A cross-sectional population-based study of determinants of growth retardation in under-five children (3,389) in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil estimated odds ratios (OR) for stunting, defined as height-for-age < -2 zeta-scores of the NCHS standards. Hierarchical modeling based on a framework of the process of stunting was used. Stunting prevalence was 6.8%; the main determ...

Congenital cutis laxa is a rare, clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders. It is characterized by degenerative changes in elastic fibres and manifests with skin laxity. Here we presented a six-month old boy with congenital cutis laxa associated with growth retardation. We reveal ultrastructural findings and discussed the differential diagnosis.

Thirty-five insulin-dependent diabetic women with reliable menstrual histories were examined by ultrasonic scanning in the 7th-14th weeks of pregnancy. Judged from crown-to-rump length the fetuses were on average 5.4 days smaller than those in a local normal series. Ten of the fetuses were nine days or more smaller than normal and had a lower mean birth weight than the others, though the mean g...

Cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the intralysosomal accumulation of cystine in all tissues due to mutations in the CTNS gene (17p13.3). Infantile nephropatic cystinosis is the most severe and the most frequent form of the disease. It causes renal Fanconi syndrome, leading to end stage renal failure around the age of 10 years if left untreated. Cystine accumulat...

Fetal growth retardation is a fetal adaptation in response to inadequate supply of oxygen and/or nutrients. Animal models of intrauterine growth retardation are an invaluable tool to question the genetic, molecular and cellular events that determine fetal growth and development. Rodent and non-litter bearing animals are mammalian system with similar embryology,anatomy and physiology to humans. ...

Rohrer's ponderal index in newborns (birth weight * 100/height3) has been used as an indicator of fetal growth status, especially to assess asymmetrical intrauterine growth retardation. Low ponderal index or disproportionate intrauterine growth retardation has higher neonatal morbidity and there are some specific guidelines in intrauterine growth retarded infants to control some of their pr...

Big governments lead to lower levels of short-term economic growth. But is the size of this negative effect the same in different nations? I argue that big government matters less for growth in small countries than it does in large ones, because large countries are more dependent on domestic sources of production and consumption for their economic growth than are small countries. I find support...

Contents 1. Introduction 2. Ethical and conceptual issues 3. Our uncertain knowledge of the environment 4. The Impact of population growth on the environment 5. What are the implications for population policy? 6. Political and administrative difficulties in developing a global environmental policy 6.1 Sovereignty and the Administration of Environmental Protection Activities 6.2 North-South Equi...