Search

Anemia is the World's disease of great attention that generally indicates low hemoglobin concentration in blood. The developing countries are the prime victims of the disease. The majority of scientific publications also focus on these regions. However, patent research focusing on applied developments instead of fundamental scientific results, related to the solution of this problem, cannot be found. Since nutrition is an essential factor in anemia prevention, this article explores the inventive activity in this particular subject area. Although the nature of work is more of an overview, it notes differences in inventions between Western and Eastern countries. The West is more active in medicine and treatment methods, while the East focuses on food technology, enzymes, and microorganisms that promote the absorption of nutrients. At the same time, Western inventions also receive comprehensive protection in Asian countries. Asian inventors, on the contrary, rarely disseminate their results on a wide scale as patenting is limited to national jurisdiction and have a lesser impact on the state-of-the-art. However, the cause for such difference between the regions remains an open question and cannot be answered adequately without incorporating additional factors. Undoubtedly, one should reject the income factor since China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, are recognized as sources of innovations besides Western countries. Moreover, these Asian countries have sufficient resources for large-scale research in chemistry and pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Back ground- In India adolescents occupy a major part (22.8%) of total population1. Almost half of the adolescent girls were not getting even 70% of their daily requirements of energy and quarters of them were not getting 70% of the required proteins. 2 Objectives- To find out the magnitude of malnutrition and anemia among the adolescent girls of social welfare hostels in and around Vijayawada city. Materials and Methods- A cross sectional observational study was done among adolescent girl students aged between 10-19 yrs residing in social welfare girls hostels in and around Vijayawada city. Only girls hostel are included in the study. Two Hostels were selected by simple random sampling method. Anthropometric measurements of the students of class 7th, 8th and 9th were taken and recorded. Results- The mean weight and height of adolescent girls found to be 40.82kgs ±0.67 and 1.527m±0.0548 respectively which is below the NCHS standards. The prevalence of under nutrition as per BMI is 37.02%. The mean haemoglobin percentage was found to be 6.87±1.94 gm%. Prevalence of anemia by hemoglobin percentage is 98.44 %. Conclusions: The mean weight and height of adolescent girls is below the NCHS standards. Regular sessions of Health education regarding importance of taking balanced diet and Iron & Folic acid and deworming tablets should be provided to all adolescent girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Com o objetivo de estimar a prevalência de anemia e conhecer o estado nutricional de escolares, foi realizado um estudo em uma amostra dos alunos ingressantes nas primeiras séries do primeiro grau das escolas públicas de Osasco, município integrante da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. O diagnóstico de anemia foi feito através da dosagem da concentração de hemoglobina do sangue colhido por punção digital. O nível crítico utilizado para caracterizar a presença de anemia foi o estabelecido pela OMS. O estado nutricional foi avaliado utilizando os indicadores peso/idade e altura/idade expressos em escores Z e a população de referência do NCHS. A prevalência, de anemia encontrada foi de 51%n. Houve diferença nos níveis de prevalência quanto à localização geográfica das escolas, sendo maior (56,9%) na Região Periférica do que na Região Central (41,7%). A presença de anemia também foi mais elevada em crianças cujos pais eram analfabetos. O risco de anemia foi superior entre as crianças que ingressaram no primeiro grau com idade superior a 8 anos. Não foi constatada presença significante de desnutrição aguda. Os resultados deste estudo destacam a anemia entre escolares como importante problema de Saúde Pública e ressaltam a urgência da implantação de programas de controle da anemia na população de escolares.The authors studied a sample of students entering the first grade in the Osasco public school system in order to determine both the prevalence of anemia and nutritional status. Osasco is part of the Greater São Paulo Metropolitan Area. Diagnosis of anemia was made through the hemoglobin concentration of blood from digital puncture. World Health Organization (WHO) levels were used to define anemia. Nutritional Status assessment. was made through weight/age and height/age indices, using Z score distribution and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference levels. Prevalence of anemia was 51%. Prevalence levels varied according to the schools' geographic location: 56.9% in peripheral neighborhoods and 41.7% in central areas. Children with illiterate parents had a higher prevalence of this condition. Risk of anemia was higher for children who were over eight years of age when entering the first grade. Acute malnutrition was not found. Prevalence was higher than expected and points to the urgent need to establish an anemia control program for schoolchildren in this population.

