Maria A.R.G.M. Antonio

Effect of 4’galactooligosaccharide on constipation symptoms

OBJECTIVE Fructooligosacharides and galactooligosacharides soften fecal bolus and increase frequency of depositions when added to infant formula. This study aimed to determine the effects of galactooligosaccharide in pediatric patients with chronic constipation. METHODS From 2010 to 2012, 20 constipated patients (4-16 years of age) attended to at a primary healthcare unit were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Eleven children ingested galactooligosaccharide (1.7 g) for 30 days, followed by a 15-day washout period, and a 30-day period of placebo (maltodextrin). Nine patients ingested maltodextrin for 30 days, followed by 15-day washout period, and galactooligosaccharide (1.7 g) for 30 days. Constipation symptoms were considered as primary outcomes: bowel movements/week, straining during defecation, and stool consistency. Outcome symptoms were ranked according to a numerical scale elaborated for this study. Data were recorded at baseline, and on days 15 and 30 of each 30-day crossover period. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze symptoms along time. RESULTS At baseline, there was no significant difference in symptoms severity between groups (p=0.45). Galactooligosaccharide ingestion was related to increase of the bowel movement frequency, p<0.0001; relief of defecation straining, p<0.0001; and decrease in stool consistency, p=0.0014, compared to placebo ingestion. Patients reported no side effects from galactooligosaccharide. CONCLUSION Galactooligosaccharide was effective at improving clinical symptoms in this group of constipated children.Objective Fructooligosacharides and galactooligosacharides soften fecal bolus and increase frequency of depositions when added to infant formula. This study aimed to determine the effects of galactooligosaccharide in pediatric patients with chronic constipation.

[Growth analysis of 566 children from the fourteen day care centers of Paulínia (São Paulo, Brazil), with ages ranging from 3 months to 3 years].

To study the growth of 566 children (273 males and 293 females) from fourteen day care centers of Paulínia (São Paulo, Brazil), with ages ranging from 3 months to 3 years, admitted from March 1st to May 31st, 1993, the authors analyzed the z-score distribution of height for age and weight for height in relation to age group, per capita family income, social class levels, mothers education level and child birth weight. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Multiple Comparison test were used in the statistical analysis. The children with less than 24 months or with birth weight less than 3000 g as the children with mothers education level less than four years, presented left deviated distribution in the height for age z-score. The weight for height score was less satisfactory in the group with per capita income less than one salary, in the group with birth weight less than 3000 g, and in the group with ages superior to 18 months.Therefore, institutional actions concerning the children and their parents are recommended in order to attenuate these factors.

Spirometry and volumetric capnography in lung function assessment of obese and normal-weight individuals without asthma

OBJECTIVE To analyze and compare lung function of obese and healthy, normal-weight children and adolescents, without asthma, through spirometry and volumetric capnography. METHODS Cross-sectional study including 77 subjects (38 obese) aged 5-17 years. All subjects underwent spirometry and volumetric capnography. The evaluations were repeated in obese subjects after the use of a bronchodilator. RESULTS At the spirometry assessment, obese individuals, when compared with the control group, showed lower values of forced expiratory volume in the first second by forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and expiratory flows at 75% and between 25 and 75% of the FVC (p<0.05). Volumetric capnography showed that obese individuals had a higher volume of produced carbon dioxide and alveolar tidal volume (p<0.05). Additionally, the associations between dead space volume and tidal volume, as well as phase-3 slope normalized by tidal volume, were lower in healthy subjects (p<0.05). These data suggest that obesity does not alter ventilation homogeneity, but flow homogeneity. After subdividing the groups by age, a greater difference in lung function was observed in obese and healthy individuals aged >11 years (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Even without the diagnosis of asthma by clinical criteria and without response to bronchodilator use, obese individuals showed lower FEV1/FVC values and forced expiratory flow, indicating the presence of an obstructive process. Volumetric capnography showed that obese individuals had higher alveolar tidal volume, with no alterations in ventilation homogeneity, suggesting flow alterations, without affecting lung volumes.

Original articleEffect of 4′galactooligosaccharide on constipation symptomsEfeito do galactooligosacarídeo sobre os sintomas de constipação☆☆☆☆☆☆

OBJECTIVE Fructooligosacharides and galactooligosacharides soften fecal bolus and increase frequency of depositions when added to infant formula. This study aimed to determine the effects of galactooligosaccharide in pediatric patients with chronic constipation. METHODS From 2010 to 2012, 20 constipated patients (4-16 years of age) attended to at a primary healthcare unit were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Eleven children ingested galactooligosaccharide (1.7 g) for 30 days, followed by a 15-day washout period, and a 30-day period of placebo (maltodextrin). Nine patients ingested maltodextrin for 30 days, followed by 15-day washout period, and galactooligosaccharide (1.7 g) for 30 days. Constipation symptoms were considered as primary outcomes: bowel movements/week, straining during defecation, and stool consistency. Outcome symptoms were ranked according to a numerical scale elaborated for this study. Data were recorded at baseline, and on days 15 and 30 of each 30-day crossover period. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze symptoms along time. RESULTS At baseline, there was no significant difference in symptoms severity between groups (p=0.45). Galactooligosaccharide ingestion was related to increase of the bowel movement frequency, p<0.0001; relief of defecation straining, p<0.0001; and decrease in stool consistency, p=0.0014, compared to placebo ingestion. Patients reported no side effects from galactooligosaccharide. CONCLUSION Galactooligosaccharide was effective at improving clinical symptoms in this group of constipated children.Objective Fructooligosacharides and galactooligosacharides soften fecal bolus and increase frequency of depositions when added to infant formula. This study aimed to determine the effects of galactooligosaccharide in pediatric patients with chronic constipation.

Artigo OriginalSpirometry and volumetric capnography in lung function assessment of obese and normal‐weight individuals without asthmaEspirometria e capnografia volumétrica na avaliação da função pulmonar de indivíduos obesos e eutróficos sem asma☆

Objective To analyze and compare lung function of obese and healthy, normal‐weight children and adolescents, without asthma, through spirometry and volumetric capnography.