Noonan syndrome in the Japanese population

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous syndrome characterized by distinctive facial features, short stature, congenital heart diseases, and other comorbidities. NS-specific growth charts are essential to management of the disorder, but currently there are no such charts for Asian populations. Using data for 356 individuals clinically diagnosed with NS from 20 hospitals in Japan, Isojima and coauthors established growth standards for Japanese NS patients. See Growth references for Japanese individuals with Noonan syndrome

Muscular dystrophy

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), abnormal cardiac function is typically preceded by a decade of skeletal muscle disease. Galindo and colleagues analyzed cardiac and skeletal muscle microarrays from normal and golden retriever muscular dystrophy dogs to gain insight into muscle dysfunction and to identify putative DMD biomarkers. These biomarkers were then measured using human DMD blood samples. The results highlight gene expression patterns that could account for differences in cardiac and skeletal disease. See Translating golden retriever muscular dystrophy microarray findings to novel biomarkers for cardiac/skeletal muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Exercise and inflammation

One of the most commonly measured markers of inflammation is C-reactive protein (CRP). This meta-analysis by García-Hermoso et al. examines the evidence of the effectiveness of physical exercise interventions in modifying serum CRP levels in overweight children and adolescents. Nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria (N = 427 youths). The findings suggest that exercise programs in children and adolescents do not mitigate the inflammatory effects of excess weight, although there was a trend toward reduction. See Exercise-based interventions and C-reactive protein in overweight and obese youths: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Henoch–Schönlein purpura

Some allergic inflammation–associated mediators have been reported in the acute stage of Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP). However, the association between allergic disease and subsequent risk of HSP and HSP nephritis remains unknown. This study by Chen et al. included 2,240 children with HSP along with 8,960 non-HSP controls matched for age, sex, and level of urbanization. Atopic children had an increased subsequent risk of HSP but not of HSP nephritis. See Association between allergic diseases and risks of HSP and HSP nephritis: a population-based study

Laser measurements of pulmonary oxygen

Pulmonary radiography is part of the clinical routine for diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome in newborns. Svanberg and colleagues investigated a novel noninvasive technique for rapid, nonradiographic bedside detection of oxygen gas in the lungs of full-term newborn infants. Laser spectroscopy was used to measure oxygen gas and water vapor in the lungs of 29 healthy newborn full-term infants. The skin above the lungs was illuminated using two low-power diode lasers, and diffusely emerging light was detected with a photodiode. The results suggest that, with further development, this method might be implemented in clinical practice for lung monitoring in neonatal intensive care. See Diode laser spectroscopy for noninvasive monitoring of oxygen in the lungs of newborn infants

2014 Pediatric Clinical Trials Forum

In November 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics convened key stakeholders to discuss the feasibility of accelerating medical advances by creating an independent global Pediatric Clinical Trials Network. Such a network would facilitate the development and availability of innovative, high-quality therapies to extend and enhance the lives of neonates, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The participants developed a consensus statement expressing their shared vision for the network. See Special article: 2014 Pediatric Clinical Trials Forum