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Biomedical subjects

J J Tolboom

Publications and source records attributed to J J Tolboom.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Extreme dietary selectivity following liver transplantation in a 5-year-old girl; management via behavior therapy].

In a 5.1-year-old girl who had been treated by surgical correction of biliary atresia and total orthotopic liver transplantation, extreme dietary selectivity was noted; this was treated by behaviour therapy. On entry in the rehabilitation centre, she manifested malnutrition along with a variety of gastro-enterologic complaints. The treatment consisted of a set of behavioural procedures such as stepwise expansion of the diet, verbal prompting, intermittent contingent attention and a list of agreements with a system of rewards; this led to the elimination of the dietary selectivity and to the consumption of a varied diet in a normal tempo.

Behavior Therapy↗

Basal metabolic rate in children with a solid tumour.

OBJECTIVE: To study the level of and changes in basal metabolic rate (BMR) in children with a solid tumour at diagnosis and during treatment in order to provide a more accurate estimate of energy requirements for nutritional support. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care at the Centre for Paediatric Oncology, University Hospital Nijmegen. SUBJECTS: Thirteen patients were recruited from a population of patients visiting the University Hospital Nijmegen for treatment. All patients asked to participate took part in and completed the study. INTERVENTION: BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry, under stringent, standardised conditions, for 20 min and on three different occasions in all patients. Continuous breath gas analysis using a mouthpiece was performed. Weight, height and skinfold measurements were performed before each measurement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMR was expressed as percentage of the estimated reference value, according to the Schofield formulas based on age, weight and sex, and in kJ (kcal) per kg of fat-free mass. RESULTS: At diagnosis, the BMR was higher than the estimated reference BMR in all patients and 44% of the patients were considered hypermetabolic. Mean BMR (as percentage of reference) was significantly increased (11.6% (s.d. 6.7%); P=0.001), but decreased during treatment in 12 of the 13 patients (mean decrease 12.7% (s.d. 3.9%); P<0.0001). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation (P=-0.67; P=0.01) was found between the change in BMR and tumour response. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the BMR of children with a solid tumour is increased at diagnosis and possibly during the first phase of oncologic treatment. This may be important when determining energy requirements for nutritional support.

Adolescent↗

Severe linear growth retardation in rural Zambian children: the influence of biological variables.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of stunting in preschool children in Zambia is high; stunting has detrimental effects on concurrent psychomotor development and later working capacity. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate biological variables that may contribute to linear growth retardation in preschool children in Samfya District, Zambia. DESIGN: Children aged 6-9 mo (n = 108) and 14-20 mo (n = 102) attending mother-and-child health clinics were included. With a mixed-longitudinal design, they were followed up 9 and 21 mo later. Height and weight of children and their mothers were measured. Biochemical measures (eg, serum zinc, retinol, thyrotropin, iron, and acute phase protein concentrations), malaria parasitemia, and intestinal parasitosis were assessed. RESULTS: Height-for-age z scores (HAZ) were low, indicating a high prevalence of stunting (36-79%). Ninety percent of the children were anemic, 53-71% had elevated acute phase proteins, and 80% had malaria parasitemia. Regression analyses showed that maternal height predicted the children's height at 6-9 mo (regression coefficient = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08). The children's height at an early age (6-9 and 14-20 mo) showed a strong relation with their height at later ages (22-30 and 34-41 mo). Serum micronutrient status did not show a significant relation with later HAZ. CONCLUSION: Unlike other studies, we did not identify specific biological factors, such as health and micronutrient status, which contribute to the retardation of linear growth. The normal zinc and iodine statuses of the children suggest that at least these factors are not causal.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Consequences of infections for three-month length increment in young children in rural Zambia.

It was the aim of this study to describe the relationship of infections with subsequent 3-mo length increment in children below 2 y of age in rural Zambia. Children aged 6-9 mo ('infants'; n = 84) and 14-20 mo ('toddlers'; n = 81) attending Mother-and-Child Health clinics, were included and followed up after 3.0 mo (min-max; 2.1-3.7 mo). Anthropometric measurements were taken at each visit. At baseline, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), retinol and malaria parasitaemia were assessed. Length increment during the 3.0+/-0.5 mo was 1.0+/-0.5 cm/mo for infants and 0.6+/-0.4 cm/mo for toddlers; 50-71% of the children showed increased acute phase proteins, 79-83% had malaria parasitaemia and 55-64% had low serum retinol concentrations. In the total group of children, serum AGP concentrations (r = -0.18; p = 0.03) and serum CRP concentrations (r = -0.15; p = 0.05) showed a negative relation with length increment. After correcting for micronutrient status, dietary intake and maternal height, results of multiple regression analyses showed that the relation between serum AGP concentration and subsequent length increment remained significant. We conclude that, within the multifactorial model, presence of infections in these Zambian children contributes to the short-term retardation of linear growth.

