Carbocysteine as Adjuvant Therapy in Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Patients without Underlying Chronic Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: This study aims to systematically examine the existing evidence regarding the clinical benefits of carbocysteine as an adjunctive treatment in acute bronchopulmonary and otorhinological processes. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: An electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and the European Clinical Trial Register, with the search dated to May 2023. Bibliographic references from other literature reviews and meta-analyses were also reviewed. The search was limited to randomized clinical trials published in any language and year. It was completed by cross-checking the references of the located articles. Methods: Inclusion criteria covered studies assessing systemic or inhaled carbocysteine, regardless of dosing regimen. Concomitant medication use was acceptable if balanced between intervention and control groups. Authors independently extracted data, resolving disagreements through consensus. Methodological quality assessment relied on critical reading of each study. Dichotomous variables were analyzed using odds ratio (OR), and a final effect size was calculated. Statistical significance was established when confidence intervals did not cross the neutral value. Heterogeneity was assessed via the X2 test and I2 index. Results: Out of 318 initially identified studies, 4 met inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis for poor general condition yielded an OR of 0.45 in favor of intervention, p = 0.013, with non-significant heterogeneity. Cough events showed a percentage of 15.8% for carbocysteine vs. 27.2% for placebo. On the seventh day, expectoration rates were 18.37% for carbocysteinevs 33.3% for placebo. Conclusions: The observed clinical benefits align with carbocysteine’s mucoactive and muco-regulatory properties, complemented by anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Carbocysteine stands out among mucolytic agents. In the context of persistent infectious diseases, the study emphasizes the need for further exploration of carbocysteine’s therapeutic potential as an adjunctive treatment for acute respiratory infections. These findings underscore its significance in the evolving landscape of respiratory healthcare.

Capsule endoscopy in pediatrics: A 10-years journey

Video capsule endoscopy(CE) for evaluation the esophagus(ECE), small bowel(SBCE) and the colon(CCE) is particularly useful in pediatrics, because this imaging modality does not require ionizing radiation, deep sedation or general anesthesia. The risk of capsule retention appears to be dependent on indication rather than age and parallels the adult experience by indication, making SBCE a relatively safe procedure with a significant diagnostic yield. The newest indication, assessment of mucosal change, greatly enhances and expands its potential benefit. The diagnostic role of CE extends beyond the SB. The use of ECE also may enhance our knowledge of esophageal disease and assist patient care. Colon CCE is a novel minimally invasive and painless endoscopic technique allowing exploration of the colon without need for sedation, rectal intubation and gas insufflation. The limited data on ECE and CCE in pediatrics does not yet allow the same conclusions regarding efficacy; however, both appear to provide safe methods to assess and monitor mucosal change in their respective areas with little discomfort. Moreover, although experience has been limited, the patency capsule may help lessen the potential of capsule retention; and newly researched protocols for bowel cleaning may further enhance CE's diagnostic yield. However, further research is needed to optimize the use of the various CE procedures in pediatric populations.

Pediatric primary urolithiasis: Symptoms, medical management and prevention strategies

In the past few decades pediatric urolithiasis has become more frequent. The reason for this increase is not completely clear but has been attributed to changes in climate, nutritional habits and possibly other environmental factors. Although less frequent than adult stone disease, urolithiasis in the pediatric age group is also related to significant morbidity, particularly since stones tend to recur, and, thus, should not be underestimated. Most children with idiopathic stone disease have an underlying metabolic abnormality substantiating the importance of metabolic evaluation already following initial diagnosis of urolithiasis. Identification of the metabolic abnormality allows for more specific prescription of non pharmacological and pharmacological interventions aimed at preventing recurrent stone formation. A better understanding of the causes of kidney stone disease will provide better strategies for stone prevention in children.

Kounis syndrome:a clinical entity penetrating from pediatrics to geriatrics

1 Introduction Kounis syndrome constitutes a coronary hypersensitivity disorder defined by the association of an anaphylactoid,anaphylactic,allergic or hypersensitivity reaction with an acute coronary syndrome,in a physiopathological context involving various interrelated and interacting inflammatory cells,such as mast-cells,eosinophils and platelets.[1,2]Similar entities to Kounis syndrome might involve cerebral and mesenteric arteries.

