Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics最新文献

Very preterm infants (VPIs) often experience extrauterine growth failure. Therefore, aggressive nutritional management of VPIs is recommended with the goal of achieving the postnatal growth of an equivalent fetus. However, VPIs frequently present postnatal length growth restriction at term-corrected age that remains lower than the standard weight and have greater fat mass and lower lean and bone mass than term-born infants. This condition differs from the classic pattern of infant undernutrition defined as a significantly lower weight for a given length. Moreover, it suggests that nonnutritional factors play a key role in length growth restriction. While weight faltering has been extensively studied, the significance of length growth failure in VPIs has only recently emerged. The nonnutritional factors underlying poor length growth in VPIs are currently not fully understood. In this review, we address recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of length growth restriction, which has been identified as a major predictor of adverse neurodevelopmental and cognitive outcomes in VPIs. First, we review the shortand long-term consequences of poor length growth in VPIs; next, we highlight the effects of nonnutritional factors on postnatal length growth with focus on sustained neonatal inflammation; and finally, we discuss hypothesis and future lines of research attempting to understand the complex inflammatory-endocrine interactions and pathophysiological changes during early postnatal life, appropriately guide and apply clinical strategies aimed at optimizing length growth of VPIs, and identify evidence of the associations between sustained neonatal inflammation, stunting, and long-term health risks and the potential implications thereof.

Background: The increasing global prevalence of obesity poses significant public health problems, as obesity exerts adverse effects on many systems and lung function. However, research on the lung function of preschool children with obesity is limited and inconclusive. In addition, studies specific to obesity indices that influence lung function in young children with obesity are limited.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate lung function of obese versus normal-weight preschool children using impulse oscillometry (IOS) and identify obesity indices predictive of altered lung function.

Methods: We enrolled obese children aged 3-7 years as well as age- and sex-matched normal-weight controls. The participants underwent IOS assessments that measured the resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20), the difference in resistance between these frequencies (R5-R20), reactance at 5 Hz (X5), resonance frequency, and reactance area (AX). We compared these parameters between groups and analyzed the correlations between obesity indices and IOS measures within the obese group using multiple linear regression.

Results: The study included 68 participants (n=34 each group). In the obese group, significantly higher values were observed for R5 (adjusted for height, P=0.02; % predicted, P=0.01; z score, P<0.001), R5-R20 (absolute value, P=0.002; adjusted for height, P=0.001), and AX (z score, P=0.01). AX adjusted for height showed a greater trend (P=0.07). The waist-to-height ratio was the most robust independent predictor of total and peripheral airway resistance, with increases in R5 (b=1.65, P=0.02) and R5-R20 (b=1.39, P=0.03) and a near-significant correlation with AX (b=12.12, P=0.06).

Conclusion: Preschool children with obesity exhibit impaired lung function, characterized by elevated total and peripheral airway resistance. Waist-to-height ratio was the strongest predictor of these changes.

Background: Most studies that estimate the occurrence of childhood stroke use heterogeneous methods and rely on International Classification of Diseases codes, a strategy that may be unreliable.

Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of childhood stroke in Indonesia using imaging and clinical data from a private hospital network.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used consecutive retrospective multicenter data samples collected in 2019- 2023. The study cohort included children aged >28 days to young adults aged 24 years with confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 1-year occurrence was calculated, and the data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 26.0.

Results: Over 5 years, the performance of 8,987 CT and 6,133 MRI scans resulted in the identification of 1,074 stroke cases. The average patient age was 14.8±7.0 years. Stroke occurrence was highest in 2021 (9.08%) and lowest in 2022 (5.91%). Male patients accounted for 67.9% of cases, with hemorrhagic strokes accounting for 83.4% of the total, primarily resulting from accidents (73.2%) and predominantly occurring in the frontal region (37.1%). A significant majority of cases (66.7%) were reported in Java. Males had a relative risk of 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 1.48-2.52; P<0.001) for hemorrhagic stroke versus females.

Conclusion: The incidence of childhood stroke revealed critical epidemiological trends and disparities, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions and enhanced stroke prevention strategies in Indonesia.

Cerebral organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells offer a groundbreaking foundation for the analysis of pediatric neurological diseases. Unlike organoids from other somatic systems, cerebral organoids present unique challenges, such as the high sensitivity of neuronal cells to environmental conditions and the complexity of replicating brain-specific architectures. Cerebral organoids replicate the human brain development and pathology, enabling research on conditions such as microcephaly, Rett syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and brain tumors. This review explores the utility of cerebral organoids for modeling diseases and testing therapeutic interventions. Despite current limitations such as variability and lack of vascularization, recent technological advancements have improved the reliability and application of such interventions. Cerebral organoids provide valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying complex neural disorders and hold promise as novel treatment strategies for pediatric neurological diseases.

Background: In children, C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by diverse clinicopathological profiles and kidney outcomes. However, diagnostic work-up in resource-limited settings is challenging because of the unavailability of complement assays and limited access to electron microscopy or genetic testing.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological features and response to immunosuppression and evaluate renal outcomes among children with C3G in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved a review of the hospital records of 46 children (2013-2021) diagnosed with C3G on kidney biopsy. Their clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome details at onset and follow-up were noted.

Results: The mean (standard deviation) age was 9 (4) years. The common presentation was acute nephritis (27 [58.6%]), while 1 in 5 (19.5%) presented with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Focal crescentic glomerulonephritis (14 [30.4%]) was the common histological pattern. Electron microscopy was performed in 22 (47.8%), of which 17 were C3 glomerulonephritis and 4 were dense deposit disease (DDD). None of the patients underwent complement assay or genetic testing. Almost two-thirds (63%) received empirical immunosuppressive therapy, most commonly steroids. Of the 31/46 who completed follow-up (median [interquartile range] duration, 11.5 [6-24] months), 6 (19.4%) demonstrated complete kidney recovery, while the other 25 (80.7%) had kidney sequelae; of them, 5 (16.1%) progressed to end-stage kidney disease and 2 (4.3%) died by the last follow-up.

Conclusion: Pediatric C3G has a variable clinicopathological spectrum, while DDD is less common. Most patients present with glomerulonephritis and significant morbidities. The lack of genetic and C3Nephritic factor testing is a barrier to the comprehensive phenotyping and management of C3G in resource-limited settings.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) during childhood and adolescence is increasingly being recognized as a precursor to adult hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review examines the existing evidence of the relationship between early BP elevations and long-term cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Previous studies demonstrated a moderate association between childhood BP and adult hypertension, with early BP elevations contributing to subclinical CV changes such as left ventricular hypertrophy and increased carotid intima-media thickness as well as major premature CVD events in adulthood. However, evidence also indicates that BP normalization before adulthood may mitigate these risks, suggesting a critical interventional window before irreversible CV changes occur. Multiple modifiable and nonmodifiable factors contribute to early-life BP elevations, including genetic predisposition, a high sodium intake, obesity, sedentary behavior, and sleep disturbances. Although establishing a direct causal association between childhood BP and adult hypertension or CVD remains challenging owing to the need for longterm follow-up and large sample sizes, further research is essential to addressing the existing knowledge gaps in pediatric hypertension prevention, detection, impact, and treatment. This review highlights the importance of preventing BP elevations early in life to reduce the longterm burden of hypertension and CVD. Promoting healthy behaviors, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing one's sodium intake, engaging in physical activity, and ensuring adequate sleep, is essential for managing BP at an early age. These efforts reduce individual CV risk and help alleviate the broader future public health burden of hypertension and CVD.