Aortic root dilation is a major complication of Marfan syndrome and is one of the most important criteria in establishing the diagnosis. Currently, different echocardiographic nomograms are used to calculate aortic root Z-scores. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential differences in aortic root measurements when aortic root Z-scores were obtained in a cohort of paediatric Marfan patients using several published nomograms.

In a cohort of 100 children with Marfan syndrome, Z-scores for aortic root dimensions were calculated according to the nomograms of Pettersen et al, Gautier et al, Colan et al, and Lopez et al. Bland–Altman plots were used to estimate mean differences in Z-scores and to establish limits of agreement.

The mean Z-score of the sinus of Valsalva for Lopez et al was significantly higher compared to Gautier et al (p < 0.01) and Pettersen et al (p = 0.03). The nomogram of Lopez et al resulted in substantially higher Z-scores in patients with a large sinus of Valsalva diameter. Thirty-five percentage of the studied patients would have a Z-score ≥ 2 using Lopez et al compared to 20% for Pettersen et al, 21% for Gautier et al, and 33% for Colan et al.

The currently available nomograms for calculating Z-scores of aortic dilation in children with Marfan syndrome lead to clinically relevant differences in Z-scores, especially in children with a relative large aortic root diameter. This could have impact on both the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Marfan syndrome.

To assess the dependence on fish consumption of families and its impact on nutritional status and neurodevelopment of pre-school children.

Cross-sectional study that measured children’s hair mercury (HHg) as an indicator of family fish consumption, growth (anthropometric Z-scores, WHO standards) and neurological (Gesell developmental scores (GDS)) development.

Traditional living conditions among families residing in the area adjacent to the Samuel Dam (Western Amazon) hydroelectric reservoir.

Two hundred and forty-nine pre-school children (1–59 months of age) from families transitioning from the traditional Amazonian lifestyle.

Family fish consumption was significantly correlated with children’s HHg concentration (Spearman’s r = 0·246, P < 0·0001); however, HHg had no significant association with growth (Z-scores). Overall, the prevalence of severe malnutrition, i.e. stunting (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) ≤ −3), underweight (weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) ≤ −3) and wasting (weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) ≤ −3) was 5·2 % (n 13), 0 % and 0·8 % (n 2), respectively. The prevalence of moderate stunting (HAZ ≥ −3 to ≤ −2), underweight (WAZ ≥ −3 to ≤ −2) and wasting (WHZ ≥ −3 to ≤ −2) was 8·8 % (n 22), 2·4 % (n 6) and 4·8 % (n 12), respectively. Although 76 % of the children showed adequate GDS (>85), multiple regression analysis showed that fish consumption (as HHg) had no impact on GDS, but that some variables did interact significantly with specific domains (motor and language development).

The study showed that the families’ shift in fish consumption had no negative impact on the growth of young children and that ensuing methylmercury exposure has not been a noticeable neurodevelopmental hindrance.

The study aimed to assess differences in dietary intake and growth of pre-schoolers and schoolchildren living in two limitary Greek islands; Samos, situated on the eastern border, and Corfu, situated on the western border.

Cross-sectional two-site study.

A total of 248 children aged 3–12 years from the two islands participated in the survey. Body weight and height were recorded and Z-scores were calculated. A 3 d food record was collected for each child, computer-analysed and compared with the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA). Intakes ≤70 % of the RDA were considered inadequate.

The prevalence of overweight in participants from Samos and Corfu was 10·7 % and 6·5 % respectively, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. In Corfu, the diet comprised 52 % carbohydrate, 34 % fat and 14 % protein, all different from the composition of the Samian diet (42 % carbohydrate, 39 % fat, 19 % protein; P ≤ 0·05). Inadequacies in micronutrient intake were evident only in the diet of Samos and concerned folate and P of the pre-schoolers and biotin of the school-aged participants. The diet in Corfu was more similar to the overall Mediterranean pattern as well as that of Italian children. Growth and overweight trends in Corfu resembled the ones in Italy, whereas in Samos, similarities were identified with trends from Turkey.

Border areas at a distance from the mainland exhibit different dietary intakes compared with rest of the country; thus when designing nutrition surveys the setting should also include such limitary areas.

To determine the prevalence of anaemia, identify the predictors of anaemia, compare the prevalence of anaemia among children living in American Samoa to those found in children living in the USA, and compare the growth patterns obtained from this study to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data and data obtained earlier in American Samoan children.

Cross-sectional.

American Samoa, a Pacific Island.

In all, 208 children aged 5–10 years.

Anaemia (Hb < 11·5 g/dl) prevalence was 17·3 %. There was a significant difference in mean Hb levels in children within American Samoa as compared to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III data (P < 0·05). In children with BMI Z-score (BMIZ) (P < 0·05) and weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) (P < 0·05) >2·0, females had a significantly higher prevalence of anaemia than males. Females with a WAZ > 2·0 had a significantly higher prevalence of anaemia than females with a WAZ ≤ 2·0 (P < 0·03). Risk factors for anaemia were mother having less than a high school education (P = 0·02), no car (P < 0·01) and no phone (P = 0·02). The BMIZ (P < 0·000), height-for-age Z-score (P < 0·000) and WAZ (P < 0·000) were significantly different from the distribution of CDC reference data and that found in children previously assessed in American Samoa.

Anaemia is high among children aged 5–10 years living in American Samoa. Growth pattern Z-scores reveal that American Samoan children are, on average, taller, heavier and more overweight. Further examination into the causes of anaemia and overweight is warranted.

To explore the utility of cluster analysis in defining complex dietary exposures, separately with two types of variables.

A modified diet history method, combining a 7-day menu book and a 168-item questionnaire, assessed dietary habits. A standardized questionnaire collected information on sociodemographics, lifestyle and health history. Anthropometric information was obtained through direct measurements. The dietary information was collapsed into 43 generic food groups, and converted into variables indicating the per cent contribution of specific food groups to total energy intake. Food patterns were identified by the QUICK CLUSTER procedure in SPSS, in two separate analytical steps using unstandardized and standardized (Z-scores) clustering variables.

The Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) Study, a prospective study in the third largest city of Sweden, with baseline examinations from March 1991 to October 1996.

A random sample of 2206 men and 3151 women from the MDC cohort (n=28098).

Both variable types produced conceptually well separated clusters, confirmed with discriminant analysis. ‘Healthy’ and ‘less healthy’ food patterns were also identified with both types of variables. However, nutrient intake differences across clusters were greater, and the distribution of the number of individuals more even, with the unstandardized variables. Logistic regression indicated higher risks of past food habit change, underreporting of energy and higher body mass index (BMI) for individuals falling into ‘healthy’ food pattern clusters.

The utility in discriminating dietary exposures appears greater for unstandardized food group variables. Future studies on diet and cancer need to recognize the confounding factors associated with ‘healthy’ food patterns.