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Objective: To verify the influence of low birth weight and rapid postnatal weight gain and associated factors on blood pressure in adolescence in a population of low socioeconomic status, considering that injuries occur in the perinatal period can be predictors of future metabolic changes and are still poorly explored. Methods: A cohort study was carried out with 208 adolescents, 78 born with low weight and 130 born with appropriate weight. The infants were followed up during the first six postnatal months and reassessed at 8 and 18 years of age. The independent variables were birthweight and postnatal weight gain. Rapid postnatal weight gain was defined when above 0.67 z score. The co-variables were sex, maternal height and family income at birth, nutritional status at eight years old, socioeconomic conditions, nutritional status, fat mass index, and physical activity level at 18 years. The outcome variable was blood pressure at 18 years old. The bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were realized and p < 0,05 was considered significant. Results: The proportion of adolescents with elevated blood pressure was 37.5%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the variables independently associated with a higher chance of elevated blood pressure in adolescence were rapid postnatal weight gain (OR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.22–6.14; p = 0.014), male sex (OR = 4.15; 95% CI 1.66–10.38; p = 0.002) and being physically active (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.08–6.74; p = 0.034). Conclusions: The rapid postnatal weight gain was a predictor for elevated blood pressure in adolescence, independently of other factors.

Objective: To verify the influence of low birth weight and rapid postnatal weight gain and associated factors on blood pressure in adolescence in a population of low socioeconomic status, considering that injuries occur in the perinatal period can be predictors of future metabolic changes and are still poorly explored. Methods: A cohort study was carried out with 208 adolescents, 78 born with low weight and 130 born with appropriate weight. The infants were followed up during the first six postnatal months and reassessed at 8 and 18 years of age. The independent variables were birthweight and postnatal weight gain. Rapid postnatal weight gain was defined when above 0.67 z score. The co-variables were sex, maternal height and family income at birth, nutritional status at eight years old, socioeconomic conditions, nutritional status, fat mass index, and physical activity level at 18 years. The outcome variable was blood pressure at 18 years old. The bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were realized and p < 0,05 was considered significant. Results: The proportion of adolescents with elevated blood pressure was 37.5%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the variables independently associated with a higher chance of elevated blood pressure in adolescence were rapid postnatal weight gain (OR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.22-6.14; p = 0.014), male sex (OR = 4.15; 95% CI 1.66-10.38; p = 0.002) and being physically active (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.08-6.74; p = 0.034). Conclusions: The rapid postnatal weight gain was a predictor for elevated blood pressure in adolescence, independently of other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores growth patterns for British and Irish adolescents transported to Australia in the 19th century. During incarceration in Australia, the young convicts did not catch up with contemporary standards of potential stature—contrary to what we are led to expect by the existing literature and the high calorie convict diet. Rather, the experience of transportation stunted the adolescent male convicts. Variation between height on arrival and in later life confirms that teen convicts remained shorter than their shipmates transported after reaching maturity. We consider, but reject, age-dependent selection as a potential explanation. We speculate that the origin of this unfortunate experience lies in the low economic value of young and unskilled males. While fewer data are available for female convicts, their colonial experiences appear to have differed, again consistent with their relative economic value in the colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesThis study analyzed the physical growth of small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) twins up to one year after birth.MethodsWeight, length, and head circumference data of 0–1 year-old twins were collected from the Child Health Care System from 2010 to 2019. Physical data were presented as Z-scores. Five parameters – growth level of weight, body length, head circumference, growth velocity, and body proportion (weight for length) were compared in twins.ResultsA total of 3,909 cases were collected (22.61% SGA, 77.39% AGA). 1. In both groups, WAZ (Weight for age z-score), HCZ (Head circumference for age z-score), and LAZ (Length for age z-score) increased more rapidly in the first 6 months. By one year of age, WAZ, HCZ, and LAZ had reached the normal range, but none had reached the average level of normal singleton children. 2. The mean values of WAZ, HCZ, and LAZ in the AGA group were between −1 and 0, and between −2 and − 1 in the SGA group, in the first year after birth. The SGA group lagged significantly behind the AGA group. The LAZ score of SGA and AGA was lower than the WAZ and HCZ scores. 3. The proportion of preterm AGA was the largest in twins, and the growth rate of preterm AGA was the fastest. Preterm twins had greater growth potential than term twins. However, the growth level of preterm SGA was always low. 4. The WFLZ (Weight for length z-score) in each group was approximately close to 0. The WFLZ of SGA was smaller than that of AGA twins at most time points. After 4 months of age, the WFLZ of twins had a downward trend. The WFLZ of preterm SGA approached −1 at approximately 1 year old.ConclusionThe physical growth of SGA and AGA in twins in the first year can reach the normal range but cannot reach the average level of normal singleton children. More attention should be paid to SGA in twins, especially preterm SGA. We should give proper nutritional guidance after 4 months of age to ensure the appropriate body proportion (weight for length) of SGA in twins.Clinical trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, CTR2000034761.

