Roberto Teixeira Mendes

Effects of swimming on spirometric parameters and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children and adolescents with moderate persistent atopic asthma

OBJECTIVE To investigate the medium-term benefits of a swimming program in schoolchildren and adolescents with moderate persistent atopic asthma (MPAA). METHODS A randomized, prospective study of children and adolescents (age 7-18 years) with MPAA was carried out at the Hospital de Clínicas of Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil. After a 1-month run-in period, 61 patients (34 female) were randomized into two groups, a swimming group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 31), and followed for 3 months. Both patient groups received inhaled fluticasone (dry powder, 250 mcg twice a day) and salbutamol as needed. The swim training program consisted of two weekly classes over a 3-month period for a total of 24 sessions. Both groups underwent spirometric assessment and methacholine challenge test--provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC₂₀)--before and after the study period. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured only in the swimming group. RESULTS Significant increases in PC₂₀ (pre-training, 0.31±0.25; post-training, 0.63±0.78; p = 0.008), MIP (pre-training, 67.08±17.13 cm H₂O; post-training 79.46±18.66; p < 0.001), and MEP (pre-training, 71.69±20.01 cm H₂O; post-training, 78.92±21.45 cm H₂O; p < 0.001) were found in the swimming group. CONCLUSION Children and adolescents with MPAA subjected to a swim training program experienced a significant decrease in bronchial hyperresponsiveness, as determined by increased PC₂₀ values, when compared with asthmatic controls who did not undergo swim training. Participants in the swimming group also showed improvement in elastic recoil of the chest wall.

Avaliação espirométrica e da hiper-responsividade brônquica de crianças e adolescentes com asma atópica persistente moderada submetidos a natação

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the medium-term benefits of a swimming program in schoolchildren and adolescents with moderate persistent atopic asthma (MPAA). METHODS: A randomized, prospective study of children and adolescents (age 7-18 years) with MPAA was carried out at the Hospital de Clinicas of Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil. After a 1-month run-in period, 61 patients (34 female) were randomized into two groups, a swimming group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 31), and followed for 3 months. Both patient groups received inhaled fluticasone (dry powder, 250 mcg twice a day) and salbutamol as needed. The swim training program consisted of two weekly classes over a 3-month period for a total of 24 sessions. Both groups underwent spirometric assessment and methacholine challenge test - provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) - before and after the study period. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured only in the swimming group. RESULTS: Significant increases in PC20 (pre-training, 0.31±0.25; post-training, 0.63±0.78; p = 0.008), MIP (pre-training, 67.08±17.13 cm H2O; post-training 79.46±18.66; p < 0.001), and MEP (pre-training, 71.69±20.01 cm H2O; post-training, 78.92±21.45 cm H2O; p < 0.001) were found in the swimming group. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with MPAA subjected to a swim training program experienced a significant decrease in bronchial hyperresponsiveness, as determined by increased PC20 values, when compared with asthmatic controls who did not undergo swim training. Participants in the swimming group also showed improvement in elastic recoil of the chest wall.

Crianças e adolescentes obesos: dois anos de acompanhamento interdisciplinar

OBJECTIVE: To study two years follow-up of obese children and adolescents from a specialized out-patient clinic. METHODS: This cohort study with retrospective collection of data enrolled 150 patients (1 to 19 years old, 53% males, 63% from Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and at mean age of 4.3 years when they started the weight gain). All patients were followed at the Obesity Out-Patient Clinic of the Clinical Hospital of Campinas University. Out of the 150 patients, 128 returned once and weight, height, body mass index (BMI) measurements and Z scores were obtained. Laboratory exams were colleted: hemoglobin, lipids, fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Glucose/insulin ratio was calculated. Patients were divided in two groups, if they returned or not to the clinic. Difference between both groups were analyzed regarding age, gender, city of origin, age when the weight gain started, acanthosis nigricans, weight, height, BMI Z score and proportion of altered laboratory exams. The difference in BMI Z score in relation to the first visit was also analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 128 patients, 57% continued to be followed in the clinic and 114 returned at least once. Comparing groups, patients from Campinas fail more to return. There were no differences in the clinical, anthropometric and laboratory variables. Both groups showed lower mean BMI Z score in the return visit compared to the first visit. CONCLUSIONS: The obese children and adolescents from the follow-up clinic showed a reduction in the mean BMI Z score similar to published data. The rate of dropping follow-up was high, but no variable could explain it, except for the patient origin.