Acute Disease↗

Nutritional status of breastfed infants in rural Zambia: comparison of the National Center for Health Statistics growth reference versus the WHO 12-month breastfed pooled data set.

Cross-sectional data for breastfed infants in rural Zambia were used to evaluate the effect of applying two different data sets as a reference, i.e. the WHO 12-month breastfed pooled data set and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) growth reference in terms of prevalence of malnutrition (stunting, underweight, and wasting). A total of 518 infants who were attending mother-and-child health clinics were included. Age, weight and length were recorded. Anthropometric Z-scores were calculated in two ways: by applying the NCHS growth reference and by using the WHO breastfed data set. Anthropometric Z-scores calculated using the breastfed data set were lower during the first 6-7 months of life compared with those calculated by applying the NCHS growth reference. This resulted in a higher proportion of children aged 0-6 months being classified as stunted and underweight using the breastfed data set versus the NCHS growth reference. After the age of 7 months, similar prevalences of stunting or underweight were observed. Relatively few infants were classified as wasted. In order to adequately assess the prevalence of stunting and underweight in breastfed infants, it is recommended that a new growth reference be developed, as has been initiated by WHO.

Breast Feeding↗

Food consumption of young stunted and non-stunted children in rural Zambia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of diet of rural Zambian pre-school children, and to compare the dietary intake of stunted and non-stunted children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, in which dietary intake was assessed with a 24-h recall method. Height and weight were measured according to standard procedures. SETTING: Twelve villages in Samfya District, Zambia. SUBJECTS: Children aged 6-9 months ('infants') and 14-20 months ('toddlers'), attending Mother-and-Child Health Clinics, were eligible for study. Excluded were: 12 wasted, and 18 for other reasons. In total 106 infants and 99 toddlers were included. RESULTS: In infants and toddlers, total daily intake of energy, calcium, iron, and vitamin A was insufficient compared to recommended daily intakes. Only infants had insufficient protein intake. Compared to intake from weaning foods, breast milk was the main source of energy and most nutrients for infants. For toddlers, weaning foods were more important. Stunted infants and toddlers tended to have lower intakes of energy compared to non-stunted age-mates. Daily energy intake per kg bodyweight showed no difference between stunted and non-stunted children. CONCLUSIONS: Overall quality of weaning foods was inadequate. Stunted infants and toddlers showed a tendency of lower energy intakes compared to non-stunted age-mates.

Body Height↗

Treatment and follow-up of children with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.

UNLABELLED: The clinical spectrum and the effects of treatment over a period of 5 years in five children with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) are described. In all children biochemical, neuroradiological, and neurophysiological studies were done. CTX was diagnosed and effects of therapy were evaluated by determination of the serum cholestanol/cholesterol ratio (CCR) and the urinary excretion of bile alcohols. All children were treated with chenodeoxycholic acid (15 mg/kg/day) in three divided oral doses. Diarrhoea and juvenile cataract were the main clinical features. Psychomotor retardation, pyramidal and cerebellar signs were also found. After starting treatment, biochemical abnormalities normalized and diarrhoea disappeared. After 1 year of therapy there was no further delay in motor development, and in three children the intelligence quotient improved. EEG abnormalities disappeared. After 5 years of therapy the children are in a stable clinical condition. CONCLUSION: The clinical, biochemical and neurophysiological abnormalities in five children with CTX showed a remarkable improvement after starting treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid. The early diagnosis of CTX and the start of treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid has prevented neurological deterioration for a period of 5 years.

