The Role of WIC in Obesity Prevention
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis paper seeks to answer the following two questions: (1) Is participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) associated with changes in obesity and overweight? and (2) What obesity prevention interventions in the WIC setting may be most effective for obesity prevention?Recent FindingsThe available evidence supports the conceptualization of the role of WIC in obesity prevention across the life course, with suggested impacts/influence on gestational weight gain during pregnancy, rapid infant weight gain during infancy, healthy lifestyle behavior during inte...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - July 1, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Epigenetics of Childhood Obesity
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe sought to describe how epigenetics, the study of potentially heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence, has promise in the development of effective preventive interventions for childhood obesity.Recent FindingsThree main mechanisms cause epigenetic changes: DNA methylation, histone and chromatin modification, and post-translational regulation, including that by microRNAs (miRNAs). These mechanisms may be altered by a variety of exposures, and evidence suggests they act at multiple time points prior to conception, during pregnancy, and during ...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - June 30, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Early-Onset Obesity Caused by Monogenic Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewObesity is a common problem encountered daily by pediatricians. Although most obesity results from an “obesogenic” environment, single gene mutations in the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin pathway may cause severe hyperphagia and early-onset obesity. This review discusses features of monogenic obesity to help pediatricians identify affected patients and offers insights into diagnosis and treatm ent by pediatric endocrinologists, geneticists, and other subspecialists.Recent FindingsIn addition to leptin, the leptin receptor, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and the melanocortin receptors, genes mut...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - June 21, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Childcare in Infancy and Later Obesity: a Narrative Review of Longitudinal Studies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature on the longitudinal relationship between non-parental childcare during infancy and later obesity.Recent FindingsEleven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 74 associations relevant to the review. Studies were highly heterogeneous in terms of defining childcare, categorizing different types of childcare, assessing obesity, and age at measurement of outcome and exposure. Most of the associations were either non-significant (42 associations, 57%) or showed a significant association between increased exposure to childcare and ...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - June 15, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
New Insights and Perspectives in Congenital Diarrheal Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe highlight new entities of congenital diarrheal disorders (CDDs) and progresses in understanding of functionally related genes, opening new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives.Recent FindingsThe more significant advances have been made in field of pathogenesis, encouraging a better understanding not only of these rare diseases but also of more common pathogenetic mechanisms.SummaryCDDs represent an evolving group of rare chronic enteropathies with a typical onset early in the life. Usually, severe chronic diarrhea is the main clinical manifestation, but in other cases, diarrhea is only a comp...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - June 15, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Renal Vasculitis in Childhood
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRenal vasculitis in children, while rare, can be life threatening and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although sometimes renal limited, more often, the kidney is affected as part of a more systemic disorder. While there are increasing numbers of pediatric case series, management decisions are derived from randomized controlled trials conducted in adults. The aim of this review is to summarize the recent literature on the pathogenesis, management, and outcome of small-, medium-, and large-vessel renal vasculitis in the pediatric population.Recent FindingsOur understanding of the...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - June 15, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
An Integrative Approach to Pediatric Headache Management: Nutraceuticals
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this paper is to familiarize readers with the breadth of nutraceutical options available to patients that may empower autonomous headache management and lessen headache burden with a low potential for adverse effects.Recent FindingsOver recent years, the demand and evidence for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) options in the form of nutraceuticals has grown. Recent data also suggests the benefits of placebo may be equivalent when compared to first-line headache preventive medications in children.SummaryWhile medications are often the mainstay of treatment for headache managem...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - May 19, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Less Is More: Recent Evolutions in Paediatric Surgery
