Abstract In Portugal, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)-responsive patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) are identified using a loading test (LT). Phenylalanine/natural protein (Phe/NP) intake is increased to elevate blood Phe prior to the LT. In a longitudinal retrospective study, the impact of Phe/NP titration post-LT in 58 patients (19.6 + 8.2 years) with PKU during 4 study periods (SPs) was examined. In SP1 (2010-2013), patients were diet treated only; in SP2 (2014), the Phe/NP titration was followed by the LT in SP3 (2015). In SP4 (2016), patients received diet treatment only (n ¼ 49) or BH4 þdiet (n ¼ 9). The median percentage blood Phe within the target range was higher in SP1 versus SP4 (64 [28-85] vs 45 [0-66]; P < .001). Our results suggest that transient Phe/NP titration, associated with a deliberate increase in NP, may adversely affect metabolic control. Controlled studies are necessary to examine the longer term impact of temporary increased NP with BH4 LT in non-BH4-responsive patients.

Introdução: O excesso de peso e a obesidade infantil são uma preocupação mundial. Os principais fatores associados ao excesso de peso em idade pré-escolar são o padrão alimentar e a atividade física. O Centro de Apoio Social de Mozelos é um jardim de infância onde os hábitos alimentares são supervisionados por um Nutricionista e a atividade física é oferecida gratuitamente a todas as crianças dos 2 aos 6 anos. Objetivos: Este estudo visou investigar a prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade em crianças com idades compreendidas entre os 2 e os 6 anos. Metodologia: Estudou-se uma amostra de 129 crianças do Centro de Apoio Social de Mozelos (3,7±1,2 anos). Realizaram-se avaliações antropométricas às crianças e aos seus progenitores. Um questionário para caracterização da amostra foi realizado aos pais. Excesso de peso e obesidade foram definidos utilizando os critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Resultados: A prevalência global de excesso de peso e obesidade nas crianças foi de 11,7% (7,8% de excesso de peso e 3,9% de obesidade). A prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade nos pais foi de 57,8% (40,5% de excesso de peso e 17,3% de obesidade). Conclusões: A prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade nos pais parece ser similar à população geral portuguesa. No entanto, os resultados encontrados nas crianças parecem estar abaixo do expectável comparando com estudos similares. São necessários mais estudos longitudinais que demonstrem claramente os benefícios da abordagem conjunta da atividade física e do padrão alimentar em jardins de infância como o Centro de Apoio Social de Mozelos na prevenção/redução do excesso de peso e obesidade em crianças com idade pré-escolar.

Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity is a worldwide concern. Physical activity and food patterns are main factors associated with overweight at preschool age. Centro de Apoio Social de Mozelos is a kindergarten where food habits have been supervised by a nutritionist and where physical activity is freely offered to all children aged 2 to 6 years old. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 2 to 6 years old. Methodology: A sample of 129 children from Centro de Apoio Social de Mozelos (3.7±1.2 years old) was studied. Anthropometric measurements were performed in children and parents. A questionnaire for sample characterization was answered by parents. Overweight and obesity were defined using World Health Organization criteria. Results: The global prevalence of overweight and obesity in children was 11.7% (7.8% of overweight; 3.9% of obesity). Overweight and obesity prevalence in parents was 57.8% (40.5% of overweight; 17.3% of obesity). Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in parents seems to follow the general Portuguese population. However, results found in children are below our expectations comparing to similar studies. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clearly demonstrate the benefits of a combined nutritional and physical activity management approach in kindergartens like Centro de Apoio Social de Mozelos in the prevention/reduction of overweight and obesity in preschool aged children.

In the present paper, we report on the analytical use of a dynamic droplet based gas collection and an analysis system. A droplet formed at the tip of a tube represents a sampling approach that provides an indefinitely renewable surface and uses very little reagent. Sample gas flows past the droplet at a low flow rate. After the gas was sampled , the analysis can be carried out by different methodologies. The feasibility of the sensor is demonstrated by continuos determination of gaseous as: NO2, Cl2 and SO2.