Hand Hygiene Compliance in the Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in the Neonatal Unit of the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou

Objective: Despite the presence of hand washing material and the training given to medical staff regarding hygiene measures and health care procedures in October 2015, the prevalence of nosocomial infections in the neonatal unit of the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou (CNHU-Cotonou) was estimated at 8% in January 2016. To determine the factors that contribute to these infections, this study assessed medical staff compliance with hand hygiene measures and procedures. Method: This research was a cross-sectional and observational study conducted from February 15 to March 31, 2016 through direct and cautious observation of 47 members of the medical and paramedical staff. The study variables were hand washing before entering the neonatal unit and before entering each treatment room, hand washing before and after seeing each patient, compliance with hand washing steps, the use of hydroalcoholic solutions and adhering to the ban on mobile phone use inside the treatment room. Results: Only 15% of the medical staff followed all of the rules and measures governing hand hygiene. The result showed that 76.6% of them did not wash their hands before entering the unit;32% washed their hands before each care session;95.7% washed their hands after each care session;and 85% did not comply with the hand washing steps. Only 21.3% of the personnel used hydroalcoholic solution, and only 85% of the personnel adhered to the ban on mobile phone use within the treatment room. Conclusion: Compliance with hand hygiene measures is insufficient. These low compliance rates facilitate the occurrence of nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infections could be prevented by identifying the reasons that medical personnel do not wash their hands and by implementing a program for education/awareness on hygiene measures based on an analysis of errors and care procedures and sustained by regular evaluations.

One step minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric portal vein recanalization combined with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement: A novel surgical proposal in pediatrics

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) placement is a standard procedure for the treatment of portal hypertension complications. When this conventional approach is not feasible, alternative procedures for systemic diversion of portal blood have been proposed. A one-step interventional approach, combining minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric(MAT) antegrade portal recanalization and TIPS, is described in an adolescent with recurrent esophageal varice bleeding and portal cavernoma(PC). A 16-yearold girl was admitted to our Unit because of repeated bleeding episodes over a short period of time due to esophageal varices in the context of a PC. A portal vein recanalization through an ileocolic vein isolation with the MAT approach followed by TIPS during the same session was performed. In the case of failed portal recanalization, this approach, would also be useful for varice endovascular embolization. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Treatment consisting of propanolol, enoxaparin and a proton pump inhibitor was prescribed after the procedure. One month post-op, contrast enhanced computed tomography confirmed the patency of the portal and intrahepatic stent grafts. No residual peritoneal fluid was detected nor opacification of the large varices. Endoscopy showed good improvement of the varices. Doppler ultrasound confirmed the accelerated flow in the portal stent and hepatopetal flow inside the intrahepatic portal branches. Three months post-op, TIPS maintained its hourglass shape despite a slight expansion. Portal hypertension and life threatening conditions related to PC would benefit from one-step portal recanalization. MAT-TIPS is feasible and safe for the treatment of PC even in children. This minimally invasive procedure avoids or delays surgical treatment or re-transplantation when necessary in pediatric patients.

Bone disease in pediatric idiopathic hypercalciuria

Idiopathic hypercalciuria(IH) is the leading metabolic risk factor for urolithiasis and affects all age groups without gender or race predominance. IH has a high morbidity with or without lithiasis and reduced bone mineral density(BMD), as described previously in pediatric patients as well as in adults. The pathogenesis of IH is complex and not completely understood, given that urinary excretion of calcium is the end result of an interplay between three organs(gut, bone and kidney), which is further orchestrated by hormones, such as 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and fosfatonins(i.e., fibroblast growth-factor-23). Usually, a primary defect in one organ induces compensatory mechanisms in the remaining two organs, such as increased absorption of calcium in the gut secondary to a primary renal loss. Thus, IH is a systemic abnormality of calcium homeostasis with changes in cellular transport of this ion in intestines, kidneys and bones. Reduced BMD has been demonstrated in pediatric patients diagnosed with IH. However, the precise mechanisms of bone loss or failure of adequate bone mass gain are still unknown. The largest accumulation of bone mass occurs during childhood and adolescence, peaking atthe end of the second decade of life. This accumulation should occur without interference to achieve the peak of optimal bone mass. Any interference may be a risk factor for the reduction of bone mass with increased risk of fractures in adulthood. This review will address the pathogenesis of IH and its consequence in bone mass.

Should pediatric idiopathic hypercalciuria be treated with hypocalciuric agents?

