323.5 cells/ml [235-442] vs. 467 [370-656]). There were no differences in gestational age at first antenatal visit or at delivery. The proportion of specimens with placental lesions was similar in both groups (39.2% vs. 44.7%). Half of all samples were below the tenth percentile expected-weight-for-gestation regardless of HIV status. This was unaffected by adjustment for confounding variables. Maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) was more frequent in HIV infection (24.2% vs. 12.6%; P = 0.028), an association which strengthened after adjustment (aOR 2.90 [95% confidence interval 1.11-7.57]). Otherwise the frequency of individual diagnoses did not differ between the groups on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of term, uncomplicated pregnant women, few differences were observed between the HIV-infected and uninfected groups apart from MVM. This lesion may underlie the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which have been observed at higher rates in some HIV-infected women on ART.

Economic burden of underweight and overweight among adults in the Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the economic burden of underweight and overweight among adults in the Asia-Pacific region. METHOD: Systematic review of articles published until March 2015. RESULTS: Seventeen suitable articles were found, of which 13 assess the economic burden of overweight/obesity and estimate that it accounts for 1.5-9.9% of a country's total healthcare expenditure. Four articles on the economic burden of underweight estimate it at 2.5-3.8% of the country's total GDP. Using hospital data, and compared to normal weight individuals, four articles estimated extra healthcare costs for overweight individuals of 7-9.8% and more, and extra healthcare costs for obese individuals of 17-22.3% and higher. CONCLUSION: Despite methodological diversity across the studies, there is a consensus that both underweight and overweight impose a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems in the Asia-Pacific region.

Risk of self-reported symptoms or diagnosis of active tuberculosis in relationship to low body mass index, diabetes and their co-occurrence.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, tuberculosis prevalence has declined, but its risk factors have varied across place and time - low body mass index (BMI) has persisted while diabetes has increased. Using India's National Family Health Survey (NFHS), wave 3 and World Health Survey (WHS) data, we examined their relationships to support projection of future trends and targeted control efforts. METHODS: Multivariate logistic regressions at the individual level with and without diabetes/BMI interactions assessed the relationship between tuberculosis, diabetes and low BMI and the importance of risk factor co-occurrence. Population-level analyses examined how tuberculosis incidence and prevalence varied with diabetes/low BMI co-occurrence. RESULTS: In NFHS, diabetic individuals had higher predicted tuberculosis risks (diabetic vs. non-diabetic: 2.50% vs. 0.63% at low BMI; 0.81% vs. 0.20% at normal BMI; 0.37% vs. 0.09% at high BMI), which were not significantly different when modelled independently or allowing for risk modification with diabetes/low BMI co-occurrence. WHS findings were generally consistent. Population-level analysis found that diabetes/low BMI co-occurrence may be associated with elevated tuberculosis risk, although its predicted effect on tuberculosis incidence/prevalence was generally ≤0.2 percentage points and not robustly statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Concerns about the additional elevation of tuberculosis risk from diabetes/low BMI co-occurrence and hence the need to coordinate tuberculosis control efforts around the nexus of co-occurring diabetes and low BMI may be premature. However, study findings robustly support the importance of individually targeting low BMI and diabetes as part of ongoing tuberculosis control efforts.

PREMATURITY, NEONATAL HEALTH STATUS, AND LATER CHILD BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Preterm birth can impact on child development. As seen previously, children born preterm present more behavioral and/or emotional problems than do full-term counterparts. In addition to gestational age, neonatal clinical status should be examined to better understand the differential impact of premature birth on later developmental outcomes. The aim of the present study was to systematically review empirical studies on the relationship between prematurity, neonatal health status, and behavioral and/or emotional problems in children. A systematic search of the PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and LILACS databases for articles published from 2009 to 2014 was performed. The inclusion criteria were empirical studies that evaluated behavioral and/or emotional problems that are related to clinical neonatal variables in children born preterm. Twenty-seven studies were reviewed. Results showed that the degree of prematurity and birth weight were associated with emotional and/or behavioral problems in children at different ages. Prematurity that was associated with neonatal clinical conditions (e.g., sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and hemorrhage) and such treatments as corticoids and steroids increased the risk for these problems. The volume and abnormalities of specific brain structures also were associated with these outcomes. In conclusion, the neonatal health problems associated with prematurity present a negative impact on later child emotional and adapted behavior.

[Maternal perception of her child's weight and unrelated children less than 1 year old]. / Percepción materna del peso del hijo y de niños no emparentados menores de un año.

AIMS: To evaluate the maternal perception of their child's weight (MPCW) and perception of unrelated children's weight. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. LOCATION: Maternal and Child Nursing Health Department at 6 Units of Family Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: 486 dyads (mother and child under 1 year). MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The following question was applied: "I think my child is", and images were provided according the child's gender. Children's weight and height were measured. RESULTS: A total of 20.5% of the mothers of overweight (OW) children accurately perceived this situation, while none of the mothers of obese (OB) children did (κ=0.14±0.03, Z=5.36, p=.001). By images, 63.3% of mothers of OW children and 33.3% of mothers of OB children perceived this situation (κ=0.01±0.02, Z=0.73, p=.46). Most mothers selected the image of OW child as the image of a healthy child (κ=-0.04±0.01, Z=-2.65, p=.008), the image of a child under 1 year (κ=-0.01±0.02, Z=-0.86, p=.38) and the image that they would like their child to look like (κ=0.0004±0.01, Z=0.02, p=.98). CONCLUSION: The mothers do not perceive the OW-OB of their children.