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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 10/2006

01-10-2006 | Original Paper

Homocysteine, folate, lipid profile and MTHFR genotype and disability in children with myelomeningocele

Authors: Claudia Rendeli, Emanuele Ausili, Mario Castorina, Daniela Antuzzi, Fabrizia Tabacco, Massimo Caldarelli

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 10/2006

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Abstract

Study design

We performed a cross-sectional study in myelomeningocele children.

Objective

To investigate plasma total homocysteine, folate, lipid profile, 5,10- metylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype (MTHFR) and disability.

Materials and methods

Sixty patients aged between 2 and 14 years with myelomeningocele (18 ambulatory and 42 non-ambulatory) and 150 healthy children of same age, are investigated for lipid profile, homocysteine concentration and for the determination of MTHFR genotype.

Results

Plasma homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in myelomeningocele children than in the control group. In myelomeningocele female group, there were higher levels of total cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with respect to the control group. Myelomeningocele children walking with tutorial aid showed triglyceride levels significantly lower than those observed in myelomeningocele non-walking children.

Conclusion

Disability, insulin uptake, lipid, homocysteine, hormones plasma levels, and genetic factors such as allelic variants of MTHFR are possible for cardiovascular disease in myelomeningocele children. This study highlights the importance of a continuous surveillance of any changes in the lipid profile that should be corrected as soon as possible. Constant physical activity necessary to increase HDL levels should be planned in all susceptible children. Nonetheless, further investigations are necessary to identify new homocysteine susceptible genes for prevention of early atherosclerosis and consequent cardiovascular disease.
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Metadata
Title
Homocysteine, folate, lipid profile and MTHFR genotype and disability in children with myelomeningocele
Authors
Claudia Rendeli
Emanuele Ausili
Mario Castorina
Daniela Antuzzi
Fabrizia Tabacco
Massimo Caldarelli
Publication date
01-10-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 10/2006
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0056-0

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