Adolescent↗

Effects of naso-gastric tube feeding on the nutritional status of children with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of sufficient energy intake, by means of the protocolized administration of naso-gastric tube feeding, on the nutritional status of a child with cancer. DESIGN: A comparative experimental study. SETTING: Tertiary care at the Centre for Pediatric Oncology, South East Netherlands, University Hospital, Nijmegen. SUBJECTS: Seven children, newly diagnosed with cancer, were included in the experimental study and all completed the trial period. Fourteen patients were included in the retrospective study. They were randomly chosen from a group of patients previously treated for a malignancy at our department and who had received naso-gastric tube feeding for at least 16 weeks. INTERVENTION: Protocolized (experimental group) vs non-protocolized (retrospective group) administration of naso-gastric tube feeding over a period of 16 weeks. The main difference was the amount of tube feeding administered. In addition to energy from other foods, children in the experimental group received 106+/-13% of their total daily energy requirements (TDER) by means of tube feeding, whereas children in the retrospective group had received 75+/-24%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight as a percentage of weight for height according to the 50th percentile of a healthy reference population=ideal weight. RESULTS: Weight, expressed as a percentage of the ideal weight, increased significantly in the experimental group (18.2 8.4; P=0.01) and the retrospective study group (5.2 7.3; P=0.001). However, the increase was statistically significant in favour of the experimental group (P=0.003), in which all the children reached their ideal weight, compared to 21% in the retrospective group. CONCLUSION: Aggressive protocolized nutritional intervention during the intensive phase of anti-cancer treatment, in the form of naso-gastric tube feeding that provides the child's total daily energy requirements, results in considerable improvement in the nutritional status.

Adolescent↗

Malaria is associated with reduced serum retinol levels in rural Zambian children.

Vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of illness, while infections impair vitamin A status. Malaria is highly prevalent in rural Zambia. We describe the relationship between malaria and vitamin A status. We examined dietary vitamin A intake, malaria parasitaemia and serum concentrations of retinol, C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in 210 children under the age of 2. Vitamin A intake was low. Serum retinol was negatively correlated with malaria parasite count and to serum levels of CRP and AGP. Increased malaria parasite density resulted in raised CRP and AGP levels, which were negatively associated with serum retinol. We conclude that improvement of dietary vitamin A intake and prevention of infectious diseases, especially malaria, could alleviate vitamin A deficiency in this population.

Animals↗

Role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of short bowel syndrome-associated D-lactic acidemia.

Previously, we have demonstrated that short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients suffer daily from D-lactic acidemia; in these patients rather high amounts of (bacterial) D-lactate emerge in blood and urine with a circadian rhythm. The aim of this study was to establish the microbial basis of D-lactic acidemia in SBS. Therefore, faecal flora of (young and adult) SBS-patients was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively, and compared to that of controls. The isolated bacterial species were screened for massive D- and/or L-lactate production after in vitro growth. After introduction of oral feeding in SBS-infants shortly after the resection, lactobacilli increased from < or = 1% up to 60 +/- 5% of the faecal flora within 2-3 weeks. In the faeces of patients with oral feeding the lactate producers Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus fermentum were the major resident bacteria (each with 10(10)-10(12) cfu/g faeces). During active growth in vitro these lactobacilli produced massive amounts of D- and L-lactic acid from glucose. Use of oral antibiotics in two SBS-children did not reduce the total numbers of lactobacilli, but caused shifts within the intestinal populations of at least lactobacilli. It is concluded that the strongly reduced intestinal capacity for carbohydrate absorption and the oral consumption of easily fermentable carbohydrates form the physiological basis for D-lactic acidemia in SBS, and that the fermentative D-lactate production by intestinal bacteria, especially the abundant, resident lactobacilli, forms its microbial basis. In these patients the antimicrobial and therapeutic effects of antibiotics are unpredictable.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infection in hemolytic uremic syndrome in part of western Europe.

UNLABELLED: From September 1989 until September 1993, stool specimens and sera from 113 children with diarrhoea-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) from the Netherlands, two university hospitals in Belgium and one university hospital in Germany were examined for the presence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) infection. Evidence for VTEC infection was observed in 88 (78%) patients with HUS compared to 2 (3%) of the 65 children with acute gastro-enteritis Serotype O157 was the causative agent in 76 (86%) of these 88 patients with VTEC-associated HUS and verocytotoxin-2 (VT-2) was the most frequent toxin produced. Serological testing for antibodies to O157 O-antigen yielded the highest number of positive results compared to the other test methods. Antibodies to O157 were found in sera of 71 (65%) of 110 patients with HUS and one control serum. Stool and sera examination for VTEC in 95 family contacts of 28 patients with HUS demonstrated an evidence for VTEC infection 33 (35%). In contrast, in patients with HUS serological antibodies to O157 O-antigen were found in only 3 (4%) of 85 family contacts. CONCLUSION: In this part of Western Europe, VT2-producing Escherichia coli, mainly those belonging to serogroup O157, are the major cause of HUS in childhood.

Bacterial Toxins↗