BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine which foetal or neonatal growth curves discriminate the probability of dying of newborns with low birth weight for their gestational age (small for gestational age, SGA) and sex (weight < 10th percentile) and to establish the curves that are presumably most useful for monitoring growth through age 10 years.
METHODS: The analysis included every neonate (15 122) managed in our hospital (2013-2022) and all neonates born preterm before 32 weeks (6913) registered in the SEN1500 database (2019-2022). We considered most useful those curves with the highest likelihood ratio (LR) for dying with or without a history of SGA in each subgroup of gestational ages. Theoretically, the optimal curves for monitoring growth would be those with a higher R2 in the quantile regression formulas for the 50th percentile.
RESULTS: The growth curves exhibiting the strongest association between SGA and hospital mortality are the Intergrowth fetal curves and the Fenton neonatal curves in infants born preterm before 32 weeks. However, the optimal curves for premature babies and neonates overall were those of Olsen and Intergrowth. The most useful curves to monitor anthropometric values alone until age 10 years of age are the longitudinal Intergrowth curves followed by the WHO standards, but if a single reference is desired from birth through age 10 years, the best option is the Fenton curves followed by the WHO standards.
CONCLUSIONS: The Intergrowth reference provides the most discriminating foetal growth curves. In neonatal clinical practice, the optimal references are the Fenton followed by the WHO charts.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of suspected neurodevelopmental delay allows for timely diagnosis and appropriate intervention, for which numerous screening tests have been developed. However, most are complex and impractical for health-care workers at the community level. This study aimed to validate the KARVI scale in the neurodevelopment assessment of children under 1 year of age.
METHODS: We conducted an observational, longitudinal, comparative, inferential, and prospective study. Healthy children without risk factors for developing neurodevelopmental delay from 0 to 12 months of age were evaluated remotely using the Zoom® application. The Child Development Evaluation Test and the KARVI scale were applied once a month for four consecutive months.
RESULTS: Fifty individuals were analyzed, with a predominance of males in 52%. Adequate percentages for a screening test were obtained in the first evaluation with a sensitivity of 70% (confidence interval [CI] 95% 34.75-93.33) and a specificity of 75% (CI 95% 58.8-87.31), and in the fourth evaluation with a sensitivity of 100% (CI 95% 29.4-100) and a specificity of 78.72% (CI 95% 64.34-89.3), being significant in both evaluations (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The KARVI scale has the elements to be an effective screening test for suspected neurodevelopmental delay, but more extensive studies are needed to obtain more reliable results.
UNASSIGNED: La identificación temprana de retraso en el neurodesarrollo permite un diagnóstico oportuno y una intervención apropiada. Para ello, se han creado diversas pruebas de tamizaje; sin embargo, la mayoría son complejas y poco prácticas para el personal de la salud a nivel comunitario. El objetivo del estudio fue realizar la validación de la escala KARVI en la valoración del neurodesarrollo en niños menores de un año.
UNASSIGNED: Se realizó un estudio observacional, longitudinal, comparativo inferencial y prospectivo, en el cual se evaluaron, vía remota mediante la aplicación Zoom®, niños sanos de 0 a 12 meses de edad sin factores de riesgo para desarrollar retraso en el neurodesarrollo. Se aplicaron la prueba EDI (Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil) y la escala KARVI una vez al mes por cuatro meses consecutivos.
RESULTS: Se analizaron 50 individuos, con predominio del sexo masculino en el 52%. Se obtuvieron porcentajes adecuados para una prueba de tamizaje tanto en la primera evaluación, con sensibilidad de 70% (IC 95% 34.75-93.33) y especificidad de 75% (IC 95% 58.8-87.31), como en la cuarta, con sensibilidad de 100% (IC 95% 29.4-100) y especificidad de 78.72% (IC 95% 64.34-89.3), con significación estadística en ambas evaluaciones (p = 0.007 y p = 0.001, respectivamente).
CONCLUSIONS: Se considera que la escala KARVI cuenta con los elementos para considerarla como una prueba de tamizaje efectiva para detectar retraso del neurodesarrollo, sin embargo. Sin requieren estudios más extensos para obtener resultados más confiables.

