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Indian Pediatr 2010;47: 458 |
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Gaurav Gupta
[email protected] |
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Is there a link between obesity and
childhood asthma? |
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The observation that asthma and obesity tend to increase in parallel may
indicate a potential link between these two conditions. A recent
systematic review including 10 studies investigated this relationship,
during adolescence. Eight of the 10 selected studies showed positive
associations between overweight/obesity and asthma. The review
demonstrates a strong evidence that obesity precedes, and is associated
with, the persistence and intensity of symptoms of asthma. (Obesity
Reviews Epub 9th Apr, 2010. DOI:
10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00741.x)
Comment While this study certainly provides
additional incentive to prevent obesity, we need to actually study if
reducing weight leads to improved outcomes in asthma.
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Identifying children at low risk for
bacterial conjunctivitis |
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368 children aged 6 months to 17 years (median 3 years) with conjunctival
erythema, eye discharge, or both were examined. Clinicians completed a
checklist of signs and symptoms and collected a conjunctival swab for
bacterial culture. Conjunctival cultures were negative in 130 patients
(35.3%). Age 6 years or older, presentation in April through November, no
or watery discharge, and no glued eye in the morning were found to be
independently associated with a negative conjunctival culture. If 3
factors were present, 76.4% of patients had a negative culture. If all 4
factors were present, 92.3% of patients had a negative culture. Thus the
combination of 4 clinical factors may enable clinicians to identify
children at low risk for bacterial conjunctivitis and may reduce routine
antibiotic drug administration. (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2010: 164;
263)
Comment A very useful adjunct for pediatricians in office practice
to decide whether an antibiotic eye drop is really necessary without
needing to refer a patient to the Ophthalmologist.
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Does breastfeeding matter for IQ, brain
size, and white matter development? |
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The authors used detailed data from a randomized feeding trial to
calculate percentage of expressed maternal breast milk (%EBM) in the
infant diet of 50 adolescents. MRI scans were obtained (mean age = 15 y 9
mo), allowing volumes of total brain (TBV) and white and gray matter (WMV,
GMV) to be calculated. In the total group, %EBM correlated significantly
with verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ); in boys, with all IQ scores, TBV
and WMV. VIQ was, in turn, correlated with WMV and, in boys only,
additionally with TBV. No significant relationships were seen in girls or
with gray matter. These data support the hypothesis that breastmilk
promotes brain development, particularly white matter growth (Pediatr
Res. 2009 Dec 22).
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Does homeopathic treatment help in
recurrent URTI? |
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The number of attacks of the URTIs during the 6 months period preceding
the date of commencement of the homeopathic treatment and 6 months period
following the date of commencement of treatment were compared in 30
children. The results of the study indicated statistically significant
differences (P <0.001) in the two data sets in favor of homeopathic
treated cases. The results of the study indicate the utility of the
homeopathic remedies in the treatment of URTIs in children. (Complementary
Therapies in Clinical Practice 2010, 16: 101).
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