A Systematic Review Investigating the Relation Between Animal-Source Food Consumption and Stunting in Children Aged 6-60 Months in Low and Middle-Income Countries.

Animal-source foods (ASFs) are a food group of interest for interventions aimed at reducing stunting and other inadequate growth measures in early childhood. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relation between ASF consumption and stunting in children aged 6-60 mo in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The secondary aim was to examine the relation between ASF consumption and other indicators of growth and development (length/height, weight, head circumference, and anemia).

Repeated exposure to food and food acceptability in infants and toddlers: a systematic review.

Background: Repeated exposure has been found to be an effective strategy to increase acceptability of foods in older children and adults, but little is known about its effectiveness in the birth to 24-mo population.

Objectives: This systematic review was conducted to examine the effects of repeated exposure to a single or multiple foods on acceptance of those or other foods among infants and toddlers.

Methods: A search was conducted for peer-reviewed articles related to food acceptability, flavor, taste, and infants and toddlers in 12 databases (e.

Caregiver feeding practices and child weight outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: As part of the USDA-Department of Health and Human Services Pregnancy and Birth to 24 Months Project, we conducted systematic reviews (SRs) on topics important for health and nutrition of young children.

Objectives: The purpose of the present SR was to examine the relation between caregiver feeding practices in children from birth to 24 mo and child weight gain, size, and body composition.

Methods: A search of articles published from January 1980 to January 2017 in 4 databases identified 8739 references.

The association between active tobacco use during pregnancy and growth outcomes of children under five years of age: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Despite considerable global efforts to reduce growth faltering in early childhood, rates of stunting remain high in many regions of the world. Current interventions primarily target nutrition-specific risk factors, but these have proven insufficient. The objective of this study was to synthesize the evidence on the relationship between active tobacco use during pregnancy and growth outcomes in children under five years of age.

Systematic review methods for the Pregnancy and Birth to 24 Months Project.

The USDA's Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review (NESR) team specializes in conducting systematic reviews (SRs) to inform federal nutrition policy and programs. The NESR's dedicated staff collaborate with leading scientists to answer important food- and nutrition-related public health questions by objectively reviewing, evaluating, and synthesizing research using state-of-the-art methodology. NESR uses a rigorous, protocol-driven methodology that is designed to minimize bias; to ensure availability of SRs that are relevant, timely, and high quality; and to ensure transparency and reproducibility of findings.

Healthy Food Availability Among Food Sources in Rural Maryland Counties.

Most studies examining the association of the food environment and health outcomes have focused on urban settings. However, rural adults and children have high rates of obesity, which may be related to their food environments. This study examines the food environment in 7 rural counties in Maryland.

CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of thoracic and lumbar spine: A new coaxial technique.

Herein we describe the technique of CT-guided lumbar or thoracic bone biopsy performed with a larger bore needle and coaxial system. The use of the external sheath cannula as a coaxial system led to an accurate diagnosis in all 19 patients who underwent the procedure. Bleeding at the biopsy site occurred in two patients and was controlled by insertion of Gelfoam.

Minimal pelvic fluid in asymptomatic children: the value of the sonographic finding.

Objective: To determine the presence of minimal pelvic fluid in asymptomatic children who underwent abdominal sonography.

Methods: Between August 1999 and January 2001, we performed abdominal sonography in 396 asymptomatic children and 266 symptomatic children (acute and chronic abdominal pain). The 2 groups were evaluated for the presence of minimal fluid in the pelvis.

Childhood abdominal cystic lymphangioma.

Background: Abdominal lymphangioma is a rare benign congenital malformation of the mesenteric and/or retroperitoneal lymphatics. Clinical presentation is variable and may be misleading; therefore, complex imaging studies are necessary in the evaluation of this condition. US and CT have a major role in the correct preoperative diagnosis and provide important information regarding location, size, adjacent organ involvement, and expected complications.

Sonographic appearance of an appendiceal diverticulum.

The increasing use of sonography for evaluating acute abdomen has brought greater recognition of appendicular abnormalities. We present an incidental finding of an appendiceal diverticulum during a sonographic examination of a 4-year-old child with acute appendicitis. Abdominal sonography showed an enlarged, swollen appendix with a diameter of 1.