Peso, estatura e comprimento em crianças e adolescentes com síndrome de Down: análise comparativa de indicadores antropométricos de obesidade

A obesidade e considerada uma epidemia, que acomete tambem criancas e adolescentes com sindrome de Down. Contudo, como nao ha um parâmetro consensual para diagnosticar obesidade nessa populacao, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisao critica de artigos que estudam indices antropometricos, para avaliacao do estado nutricional de criancas e adolescentes com essa sindrome. O levantamento dos artigos foi realizado nas bases de dados PubMed, MedlLine, Lilacs e SciELO, dando-se importância aos parâmetros antropometricos e sua relacao com a obesidade. De 83 artigos iniciais, foram selecionados 11 para analise critica. Nos Estados Unidos, estabeleceram uma curva de normalidade para peso e estatura de criancas e adolescentes com sindrome de Down e, quando compararam os seus valores com as curvas do National Center for Health Statistics, observaram que houve um padrao menor de crescimento em estatura. Em estudos europeus, observou-se o mesmo fato. No Brasil, Mustacchi desenvolveu indices de peso/idade e estatura/idade e observou deficit importante de estatura, quando comparou estatura/idade com as curvas do National Center for Health Statistics e com as curvas de Cronk et al. Em CONCLUSAO:, os dados antropometricos disponiveis em curvas pondero-estaturais sao considerados relativos a uma determinada populacao e revelam suas caracteristicas especificas, porque expressam a influencia dos fatores ambientais e determinantes geneticos. Portanto, ha necessidade de se definir curvas de padrao de referencia para criancas e adolescentes com sindrome de Down em diferentes faixas etarias, regioes e etnias, para se diagnosticar corretamente seu estado nutricional.Obesity is considered an epidemic and also affects children and adolescents with Down syndrome. However, since a consensual parameter for diagnosing obesity in this population does not exist, the objective of this study was to perform a critical review of the literature on anthropometric indices to assess the nutritional status of children and adolescents with this syndrome. The databases PubMed, MedLine, Lilacs and SciELO were searched focusing on the importance of anthropometric parameters and their relationship with obesity. Of the 83 articles found, 11 were selected for critical analysis. In the United States of America, weight and height curves were established specifically for children and adolescents with Down syndrome. When these curves were compared with those of the National Center for Health Statistics, they found that children and adolescents with Down syndrome grow less. The same fact was reported by European studies. In Brazil, Mustacchi developed weight-for-age and height-for-age indices for these children and compared his height-for-age curve with those of the National Center for Health Statistics and Cronk et al.’s, and found that Brazilian children with Down syndrome are significantly shorter. In conclusion, the anthropometric data in weight-for-height curves refer to a particular population and reveal their specific characteristics since they reflect the influence of environmental factors and genetic determinants. Therefore, it is necessary to define standard reference curves for children and adolescents with Down syndrome of different ages, regions and ethnicities, so that their nutritional status can be diagnosed properly. Indexing terms: Anthropometry. Growth. Body height. Obesity. Body weight. Down syndrome.

A prática pediátrica no SUS: reflexões sobre o papel dos pediatras na Estratégia de Saúde da Família

This essay seeks to contribute to the elucidation of the potential activities of pediatricians in the Family Healthcare Strategy. The origins, types of care and inherent implications to the process of change in the Healthcare Model that are being implemented in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) since the Basic Operational Norms were instituted in 1996 are duly presented.

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.

Metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents: what is enough?

OBJECTIVE To study the agreement among three distinct criteria for metabolic syndrome (MS) adapted to adolescents, and to identify associated factors for MS. METHODS Cross-sectional study with 65 obese subjects aged 10 to 18 years, attended to at the Outpatient Clinic for Obese Children and Adolescents at the Clinical Hospital of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). MS was defined using the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Clinical, anthropometrical, and laboratorial data were associated to MS. RESULTS From the 65 subjects, none had MS according to the WHO criteria, while 18 were diagnosed with MS (27.6%) according to the IDF, and 19 (29.2%) according to the ATP III. Agreement between IDF and ATP III was excellent (kappa 81%). In this study, puberty and triglycerides levels showed significant statistical difference when comparing subjects with and without MS, the first for ATP III (p = 0.03), and the second for IDF (p = 0.005) and ATP III (p = 0.001) criteria. CONCLUSION The WHO criteria does not seem to be adequate for adolescents. IDF and ATP III criteria had an excellent agreement. Puberty and triglycerides were associated with MS.

