Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Poor Growth (poor + growth)
Selected AbstractsFive-year prospective analysis of dietary intake and clinical status in malnourished cystic fibrosis patientsJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2003J. Walkowiak Abstract Background, Poor growth and malnutrition still pose a problem in cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the present study was to assess nutrition, as well as clinical status, of malnourished CF patients during a nutritional care programme. Material and methods, The study comprised 38 CF patients, aged 1,18 years old. The prospective annual assessment of dietary intake and clinical status was carried out during 1994,98. Results, The energy intake increased, in comparison with recommended daily allowances, from 83.6 ± 4.8% in 1994 to 107.9 ± 4.9% in 1998. A similar tendency was observed for the percentage of energy derived from fat (30.3 ± 0.8% versus 35.1 ± 0.8%) and protein (11.4 ± 0.4% versus 13.8 ± 0.4%). In subsequent years of the study, an improvement in the fat profile of the diet (with a higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids) was observed. The observed increase of vitamin A and E consumption was related chiefly to changes in the doses of supplementation. During these 5 years, an improvement in nutritional status (Z-score: height ,1.34 ± 0.13 versus ,1.08 ± 0.14 and weight ,1.40 ± 0.09 versus ,1.12 ± 0.08) and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 75.5 ± 2.0% versus 77.8 ± 2.2%) was observed. Conclusion, The nutritional care programme resulted in stable quantitative and qualitative changes in dietary intake. Although the diet does not reach the recommended level of high-energy intake, the positive impact of increasing nutrient intake on the nutritional and clinical status of malnourished CF patients was documented. [source] Findings from a multidisciplinary clinical case series of females with Rett syndromeDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2003Hilary Cass BSc FRCPCH Systematic data from a multidisciplinary clinical assessment of a large series of females with Rett syndrome (RS; n=87) is presented. Participants' ages ranged from 2 years 1 month to 44 years 10 months. Areas assessed included oromotor skills, feeding problems, growth, breathing abnormalities, mobility, postural abnormalities and joint deformities, epilepsy, hand use and stereotypies, self-care, and cognitive and communication skills. Many previously reported trends in the presentation of RS over time were confirmed, notably the increasingly poor growth and near pervasiveness of fixed joint deformities and scoliosis in adulthood. In contrast, there was a slight trend towards improved autonomic function in adulthood, whereas feeding difficulties increased into middle childhood and then reached a plateau. Improvements in mobility into adolescence were followed by a decline in those skills in adulthood. Levels of dependency were high, confirming findings from previous studies. Despite the presence of repetitive hand movements, a range of hand-use skills was seen in individuals of all ages. Cognitive and communication skills were limited, but there was little evidence of deterioration of these abilities with age. These findings confirm that RS is not a degenerative condition and indicate that intervention and support to maintain and increase motor skills, daily living skills, and cognitive and communicative functioning are appropriate targets for individuals with RS. [source] Variation in Serripes groenlandicus (Bivalvia) growth in a Norwegian high-Arctic fjord: evidence for local- and large-scale climatic forcingGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2006WILLIAM G. AMBROSE Jr. Abstract We examined the growth rate of the circumpolar Greenland Cockle (Serripes groenlandicus) over a period of 20 years (1983,2002) from Rijpfjord, a high-Arctic fjord in northeast Svalbard (80°10,N, 22°15,E). This period encompassed different phases of large-scale climatic oscillations with accompanying variations in local physical variables (temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, sea ice cover), allowing us to analyze the linkage between growth rate, climatic oscillations, and their local physical and biological manifestations. Standard growth index (SGI), an ontogenetically adjusted measure of annual growth, ranged from a low of 0.27 in 2002 up to 2.46 in 1996. Interannual variation in growth corresponded to the Arctic climate regime index (ACRI), with high growth rates during the positive ACRI phase characterized by cyclonic ocean circulation and a warmer and wetter climate. Growth rates were influenced by local manifestations of the ACRI: positively correlated with precipitation and to a lesser extent negatively correlated with atmospheric pressure. A multiple regression model explains 65% of the variability in growth rate by the ACRI and precipitation at the nearest meteorological station. There were, however, complexities in the relationship between growth and physical variables, including an apparent 1 year lag between physical forcing changes and biological response. Also, when the last 4 years of poor growth are excluded, there is a very strong negative correlation with ice cover on a pan-arctic scale. Our results suggest that bivalves, as sentinels of climate change on multi-decadal scales, are sensitive to environmental variations associated with large-scale changes in climate, but that the effects will be determined by changes in environmental parameters regulating marine production and food availability on a local scale. [source] Protein intake, growth and lung function of infants with chronic lung diseaseJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2009E. Cillié Background:, The increased survival rate of extremely preterm infants has not improved the incidence or outcome of infants diagnosed with chronic lung disease (CLD) (Riley, 2008). The relationship between optimal nutrition (particularly protein intake) and chronic lung disease has not been established. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between protein intake, growth and lung function in infants with CLD. Methods:, A CLD database, maintained for the past 10 years, was used to select participants that had reached 1 year of corrected age. Infants who were born during 2001,2006 with a birth weight of <1500 g, and who subsequently had a diagnosis of CLD, were included. Infants with evidence of intra-uterine growth restriction and abnormal cerebral pathology were excluded. Demographic, mean weight gain, protein intake and respiratory support data were collected retrospectively from the medical notes. Growth parameters and need for oxygen and inhalers up to 1 year of corrected age were collected from the CLD follow-up database. SPSS, version 15 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) were used for Pearson's or Spearmans correlation analysis and analysis of variance or the Wilcoxon test, as appropriate. Results:, Sixty infants were studied: 25 females and 35 males. The median (range) post-menstrual age at birth was 26 (22,31) weeks. The most common feed was breast milk; fortified breast milk was used for 37% of the total days studied. The mean (SD) protein intake was 2.28 (0.33) g kg,1 day,1 and the mean (SD) weight gain was 11.67 (1.77) g kg,1 day,1. There was a positive correlation between protein intake and weight gain (r = 0.32, P = 0.013), which was stronger in females (r = 0.51, P = 0.009). Protein intake was significantly associated with head circumference growth in females only (r = 0.47, P = 0.038). Protein intake was inversely related to the number of days spent mechanically ventilated (r = ,0.32, P = 0.015). There was no relationship between protein intake and growth at 1 year corrected age, time spent on continuous positive airway pressure, age weaned off oxygen, or the use of inhalers. There was an inverse correlation between total weeks of oxygen dependence and head circumference at 1 year (r = ,0.35, P = 0.022). Discussion:, The mean protein intake was <3 g kg,1 day,1, which is the minimum requirement for preterm infants (Tsang et al., 2005). This was associated with a sub-optimal weight gain in our participants of <15 g kg,1 day,1 (Steward & Pridham, 2002). The study demonstrates the known association between low protein intake and poor growth with ventilator dependence (Loui et al., 2008). Conclusions:, Low birth weight and low gestational age infants at risk of CLD should receive special attention to optimise their protein intake because sub-optimal protein intake potentially leads to poor growth when on a neonatal intensive care unit. References Loui, A., Tsalikaki, E., Maier, K., Walch, E., Kamarianakis, Y. & Obladen, M. (2008) Growth in high risk infants <1500 g birth weight during the first 5 weeks. Early Hum. Dev. 84, 645,650, Doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2008.04.005. Riley, K., Roth, S., Sellwood, M. & Wyatt, J.S. (2008) Survival and neurodevelopmental morbidity at 1 year of age following extremely preterm delivery over a 20-year period: a single centre cohort study. Acta Paediatr.97, 159,165. Steward, D.K. & Pridham, K.F. (2002) Growth patterns of extremely low-birth-weight hospitalised preterm infants. JOGN Nurs31, 57,65. Tsang, R.C., Uauy, R., Koletzko, B. & Zlotkin, S.H., eds. (2005) Nutrition of the Preterm Infant: Scientific Basis and Practical Guidelines. Cincinnati: Digital Educational Publishing. [source] Evaluation of Chromocult® enterococci agar for the isolation and selective enumeration of Enterococcus spp. in broilersLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005J.M. Miranda Abstract Aims:, To investigate the productivity and specificity of a new chromogenic enterococci selective medium (Chromocult® enterococci agar) recently developed by Merck. Methods and Results:, The study was carried out comparing Chromocult® enterococci agar with MRS agar (Merck), a basal lactic acid bacteria medium in current use. A total of 216 faecal samples from poultry were collected and enterococci populations were counted. Likewise, 100 randomly selected strains were identified for each medium. The differences found between the two media were analysed and discussed. Conclusions:, A good sensitivity of 98% was obtained for Chromocult® agar and all false-positive isolates obtained were identified as Leuconostoc spp. However significant differences (P < 0·01) were obtained between the enterococci species isolation rates identified from these two media, suggesting the poor growth of some species in Chromocult® enterococci agar. Viable counts of Enterococcus spp. obtained with MRS agar were significantly higher than those obtained with Chromocult® enterococci agar. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The use of chromogenic media for microbiological analysis is increasing. Independent studies are important to evaluate newly developed chromogenic media. [source] The Not-so-Dark Ages: Ecology for human growth in medieval and early Twentieth Century Portugal as inferred from skeletal growth profilesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Hugo F.V. Cardoso Abstract This study attempts to address the issue of relative living standards in Portuguese medieval and early 20th century periods. Since the growth of children provides a good measure of environmental quality for the overall population, the skeletal growth profiles of medieval Leiria and early 20th century Lisbon were compared. Results show that growth in femur length of medieval children did not differ significantly from that of early 20th century children, but after puberty medieval adolescents seem to have recovered, as they have significantly longer femora as adults. This is suggestive of greater potential for catch-up growth in medieval adolescents. We suggest that this results from distinct child labor practices, which impact differentially on the growth of Leiria and Lisbon adolescents. Work for medieval children and adolescents were related to family activities, and care and attention were provided by family members. Conversely, in early 20th century Lisbon children were more often sent to factories at around 12 years of age as an extra source of family income, where they were exploited for their labor. Since medieval and early 20th century children were stunted at an early age, greater potential for catch-up growth in medieval adolescents results from exhausting work being added to modern adolescent's burdens of disease and poor diet, when they entered the labor market. Although early 20th century Lisbon did not differ in overall unfavorable living conditions from medieval Leiria, after puberty different child labor practices may have placed modern adolescents at greater risk of undernutrition and poor growth. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Vegetative Characteristics of Recently Reforested Bottomlands in the Lower Cache River Watershed, Illinois, U.S.A.RESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Brian S. Kruse Abstract Interest in restoring native ecosystems is resulting in conversion of marginal agricultural lands to bottomland hardwood-dominated forests in the midwestern and midsouthern United States. Growing stock for these efforts typically consists of planted oak (Quercus spp.) and volunteer vegetation. Reports of mixed reforestation success and the lack of post-establishment tree growth data prompted this evaluation of vegetation characteristics of 5- to 7-year-old operational restorations in the Lower Cache River Watershed in southernmost Illinois, U.S.A. Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash), Acer negundo (box-elder), and Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum) together comprised 77% of all tree stems observed. Full stocking of overstory tree species can be expected to produce a closed canopy stand within 160 m of a forested edge, due primarily to the abundance of rapidly growing volunteer-origin trees. Planted oaks contributed minimally to total tree stocking but were present in sufficient numbers to eventually improve wildlife habitat, and therefore satisfied restoration objectives. Oak height was 23% greater when in the presence of a non-oak tree species. Herbaceous cover was dominated by Solidago gigantea (late goldenrod) and Juncus spp. (rushes). Solidago gigantea was associated with poor growth and low density of non-oak stems, whereas Juncus dudleyi (Dudley's rush) was associated with taller non-oak stems. These results suggest that the presence of volunteer-origin trees is crucial for the creation of full stand stocking that will result in rapid development of a closed canopy forest. Improved success of future reforestation efforts will require more intensive methods to establish adequate stocking beyond 160 m of a forest edge. Methods described here could be adapted for agricultural field to forest restorations in other regions to predict critical distances from volunteer seed sources within which supplemental planting would be unnecessary to meet tree stocking objectives. [source] Estimation of dietary biotin requirement of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus C.AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2010J. LI Abstract A 9-week feeding experiment was conducted to determine the dietary biotin requirement of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus C. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic purified diets (Diets 1,6) containing 0, 0.01, 0.049, 0.247, 1.238 and 6.222 mg biotin kg,1 diet were fed twice daily to triplicate groups (30 fish per group) of fish (initial average weight 2.26 ± 0.03 g) in 18 fibreglass tanks (300 L) filled with 250 L of water in a flow-through system. Water flow rate through each tank was 2 L min,1. Water temperature ranged from 25.0 to 28.0 °C, salinity from 28.0 to 29.5 g L,1, pH from 8.0 to 8.1 and dissolved oxygen content was approximately 7 mg L,1 during the experiment. After the feeding experiment, fish fed Diet 1 developed severe biotin deficiency syndromes characterized by anorexia, poor growth, dark skin colour, atrophy and high mortality. Significant lower survival (73.3%) was observed in the treatment of deficient biotin. The final weight and weight gain of fish significantly increased with increasing dietary biotin up to 0.049 mg kg,1 diet (P < 0.05), and then slightly decreased. Both feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio showed a very similar change pattern to that of weight gain. Dietary treatments did not significantly affect carcass crude protein, crude lipid, moisture and ash content. However, liver biotin concentration (0,6.1 ,g g,1) significantly increased with the supplementation of dietary biotin (P < 0.05), and no tissue saturation was found within the supplementation scope of biotin. Broken-line regression analysis of weight gain showed that juvenile Japanese seabass require a minimum of 0.046 mg kg,1 biotin for maximal growth. [source] REVIEW ARTICLE: Live prey first feeding regimes for short-snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus (Linnaeus, 1758) juvenilesAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Francisco Otero-Ferrer Abstract As with many species of seahorses, Hippocampus hippocampus wild populations are being subjected to uncontrolled exploitation in their natural environment. Thus, aquaculture could contribute to satisfy the commercial demand for animals while promoting the recovery of wild stocks. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of the substituting Artemia nauplii with rotifers for first feeding seahorse juveniles. Survival, growth and biochemical composition of prey organisms and fish were studied during the feeding trial. In addition, to help the biometric study, an anaesthetic test was also carried out using clove oil. The results showed excellent survival (average 60%) in juveniles exclusively fed with Artemia, with better values than those reported previously obtained by other authors for this species. By comparison, high mortality and poor growth were observed during first feeding with seahorses fed on rotifers. This could have been related to the lower energy intake and poorer nutritional value of the rotifers. Furthermore, clove oil concentrations of 25 ppm were found to work well as an anaesthetic for seahorse juveniles. Overall, first feeding Artemia alone was found to be an efficient and simplified method for feeding young H. hippocampus fry, building the principles for their culture for ornamental or re-stocking purposes. [source] Histological alterations in the hepatopancreas of Penaeus monodon Fabricius (1798) given aflatoxin B1 -incorporated dietsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Radhika Gopinath Abstract Aflatoxin is a toxic contaminant produced by toxigenic fungi of the genus Aspergillus during the processing and storage of feeds and feed ingredients. Aflatoxins can cause abnormalities such as poor growth, physiological imbalances and histological changes that result in a reduction in the yield and profitability of shrimp culture. Histological changes in Penaeus monodon sub-adults fed different doses of aflatoxin B1 were studied. The doses of aflatoxin B1 administered in the diets were 50, 100, 150, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppb. At the end of the fourth and the eighth weeks of the experiment, the shrimps were sampled and the cephalothorax was observed for histological changes. Significant changes were observed in the different treatment groups at the fourth and eighth weeks. The severity of pathological changes was proportional to the increase in the concentration of aflatoxin fed to the shrimps. Histological changes in the hepatopancreas were loss of structure of the cells and tubules, nodule formation, cell elongation, desquamation, rounding of cells, fibrosis, necrosis, haemocytic infiltration and cellular inflammation. [source] Combined effects of water exchange regimes and calcium carbonate additions on growth and survival of hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon (Babylonia areolata Link 1807) in recirculating grow-out systemAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2006S Kritsanapuntu Abstract To determine a suitable culture environment to maximize growth and survival, the hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, were held in plastic rearing tanks at four calcium carbonate additions of 0, 100 and 300 g tonne,1, and four water exchange regimes of 0-, 15-, 30- and 60-day intervals in a recirculating grow-out system for 120 days. The results clearly showed that growth was greatest between water exchange regimes of 15- and 30-day intervals and all calcium carbonate additions, with water exchange regimes of 0- and 60-day intervals resulting in poor growth. Final survival was highest between water exchange regimes of 15- and 30-day intervals, and all calcium carbonate additions, with water exchange regimes of 0-day intervals and all calcium carbonate additions resulting in high mortalities. This study showed that water exchange regimes had a stronger influence on the growth of juvenile B. areolata than calcium carbonate additions. It is recommended that B. areolata juveniles be maintained within the water exchange regimes range of 15,30-day intervals and at calcium carbonate additions between 0 and 500 g tonne,1, providing optimum conditions for production of this species in a recirculating grow-out system. [source] Unusual multifocal granulomatous disease caused by actinomycetous bacteria in a nestling Derbyan parrot (Psittacula derbiana)AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1-2 2009FJ Park A nestling Derbyan parrot (Psittacula derbiana) was presented with unusual subcutaneous swellings of the thigh regions, and poor growth. Histological examination revealed actinomycetous bacteria