BACKGROUND Hypercalciuria is the most common metabolic risk factor for calcium urolithiasis and is associated with bone loss in adult patients.Reduced bone mineral density(BMD)was already described in idiopathic hypercalciuria(IH)children,but the precise mechanisms of bone loss or inadequate bone mass gain remain unknown.Life-long hypercalciuria might be considered a risk to change bone structure and determine low bone mass throughout life.The peak of bone mass should occur without interferences.A beneficial effect of citrate formulations and thiazides on bone mass in adult and pediatric patients with IH have been shown.AIM To evaluate whether pharmacological therapy has a beneficial effect on bone mass in children and adolescents with IH.METHODS This retrospective cohort study evaluated 40 hypercalciuric children nonresponsive to lifestyle and diet changes.After a 2-mo run-in period of citrate formulation(Kcitrate)usage,the first bone densitometry(DXA)was ordered.In patients with sustained hypercalciuria,a thiazide diuretic was prescribed.The second DXA was performed after 12 mo.Bone densitometry was performed by DXA at lumbar spine(L2-L4).A 24-h urine(calcium,citrate,creatinine)and blood samples(urea,creatinine,uric acid,calcium,phosphorus,magnesium,chloride,hemoglobin)were obtained.Clinical data included age,gender,weight,height and body mass index.RESULTS Forty IH children;median age 10.5 year and median time follow-up 6.0 year were evaluated.Nine patients were treated with Kcitrate(G1)and 31 with Kcitrate+thiazide(G2).There were no differences in age,gender,body mass index z-score and biochemical parameters between G1 and G2.There were no increases in total cholesterol,kalemia and magnesemia.Calciuria decreased in both groups after treatment.Lumbar spine BMD z-score increased after thiazide treatment in G2.There was no improvement in G1.CONCLUSION Results point to a beneficial effect of thiazide on lumbar spine BMD z-score in children with IH.Further studies are necessary to confirm the results of the present study.

Serum proinflammatory cytokines and nutritional status in pediatric chronic liver disease

AIM: To evaluate the nutritional status and its association with proinflammatory cytokines in children with chronic liver disease.METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with 43 children and adolescents, aged 0 to 17 years, diagnosed with chronic liver disease. All patients regularly attended the Pediatric Hepatology Unit and were under nutritional follow up. The exclusion criteria were fever from any etiology at the time of enrollment, inborn errors of the metabolism and any chronic illness. The severity of liver disease was assessed by Child-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver Disease(MELD) and Pediatric End Stage Liver Disease(PELD) scores. Anthropometric parameters were height/age, body mass index/age and triceps skinfold/age according to World Health Organization standards. The cutoff points for nutritional status were risk of malnutrition(Z-score <-1.00) and malnutrition(Z-score <-2.00). Interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were assessed by commercial ELISA kits. For multivariate analysis, linear regression was applied to assess the association between cytokine levels, disease severity and nutritional status. RESULTS: The median(25th-75 th centile) age of the study population was 60(17-116)-mo-old, and 53.5% were female. Biliary atresia was the main cause of chronic liver disease(72%). With respect to Child-Pugh score, cirrhotic patients were distributed as follows: 57.1% Child-Pugh A, a mild presentation of the disease, 34.3% Child-Pugh B, a moderate stage of cirrhosis and 8.6% Child-Pugh C, were considered severe cases. PELD and MELD scores were only above the cutoff point in 5 cases. IL-6 values were increased in patients at nutritional risk(34.9%) compared with those who were well-nourished [7.12(0.58-34.23) pg/m L vs 1.63(0.53-3.43) pg/m L; P = 0.02], correlating inversely with triceps skinfold-for-age z-score(rs =-0.61; P < 0.001). IL-6 levels were associated with liver disease severity assessed by Child-Pugh score(P = 0.001). This association remained significant after adjusting for nutritional status in a linear regression model. CONCLUSION: High IL-6 levels were found in children with chronic liver disease at nutritional risk. Inflammatory activity may be related to nutritional status deterioration in these patients.

