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Purpose: To determine the effect of higher caloric intake on weight gain, length of stay (LOS), and incidence of hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia in adolescents hospitalized with anorexia nervosa., Methods: Electronic medical records of all subjects 10-21 years of age with anorexia nervosa, first admitted to a tertiary children's hospital from Jan 2007 to Dec 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic factors, anthropometric measures, incidence of hypophosphatemia (≤3.0 mg/dL), hypomagnesemia (≤1.7 mg/dL), and hypokalemia (≤3.5 mEq/L), and daily change in percent median body mass index (BMI) (%mBMI) from baseline were recorded. Subjects started on higher-calorie diets (≥1,400 kcal/d) were compared with those started on lower-calorie diets (<1,400 kcal/d)., Results: A total of 310 subjects met eligibility criteria (age, 16.1 ± 2.3 years; 88.4% female, 78.5 ± 8.3 %mBMI), including 88 in the lower-calorie group (1,163 ± 107 kcal/d; range, 720-1,320 kcal/d) and 222 in the higher-calorie group (1,557 ± 265 kcal/d; range, 1,400-2,800 kcal/d). Neither group had initial weight loss. The %mBMI increased significantly (p < .001) from baseline by day 1 in the higher-calorie group and day 2 in the lower-calorie group. Compared with the lower-calorie group, the higher-calorie group had reduced LOS (13.0 ± 7.3 days versus 16.6 ± 9.0 days; p < .0001), but the groups did not differ in rate of change in %mBMI (p = .50) or rates of hypophosphatemia (p = .49), hypomagnesemia (p = 1.0), or hypokalemia (p = .35). Hypophosphatemia was associated with %mBMI on admission (p = .004) but not caloric intake (p = .14)., Conclusions: A higher caloric diet on admission is associated with reduced LOS, but not increased rate of weight gain or rates of hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, or hypokalemia. Refeeding hypophosphatemia depends on the degree of malnutrition but not prescribed caloric intake, within the range studied., (Copyright © 2013 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Adolescent females and males participating in running represent a population at high risk of stress fracture. Few investigators have evaluated risk factors for prospective stress fracture in this population., Methods: To better characterize risk factors for and incidence of stress fractures in this population, we collected baseline risk factor data on 748 competitive high school runners (442 girls and 306 boys) using an online survey. We then followed them prospectively for the development of stress fractures for a mean ± SD of 2.3 ± 1.2 total seasons of cross-country and track and field; follow-up data were available for 428 girls and 273 boys., Results: We identified prospective stress fractures in 5.4% of girls (n = 23) and 4.0% of boys (n = 11). Tibial stress fractures were most common in girls, and the metatarsus was most frequently fractured in boys. Multivariate regression identified four independent risk factors for stress fractures in girls: prior fracture, body mass index < 19, late menarche (age menarche ≥15 yr), and previous participation in gymnastics or dance. For boys, prior fracture and increased number of seasons were associated with an increased rate of stress fractures, whereas prior participation in basketball was associated with a decreased risk of stress fractures., Conclusions: Prior fracture represents the most robust predictor of stress fractures in both sexes. Low body mass index, late menarche, and prior participation in gymnastics and dance are identifiable risk factors for stress fractures in girls. Participation in basketball appears protective in boys and may represent a modifiable risk factor for stress fractures. These findings may help guide future translational research and clinical care in the management and prevention of stress fractures in young runners.