ADV7103 is a new prolonged-release treatment for distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), containing potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate. Since acidosis may affect bone mineral contents, the effects of ADV7103 on bone mineral density (BMD) and growth in patients with dRTA over 24 months were evaluated.
Thirty patients (24 paediatric patients and 6 adults) were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. BMD, measured by densitometry, was assessed at baseline and at 24 months. Growth was evaluated throughout the study. Plasma bicarbonate, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, bone alkaline phosphatase, calciuria and citraturia, were also determined. Safety and treatment compliance were evaluated as well.
After 24 months of treatment with ADV7103, mean spine BMD z-score values significantly increased as compared with baseline (p=0.024). In adults, spine and whole-body densitometry z-scores showed a significant correlation with plasma bicarbonate levels (rS=0.82 and rS=0.97, respectively, p<0.005). There was an increase>0.5 units in z-scores for height and weight in 18% and 36% of the paediatric patients, respectively. With treatment, plasma bicarbonate concentration and calciuria at the different visits were normal in 69-86% and 93-96% patients, respectively. Only nine treatment-related gastrointestinal AEs of mild/moderate severity, were reported in five patients.
Two years of ADV7103 treatment improved growth and increased spine BMD. These results suggest that control of acidosis by ADV7103 treatment improves bone parameters.

OBJECTIVE: Primary tubulopathies are rare and usually present at pediatric age. Recent advances in genetic diagnosis and treatment have changed its natural history. This study provides the clinical spectrum of a series of primary tubulopathies diagnosed in a Pediatric Nephrology Unit and to offer long-term follow-up data regarding growth, estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) and intercurrent complications.
METHODS: Observational study in 53 patients with primary tubulopathies and identified genetic defect: Gitelman syndrome (36%), distal renal tubular acidosis (15%), cystinuria (11%), X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (7%), Dent-syndrome Lowe (7%), cystinosis (6%), and 1-2 cases of other tubulopathies. Demographic, analytical and clinical data were collected at diagnosis, during evolution and at the time of the study.
RESULTS: The age (median and interquartile range) at diagnosis was 5.08 years (1.33-8.50). The most frequent presentation manifestations were metabolic decompensations associated with intercurrent processes (40%) and short stature (38%). Height (mean ± SD) was -1.39 ± 1.49 at diagnosis and 1.07 ± 1.54 after a follow-up of 18.92 (6.25-24.33) years. Sixteen (32%) developed an eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Three patients required replacement renal replacement. Eleven patients had metabolic decompensations that required hospitalization, 9 renal colic and/or kidney stones and 10 mental problems. Six of 8 patients with distal renal tubular acidosis developed sensorineural deafness.
CONCLUSIONS: Primary tubulopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases that cause growth impairment, largely reversible with treatment, risk of eGFR reduction and significant extrarenal complications derived or associated.

OBJECTIVE: Ketogenic dietary therapies (KDT) produce anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects, reduce seizures and improve the cognitive state in patients with epilepsy. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of KDT in children with refractory epilepsy (effectiveness, side effects, impact on nutritional status and growth).
METHODS: A retrospective and prospective observational descriptive study was conducted in a Spanish tertiary hospital (January 2000 to December 2018). One hundred sixty pediatric patients with epilepsy were treated with KDT (82 males; mean age 5 years 9 months). Seizures, anti-epileptic drugs, anthropometric measures, side effects, and laboratory assessment were monitored baseline and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after the onset of KDT.
RESULTS: In these time intervals, the seizure-free patients were: 13.7, 12.5, 14.4 and 10.6%, respectively, and a reduction of seizures ≥ 50% was achieved in 41.9, 37.5, 28.7 and 16.2%. Side effects were frequent, especially digestive disorders, hypercalciuria, hypoglycemia, hepatic dysfunction and dyslipidemia. Prealbumin, retinol binding protein, vitamin A and magnesium decreased significantly. Height was affected, especially in children below 2 years.
CONCLUSIONS: KDT are effective for refractory epilepsy in children. However, adverse effects are frequent, and it may affect nutritional status and growth.