Pediatric Hypertension in Two University Hospitals in Cotonou, Benin: Presentation, Etiology, Management and Outcome

Background: Hypertension (HPT) is a major public health problem. Many studies have attempted to investigate HPT in school children. Few, however, have targeted hospital HPT. We conducted this study to describe the epidemiologic characteristics, etiologies, management, and outcome of hospital HPT in our setting. Methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study carried out from March 01 through June 30, 2017 in the pediatric departments of two university hospitals: Centre National Hospitalier Universitaire Hubert K. Maga and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Mère et de L’Enfant Lagune of Cotonou, Benin. Every consecutive patient aged 3 to 18 years who was admitted to the two hospitals for any reason had his (her) BP measured. Every patient with HPT was reviewed for demographics, history and clinical examination, and laboratory investigations as appropriate. Management was done accordingly. Outcome was also recorded. Results: The hospital frequency of HPT was 1.98% (31 cases/1565 admissions). The male/female ratio was 1.06 (16 males, 15 females). Mean age was 8.5 years ± 4.39 (range, 3 to 16 years). 74.19% patients had Body mass index within -2SD and +2SD. Only one patient had BMI above +3SD. The main etiologies found were renal: acute tubular necrosis (45.16%), acute glomerulonephritis (16.13%), and acute pyelonephritis (12.90%). Diuretics (64.5%), were the main antihypertensive drugs used. A single drug therapy was used in 35.4%, a two-drug therapy in 32.2% and a three-drug therapy in 9.6% of cases. Length of hospital stay was more than one week in 70.97% of cases. Hospital death rate for HPT was 19.35%. The outcome was not known in one patient due to exit from hospital against medical advice. All the other patients fully recovered at one month post-discharge follow-up. Conclusion: HPT presents as a symptomatic disease in our hospitals;it has a renal etiology in most cases and has significant death rate despite treatment. Advocacy with health authorities must be the way out of issues of HPT management in our setting.

Comparative Analysis of Community-Based Management of Anemia in Children before and during the COVID Pandemic

Introduction: In low-income countries, severe anemia represents a significant risk of mortality. It is generally the consequence of a lack of correct community-based management of mild and moderate anemia and its etiologies. Our study aimed to evaluate the community practice in confronting anemia by mothers of children aged 0 - 5 years old before and during the COVID-19 period. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in two phases at the pediatric ward of the regional hospital of Ngaoundere in Cameroon;before the period of the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2018 to May 2019 and during the pandemic period from December 2020 to May 2021. It was a volunteer sample. Were included in this study all mothers of children aged 0 - 5 years present in the pediatric ward at the time of the survey who agreed to freely answer our questionnaire. Results: Of the 152 mothers surveyed in the “Before COVID-19” group, 69% went to a health facility when they suspected their children were anemic, 20% gave grenadine juice (Red colored soda), 7% went to marabous, 2% bought street medicines and 2% used other home-made potions. Of the 92 mothers included in the “During COVID-19” group, the majority did not go to a health facility: 36% gave grenadine juice and other potions, 26% went to marabouts, 23% bought medicines from the street and only 13% went to a health facility;2% did nothing. The average Group rank is not statistically significantly different between the before and during the COVID-19 periods (p = 0.89). Conclusion: Community behavior and practice in confronting anemia deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of mothers resorting to non-effective out-of-hospital solutions. The consequence can be an increase in infant mortality. While waiting for the end of the pandemic, it is judicious and urgent to review the whole health system in Africa and especially in countries with limited resources. We propose developing multiple advanced strategies to promote community visits to prevent anemia and to develop anticipatory management of anemia as well as all the main child-killing pathologies.

Measles in a Neonatal Unit during Epidemic Period in 2011

The incident of the measles has diminished in the last decades thanks to the widespread use of the vaccine in The United States and Europe. Nevertheless, recently we are seeing new epidemics of measles due to the lack of coverage in some social areas. Measles during pregnancy is associated with high maternal morbidity and mortality, being a frequent cause of abortion in preterm deliveries. We report two cases of measles attended in the Unit of Neonatology held coinciding with the epidemic lived in this area during the last year.

Pediatric ocular rosacea, a misdiagnosed disease with high morbidity:Proposed diagnostic criteria

Ocular rosacea is an important and underdiagnosed chronic inflammatory disorder observed in children. A clinical spectrum ranging from chronic eyelid inflammation, recurrent ocular redness, photophobia and/or hordeola/chalazions and conjunctival/corneal phlyctenules evolving to neovascularization and scarring may occur. Visual impairment and consequent amblyopia are frequent and corneal perforation although rare is the most feared complication. Ocular manifestations usually precede cutaneous lesions. Although few cases of pediatric ocular rosacea(POR) have been reported in the literature, many cases must have been underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The delay in diagnosis is greater than one year in the large majority of cases and may lead to serious ocular sequelae. This review aims to highlight the clinical features of POR, its epidemiology, easy diagnosis and effective treatment. We also propose new diagnostic criteria, in which at least three of the five clinical criteria must be present:(1) Chronic or recurrent keratoconjunctivitis and/or red eye and/or photophobia;(2) Chronic or recurrent blepharitis and/or chalazia/hordeola;(3) Eyelid telangiectasia documented by an ophthalmologist;(4) Primary periorificial dermatitis and/or primary features of rosacea; and (5) Positive familial history of cutaneous and/or ocular rosacea.