Objective: To evaluate lifetime prevalence and risk factors for overuse injuries in high school athletes currently participating in long-distance running and provide recommendations for injury prevention strategies., Design: Retrospective study design., Setting: Twenty-eight high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area., Participants: A total of 442 female and 306 male athletes, ages 13-18 years, who are on cross-country and track and field teams., Methods: Online survey with questions that detailed previous injuries sustained and risk factors for injury., Main Outcome Measurements: Previous overuse injuries and association of risk factors to injury (including training variables, dietary patterns, and, in girls, menstrual irregularities)., Results: Previous injuries were reported by 68% of female subjects and 59% of male subjects. More injury types were seen in girls (1.2 ± 1.1 versus 1.0 ± 1.0, P < .01). Both genders had similar participation in running (2.5 ± 2.2 versus 2.3 ± 2.1 years), and previous injury prevalence followed a similar pattern: tibial stress injury (girls, 41%; boys, 34%), ankle sprain (girls, 32%; boys, 28%), patellofemoral pain (girls, 21%; boys, 16%), Achilles tendonitis (girls, 9%; boys, 6%), iliotibial band syndrome (girls, 7%; boys, 5%), and plantar fasciitis (girls, 5%; boys, 3%). Higher weekly mileage was associated with previous injuries in boys, (17.1 ± 11.9 versus 14.1 ± 11.5, P < .05) but not in girls (14.4 ± 10.2 versus 12.6 ± 11.8, not significant). A strong association between higher mileage and faster performances was seen in both groups. No association between previous injury and current dietary patterns (including disordered eating and calcium intake) or menstrual irregularities was seen., Conclusions: The majority of athletes currently participating in high school cross-country and track and field have a history of sustaining an overuse injury, with girls having a higher prevalence of injury. A modest mileage reduction may represent a modifiable risk factor for injury reduction. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of incorporating a comprehensive strength training program on the prospective development of overuse injury and performance in this population., (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Calcium and vitamin D are recognized as 2 components of nutrition needed to achieve and maintain bone health. Calcium and vitamin D have been clearly shown to improve bone density and prevent fractures at all ages. However, the literature is conflicting as to the role of these nutrients in young athletes ages 18 to 35 years, both for bone development and for the prevention of bone overuse injuries. Differences in findings may relate to study design. Although retrospective and cross-sectional studies have had mixed results, the authors of prospective studies have consistently demonstrated a relationship of increased calcium intake with an improvement in bone density and a decrease in fracture risk. A randomized trial in female military recruits demonstrated that calcium/vitamin D supplementation reduced the incidence of stress fractures. A prospective study in young female runners demonstrated reduced incidence of stress fractures and increased bone mineral density with increased dietary calcium intake. Findings from both studies suggest female athletes and military recruits who consumed greater than 1500 mg of calcium daily exhibited the largest reduction in stress fracture injuries. To date, no prospective studies have been conducted in male athletes or in adolescent athletes. In most studies, males and nonwhite participants were poorly represented. Evidence regarding the relationship of vitamin D intake with the prevention of fractures in athletes is also limited. More prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of calcium and vitamin D intake in prevention of stress fracture injuries in both male and female adolescent athletes, particularly those participating in sports with greater incidences of stress fracture injury., (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns associated with stress fracture risk and changes in bone density among young female distance runners., Design and Setting: Two-year, prospective cohort study. Observational data were collected in the course of a multicenter randomized trial of the effect of oral contraceptives on bone health., Participants: One hundred and twenty-five female competitive distance runners ages 18-26 years., Assessment of Risk Factors: Dietary variables were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire., Main Outcome Measurements: Bone mineral density and content (BMD/BMC) of the spine, hip, and total body were measured annually by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Stress fractures were recorded on monthly calendars, and had to be confirmed by radiograph, bone scan, or magnetic resonance imaging., Results: Seventeen participants had at least one stress fracture during follow-up. Higher intakes of calcium, skim milk, and dairy products were associated with lower rates of stress fracture. Each additional cup of skim milk consumed per day was associated with a 62% reduction in stress fracture incidence (P < .05); and a dietary pattern of high dairy and low fat intake was associated with a 68% reduction (P < .05). Higher intakes of skim milk, dairy foods, calcium, animal protein, and potassium were associated with significant (P < .05) gains in whole-body BMD and BMC. Higher intakes of calcium, vitamin D, skim milk, dairy foods, potassium, and a dietary pattern of high dairy and low fat were associated with significant gains in hip BMD., Conclusions: In young female runners, low-fat dairy products and the major nutrients in milk (calcium, vitamin D, and protein) were associated with greater bone gains and a lower stress fracture rate. Potassium intake was also associated with greater gains in hip and whole-body BMD., (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Earlier studies have reported changes in the incidence of medulloblastoma (MB) but have conflicted, likely because of small sample size or misclassification of MB with primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). The incidence of MB and PNET from 1985 to 2002 was determined from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, a large population-based cancer registry, using strict histologic and site codes. No statistically significant change in MB incidence was observed over the last 2 decades, but there was an increase in MB and PNET combined.

Studies investigating whether adults have diminished survival from medulloblastoma (MB) compared with children have yielded conflicting results. We sought to determine in a population-based registry whether adults and children with MB differ in survival, and to examine whether dissimilar use of chemotherapy might contribute to any disparity. 1,226 MB subjects were identified using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER-9) registry (1973-2002) and survival analysis performed. MB was defined strictly to exclude non-cerebellar primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors. Patients were stratified by age at diagnosis: <3 years (infants), 3-17 years (children) and >or=18 years (adults). Because the SEER-9 registry lacks treatment data, a subset of 142 patients were identified using the San Francisco-Oakland SEER registry (1988-2003) and additional analyses performed. There was no significant difference in survival between children and adults with MB in either the SEER-9 (P = 0.17) or SFO (P = 0.89) cohorts but infants fared worse compared to both children (P < 0.01) and adults (P < 0.01). In the SFO sample, children and adults who received chemotherapy plus radiation therapy (XRT) did not differ in survival. Among patients treated with XRT alone, children showed increased survival (P = 0.04) compared with adults. Children and adults with MB do not differ with respect to overall survival, yet infants fare significantly worse. For children and adults with MB treated with both XRT and chemotherapy, we could not demonstrate a survival difference. Similar outcomes between adult and childhood MB may justify inclusion of adults in pediatric cooperative trials for MB.