Background: There is a paucity of observational data from India on initial catch up growth in hypothyroid children started on thyroxine replacement therapy. Methods: We retrospectively studied 44 children and adolescents (32 girls) with a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism i.e., (thyrotropin > 15 µIU/mL and thyroxine < 55ng/mL). All were started on treatment with oral thyroxine. The dose was adjusted to maintain thyrotropin between 0.5-5 µIU/mL. Height was measured at baseline and at each follow-up visit and height standard deviation scores (HtSDS) were calculated. We studied the therapeutic benefit of thyroxine replacement therapy on growth in the initial couple of years of treatment. Results: Dose of thyroxine required to restore euthyroidism was 4.1±2.5 µg/kg body weight. The dose fell from 9.7±2.4 µg/kg body weight in infants to 3.0±1.5 µg/kg body weight in adolescence (p

Researchers are gaining an increasing understanding of host-gut microbiota interactions, but studies of the role of gut microbiota in linear growth are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of food restriction and refeeding with different diets on gut microbiota composition in fast-growing rats. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed regular rat chow ad libitum (control group) or subjected to 40% food restriction for 36 days followed by continued restriction or ad libitum refeeding for 24 days. Three different diets were used for refeeding: regular vegetarian protein chow or chow in which the sole source of protein was casein or whey. In the control group, the composition of the microbiota remained stable. Food restriction for 60 days led to a significant change in the gut microbiota at the phylum level, with a reduction in the abundance of Firmicutes and an increase in Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Rats refed with the vegetarian protein diet had a different microbiota composition than rats refed the casein- or whey-based diet. Similarities in the bacterial population were found between rats refed vegetarian protein or a whey-based diet and control rats, and between rats refed a casein-based diet and rats on continued restriction. There was a significant strong correlation between the gut microbiota and growth parameters: humerus length, epiphyseal growth plate height, and levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and leptin. In conclusion, the type of protein in the diet significantly affects the gut microbiota and, thereby, may affect animal's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Catch up growth (CUG) motivated by under-nutrition can lead to insulin resistance (IR) and visceral fat over-accumulation. However, the precise mechanisms on IR induced by adipose tissue changes during CUG remain unresolved. Methods: Experimental rats were divided into three groups: normal chow group, catch up growth group and resveratrol administrated group. The whole experiment was carried out in four stages: 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. Peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27) expression level in epididymal adipose tissues (EAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) were detected along with other IR indicators. Results: Calorie restriction (CR) significantly increased PPAR-γ expression in EAT while decreased FSP27 expression. During re-feeding, both of the expression of PPAR-γ and FSP27 increased, even FSP27 returned to normal level when CUG for 4 weeks. Although PPAR-γ expression declined slightly at 8 weeks, it was still much stronger than normal chow groups. However, no changes were seen in SAT. Relative insufficiency of FSP27 expression in EAT results in a decrease in lipid storage capacity, causing a series of path physiological changes that led to the formation of IR. Resveratrol inhibited the expression of PPAR-γ and promoted FSP27 expression, thus fundamentally improving IR. Conclusions: The imbalance between adipose synthesis and storage mediated by PPAR-γ / FSP27 in the EAT plays a pivotal role in the formation of IR during CUG. Resveratrol can correct fat formation and storage imbalance status by up-regulating FSP27 and down-regulating PPAR-γ expression level, ameliorating insulin sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally adopted infants experienced profound institutional deprivation in early infancy. Adoption may have a positive effect on child development, providing a massive catch-up growth in the developmental parameters. In this preliminary study we examined the effect of family deprivation on abandoned children placed in high quality foster care during infancy. We also investigated the presence of a growth delay in Italian domestic adoptees at the time of family placement and the potential physical recovery after adoption. Anthropometric measures (weight, length or height /head circumference) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured on arrival (T0) and 6 (T1), 12 (T2) and 24 months (T3) after adoption. The