Beyond kidney stones:Why pediatricians should worry about hypercalciuria

The incidence of urolithiasis(UL)is increasing,and it has become more common in children and adolescents over the past few decades.Hypercalciuria is the leading metabolic risk factor of pediatric UL,and it has high morbidity,with or without lithiasis as hematuria and impairment of bone mass.The reduction in bone mineral density has already been described in pediatric idiopathic hypercalciuria(IH),and the precise mechanisms of bone loss or failure to achieve adequate bone mass gain remain unknown.A current understanding is that hypercalciuria throughout life can be considered a risk of change in bone structure and low bone mass throughout life.However,it is still not entirely known whether hypercalciuria throughout life can compromise the quality of the mass.The peak bone mass is achieved by late adolescence,peaking at the end of the second decade of life.This accumulation should occur without interference in order to achieve the peak of optimal bone mass.The bone mass acquired during childhood and adolescence is a major determinant of adult bone health,and its accumulation should occur without interference.This raises the critical question of whether adult osteoporosis and the risk of fractures are initiated during childhood.Pediatricians should be aware of this pediatric problem and investigate their patients.They should have the knowledge and ability to diagnose and initially manage patients with IH,with or without UL.

Epidemiological Profile of Pediatric Vital Emergencies at Laquintinie Hospital of Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: In the absence of health coverage in resource limited-settings, life-saving pediatric emergencies remain a challenge. The objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological profile of life-threatening pediatric emergencies at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (HLD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out for a period of 3 months, from March to May 2017 in the pediatric emergency unit of HLD enrolling all children presenting a life-threatening emergency on admission. Local emergency kits and an internal deferred cost recovery voucher or “green voucher” were used to facilitate access to care for children on admission. The socio-demographic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics were collected and analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. Results: A total of 135 children were enrolled and the sex ratio was 1.54. The mean age was 3.8 years ± 4.05 and 80.7% of the children were under 5 years old. The majority of children (82.9%) admitted to the emergency room came from peripheral health structures. The hospital prevalence of life-saving emergencies was 42.4%. The mean time to consultation after the onset of symptoms was 5.9 days and 66.0% of admissions were made during the 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. time slot. More than 4/5 of emergencies were neurological, respiratory and cardio-circulatory emergencies representing 35.6% and 18.5% respectively. Severe malaria accounted 31.9% of the etiologies, bronchopneumopathies and meningo-encephalitis were involved in 18.5% and 17.8% of cases respectively. Patients were managed within 30 minutes of admission in 75.6% of cases and 52.6% of them received a “green voucher”. The average length of stay in the emergency room was 6 days. The death rate from life-threatening emergencies was 17.8% and represented 61.5% of total deaths recorded in pediatric emergencies. Conclusion: The profile of life-threatening emergencies at the HLD was that of a child under 5 years old, coming from a peripheral health facility and presenting a neurological emergency.

Purulent Pleurisy Revealing Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Type T: A Pediatric Case Report

Lymphoma is a very common cancer in the pediatric population, and its modes of revelation are very variable. Case report: A 7-year-old patient was admitted for purulent pleurisy, whose cytological study of the pleural fluid isolated lymphoblastic cells in favor of a T-type lymphoblastic lymphoma, a very rare mode of revelation in current practice. Conclusion: Pediatric lymphoma takes on different aspects, and it is important to look for it systematically in order to ensure adequate management.

