Short stature and the effect of human growth hormone: Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida

Evaluation of Urinary L-FABP as a Tubular Damage Marker in Pediatric Neurogenic Bladder-A Pilot Study

The article aims to find potential biomarker for the detection of tubular damage in pediatric neurogenic bladder (NB) by investigating urinary levels of liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (uL-FABP). This prospective analysis was conducted on two groups: 42 children with NB and 18 healthy children. The uL-FABP concentrations were measured using ELISA methods. The medical charts of the children were examined to determine age, sex, anthropometric measurements, activity assessment using Hoffer's scale, and renal function parameters. The results revealed that the uL-FABP/creatinine ratio was higher in the study group compared with the reference group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.52, p > 0.05). However, the uL-FABP/creatinine ratio exhibited a wider range in NB patients compared to the reference group. NB children with proteinuria and the history of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) tended to have the highest uL-FABP concentrations. In conclusion, uL-FABP may be considered a potential tubular damage biomarker in children with NB. Proteinuria and the history of VUR may be the factors influencing the uL-FABP.

Evidence-based position paper of the UEMS PRM on the role of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physician in the management of children and adults with spinal dysraphism

Spinal dysraphism (SD) or spina bifida (SB) is a congenital deformity that results from embryonic neural tube closure failure during fetal development. This evidence-based position paper represents the official position of the European Union through the UEMS PRM Section. This paper aims to evaluate the role of the physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physician and PRM practice for children and adults with spinal dysraphism. A systematic literature review and a consensus procedure involved all European countries delegates represented in the UEMS PRM section through a Delphi process. The systematic literature review is reported together with thirty-two recommendations resulting from the Delphi procedure. The professional role of the PRM physician requires specific expertise in the treatment of patients with SD to plan, lead and monitor the rehabilitation process in an interdisciplinary setting and to participate in the assessment of the needs of these patients in the transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, with particular attention to the activity limitation and participation restriction.

Growth profile assessment of young adults with tethered cord syndrome: a retrospective cohort analysis of Korean conscription data

PURPOSE

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is characterized by progressive spinal cord degeneration secondary to congenital spinal dysraphism. The associated accompanying physical inactivity and musculoskeletal deformities have raised interest in the growth profile of adult TCS patients. However, few previous studies have investigated the growth profile of adult TCS patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the demographic data and medical records of 20-year-old Korean conscription examinees who were registered between April 2004 and September 2019. In total, 151 examinees with a diagnosis of TCS were enrolled. The height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of 300 randomly selected examinees were compared to the TCS group. Obesity was defined by the World Health Organization and Asian-Pacific criteria for BMI and compared between the groups. Growth profile differences according to tethering location and musculoskeletal deformities were analyzed in both groups.

RESULTS

The mean height, weight, and BMI values of the TCS group were lower than those of the control group. The TCS group had a lower proportion of obese and overweight individuals, and a higher proportion of underweight individuals, according to both BMI criteria. The tethering level was not associated with the degree of obesity in the tethered group. The mean height, weight, and BMI were lower in the tethered group regardless of the existence of musculoskeletal deformity.

CONCLUSION

Enrollees with a history of TCS were smaller than controls of the same age. Monitoring of health behaviors, including nutrition, diet, and exercise, is warranted for TCS patients.