Paediatrics and International Child Health最新文献

{"title":"Anaemia and renal dysfunction were the primary manifestations of severe hypothyroidism in two girls with auto-immune atrophic thyroiditis.","authors":"Janejira Sae-Wong, Preamrudee Poomthavorn, Pat Mahachoklertwattana","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2025.2505821","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20469047.2025.2505821","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In children, anaemia is an uncommon presentation of hypothyroidism. The diagnosis was delayed in two girls with auto-immune atrophic thyroiditis owing to an absence of goitre and the unusual presentation of fatigue and anaemia. The first patient was a 15-year-old girl who presented with fatigue and pallor. Results of the initial investigation were compatible with iron deficiency anaemia. However, after 2 years of iron supplementation, the anaemia had not been resolved. Owing to refractory anaemia and recent mild neutropenia, a bone marrow (BM) study was performed. The BM histopathology demonstrated hypocellular marrow, compatible with BM suppression. Tests for low thyroid hormone levels (one of the causes of BM suppression) revealed overt hypothyroidism. She also had a mildly decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The second patient was a 9-year-old girl who presented with a 5-month history of fatigue and a weight gain of 4 kg in a month. Initial laboratory tests showed macrocytic anaemia, decreased eGFR and normal urinalysis. Further investigation confirmed overt hypothyroidism. After levothyroxine treatment, the anaemia was resolved in both patients and the eGFR normalised. This report demonstrates that anaemia in children can be the initial presentation of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism should be considered as a possible cause of anaemia, especially anaemia refractory to conventional treatment. Additionally, goitre as a clue to diagnosing acquired hypothyroidism owing to auto-immune thyroiditis might not be apparent in atrophic thyroiditis. Unrecognised hypothyroidism might lead to unnecessary investigations and delay appropriate treatment. Normalisation of thyroid function in patients with hypothyroidism results in the resolution of anaemia and the normalisation of eGFR.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cave canem (beware of the dog): severe complications following a bite by a small dog.","authors":"Marco Piastra, Enzo Picconi, Tony Christian Morena, Vittoria Ferrari, Orazio Genovese, Andrea de Bellis, Giorgio Conti","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2025.2500875","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20469047.2025.2500875","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pre-school children are at highest risk for dog bites. A 2-year-old boy was bitten by a little Pinscher nano dog causing deep injuries which were not apparent on first evaluation. A few hours later he had severe respiratory failure, consistent with subglottic injury. Marked neck enlargement was caused by widespread subcutaneous emphysema. The airway oedema and superimposed systemic infection required a week of intensive care to improve and restore spontaneous breathing. Even an apparently benign bite lesion can evolve into a life-threatening respiratory condition, and there should be a high index of suspicion for every neck lesion in a child.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144078819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tuberculous endobronchial stenosis in an adolescent: a rare case report.","authors":"Goolla Akhila, Mark Richard Bothello, Ranjini Srinivasan","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2025.2485521","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20469047.2025.2485521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The prevalence of post-tuberculous endobronchial stenosis in children is unknown and it is rarely reported. In adults, it varies from 10% to 40%. It has a variable spectrum of presentation; cough is the most common, but there can also be haemoptysis, dyspnoea, chest pain and wheezing. The non-specific symptoms and co-occurrence with parenchymal disease can delay the diagnosis. Bronchoscopy and computed tomography (CT) are the investigations of choice. Depending on the symptoms, chest imaging and bronchoscopic findings, the treatment can be conservative, medical or interventional. A 15-year-old male is presented; he was a known case of clinically and radiologically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis and was treated for 6 months with anti-tuberculous drugs. On presentation, there was a progressive cough, exertional dyspnoea, collapse consolidation of the left lung, ipsilateral mediastinal shift and partial stenosis of the left distal main bronchus on contrast-enhanced CT. Flexible fibre-optic bronchoscopy demonstrated atresia of the anterior segment and stenosis of the inferior lingular segment of the left bronchus with a normal right bronchus. Post-tuberculous bronchial stenosis should be focused on and managed early to prevent fibro-stenosis. Early treatment in a symptomatic patient is linked to a successful outcome. The boy showed significant clinical improvement with spirometry, chest physiotherapy and supportive measures, although the radiological features persisted.