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fidence interval (CI) 13.7% to 17.3%] in males and 5.6% (95% CI 4.9% to 7.0%) in females, P < 0.001. Adjusted odds ratio for incidence of overweight in participants in the fourth quartile of VO2max was 0.40 (95%CI 0.26 to 0.61) in males and 0.57 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.99) in females in comparison with participants in the first quartiles of VO2max. Incidence of overweight was three times more frequent in males than in females. Among nonoverweight at baseline, high fitness levels were inversely associated with incidence of overweight at follow-up, suggesting that interventions aiming to increase CRF in early childhood might help reverse increasing trends in obesity.

Comparison of vitamin D levels distribution among VDR genetic variants in controls and patients. (DOCX 16 kb)

We report the clinical and genetic evaluation of a 2-year-old Greek female with striking phenotypic similarities to the three previously published cases of Okamoto syndrome. The main features were characteristic facies, cleft palate, generalized hypotonia, severe developmental delay, congenital hydronephrosis, and congenital heart defects. Routine chromosome testing and whole-genome high-resolution comparative genetic hybridization analysis were negative for any gross numerical or structural chromosome aberrations and for microdeletions/duplications of more than 3 million base pairs respectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for 22q11.2 deletion and DNA analysis of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type II gene were normal, thus excluding DiGeorge and Noonan syndromes. Our patient did not show most of the cardinal features of Schinzel-Giedion, otopalatodigital, and C-trigonocephaly syndromes. Moreover, in our patient some new malformations were identified: unilateral kidney hypoplasia and severe anal stenosis. The latter was considered as pertinent and is described here to establish a wider clinical spectrum of Okamoto syndrome. At the age of 3 years 6 months the child continues to show severe growth failure and significant global developmental delay. For the practising paediatrician it is prudent to bear Okamoto syndrome in mind, especially in children with learning disability and a pattern of dysmorphic features.

A rare congenital ectodermal disorder characterized by ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia and photophobia has been designated the acronym IFAP. An X-linked recessive mode of inheritance was initially proposed but a few recent reports in girls suggested genetic heterogeneity of this syndrome. We herein describe a 3-year-old girl with clinical and histological features typical of IFAP. In addition to the already known features of the syndrome the patient also developed bilateral cataract. Electron microscopy examination of the skin showed partial disruption of the intercellular bridges, spongiotic changes and decrease in the number and size of desmosomes supporting the notion that IFAP may be a cell-to-cell adhesion disorder.

Predictors of the severity of pneumonia have not been thoroughly evaluated among children in developed countries. We investigate whether chest radiographic findings could be used as predictors of severity of childhood pneumonia. The study included 167 children, aged more than 12 months, hospitalized in our department during a 4-year period with unilateral lobar or segmental pneumonia. The durations of fever and of hospitalization were considered indicators of severity of the disease. The size of the consolidation and its location in the left hemithorax were independently associated with severity of the disease. Univariate analysis showed that the mean duration of fever and of hospitalization as well as the prevalence of pleural effusion was significantly higher among children with left-sided pneumonia. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only the presence of pleural effusion was significantly more likely in left-sided pneumonia (odds ratio, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-6.47; P = 0.031). We conclude that the size of consolidation and the side of its location can be used as predictors of severity of pneumonia, with left-sided pneumonia running a more severe course, possibly due to increased risk for the development of pleurisy.