[Effect of supplementation with a single dose of vitamin D in children with cerebral palsy. Preliminary randomised controlled study].

Introduction: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk of vitamin D (VD) deficiency. Although there are many studies on VD and CP, there is limited information about VD supplementation in these patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementation with a single dose of VD on the plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D (25OHD) in children with CP.

[Hyperuricaemia and metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents].

Introduction: Hyperuricaemia has been suggested as an additional metabolic factor in adult obese patients, but it has not been sufficiently studied in paediatric.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between serum uric acid levels (SUAL) with the level of general and visceral obesity, and other biochemical parameters in children and adolescents of Santiago, Chile.

Subjects And Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 770 children and adolescents (ages: 6-15 y.

[Migrations in Latin American countries. Characteristics of the pediatric population].

Introduction: Migration is a growing phenomenon among Latin American countries (LAC) as well as others; however, scarce information is available studying its impact on paediatric groups and its association with socioeconomic variables.

Objective: To study the association among socioeconomic variables and the immigration rate of paediatric population in LAC.

Material And Methods: Official rates of migration of LAC were obtained from: International Organization for Migration, Pan American Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme.

[Micronutrient deficiencies and celiac disease in Pediatrics].

Celiac disease (CD) is apparently changing in its clinical presentation, from chronic diarrhea and malnutrition to a silent clinic at older ages. The basal enteropathy of CD induces macro-and micronutrient malabsorption. Described micronutrient deficiencies in CD include: Fe, Zn, Cu, folate, Ca, vitamin E, D, B12 and B6, with complex transporter mechanisms altered.

[Vitamin D nutrition in Chilean pre-school children living in extreme latitudes].

Background: Sunlight exposure is the main factor for adequate vitamin D (VitD) nutrition; in extreme latitudes there is an increased risk for its deficiency.

Aim: To study VitD nutritional status in pre-school children living in austral latitudes of Chile.

Subjects And Methods: A blood sample was obtained from 60 pre-school healthy children (aged 2 to 5 years, 24 males), attending to public day-care centers in Coyhaique (45° 35' S), during March (time 1) and September (time 2).

[Zinc in the therapy of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. A preliminar randomized controlled trial].

The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological/behavioral disorder which begins in childhood. Zinc has a potential role as an adjuvant therapy for ADHD. The objective was to evaluate the effect ofZn supplementation on behavior, as a complementary therapy to metylphenidate, in pediatrics patients with ADHD.

[Ultrasound measurements of intra-abdominal adiposity and factors associated with cardiovascular risk in obese children].

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are commonly present in obese children.

Aim: To evaluate the association among radiological measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and cardiovascular risk factors, in prepuberal obese children.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 30 obese (body mass index > p95) children aged 6 to 12 years (15 males).

[Visceral adiposity and its association with serum lipids in female obese teenagers].

Background: Increased visceral or abdominal adipose tissue in children and adults is strongly associated with metabolic and a variety of chronic diseases.

Aim: To study the association between visceral or external body measurements of adiposity with blood lipids, glucose and insulin levels, in obese female adolescents.

Material And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 47 obese female adolescents (body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile) aged 10 to 15 years, were analyzed.

Controlled study of enteral arginine supplementation in burned children: impact on immunologic and metabolic status.

Objective: We compared the effects of an arginine-supplemented diet with those of an isocaloric isonitrogenous diet on immune and metabolic response of children with burns.

Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a burn treatment center of a pediatric hospital in Santiago, Chile. All children (1-5 y of age) admitted within 48 h of a moderate to deep burn injury covering 10% to 40% of total body surface area were evaluated.

[Junk food consumption and child nutrition. Nutritional anthropological analysis].

The increasing consumption of junk food and snacks in Chile in recent years and its association with marketing strategies and prevalent diseases, is reviewed. In the context of world economy, junk food is a global phenomenon. The availability of junk food and snacks at low prices and marketing has triggered an evolution of consumption of foods that require neither the structure nor the preparation of a formal meal.

Eating behavior disorders in Chilean infants.

Unlabelled: Eating behavior disorders (EBD) are often observed in children. Most of the related research, however, has been performed in developed countries. In countries like Chile, characterization of food disorders during the first years of life is unknown.

Zinc and iron nutrition in Chilean children fed fortified milk provided by the Complementary National Food Program.

Objective: Chilean infants are at risk for isolated zinc and iron deficiencies because of a low consumption of animal products in low socioeconomic sectors. In 1999, the National Complementary Food Program of Chile manufactured a new milk (2 kg of powdered milk/mo) fortified with iron (Fe; 10 mg/L), zinc (Zn; 5 mg/L), and copper (0.5 mg/L) to be provided to infants until age 18 mo and to pregnant women.

Zinc supplementation and growth of the fetus and low birth weight infant.

Zinc deficiency limits growth in young children, and in animal models it also affects fetal growth. In animals, the effect of severe zinc deficiency on growth is evident. However, controlled trials of zinc supplementation during pregnancy in humans have not demonstrated consistent effects on weight at birth and/or duration of gestation.