<b>Abbreviations</b>: ATT: anti-tuberculous therapy; CT: computed tomography; EBTB: endobronchial tuberculosis; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HRCT: high-resolution computed tomography; LUL: left upper lobe; TB: tuberculosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143753944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Congenital malaria in newborns of mothers living in highly endemic parts of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.","authors":"Japhet Kabalu Tshiongo, Lise Kuseke, Vivi Maketa Tevuzula, Flory Luzolo, Yann Kafala, Evodie Ngelesi, Moussa Djimde, Patrick Mitashi, Thierry Kalonji-Mukendi, Damien Mbanzulu Pita Nsonizau, Kassoum Kayentao, Petra F Mens, Ryan van den Bos, Hypolite Muhindo Mavoko, Henk D F H Schallig","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2025.2459964","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20469047.2025.2459964","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Congenital malaria, characterised by low parasitaemia in newborns' peripheral blood, is difficult to diagnose by conventional techniques. Owing to its high sensitivity, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows for effective detection of low-density plasmodium infections. This study determined the prevalence of congenital malaria by PCR in newborns of mothers living in a malaria-endemic area of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 576 mother-newborn pairs were enrolled in two clinical trials in Kinshasa. Maternal peripheral blood was collected at enrolment. At delivery, samples were taken from maternal and newborn peripheral blood, placental blood and placental imprints.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of congenital malaria detected by PCR was 2.4% (14/576) compared with 0.9% (5/576) by microscopy. The prevalence of malaria at delivery was 8.9% (51/570), and placental malaria was 10.6% (59/556) by microscopy. At delivery, maternal malaria was significantly associated with congenital malaria [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 16.06, 95% CI 2.6-98.5, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Placental malaria also increased the risk of congenital malaria (aOR 5.77, 95% CI 0.9-35.2, <i>p</i> = 0.05). Although 10 of 72 women (16.7%) with placental malaria gave birth to low-weight infants, the association was not statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although this first assessment of congenital malaria by PCR in DRC found a low prevalence, maternal and placental malaria at delivery were still associated with congenital malaria, highlighting the importance of maternal health in preventing neonatal infections.<b>Abbreviations:</b> Aor adjusted odds ratio; CI confidence interval; cOR crude odds ratio; DNA de-oxyribonucleic acid; GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-posphate dehydrogenase; g/dL grams per decilitre; Hb haemoglobin; IQR interquartile range; IPTp-SP Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine; ITN insecticide-treated nets; PA pyronaridine-artesunate; PCR polymerase chain reaction; RDT rapid diagnostic tests; SD; standard deviation; uRDTs ultra-sensitive rapid diagnostic tests; WHO World Health Organization; µL microlitre.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143483501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical findings and neurodevelopmental outcome in Jamaican children with suspected congenital Zika syndrome.","authors":"R Melbourne-Chambers, P Palmer, Y Brown, T James-Powell, J Tapper, L Mowatt, K Webster-Kerr, I C de Siqueira, C D C Christie, C Thorne","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2025.2454844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20469047.2025.2454844","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Whilst vertical transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) is established as the cause of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), knowledge of this emerging disease remains incomplete.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To characterise the clinical, radiological and neurodevelopmental features of children antenatally exposed to ZIKV and/or presenting with suspected CZS in Jamaica, as part of the larger, international ZIKAction Paediatric Registry.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective observational study (disease/exposure hospital-based registry) included children cared for at public hospitals in the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area, Jamaica if they had exposure to ZIKV in utero, laboratory confirmation of congenital ZIKV, or met the ZIKAction's Registry definition of suspected CZS. Maternal, perinatal and child data were extracted from hospital records and descriptive analyses conducted. Head circumference (HC) Z-scores were calculated using the Intergrowth-21^st reference standards.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 53 participants, 20 (37.7%) were male. One neonate had laboratory-confirmed ZIKV, 6 (11.3%) mothers had laboratory-confirmed ZIKV, and 12 (22.6%) mothers had ZIKV-compatible symptoms in pregnancy without laboratory confirmation. Thirty (56.6%) children had congenital microcephaly (HC Z-score >-2) and 14 had severe microcephaly (HC Z-score >-3). Mean (SD) birth HC Z-score was -3.24 cm (1.0). Twenty (37.8%) infants had craniofacial disproportion and 3 (5.7%) had arthrogryposis. Among participants with evaluations, 42.4% (14/33), 43.8% (7/16), and 72.7% (24/30) had abnormal ophthalmic, audiological and neuroimaging findings respectively; 19/34 (55.8%) had developmental delay. There was one death.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The microcephaly, physical features of CZS and adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in these children underscores the increased need for health resources and social support as they grow up.</p><p><strong>Abbreviations: </strong>cm: centimetre; CZS: congenital Zika syndrome; g: gram; HC: head circumference; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; IgG: immunoglobulin G; IgM: immunoglobulin M; IQR: interquartile range; kg: kilogram; KMA: Kingston Metropolitan Area; REDCap: Research Electronic Data Capture; RT-PCR: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; SD: standard deviation; ZIKV: Zika virus.