results show moderate delays in physical growth on the children's arrival into the adoptive family and a significant catch-up growth in all auxological parameters from T0 to T3. This is one of few Italian studies that points out a positive change in trajectories of growth after child adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A longitudinal study was carried out in a rural block of Assam to assess the physical growth pattern of Low Birth Weight babies during their first six months of life and to compare the growth pattern with Normal Birth Weight counterparts. Methods: Total 30 LBW babies (0 -2 months) and equal numbers of NBW babies were randomly selected under five sub centres. They were followed up in monthly intervals till 6 months of age. Results: During the study period LBW infants had lower mean weight, length, head circumference compared to NBW infants. But LBW infants had higher rate of weight gain, increase in length and head circumference than the NBW infants. By 6 months of age 20% LBW babies caught up in weight and 30% in head circumference with NBW infants. 77% LBW infants remained underweight at 6 months of age (RR = 3.74). Conclusion: LBW babies had higher rate of weight gain during the first 6 months of age but still remained significantly lighter than the NBW infants.

Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia often present with severe growth failure at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Catch-up growth accelerates after hospital discharge, nevertheless, feeding problems may need a specialized approach. Following the revision of the scientific literature on the most relevant aspects on nutrition of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia after hospital discharge in Part I, in this article the Authors present and discuss important issues such as catch up growth, swallow dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux, and how to improve feeding competences.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine whether the degree of fetal smallness in small for gestational age (SGA) infants would increase the risk of catch-up-growth failure at 12 and 24 months corrected age (CA), and whether the high-calorie nutritional support would improve catch-up growth between 12 and 24 months CA. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 103 preterm infants born between January 2010 and December 2011. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether the birth weight z-score would be an independent risk factor for catch-up growth failure at 12 or 24 months CA. Among the 46 infants with failed catch-up growth at 12 months CA, 16 infants were provided high-calorie nutritional support, including nutritional supplements and medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil at the pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Results: Of 103 preterm infants, 34 infants (33%) were SGA and 69 infants (67%) were appropriate for gestational age (AGA). One birth weight z-score decrement increased the odds for catch-up growth failure 2.9 times at 12 months CA and 3.0 times at 24 months CA after adjustment for major neonatal morbidities. The increase in z-score between 12 and 24 months CA was significantly greater in the infants provided nutritional support than in the infants who were not provided nutritional support. Conclusion: The birth weight z-score can be used as a predictor of catch-up growth failure. High-calorie nutritional support may improve weight gain during the second year in preterm infants with failed catch-up growth at 12 months CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth without growth hormone (GH) is often observed in the setup of obesity; however, the missing link between adipocytes and linear growth was until now not identified. 3T3L1 cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes and their conditioned medium (CM) (adipocytes CM, CMA) was added to metatarsals bone culture and compared to CM derived from undifferentiated cells. CMA significantly increased metatarsals bone elongation. Adipogenic differentiation increased the expression of growth and differentiation factor (GDF)-5, also found to be secreted into the CMA. GDF-5 significantly increased metatarsal length in culture; treatment of the CMA with anti-GDF-5 antibody significantly reduced the stimulatory effect on bone length. The presence of GDF-5 receptor (bone morphogenetic protein receptor; BMPR1) in metatarsal bone was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Animal studies in rodents subjected to food restriction followed by re-feeding showed an increase in GDF-5 serum levels concomitant with nutritional induced catch up growth. These results show that adipocytes may stimulate bone growth and suggest an additional explanation to the growth without GH phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe catch-up growth after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among children living with human immunodeficiency virus (CLHIV), attending a private clinic in India. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data of CLHIV attending Prayas clinic, Pune, India. Height and weight z scores (HAZ, WAZ) were calculated using WHO growth charts. Catch-up growth post-ART was assessed using a mixed method model in cases where baseline and at least one subsequent follow-up HAZ/WAZ were available. STATA 12 was used for statistical analysis. Results: During 1998 to 2011, 466 children were enrolled (201 girls and 265 boys; median age = 7 y). A total of 302 children were ever started on ART; of which 73 and 76 children were included for analysis for catch up growth in WAZ and HAZ respectively. Median WAZ and HAZ increased from −2.14 to −1.34 ( p = 0.007) and −2.42 to −1.94 ( p = 0.34), respectively, 3 y post ART. Multivariable analysis using mixed model (adjusted for gender, guardianship, baseline age, baseline WAZ/HAZ, baseline and time varying WHO clinical stage) showed gains in WAZ (coef = 0.2, 95 % CI: −0.06 to 0.46) and HAZ (coef = 0.49, 95 % CI: 0.21 to 0.77) with time on ART. Lower baseline WAZ/HAZ and older age were associated with impaired catch-up growth. Children staying in institutions and with baseline advanced clinical stage showed higher gain in WAZ. Conclusions: The prevalence of stunting and underweight was high at ART initiation. Sustained catch-up growth was seen with ART. The study highlights the benefit of early ART in achieving normal growth in CLHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the change of bone mineral density ( BMD) in nutrition-induced catch up growth rats. Methods Five-week-old male Wistar rats were fed with normal or high fat diet to establish catch up growth model after 4-week semi-starvation. Their body weight and daily food intake were recorded. Total amount of food calories. protein. and calcium were calculated. Serum leptin were detected using ELISA method. BMD was detected using DXA. Results After 4-week semi- starvation . BMD was damaged significantly in rats of semi-starvation group (S). After refeeding. BMD in rats of refeeding normal chow group (RN) recovered continually. but in the refeeding high-at diet group ( RH) the recovery decreased again. After refeeding. the body weight of rats in RN and RH group catch up their same age rats in normal chow group (NC) and high-at diet group (HF). Serum leptin decreased significantly in S group. After refeeding. the leptin level increased, especially in RH group. The leptin level in RH and RN group was higher than that in NC group in 8 weeks. and was higher than that in HF group in 12 weeks. During the whole research. the food calorie intake in HF group and RH group was higher than that in NC group and in RN group. but the intake of protein and calcium was lower. Food calorie was not correlated with BMD. but food protein and calcium were positively correlated with BMD. Body weight was positively correlated with BMD. and was an important influential factor of BMD. Leptin was negatively correlated with BMD. The effect of leptin was more obvious when the influence of body weight was excluded. Conclusion Abdominal obesity and high leptin level occur more likely in individuals with catch up growth. leading to damaged bone growth. Efficient but not over dosed food calorie should provide to those individuals. Over intake of food calorie may not help the BMD recovery. The supplement should be mainly food with high protein and calcium to help growth of body weight especially non-fat tissues, thus to contribute better recovery of the bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examine the nutritional status of a cohort of poor Ethiopian children and their patterns of catch-up growth in height-for-age between three key development stages: age one, five and eight. We use ordinary least squares (within community) and instrumental variables analysis. During the earliest period, we find that nutritional catch-up patterns vary substantially across socioeconomic groups: average catch-up growth in height-for-age is almost perfect among children in relatively better-off households, while among the poorer children, relative height is more persistent. Between five and eight years of age, however, we find near-perfect persistence and no evidence of heterogeneity in catch-up growth. Our findings suggest that household wealth, and in particular access to services, can lead to substantial catch-up growth early on in life. However, for our sample, the window of opportunity to catch up appears to close as early as the age of five. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Preeclampsia is a frequent and potentially lethal placental insufficiency pathology causing maternal hypertension and proteinuria, as well as a high rate of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in offspring. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) production may play a role in the mechanisms of this disease. As exposure to adverse early life environment and IUGR has been proposed to increase cardiometabolic diseases risk, we investigated in rats the effects of maternal NO blockade on growth and metabolic phenotype of offspring. Material and Methods: Osmotic pumps were implanted in pregnant rats at E17 and diffused saline or L-NAME (50mg/day), a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor. At birth, IUGR male newborns without limb defects were selected. Body growth, feeding behavior and glucose tolerance were evaluated in offspring. Organs weights, plasma level of several metabolic hormones and genes expressions were determined in fasted 9month-old rats. Results: L-NAME mothers had elevated blood pressure at E20. Male offspring from L-NAME mothers had a markedly reduced birth weight and developed postnatal catch-up growth during lactation. Some L-NAME newborns presented some limb defects but were not selected in this study (1/3 of all pups). Improved glucose tolerance and hyperphagia after fasting were found in 3-month-old L-NAME rat but not thereafter. In 9-month-old L-NAME rats, a moderate increase of food intake during the light phase and, after fasting, an augmentation of plasma insulin and a reduction of brown adipose tissue (BAT) deposit were found associated with an increased expression of UCP-1 mRNA in this tissue. Conclusions: Despite IUGR and postnatal catch up growth, male rats exposed to L-NAME did not develop metabolic diseases when limb defects were not induced by L-NAME. We postulate that maternal hypertension during late gestation is not a major ‘programming’ metabolic factor for offspring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There are far too many children in the world who suffer from under-nutrition and growth faltering, with life time consequences such as reduced work capacity, increased infections, impaired intellectual performance and an increased risk of non communicable diseases later in life. These changes occur early in life, and consequently, complementary feeding has been receiving increased attention in the international nutrition community. In India, common problems relate not only to insufficient breastfeeding, but also to detrimental feeding practices. Only about 20% of children aged 6–23 months were fed according to the three recommended Infant and Child Feeding practices . The most common types of solid or semi-solid foods fed to both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding children under 3 years of age were foods made from grains and roots. These complementary feeding practices were found to be significantly associated with poor socioeconomic status, undesirable socio-cultural beliefs, maternal illiteracy, and ignorance. Although many initiatives have been carried out in India to promote Infant and Young Child Feeding, the progress in reducing the number of undernourished children in India over the last decade has been slow and modest. Equally, with the growing evidence and interest in the role of infant nutrition in the development of over nutrition and non-communicable disease, it is important to plan appropriate complementary feeding interventions that result in optimal growth. Contact opportunities with parents, specifically mothers, must be used for counseling through multiple communication channels such as local media, in order to constantly educate the population with consistent and simple messages on child feeding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective. To compare auxological and metabolic status of preterm (PT) and fullterm (FT) small for gestational age (SGA) babies from birth until age 2 years and to study the role of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in auxological and metabolic outcome in SGA babies. Methods. We enrolled 44 SGA babies (22 FTs, 22 PTs) followed up six monthly. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements (fasting glucose, basal insulin level, total-cholesterol, triglycerides) were performed. HOMA-IR was selected to assess insulin sensitivity. Results. Both FTs and PTs from birth to age 6 months showed a significant increase in weight and length; the weight gain decreased from 6 to 12 months only in PTs. At 24 months, we observed catch-up growth in 90% of FTs and 87% of PTs. Insulinemia and HOMA-IR decreased from birth to 24 months, in particular between 6 and 12 months. PTs SGA with IUGR were significantly smaller than FTs SGA without IUGR ( p = 0.01) and showed a lower length growth velocity. Moreover they showed also higher insulin levels and HOMA-IR at birth; these values decreased at 12 and 24 months. Conclusions. Our study showed no significant difference between PTs and FTs SGA in auxological and metabolic parameters. However, prematurity with IUGR proved to be a significant factor that should be considered in the timing of auxological follow-up of SGA subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the catch up growth in severely wasted children using energy dense local foods at a hospital based nutrition rehabilitation unit. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: In-patient ward at a tertiary care government pediatric hospital in Hyderabad. Patients: Children with severe malnutrition (n=309) admitted to nutrition ward from January 2001 to December 2005. Intervention: A diet based on energy dense local foods along with multivitamin-multimineral supplements. Main outcome measures: Catch up growth (g/kg/day) during each week of hospital stay. Results: Mean age of the children was 25 months (range 2-60). Their baseline weight for height (WHZ) Z score was -4.1. Mean weight gain was moderate (5g/kg/day) and baseline WHZ score had a significant negative relationship to the weight gain. The prevalence of morbidities was high and the commonest morbidity was fever. Weight gain was higher by almost 40% in the absence of morbidities in any week. Conclusions: The diet based on local energy dense foods was found to be suitable for the nutrition rehabilitation of severely malnourished children though the rate of weight gain was moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Rapid postnatal weight gain is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life. The influence of rapid weight gain on body composition in early infancy is still unknown and the critical periods of weight gain for later disease are debated. Aims: To investigate the effect of birth weight and rapid weight gain on body composition in the first 6 months of life. Study design: The Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards. Subjects and outcome measures: We measured body fat and fat distribution by skinfold thickness at the age of 6 weeks and 6 months in 909 Dutch term infants. Analyses were adjusted for current body mass index, sex and maternal socioeconomic status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, height and duration of breastfeeding. Results: Upward postnatal weight percentile change was associated with increased skinfold thickness, percentage body fat at 6 weeks and 6 months and a larger truncal/peripheral fat ratio at 6 months (p <0.01 for all). Birth weight was inversely associated with truncal/peripheral fat ratio (p <0.01) but not with relative body fat at 6 months. Conclusion: During early postnatal rapid weight gain infants do not grow in all body tissues in equal measure. Instead, they acquire relatively large amounts of fat, which is preferentially distributed to the truncal region. Long term observational studies have to assess if such changes in body composition persist into adulthood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Being born small for gestational age (SGA) is one of the most common causes of childhood short stature, and recombinant GH therapy has been recently licensed to promote growth in short SGA children from the age of 4 years old. Studies are now reporting very encouraging effects on adult height gains, especially in those children who started GH therapy early, at least 2 years prior to the onset of puberty. Compared to the age at starting treatment, the GH dose has a less significant impact on final height, and more attention needs to be paid now to identify earlier those SGA children who fail to catch-up spontaneously. The benefits are not just in terms of height, but also in body composition and possibly blood pressure and lipid levels. However the risk of side effects and long-term complications, particularly related to the expected metabolic effects of GH in inducing insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, need to be carefully monitored especially in SGA children with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Recently, GH therapy was found to amplify the adrenarche of short SGA children and to induce a pro-inflammatory shift, as judged by a rise of neutrophil count and circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6), and a fall in adiponectin levels. Further progress is anticipated to assess the addition of insulin-sensitizing therapy to attenuate the GH-induced hyperinsulinemia, in order to alter the pro-inflammatory course, to avoid excessive release of adrenal androgens, and to slow down the potential rapid tempo of pubertal progression in SGA children. In the meantime, post-SGA short stature is rapidly becoming one of the prime indications for GH therapy in childhood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Feeding regimes on fish farms are often disrupted for logistical reasons or adverse environmental conditions. Issues such as these are commonplace with respect to the sea pen culture of Yellowtail Kingfish Seriola lalandi (YTK) in Australia. These disruptions represent periods of feed restriction which lead to reduced productivity. However, production losses may be ameliorated using different feeding strategies or the use of nutrient dense aquafeeds. To examine the potential of these options we conducted an eight-week experiment with sub-adult YTK (stocking weight ~ 0.80 kg) investigating three feeding regimes crossed with two dietary specifications. The feeding regimes were selected following industry consultation; feeding once daily 7 days per