Gaseous metabolites as therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis

Diet therapies are currently under-utilised in optimising clinical outcomes for patients with active ulcerative colitis(UC).Furthermore,existing dietary therapies are framed by poorly defined mechanistic targets to warrant its success.There is good evidence to suggest that microbial production of gaseous metabolites,hydrogen sulfide(H2S)and nitric oxide(NO)are implicated in the development of mucosal inflammation in UC.On a cellular level,exposure of the colonic epithelium to excessive concentrations of these gases are shown to promote functional defects described in UC.Hence,targeting bacterial production of these gases could provide an opportunity to formulate new dietary therapies in UC.Despite the paucity of evidence,there is epidemiological and clinical data to support the concept of reducing mucosal inflammation in UC via dietary strategies that reduce H2S.Several dietary components,namely sulphurcontaining amino acids and inorganic sulphur have been shown to be influential in enhancing colonic H2S production.More recent data suggests increasing the supply of readily fermentable fibre as an effective strategy for H2S reduction.Conversely,very little is known regarding how diet alters microbial production of NO.Hence,the current evidence suggest that a whole diet approach is needed.Finally,biomarkers for assessing changes in microbial gaseous metabolites in response to dietary interventions are very much required.In conclusion,this review identifies a great need for high quality randomised-controlled trials to demonstrate the efficacy of a sulphide-reducing dietary therapy for patients with active UC.

Gradual Bedside Reduction of Gastroschisis in a Resource Constrained Setting: Preliminary Results from 32 Cases

Introduction: Gastroschisis is one of the neonatal pathologies with bad prognosis in developing countries due to a lack of equipment. We aim to report one way of managing this malformation that could be practised everywhere, constituting an alternative approach to surgery in poor areas. Patients and Methods: This observational and descriptive study included newborn babies with gastroschisis who underwent gradual bedside reduction at the Paediatric Surgery Department of the Yaounde Central Hospital. Results: Our cohort was constituted by 32 newborn babies with a mean age of 18.12 hours on admission. The Lefort type 2 was the most frequent in 81.25% of cases. The mean time for oral feeding after complete reduction was 17.4 days and the duration of hospital stay was 24.91 days. Survival rates were at 40.63%, with a residual hernia after healing in 38.46% of cases. Conclusion: Despite the high rate of mortality, gradual reduction of gastroschisis at the bedside seems to be an opportunity for resource constrained areas and can be an alternative solution to surgery.

More than Meets the Eye: A Qualitative Investigation of the Complex Weight History Constructions of Brazilian Women Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery

Most studies on bariatric surgery identify personal factors such as“non-compliance”to lifestyle changes as the cause of weight gain and subsequent inability to lose weight.Prior qualitative studies suggest that weight loss patients have complicated relationships with both self and weight,with significant emotional and psychological implications.But how do patients themselves understand the trajectories of their weight gain as related to intrinsic versus extrinsic factors?A qualitative analysis examined the aspects involved in the construction of higher body weight from the perspectives and life experiences of Brazilian women who underwent bariatric surgery,considering that Brazil has previously been reported as a highly anti-fat society.Individual,semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty women(15 aged 33-59 and 15 aged 63-72).Data were analyzed identifying the regular,expressive,and meaningful significance units identified through the interviews.Although it was expected that different life events were reported as crucial to the perceived aetiology of individual weight gain stories,the participants reported that the emotional aspects had more impact.The extremely high value attached to having a particular body weight negatively influenced the participants’concept of identity and harmed their interactions and understanding of what it meant to be fully loved and accepted.Most of the participants underscored the importance of food in women’s lived experiences and explanations of weight gain.Despite this somatic response being dysfunctionally directed to food,this mechanism seemed to be vital to keeping them alive and engaged in the world.Finally,the participants faced layered vulnerabilities,which decreased their opportunities to access resources aimed at better body weight management.Broad approaches that consider emotional and physical care strategies must be proposed to this population.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip: What has changed in the last 20 years?

Developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH) describes the spectrum of structural abnormalities that involve the growing hip. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to provide the best possible functional outcome. Persistence of hip dysplasia into adolescence and adulthood may result in abnormal gait, decreased strength and increased rate of degenerative hip and knee joint disease. Despite efforts to recognize and treat all cases of DDH soon after birth, diagnosis is delayed in some children, and outcomes deteriorate with increasing delay of presentation. Different screening programs for DDH were implicated. The suspicion is raised based on a physical examination soon after birth. Radiography and ultrasonography are used to confirm the diagnosis. The role of other imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, is still undetermined; however, extensive research is underway on this subject. Treatment depends on the age of the patient and the reducibility of the hip joint. At an early age and up to 6 mo, the main treatment is an abduction brace like the Pavlik harness. If this fails, closed reduction and spica casting is usually done. After the age of 18 mo, treatment usually consists of open reduction and hip reconstruction surgery. Various treatment protocols have been proposed. We summarize the current practice for detection and treatment of DDH, emphasizing updates in screening and treatment during the last two decades.