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.

Cirurgia bariátrica: é razoável antes dos 16 anos de idade?

Objective: to assess the severity of obesity in children and adolescents through the presence of comorbidities and the potential indication of bariatric surgery. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study with clinical and laboratory data of the first consultation of patients at the childhood obesity clinic at a tertiary hospital from 2005 to 2013. We divided the patients into groups with or without potential indication for surgery, and recorded age, gender, birth weight, age of obesity onset, BMI Z score, presence of acanthosis nigricans, blood pressure, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, blood glucose and fasting insulin, HOMA1-IR, CRP and ESR. The group with potential indication for surgery included: BMI > 40 or between 35-40 with comorbidities (Triglycerides >130mg/dl, glucose levels >100mg/dl, HOMA1-IR >3.16, Total Cholesterol >200mg/dl, LDL >130mg/dl and HDL <45mg/dl), regardless of age, epiphysis consolidation and previous treatment. Results: of the 296 patients included in the study, 282 (95.3%) were younger than 16 years. The most frequent change was the HDL (63.2%), followed by HOMA1-IR (37.5%). Of the group of 66 patients with potential indication for surgery (22.3%), only ten (15.1%) had more than 16 years. Acanthosis nigricans, the average HOMA1-IR, insulin, CRP, ESR, age, BMI Z score and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significant in the group with potential surgical indication. Conclusion: bariatric surgery might be indicated by BMI and comorbidities in children and adolescents under 16 years. Objetivo: avaliar a gravidade da obesidade em crianças e adolescentes pela presença de comorbidades e pela potencial indicação de cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos: estudo transversal com dados clínicos e laboratoriais da primeira consulta de pacientes do ambulatório de obesidade infantil em um hospital terciário no período de 2005 a 2013. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos com ou sem potencial indicação cirúrgica, e associados com idade, sexo, peso de nascimento, idade de início da obesidade, escore z de IMC, presença de acantose nigricans, pressão arterial, colesterol total e frações, triglicérides, glicemia e insulina de jejum, HOMA1-IR, PCR e VHS. O grupo com potencial indicação cirúrgica incluiu: IMC >40 ou IMC entre 35-40 com comorbidades (Triglicérides >130mg/dl, Glicemia >100mg/dl, HOMA1-IR >3,16, Colesterol total >200mg/dl, LDL >130mg/dl e HDL <45mg/dl), independente da idade, consolidação das epífises e tratamento prévio. Resultados: de 296 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 282 (95,3%) tinham menos de 16 anos. A alteração mais frequente foi a do HDL (63,2%), seguido do HOMA1-IR (37,5%). Do grupo de 66 pacientes com potencial indicação cirúrgica (22,3%), apenas dez (15,1%) tinham mais de 16 anos. Acantose nigricans, as médias de HOMA1-IR, insulina, PCR, VHS, idade, escore z de IMC e pressões sistólica e diastólica foram significantes no grupo com potencial indicação cirúrgica. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que a cirurgia bariátrica, poderia estar indicada pelo IMC e presença de comorbidades, em crianças e adolescentes com menos de 16 anos.

Body mass index cutoff point estimation as obesity diagnostic criteria in Down syndrome adolescents

INTRODUCTION Adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) show high rate of overweight and tend to accumulate high amount of fat compared to the same people without the syndrome. OBJECTIVE To estimate the cutoff point of the Body Mass Index (BMI) for the diagnosis of obesity in adolescents with DS according to different references for BMI in relation to the percentage of body fat (%BF) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). METHODS The sample was composed of 34 adolescents with DS (aged: 10 to 17 years old). BMI was evaluated according to the references of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), the World Health Organization (WHO) for the general population, and Myrelid et al. and Styles et al. for people with DS. The %BF was assessed by whole body DXA and classified according to National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011). RESULTS The boys were significantly taller than the girls and this %BF higher than boys. All references who have used BMI to assess obesity was positively associated with %BF measured by DXA in the diagnosis of obesity. Using the ROC curve in relation to %BF by DXA, all references showed high sensitivity, but the z-score of BMI by WHO showed better specificity, with the value of the accuracy of 0.82 for the cutoff point above 2.14. CONCLUSIONS All the references used for the diagnosis of obesity were associated with %BF measured by DXA, and the cutoff point of z-scores above 2.14 by WHO showed better specificity.