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this study was to examine some recent developments in paediatric surgery, to both highlight them and to illustrate an underlying theme.Recent FindingsPaediatric surgeons have a desire to minimise morbidity, recognising the potential fragility of the child surrounding the disease. Modern solutions continue to address underlying pathologies, but with lower morbidity to the surrounding child. Laparoscopic surgery is an obvious example of this. It is not the only example. The move from open to percutaneous approaches for central venous access and tumour biopsy is another illustration. In...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - May 18, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Tics, Tourette ’s Syndrome, and Current Therapies Review—Current Pediatric Report
AbstractᅟTourette syndrome and tic disorders are characterized by Tics —both motor and vocal. They are of childhood onset and considered to be neurodevelopmental disorders. Tics are preceded by premonitory urges with subsequent relief. These disorders often result in lower quality of life for patients, especially when presentation is severe.Purpose of This ReviewThe purpose of this review is to understand recent definitions of tic disorders and Tourette syndromes, diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology, and treatments.Recent FindingsMost recent definitions are part of the DSM V. The mechanism of tics is thought to be rel...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - May 16, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Aortic Valve Surgery in the Pediatric Population
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this paper, current approaches to pediatric aortic valve surgery are discussed.Recent FindingsWhile many pediatric aortic valve operations are palliative until an adult-sized prosthetic can fit, some recent advances in adult aortic valve repair techniques can be applied to the pediatric population yielding more definitive repair. Systematic analysis of the valve pathology is necessary to decide on the appropriate operation and refer patients to surgeons with the appropriate expertise.SummaryThe Ross operation remains an ideal operation for pediatric patients with significant aortic valve disease...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - May 10, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Long- and Short-Term Outcomes of Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewEsophageal atresia remains a complex congenital anomaly that manifests in a number of different variants ranging from pure atresia to trachea-esophageal fistula without atresia. The surgical treatment options have continued to evolve with advances in technology and innovative procedures but the results for the patients with long-gap atresia remain challenging.Recent FindingsDocumenting the outcomes from interventions in this population is difficult given the limited experience at most centers and the heterogeneity of the anomalies and the treatments. Several recent studies have provided compari...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - May 6, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Constipation —Surgical Aspects, Investigations, and Therapies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe surgical management of pediatric constipation has been modified in recent years, with a more focused approach to operative interventions and colonic resection. This review will highlight recent insights into the investigation and management of children with intractable constipation.Recent FindingsChronic constipation remains the domain of pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists. However, more targeted and accurate investigations have led to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology underlying constipation. These, in turn, have resulted in a more individualized approach to the surgi...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - April 24, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
The Differential Diagnosis and Initial Management of Pediatric Transverse Myelitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review provides a guide to the basic differential considerations, diagnostic testing, and initial treatment of transverse myelitis, as well as complications to watch for and a discussion of recent data on outcomes of transverse myelitis (TM) in children.Recent FindingsWe continue to learn about the underlying causes of transverse myelitis. Neuroinflammation associated with anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies is a recent addition to the list. Plasma exchange should be considered for patients with myelitis related to antibody-medicated conditions, particularly if unresponsi...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - March 8, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Inherited Neuromuscular Disorders: Presentation, Diagnosis, and Advances in Treatment
This article reviews presentation of inherited neuromuscular disorders, including how to differentiate them from other causes of hypotonia and gross motor delay. Focus is on disorders that have, or may soon have, therapies to improve strength or slow down disease progression.Recent FindingsWith the recent explosion in genetic testing, the number of genes known to cause inherited neuromuscular disorders has increased exponentially in the last 10 years. Understanding the genetic basis has led to the potential for new therapeutics, aimed both at correcting the genetic deficiency and improving downstream factors to help impr...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - March 2, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
Understanding Genetic Test Results in Childhood Epilepsies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDuring the last 5 years, the number of genes identified as causes of childhood epilepsies has increased significantly. Within this review, the current state of knowledge, rationale for genetic testing, and emerging issues and controversies in the field will be discussed.Recent FindingsModern genomic technologies, commonly referred to as next-generation sequencing or massive parallel sequencing approaches, have enabled the discovery of more than 30 novel genes associated with childhood epilepsies, mainly in epileptic encephalopathies, which are characterized by developmental delay and severe and o...
Source: Current Pediatrics Reports - March 1, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research