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143449740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complications owing to oesophageal impaction of button batteries and risk factors in children in China: a review.","authors":"Manlin Zeng, Jing Huang, Lianming Liao, Ying Chen","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2438585","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2438585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Impaction of button batteries (BB) in children is not rare.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To conduct a systematic review of reports of oesophageal injury caused by impaction of BB in children in China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The databases of Wanfang, VIP, China National Knowledge Internet, the Chinese Medical Association Journal and PubMed were searched for reports by Chinese authors of BB impaction published between May 2005 and July 2023. The risk factors for complications were analysed by multiple unconditional logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After excluding 95 articles which did not meet the criteria, 77 remained, with a total of 964 cases of BB impaction. Of 516 cases with complications, 402 were in children (77.9%). The most common complications were oesophageal erosions and ulceration (218/402, 54.2%), followed by oesophageal perforation (88/402, 21.1%), tracheo-oesophageal fistula (69/402, 17.2%), oesophageal stricture (38/402, 9.5%) and peri-oesophagitis (31/402, 7.7%). Regression analysis demonstrated that the duration and location of impaction were the risk factors for complications (OR 13.7 and 11.3, respectively; <i>p</i> < 0.05 for both).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BB impaction remains common and causes serious oesophageal complications in children. Widespread knowledge of the risks is essential for prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142807515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical and laboratory profile and outcome in children with Wilson disease: an observational study in South India.","authors":"Ranjini Srinivasan, Shilpa Dominic, Antony George","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2396716","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2396716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder owing to defective copper metabolism which causes abnormal accumulation of copper and damage to the liver, brain, kidneys and other organs.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To describe the clinical features, laboratory investigations and outcome of Wilson disease in children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective observational study was conducted in the paediatric department of a tertiary- care hospital in South India by reviewing medical records between January 2018 and March 2023. The diagnosis of Wilson disease was confirmed by the presence of low serum ceruloplasmin and/or high urine copper excretion in combination with clinical and ophthalmological features.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 32 cases were analysed. The mean (SD) age at presentation was 110 (36) months with a M:F ratio of 1.6:1. Isolated hepatic involvement was seen in 19 (60%) patients while 13 (40%) patients had a neurological presentation, either as an isolated entity or in combination with hepatic manifestations. Low serum ceruloplasmin levels were detected in 31 (96%) patients. Urine copper levels were elevated in all patients. Twenty-one patients were commenced on D penicillamine while 11 patients were treated with a combination chelation therapy with zinc. Eighteen patients (56%) were on regular follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The clinical presentation of Wilson disease in children is diverse, varying from the more common hepatic or neurological manifestations to the less common atypical forms of the disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical and ophthalmological features in combination with biochemical abnormalities in the form of low ceruloplasmin and high urinary copper. The majority of patients can be medically managed with chelation therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"131-140"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142154680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibiotic use in infants in the 6 weeks after delivery in seven low- and middle-income countries: findings from the A-PLUS trial.","authors":"Haleema Yasmin, Saba Tanveer, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Janet L Moore, Iram Shakeel, Anum Rahim, Adrien Lokangaka, Antoinette Tshefu, Melissa Bauserman, Musaku Mwenechanya, Elwyn Chomba, Shivaprasad S Goudar, Avinash Kavi, Richard J Derman, Nancy F Krebs, Lester Figueroa, Manolo Mazariegos, Paul Nyongesa, Sherri Bucher, Fabian Esamai, Archana Patel, Manjushree Waikar, Poonam Shivkumar, Patricia L Hibberd, William A Petri, Sk Masum Billah, Rashidul Haque, Waldemar A Carlo, Alan Tita, Marion Koso-Thomas, Jennifer Hemingway-Foday, Sarah Saleem, Elizabeth M McClure, Robert L Goldenberg","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2414472","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2414472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Antibiotic use is increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); however, few studies have examined the rates of use in a population. The use of antibiotics for liveborn infants in LMIC was examined.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The study, a planned prospective, observational secondary analysis of the A-PLUS randomised controlled trial of azithromycin, was conducted in Global Network sites in seven countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India (two sites), Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guatemala. The analyses included liveborn infants of women planning a vaginal delivery who were enrolled in the A-PLUS trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected on liveborn infants related to non-study antibiotic use in two time-periods: (i) after delivery while in the facility, and (ii) after discharge until 42 days post-partum. Antibiotic use was also examined in preterm and term infants. The most commonly used antibiotics were classified into three groups: penicillins, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. Antibiotics used in <1% of infants are not presented.