week (control), once daily Monday to Friday (economic) or once daily on randomly selected days of the week (random). Regardless of regime all feed was offered to apparent satiation. A standard specification (Std-Spec; 386 g DP kg−1, 15.1 MJ DE kg−1) and high specification diet (High-Spec; 460 g DP kg−1 and 19.2 MJ DE kg−1) were formulated using a similar suite of ingredients. Each of the 6 treatment combinations was fed to three replicate tanks of fish and results were examined using two-way ANOVA. There was a general absence of interaction between the main effects for most production indices. Specific growth rate (SGR) and relative feed intake (RFI) were significantly better in YTK fed 7 days per week than in YTK fed under more restricted regimes, but feeding regime did not affect FCR. The SGR, FCR and condition factor of YTK were significantly better when fed the High-Spec diet than in YTK fed the Std-Spec diet. The RFI of fish fed under restricted regimes was significantly lower than YTK fed 7 days per week, irrespective of diet specification, indicating YTK were not capable of hyperphagia. However, the RFI of YTK fed the Std-Spec diet was significantly higher than YTK fed the High-Spec diet, confirming nutrient or energy density was likely controlling feed intake. Examination of data on digestible protein, fat and energy intake indicated YTK were eating primarily to satisfy their protein requirement and sub-optimal energy intake was indirectly limiting growth. Our results demonstrate YTK have a limited capacity to increase their feed intake as a means of overcoming moderate feed restriction in order to meet nutrient and energy demands. We recommend feeding YTK of this size a high specification diet to apparent satiation once per day 7 days a week in order to maximize their growth, feed efficiency and physical condition. • Production performance of Yellowtail Kingfish is better using a high specification diet. • Feed intake in Yellowtail Kingfish is governed by their digestible protein requirement. • The production performance of YTK is extremely sensitive to the nutrient and energy composition of aquafeeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report a 16-year-old pubescent pediatric patient with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and short stature whose apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly reduced following the use of an orthodontic oral appliance that advances the mandible ventrally. The mandible was advanced 64% of the maximal mandibular protrusive position with use of the appliance over a 3-year period. The patient's AHI without the appliance in place decreased from 101.6/h at baseline to 11/h after treatment. Moreover, the patient's height increased 14 cm during treatment, resulting in height close to the average height for his age. Cephalometric analysis revealed an improvement in his retrognathic mandible and proclination of the upper front teeth. In conclusion, an orthodontic mandibular advancement oral appliance played an important role not only in improving the patient's OSAS but also in normalizing his physical growth during puberty., (© 2015 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.)

Background: There are still controversies whether insulin resistance (IR) develops in preterm born children during early childhood., Objective: To investigate the role of leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), adiponectin, visfatin and insulin sensitivity in the pathogenesis of possible IR in preterm born children during early childhood., Patients and Metods: Twenty-nine preterm small for gestational age (SGA) born children (Group 1) and 25 preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) born children (Group 2), matched for gestational age and sex were included in the study. Mean chronological age at investigation was 3.3±0.7years and not different between the groups. Blood samples for fasting blood glucose, insulin, proinsulin, adiponectin, leptin, sOB-R and visfatin were obtained., Results: Mean height and weight standard deviation scores (SDS) at investigation were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2, but there was no significant difference in body mass index (BMI) SDS between the groups. Catch-up growth (CUG) was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. There was no difference regarding homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR), leptin, sOB-R, adiponectin, proinsulin and visfatin values between the groups. In the whole group, log visfatin showed a negative correlation with Δweight SDS. There was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR and BMI SDS. Adiponectin levels showed a positive correlation with log visfatin levels in all groups., Conclusion: Preterm born children whether AGA or SGA do not show IR in early childhood if BMI is normal. Significant differences between the preterm SGA and preterm AGA groups regarding the adipocytokine levels were not detected., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)