Growth and development reflect the child\'s health condition. Currently, child care is supported in daycare centers. In this context, this article aimed to identify the differences in growth and psychomotor development in children according to their attendance at daycare centers.
We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in children aged 25 to 48 months. Two groups were identified: 68 children attended daycare, and 68 children did not attend daycare. Growth was assessed with weight-for-height curves, and psychomotor development was evaluated with the child developmental assessment instrument (psychosocial, language, psychomotor, and cognitive area). The X2 test was used for statistical analysis.
The percentage of daycare children with ideal weight was higher than those not attending in daycare (p = 0.035). Psychomotor development was significantly higher in daycare children: in the psychosocial (p = 0.000), language (p = 0.000), motor (p = 0.000), and cognitive development (p = 0.000) areas.
The psychomotor development of children attending daycare centers is superior to that of children not in daycare centers.
La salud del niño se puede evaluar a partir de su crecimiento y desarrollo. En la sociedad actual, el cuidado de los hijos se comparte con las guarderías infantiles. En este contexto, el objetivo del artículo fue identificar las diferencias de crecimiento y desarrollo psicomotor en niños de acuerdo con su asistencia a las guarderías.
Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal analítico en niños de 25 a 48 meses de edad. Se identificaron dos grupos: 68 niños atendidos en guarderías y 68 niños no atendidos en guarderías. El crecimiento se evaluó con las curvas de peso para la talla y el desarrollo psicomotor, con el instrumento de evaluación del desarrollo del niño (área psicosocial, lenguaje, psicomotriz, y cognitiva). Se utilizó la prueba de X2 para el análisis estadístico.
El porcentaje de niños de guardería con peso ideal es superior al de los no atendidos en guardería (p = 0.035). El desarrollo psicomotor es significativamente mayor en los niños de guardería: en el área psicosocial (p = 0.000), en lenguaje (p = 0.000), en el área motriz (p = 0.000) y en desarrollo cognitivo (p = 0.000).
El desarrollo psicomotor de los niños atendidos en guardería es superior al de los niños no atendidos en guardería.

OBJECTIVE: To validate regression equations that predict the state of maturity (MS) to evaluate the physical growth and body fatness of Chilean children and adolescents.
METHODS: A transversal study was carried out in 8094 school children between 6.0 and 18.9 years old. Weight, standing height, sitting height, and waist circumference (WC) were evaluated. Peak growth rate (PVC) was estimated by the mathematical model 1 of Preece-Baines (MPB). Mirwald\'s equations (based on age, weight, standing height, sitting height, and leg length) and Moore\'s equations (based on age, weight, and standing height) were used to estimate MS. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated.
RESULTS: The BMP showed that the PVC in men was 10.33 ± 0.29 years and in women was 12.81 ± 0.27 years. Using Mirwald\'s equation, men reached MS at 14.09 ± 0.8 APVC and women at 11.6 ± 0.9 APVC, while using Moore\'s equation, men reached 13.7 ± 0.6 APVC and women at 12.1 ± 0.6 APVC. There were significant differences between MPB with Mirwald, MPB with Morre, and between Mirwald and Moore (p < 0.001). Explanation values by MS category were Mirwald\'s equation [men (early R2 = 0.81, mean R2 = 0.69 and late R2 = 0.09) and women (early R2 = 0.83, mean R2 = 0.83 and late R2 = 0.77)], Moore\'s equation [men (early R2 = 0.93, mean R2 = 0.70 and late R2 = 0.79) and women (early R2 = 0.89, mean R2 = 0.89 and late R2 = 0.83)]. Percentiles were created for weight, height, CC and BMI.
CONCLUSIONS: It was verified that Moore\'s and Mirwald\'s equations differ with the mathematical model MPB in both sexes. However, Moore\'s equation could be useful for the evaluation of MS in Chilean children and adolescents.

