Childhood obesity is an increasing problem at the global level and considered as a risk factor for obesity development and the associated co-morbidities in adult life. In this study, the occurrence of Bacteroides fragilis group, Clostridium spp., Bifidobacterium spp. and Escherichia coli in 84 faecal samples from 30 obese, 24 overweight and 30 lean children was verified by culture technique and quantitative determination by quantitative PCR. In addition, Lactobacillus spp. and Methanobrevibacter smithii were also analysed. A correlation between the body mass index (BMI) and these bacteria was sought. Bacteroides vulgatus, Clostridium perfringens and Bifidobacterium adolescentis were most prevalent in all samples evaluated by culture-method. The B. fragilis group were found at high concentrations in obese and overweight children when compared with the lean ones (p 0.015). The obese and overweight children harboured higher numbers of Lactobacillus spp. than lean children (p 0.022). The faecal concentrations of the B. fragilis group (r = 0.24; p 0.026) and Lactobacillus spp. (r = 0.44; p 0.002) were positively correlated with BMI. Bifidobacterium spp. were found in higher numbers in the lean group than the overweight and obese ones (p 0.042). Furthermore, a negative correlation between BMI and Bifidobacterium spp. copy number (r = -0.22; p 0.039) was observed. Our findings show some difference in the intestinal microbial ecosystem of obese children compared with the lean ones and a significant association between number of Lactobacillus spp. and B. fragilis group and BMI.

BackgroundCow's milk is the most common food allergen in infants and the diagnosis of cow's milk allergy is difficult, even with the use of several diagnostic tests. Therefore, elimination diets and challenge tests are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. The aim of this study is to report the clinical presentation and nutritional status of children evaluated by pediatric gastroenterologists for the assessment of symptoms suggestive of cow's milk allergy.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study was performed among 9,478 patients evaluated by 30 pediatric gastroenterologists for 40 days in 5 different geographical regions in Brazil. Clinical data were collected from patients with symptoms suggestive of cow's milk allergy. The nutritional status of infants (age ≤ 24 months) seen for the first time was evaluated according to z-scores for weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and height-for-age. Epi-Info (CDC-NCHS, 2000) software was used to calculate z-scores.ResultsThe prevalence of suspected cow's milk allergy in the study population was 5.4% (513/9,478), and the incidence was 2.2% (211/9,478). Among 159 infants seen at first evaluation, 15.1% presented with a low weight-for-age z score (< -2.0 standard deviation - SD), 8.7% with a low weight-for-height z score (< -2.0 SD), and 23.9% with a low height-for-age z score (< -2.0 SD).ConclusionThe high prevalence of nutritional deficits among infants with symptoms suggestive of cow's milk allergy indicates that effective elimination diets should be prescribed to control allergy symptoms and to prevent or treat malnutrition.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of dyslipidemia in a group of 109 children and adolescents with a family history of premature coronary artery disease and to investigate the association between dyslipidemia and other risk factors for atherosclerosis.Methods: Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, smoking, per capita income and maternal schooling were investigated.Results: Total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were higher than desirable in 27.5% and 19.3%, respectively, of our patients; 13.8% had lower HDL-C values and 13.0% presented hypertriglyceridemia. Obesity and excess weight were observed in 25.7% of the cases. Out of these, 57.1% had abnormal lipid values. Dyslipidemia was observed in 38.5%, either alone or in combination with other risk factors. Smoking was observed in 3.6%, hypertension in 2.7% and physical inactivity in 72.5%. There was no relationship between dyslipidemia and per capita income, maternal schooling and physical inactivity. However, obesity and excess weight were identified as significantly associated with the occurrence of dyslipidemia (p = 0.02; odds ratio = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.6-6.81). Conclusion:In children and adolescents with a family history of premature coronary artery disease, early identification of the risk factors for atherosclerosis is essential to allow the implementation of preventive measures.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência da síndrome metabólica em adolescentes acompanhados em ambulatório de obesidade. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 84 adolescentes com idades entre dez e 19 anos, divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o escore Z do índice de massa corpórea (Z IMC), sendo um o grupo de adolescentes com sobrepeso (GSP) e o outro, o grupo de adolescentes obesos (GOB). GSP: Z IMC>1 e <2 (1,6±0,2, 13M/13F), e GOB: Z IMC>2 (2,4±0,6, 32M/26F). Três ou mais dos critérios a seguir foram considerados no diagnóstico da síndrome metabólica e avaliados pelo teste do qui-quadrado entre os grupos: Z IMC>2; triglicérides em jejum >130mg/dL; lipoproteína de alta densidade <35mg/dL; glicemia em jejum >100mg/dL ou homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA) >2,5; elevação da pressão arterial acima do percentil 90 ajustada para gênero, estatura e idade. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da síndrome metabólica esteve significantimente elevada nos adolescentes obesos (GOB: 40% versus GSP: 4%, p=0,0008). O grupo GOB mostrou maiores valores referentes a insulinismo (54% versus 19%, p=0,003), HOMA (66% versus 38%, p=0,01) e trigliceridemia (21% versus 4%; p=0,04). CONCLUSÕES: É importante que o pediatra fique atento aos sinais de síndrome metabólica em adolescentes obesos. A detecção precoce pode ser feita por meio de simples parâmetros e permite a adoção de medidas preventivas para o desenvolvimento da doença cardiovascular em adolescentes.

The new strategy, which uses an amino acid formula in the elimination diagnostic diet followed by an oral food challenge, is a dominant pharmacoeconomic approach that has a lower cost and results in an increased number of symptom-free days.