Skeletal evolution in Marfan syndrome: growth curves from a French national cohort.

BackgroundTo describe the growth patterns of children affected by Marfan syndrome (MFS) compared with those of unaffected children and to create growth charts.MethodsAn observational study of children referred to the French National MFS Reference Centre. A total of 259 children carrying an FBN1 gene mutation and fulfilling Ghent 1 criteria (MFS group) and 474 mutation-negative sibling controls (non-MFS group) were evaluated.

Mast cells are associated with exacerbations and eosinophilia in children with severe asthma.

The role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma is poorly understood. We aimed to estimate the implication of airway mucosal mast cells in severe asthma and their relationship with clinical, functional, inflammatory and remodelling parameters.Bronchial biopsies were performed in 36 children (5-18 years) with severe asthma: 24 had frequent severe exacerbations and/or daily symptoms in the previous year (symptomatic group), and 12 had few symptoms and a persistent obstructive pattern (paucisymptomatic group).