El zinc (Zn) es un oligoelemento esencial para muchas funciones biológicas, que incluyen desde la mineralización ósea hasta la transcripción genómica. El déficit en la ingesta de Zn produce alteraciones que en conjunto se han denominado síndrome de deficiencia de Zn. La ingesta diaria recomendada presenta un rango de 7.5 a 15 mg/día para hombres adultos y de 5.5 a 12 mg/día para mujeres adultas. En México, el déficit de Zn es un problema de salud pública, pues afecta a cerca de un cuarto de la población pediátrica nacional. Este documento presenta al lector una mirada global y regional sobre el problema que se aborda, y destaca la necesidad de generar líneas de investigación que aporten mayor información sobre el impacto de este micronutriente en la población mexicana.
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for many biological functions including bone mineralization and genomic ­transcription, among others. The set of clinical manifestations deriving from the deficiency of Zn intake are known as Zn deficit syndrome. Zn recommended dietary allowances ranges from 7.5 to 15 mg/day in adult man, and from 5.5 to 12 mg/day in adult females. In Mexico, the deficit of Zn is a public health problem affecting nearly a quarter of pediatric population. This document presents a global and regional overview of this problem, highlighting the need of further research related to the importance of this micronutrient in Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE: Ketogenic dietary therapies (KDT) produce anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects, reduce seizures and improve the cognitive state in patients with epilepsy. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of KDT in children with refractory epilepsy (effectiveness, side effects, impact on nutritional status and growth).
METHODS: A retrospective and prospective observational descriptive study was conducted in a Spanish tertiary hospital (January 2000 to December 2018). One hundred sixty pediatric patients with epilepsy were treated with KDT (82 males; mean age 5 years 9 months). Seizures, anti-epileptic drugs, anthropometric measures, side effects, and laboratory assessment were monitored baseline and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after the onset of KDT.
RESULTS: In these time intervals, the seizure-free patients were: 13.7, 12.5, 14.4 and 10.6%, respectively, and a reduction of seizures≥50% was achieved in 41.9, 37.5, 28.7 and 16.2%. Side effects were frequent, especially digestive disorders, hypercalciuria, hypoglycemia, hepatic dysfunction and dyslipidemia. Prealbumin, retinol binding protein, vitamin A and magnesium decreased significantly. Height was affected, especially in children below 2 years.
CONCLUSIONS: KDT are effective for refractory epilepsy in children. However, adverse effects are frequent, and it may affect nutritional status and growth.

OBJECTIVE: To validate regression equations that predict the state of maturity (MS) to evaluate the physical growth and body fatness of Chilean children and adolescents.
METHODS: A transversal study was carried out in 8,094 school children between 6.0 and 18.9 years old. Weight, standing height, sitting height, and waist circumference (WC) were evaluated. Peak growth rate (PVC) was estimated by the mathematical model 1 of Preece-Baines (MPB). Mirwald\'s equations (based on age, weight, standing height, sitting height, and leg length) and Moore\'s equations (based on age, weight, and standing height) were used to estimate MS. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated.
RESULTS: The BMP showed that the PVC in men was 10.33±0.29 years and in women was 12.81±0.27 years. Using Mirwald\'s equation, men reached MS at 14.09±0.8APVC and women at 11.6±0.9APVC, while using Moore\'s equation, men reached 13.7±0.6APVC and women at 12.1±0.6APVC. There were significant differences between MPB with Mirwald, MPB with Morre, and between Mirwald and Moore (p<0.001). Explanation values by MS category were Mirwald\'s equation [men (early R2=0.81, mean R2=0.69 and late R2=0.09) and women (early R2=0.83, mean R2=0.83 and late R2=0.77)], Moore\'s equation [men (early R2=0.93, mean R2=0.70 and late R2=0.79) and women (early R2=0.89, mean R2=0.89 and late R2=0.83)]. Percentiles were created for weight, height, CC and BMI.
CONCLUSIONS: It was verified that Moore\'s and Mirwald\'s equations differ with the mathematical model MPB in both sexes. However, Moore\'s equation could be useful for the evaluation of MS in Chilean children and adolescents.