Object: Previous small studies disagree about which clinical risk factors influence ependymoma incidence. The authors analyzed a large, population-based cancer registry to examine the relationship of incidence to patient age, sex, race, and tumor location, and to determine incidence trends over the past 3 decades., Methods: Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-9) study, which was conducted from 1973 to 2003. Histological codes were used to define ependymomas. Age-adjusted incidence rates were compared by confidence intervals in the SEER*Stat 6.2 program. Multiplicative Poisson regression and Joinpoint analysis were used to determine annual percentage change and to look for sharp changes in incidence, respectively., Results: From the SEER database, 1402 patients were identified. The incidence rate per 100,000 person-years was significantly higher in male than in female patients (males 0.227 +/- 0.029, females 0.166 +/- 0.03). For children, the age at diagnosis differed significantly by tumor location, with the mean age for patients with infratentorial tumors calculated as 5 +/- 0.4 years; for supratentorial tumors it was 7.77 +/- 0.6 years, and for spinal lesions it was 12.16 +/- 0.8 years. (Values are expressed as the mean +/- standard error [SE].) Adults showed no difference in the mean age of incidence by location, although most tumors in this age group were spinal. Between 1973 and 2003, the incidence increased significantly among adults but not among children, and there were no sharp changes at any single year, both before and after age adjustment., Conclusions: Males have a higher incidence of ependymoma than do females. A biological explanation remains elusive. Ependymoma occurs within the CNS at distinct locations at different ages, consistent with hypotheses postulating distinct populations of radial glial stem cells within the CNS. Ependymoma incidence appears to have increased over the past 3 decades, but only in adults.

Background: Males have a higher incidence of medulloblastoma (MB) than females, but the effect of gender on survival is unclear. Studies have yielded conflicting results, possibly due to small sample sizes or differences in how researchers defined MB. We aimed to determine the effect of gender on survival in MB using a large data set and strict criteria for defining MB., Procedure: A sample of 1,226 subjects (763 males and 463 females) was identified from 1973 to 2002, using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER-9) registry. MB was strictly defined to exclude non-cerebellar embryonal tumors (primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors). Because children <3 years of age are known to have worse survival, patients were stratified by age <3 years at diagnosis (95 males, 82 females) and >3 years (668 males, 381 females)., Results: Overall, there was no significant difference in survival between males and females (log rank P = 0.22). However, among subjects >3 years, females had significantly greater survival than males (log rank P = 0.02). In children <3 years, there was a non-significant trend toward poorer survival in females (median survival: males 27 months, females 13 months; log rank P = 0.24). This interaction between age group and gender was statistically significant (P = 0.03)., Conclusion: Females with MB have a survival advantage only in subjects >3 years. In children <3 years, females may even have poorer outcome. The effect of gender on survival and incidence in MB warrants additional biologic investigation, and may differ in very young children with MB.

Background: Studies have suggested that supratentorial ependymomas have better survival than infratentorial tumors, with spinal tumors having the best prognosis, but these data have been based on small samples. Using a population-based registry of ependymomas, we analyzed how age, gender, location, race and radiotherapy influence survival in children., Methods: We queried the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results database (SEER-17) from 1973 to 2003, strictly defining ependymomas by histology. Site codes were used to distinguish between supratentorial, infratentorial, and spinal tumors when available. Outcomes were compared by location, age, gender, race and radiotherapy, using Kaplan-Meier analysis and logrank tests. Cox regression was completed, incorporating all significant covariates from univariate analysis., Results: Six hundred thirty-five children were identified with an overall 5-year survival of 57.1 +/- standard error (SE) 2.3%. Increasing age was associated with improved survival (P < 0.0001). Five-year survival by location was 59.5 +/- SE 5.5% supratentorial, 57.1 +/- SE 4.1% infratentorial and 86.7 +/- SE 5.2% spinal. Radiotherapy of the infratentorial tumors resulted in significantly improved survival in both univariate analysis (logrank P < 0.018) and multivariate analysis restricted to this tumor location (P = 0.033). Using multivariate analysis that incorporated all tumor locations, age (P < 0.001) and location (P = 0.020) were significant predictors for survival., Conclusions: Age and location independently influence survival in ependymoma. Spinal tumors are associated with a significantly better prognosis than both supratentorial and infratentorial tumors, and may represent a distinct biological entity. Radiotherapy appears beneficial for survival in patients with infratentorial ependymoma.