Current News
Winter 2013
Autism Research Is Now Available in KOP
To make participation in studies at CHOP’s Center for Autism Research more convenient, families have the option of taking their children to King of Prussia for some or all components of the study, depending on what is needed. Please direct patients and families who may be interested in participating in autism research to www.centerforautismresearch.com or autism@email.chop.edu.
Large International Study Finds 21 Genes Tied to Cholesterol Levels
A gene analysis tool invented at Children’s Hospital was at the center of the largest-ever genetic study of cholesterol and other blood lipids, which identified 21 new gene variants associated with lipid levels. The findings, published in the November issue of American Journal of Human Genetics, expand the list of potential drug targets for lipid-related cardiovascular disease, a leading global cause of death and disability.
The International IBC Lipid Genetics Consortium, comprising more than 180 researchers worldwide, used the Cardiochip, invented by Brendan J. Keating, PhD, a scientist at the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP. Researchers have used the Cardiochip to pinpoint gene variants in dozens of studies. The device contains approximately 50 000 DNA markers across 2000 genes implicated in cardiovascular disease.
Parental Stress Linked to Children’s Obesity, Fast Food Intake and Reduced Activity
Parents with a higher number of stressors in their lives are more likely to have obese children, according to a new study by researchers at CHOP. Furthermore, when parents perceive themselves to be stressed, their children eat fast food more often, compared to children whose parents feel less stressed.
“Stress in parents may be an important risk factor for child obesity and related behaviors,” says Elizabeth Prout Parks, MD, a physician nutrition specialist at Children’s Hospital who led a study published in the November issue of Pediatrics. “The severity and number of stressors are important.”
Among the parental stressors associated with childhood obesity are poor physical and mental health, financial strain, and leading a single-parent household. Although previous researchers had found a connection between parental stress and child obesity, the current study of 2119 parents covered a more diverse population, both ethnically and socioeconomically, than previous studies did. This study was the first to find an association between parent-perceived stress and more frequent fast-food consumption by children. Fast food, often containing high quantities of fat and sugar, is an important risk factor for obesity and child health.
Healthy Weight Program Expansion Includes Fitness Center, Teaching Kitchen
CHOP’s Healthy Weight Program has opened a new, expanded clinic space on the first floor of 3550 Market St. in Philadelphia. The clinic serves children between 2 and 18 years of age through a multidisciplinary, family-centered approach under the guidance of new director Patricia DeRusso, MD, MS, FAAP. Now children can consult with a physical activity specialist and use a new fitness center where individual and group physical activity assessments are conducted. The fitness center has treadmills, stationary bikes, a trampoline, free weights, toning/stability/balance training equipment, a small track and even a hopscotch grid.
The program has also expanded its nutrition education capabilities with the opening of a new teaching kitchen, where family members can experience healthy eating through interactive sessions involving food selection, preparation and menu planning together.
To refer a patient, call 215-267-2782 or email healthyweightprogram@email.chop.edu.
Children’s Hospital’s BMT Program Receives Renewed Accreditation
The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) has renewed the accreditation for CHOP’s Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program. CHOP’s program was first accredited in 2000, and must be reaccredited every 3 years. The accreditation is current through November 2015.
“We are one of the very few pediatric centers in which all three components—clinical, stem cell laboratory and collection center—are on site and accredited,” says Nancy Bunin, MD, director, Stem Cell Transplantation. “This demonstrates our team approach to blood and marrow transplant, and validates how we provide integrated and superior care to our patients.”
Galactosemia Quantitation Now Available from CHOP Labs
Determination of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (Gal-1- PUT) activity by tandem mass spectrometry is now available at the Palmieri Metabolic Laboratory at CHOP. Deficiency of Gal-1-PUT results in the most common form of galactosemia, a defect of galactose metabolism that is screened for in all newborns. This assay is currently provided with a two-week turnaround time, which might be reduced depending on the volume of samples received by the lab. For more information, go to www.chop.edu/labs.
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