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 29,354 eligible infants in the study, 2224 (7.6%, 95% CI 7.3-7.9) received non-study antibiotics in the facility after delivery, and 3847 (13.1%, 95% CI 12.7-13.5) received non-study antibiotics after facility discharge until Day 42. In the facility, antibiotics were given to newborns more frequently in sites in Asia and less frequently in sites in Africa and Guatemala. Similarly, after facility discharge, infants were more likely to receive antibiotics in the Asian sites and less so in the African sites and Guatemala. In the facilities, antibiotics were used predominately for prophylaxis (70.7%) but after facility discharge antibiotics were given more often for treatment (56.8%). Preterm infants received more non-study antibiotics than term infants. The antibiotics used varied substantially by time-period and site but, in general, penicillins, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides were the antibiotic categories used more frequently.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Across the Global Network sites, which represent a range of LMIC, nearly 8% of infants received non-study antibiotics more often for prophylaxis, with 13% of infants receiving non-study antibiotics following hospital discharge. With concerns about increasing antimicrobial resistance worldwide, further attention should be given to appropriate antibiotic use.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"111-121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142505269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hypocalcaemia owing to severe vitamin D deficiency in two children with autism spectrum disorder and food allergy.","authors":"Gabriela Guadalupe Rios, Urdur Jonsdottir, Felicia Cooper, Neha Vyas, Shilpa Gurnurkar","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2422661","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2422661","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit limited food preferences and sensory sensitivity. Co-existing food allergies in this population can further limit their already restricted diets, increasing the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Two children with ASD and food allergies presented with non-specific symptoms and were found to have hypocalcaemia secondary to severe vitamin D deficiency. The report highlights the importance of a greater degree of suspicion of vitamin D deficiency in children with co-existing ASD and food allergies. Non-specific symptoms related to hypocalcaemia can be difficult to evaluate in non-verbal patients. A thorough dietary history is an essential part of the care of children with ASD. It is proposed that limited diets should be screened for common nutritional deficiencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"146-150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142584130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitamin D deficiency and associated demographic risk factors in children at a tertiary hospital in Abu Dhabi.","authors":"Ahmed Y Abuhamad, Neamat Almasri, Yusur Al Karaghouli, Rochita Kadam, Mohamed Alhashmi, Eiman Alzaabi, Asma Deeb, Philip R Fischer","doi":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2396714","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20469047.2024.2396714","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite ample sunshine, vitamin D deficiency continues to be prevalent in the Middle East. This pilot study aimed to identify the rate of vitamin D deficiency at a tertiary hospital in Abu Dhabi and to identify the associated risk factors in children and adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A retrospective observational study was conducted using electronic medical records of paediatric patients who underwent 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021. Data on age, gender, ethnicity, weight, body mass index and other potential risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in children were recorded. Patients who were already receiving treatment for vitamin D deficiency were excluded. The collected data were analysed using standard statistical methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 26,818 patients under 18 years of age who attended the outpatient clinic, 1519 underwent 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing; 51% were male (<i>n =</i> 755). After applying the exclusion criteria, 1311 participants were included, 755 (58%) of whom had vitamin D concentrations of ≤50 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in children aged ≥10 years (69%) than in those <10 years of age (53%) (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). The highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was in those older than 16 years (86%). More females (63%, <i>n =</i> 407) than males (52%, <i>n =</i> 348) were identified as vitamin D-deficient (<i>p =</i> 0.0001). Vitamin D deficiency was more commonly identified during summer and autumn (59%) than in winter and spring (44%, <i>p</i> < 0.00001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in children seeking medical care in the UAE, especially in girls, older children and adolescents, and during the summer and autumn. Paediatricians should have a low screening threshold for hypovitaminosis D, or widespread supplementation should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":19731,"journal":{"name":"Paediatrics and International Child Health","volume":" ","pages":"105-110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142154681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}