associated with multifocal systemic granulomas. The clinical and pathological findings of the case are presented, and some relevant aspects of actinomycetous bacterial infections in mammals and birds are discussed. Although granulomatous disease is encountered at times in avian species, the actinomycetous bacteria (Nocardia and Actinomyces spp.) have rarely been reported in association with multifocal granulomatous disease in birds. [source] Incidence of and risk factors for neonatal morbidity after active perinatal care: extremely preterm infants study in Sweden (EXPRESS)ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 7 2010The EXPRESS Group Abstract Aims:, The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants and to identify associated risk factors. Methods:, Population based study of infants born before 27 gestational weeks and admitted for neonatal intensive care in Sweden during 2004,2007. Results:, Of 638 admitted infants, 141 died. Among these, life support was withdrawn in 55 infants because of anticipation of poor long-term outcome. Of 497 surviving infants, 10% developed severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), 5.7% cystic periventricular leucomalacia (cPVL), 41% septicaemia and 5.8% necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); 61% had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and 34% developed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage ,3. Eighty-five per cent needed mechanical ventilation and 25% developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Forty-seven per cent survived to one year of age without any severe IVH, cPVL, severe ROP, severe BPD or NEC. Tocolysis increased and prolonged mechanical ventilation decreased the chances of survival without these morbidities. Maternal smoking and higher gestational duration were associated with lower risk of severe ROP, whereas PDA and poor growth increased this risk. Conclusion:, Half of the infants surviving extremely preterm birth suffered from severe neonatal morbidities. Studies on how to reduce these morbidities and on the long-term health of survivors are warranted. [source] Cytokine levels in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and long-term growth and neurodevelopmentACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2010A Lodha Abstract Objective:, To investigate if circulating cytokines are related to growth and neurodevelopmental outcome following necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Study design:, Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured prospectively in 40 neonates and compared with neurodevelopmental outcome. Cytokine levels were measured at the onset of feeding intolerance (Group II, n = 17) or NEC (Group III, n = 10) and at weeks 2,3 in control infants (Group I, n = 13). Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the age of 24,28 months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and Student t -test. Results:, Median birth weights (range) in groups I, II and III were 1120 (525,1564) g, 1068 (650,1937) g and 1145 (670,2833) g, and median gestational ages (range) were 28 (24,35) weeks 28 (24,35) weeks and 28 (25,37) weeks respectively. NEC occurred in 10 infants. Serum IL-6 (interleukin-6) was elevated in group III, (p = 0.03). Significant developmental delay was found in 12% of the infants in Group II and 20% of the infants in Group III, but no infant in group I. Five infants in group III with NEC (50%), had head ultrasound abnormalities. At 1 year of age, growth, weight and head circumference were significantly different in Group III, however, at two years of age, only height was significantly different, p < 0.02. Although there was wide variation, neonatal cytokine levels tended to be greater in the infants later found to have abnormal cognitive and psychomotor outcomes. Conclusion:, This study suggests that increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines may play a role in the poor growth and neurodevelopment associated with this high-risk population. [source] ,Failure to thrive' revisitedCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 3 2008Jane Batchelor Abstract The term ,non-organic failure to thrive' (FTT) has long been used in relation to young children with faltering growth for which no organic cause is found. In this paper, problems arising from dichotomised organic/non-organic responses to FTT are explored and reasons for the assumption that non-organic FTT was always due to emotional abuse or neglect are presented. The case is made that, except in a minority of cases, children fail to grow because they consume insufficient calories. Research studies on reasons for poor intake, from factors related to the child and their parents to the wider family and environment, are summarised. Following a brief reference to literature on outcomes, I argue that centile charts should be routinely completed for all young children. If faltering growth is identified, a multi-factorial assessment should be undertaken. Such an assessment reduces the risk of interventions being based on outdated assumptions about non-organic FTT and maximises the potential for successful resolution of poor growth. After briefly summarising the literature on interventions, I conclude with suggestions for improving practice in this field, including working in partnership with families and with health and social care professionals already known to them. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||