The article examines how severe chronic anemia could lead to growth retardation, as well as long-term negative effects on the cognitive, motor, and affective development of children and adolescents. It also notes that defective secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been identified as one of key mechanisms of delayed growth in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). It also advises endocrinologists that routine iron supplementation has no significant impact on linear growth in children.

Background: Childhood is the most important period of physical growth and cognitive development. Studies show that growth and nutritional status of pediatric patients infected with HIV are often altered. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence in alterations of growth and nutritional status of HIV-infected pediatric patients treated at the HIV Clinic of the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría in México City. Materials and Methods: It was an observational, descriptive, transversal study. The final sample included 49 patients, 22 girls and 27 boys between 3 months and 1 8 years old. All participants underwent a complete nutritional assessmentthat included anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary indicators. Results: The most common nutritional disorder was stunting. A higher prevalence of acute malnutrition was observed in infants, preschoolers and hospitalized patients. The biochemical evaluation assessed the presence of dysli pi demia and anemia. The 46.9% of the sample showed abnormal plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, or both. On clinical examination diarrhea was the most frequent symptom, which was observed in 1 00% of hospitalized patients. The dietary assessment showed that none of the patients followed the healthy diet baselines. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of nutritional intervention in patients with HIV. The HIV Clinic of Instituto Nacional de Pediatría should consider including a nutritionist as part of the multidisciplinary team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Morbidity problems in women of reproductive age need to be studied extensively for effective strategies to improve their health. Objectives: 1. To study prevalence of morbidity in women of reproductive age group. 2. To study various factors influencing health of women in reproductive age group. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among women of reproductive age group 15-44 years from November 2005 to October 2006 in an urban slum. Sample size of 203 was calculated and systematic random sampling was done. Haemoglobin estimation was done by Sahli's method. Statistical analysis included percentages, mean and standard deviation, and chi-square test. Results: Prevalence of general morbidity was 31.03% consisting of mainly dental caries in 6.40% and body aches in 5.91%. Prevalence of gynaecological morbidity was 52.22% comprising mainly menstrual problems in 41.38% and white discharge in 12.81%. 59.61% of women were anaemic. Education and anaemia were significantly associated with general morbidity. Association between anaemia and gynaecological morbidity was significant. Interpretation & Conclusions: Prevalence of gynaecological morbidity and anaemia are high and need to be addressed. More emphasis should be placed on Iron and folic acid supplementation in order to prevent anaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of body condition on some blood parameters for anemia. For this purpose, the relationship between BCS groups and the level of anemia by FAMACHA© Chart scores were examined in one intensive and two semi intensive farm conditions. BCS results were compared to volumes of RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC. Effect of BCS on live weight was found statistically significant. A negative and high correlation (-0,559) between BCS and FAMACHA© Chart score was also found statistically significant. Effect of BCS on some blood parameters; (RBC, HGB, HCT) was found statistically significant (P<0.001 and P<0.05). The more BCS increased the more RBC, HGP, HCT increased. It could be said that goats kept under better care and feeding conditions could have good BCS scores, and could be more resistant to anemia factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the usefulness of bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy in evaluation of the bone marrow in routine haematological practice. Methodology: This study included 443 cases of bone marrow examination, referred to Pathology Department, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar during the period extending from January 2012 till July 2013. All the bone marrow smears and bone biopsy sections were examined in detail. The diagnosis and findings on aspirate and biopsy were evaluated and compared with each other. Results: In 73.8% of the cases the bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy showed same diagnosis i.e., bone marrow aspiration alone was sufficient for diagnosis in these cases. In the remaining 116 (26.2%) cases trephine biopsy sections or touch imprints were found to be necessary in for making final diagnosis. These cases were those of the hypoplastic / aplastic marrows, Myelofibrosis, lymphomatous infiltration and chronic granulomatous inflammation. Conclusion: The study results suggest that both the aspirate and trephine biopsy complement each other. Nutritional anaemias, Haematological Malignancies and Immune Thrombocytopenia can be readily diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration alone. Trephine biopsy is necessary for diagnosing Granulomatous Inflammation and Hypoplastic/Aplastic Anaemia. Also trephine biopsy is required to diagnose Myelofibrosis and Lymphomatous infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Colombiana is the property of Acta Medica Colombiana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/Objectives:We studied the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), represented by household income, and the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among adolescent girls in Korea.Subjects/Methods:The samples were based on the data from a four-year (2008-2011) collection for the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1312 girls, age 10-18 years). The survey included demographic, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional parameters. A multiple regression analysis after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), red blood cell count, white blood cell count and red meat intake was performed. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin level lower than 11.5 g/dl for ages 10-11 years and 12.0 g/dl for ages 12-14 years. Iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin level below 15 μg/l.Results:The prevalences of anemia and IDA in Korean girls were 5.3 and 4.2%, respectively. Girls with anemia were older, taller, weighed more, had higher BMI, had higher portion of menarche experience and consumed less red meat than girls without anemia. Girls with higher income had lower anemia prevalence and consumed more iron and vitamins. Logistic regression analysis showed a decreasing trend in anemia prevalence as household income increased. Correlation analysis demonstrated that there is a relationship between household income and serum hemoglobin and ferritin levels (P=0.003 and P=0.026, respectively).Conclusions:Higher SES leads to lower prevalence of anemia and IDA in Korean adolescent girls. This may be due to the fact that higher SES individuals consume more iron and vitamin C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common for primary care physicians to be faced with children with hematological disorders in everyday practice. The article seeks to provide realistic information for the first-contact physician in handling common hematological diseases in children. Practical step-wise approach to understanding and investigating anemia and bleeding disorders is illustrated. Requirement of iron in normal children and management of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia is explained. The gold standard for IDA continues to be ferrous sulphate which has good bioavailability and is inexpensive. There is emerging concept of delayed clamping of umbilical cord at birth, particularly in regions with widespread IDA, to augment iron stores in infancy. Typical case scenarios of children with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and hemophilia are provided to facilitate the understanding of management in day to day practice. The vital role of the medical practitioner in shared care of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and febrile neutropenia is emphasized. A risk based treatment algorithm for febrile neutropenia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world, primarily affecting infants, young children, and women of childbearing age. Objective. To evaluate the impact of the National Complementary Feeding Program (NCFP) on anemia and iron status in Chilean children aged 11 to 18 months. Methods. Two studies were performed. The first study was performed at one public outpatient health center in Santiago, using data collected in 1999 (n = 128) and 2000 (n = 125), before and after the national introduction of iron-fortified milk. Subsequently, a study of a representative sample (n = 320) from the two most populated areas of the country was performed in 2009. Results. One year after fortification, the prevalence of anemia was 9%; significantly lower (p < .001) than the 27% prevalence observed 1 year before. Ten years after fortification, 14% of children were anemic and 77% of children with anemia (12% of all children) suffered from iron-deficiency anemia. In 2009, 11% of children consuming iron-fortified milk delivered by the NCFP (73%) were anemic, significantly lower (p = .028) than the 21% prevalence of anemia observed in children without consumption. Consumption of iron-fortified milk was positively associated with hemoglobin concentration (r = 0.28, p = .022) and was associated with a lower prevalence of anemia after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.96). Conclusions. In Chile, the NCFP has had an impact on the reduction of anemia and improved the iron status of children aged 11 to 18 months. Increasing the consumption of this iron-fortified milk could enhance the impact of the NCFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Context: Postadolescent acne has been defined as the presence of acne beyond the age of 25 years. Postadolescent acne affects approximately 14% of women between the ages of 25 and 50 years. Namely, postadolescent acne usually occurs in women of reproductive age. Nutritional anemia occurs from an insufficient intake of nutrients such as iron, folate and vitamin B12. It is very common in women of reproductive age. Nutritional anemia causes irritability, apathy, fatigue, depressive symptoms and difficulty in concentration. The major etiological factor in adult acne can be increased levels of emotional stress, leading to increase in adrenal androgens. Thus, nutritional anemia may aggravate the lesions of acne by affecting the emotional status in women of reproductive age. Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between postadolescent acne and nutritional anemia in this study. Materials and methods: The study population comprised of 52 patients with postadolescent acne and 52 healthy control subjects. Hemogram, vitamin B12, folate, serum iron, ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were measured. Results: No significant differences were observed between both groups in hemoglobin, vitamin B12, serum iron, ferritin and TIBC levels. Serum folate levels were significantly decreased in postadolescent acne patients ( p < 0.001). There were no significant correlations between hemoglobin, vitamin B12, folate, serum iron, ferritin and TIBC levels and acne severity. Discussion and conclusion: We could not find any relationship between postadolescent acne and nutritional anemia in our study. However, serum folate levels were decreased in postadolescent acne patients. Prospective research studies are needed to clarify the role of nutrition in the pathophysiology of postadolescent acne. We think that nutritional interventions can be inexpensive, safe, easy to administer and generally acceptable to patients with postadolescent acne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Powders containing iron and other micronutrients are recommended as a strategy to prevent nutritional anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies in children. We assessed the effects of provision of two micronutrient powder formulations, with or without zinc, to children in Pakistan. Methods We did a cluster randomised trial in urban and rural sites in Sindh, Pakistan. A baseline survey identified 256 clusters, which were randomly assigned (within urban and rural strata, by computer-generated random numbers) to one of three groups: non-supplemented control (group A), micronutrient powder without zinc (group B), or micronutrient powder with 10 mg zinc (group C). Children in the clusters aged 6 months were eligible for inclusion in the study. Powders were to be given daily between 6 and 18 months of age; follow-up was to age 2 years. Micronutrient powder sachets for groups B and C were identical except for colour; investigators and field and supervisory staff were masked to composition of the micronutrient powders until trial completion. Parents knew whether their child was receiving supplementation, but did not know whether the powder contained zinc. Primary outcomes were growth, episodes of diarrhoea, acute lower respiratory tract infection, fever, and incidence of admission to hospital. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00705445. Results The trial was done between Nov 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2011. 947 children were enrolled in group A clusters, 910 in group B clusters, and 889 in group C clusters. Micronutrient powder administration was associated with lower risk of iron-deficiency anaemia at 18 months compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR] for micronutrient powder without zinc=0.20, 95% CI 0.11-0.36; OR for micronutrient powder with zinc=0.25, 95% CI 0.14-0.44). Compared with the control group, children in the group receiving micronutrient powder without zinc gained an extra 0.31 cm (95% CI 0.03-0.59) between 6 and 18 months of age and children receiving micronutrient powder with zinc an extra 0.56 cm (0.29-0.84). We recorded strong evidence of an increased proportion of days with diarrhoea (p=0.001) and increased incidence of bloody diarrhoea (p=0.003) between 6 and 18 months in the two micronutrient powder groups, and reported chest indrawing (p=0.03). Incidence of febrile episodes or admission to hospital for diarrhoea, respiratory problems, or febrile episodes did not differ between the three groups. Interpretation Use of micronutrient powders reduces iron-deficiency anaemia in young children. However, the excess burden of diarrhoea and respiratory morbidities associated with micronutrient powder use and the very small effect on growth recorded suggest that a careful assessment of risks and benefits must be done in populations with malnourished children and high diarrhoea burdens. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of MedULA is the property of Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study was conducted on 500 pregnant women residing in four districts Udaipur, Alwar, Sriganganagar and Bikaner to assess their nutritional profile. An interview schedule was developed and pre tested before collection of data. The nutritional status of the pregnant women was assessed using dietary adequacy and anthropometric measurement. Bikaner district was selected for, two approaches of iron intervention. For this 80 selected anaemic women were divided into two groups i.e. FBIG (food based iron group) who was given tablets prepared by mixing iron rich powder of lotus stem, rice bran and lemon juice, and synthetic iron group SIG given commercial iron tablets. In addition both the groups were given equal amount of folic acid tablets for 30 days..Nutritional status was assessed by weight, height and dietary intake which did not change significantly by intervention. Hematological status of pregnant women revealed a significant increment in hemoglobin level i.e. 9.48 and 9.35 g/dl prior to intervention to 9.67 g/dl and 9.91 g/dl in FBIG and SIG respectively. Iron intervention also had positive effect on hematological status i.e. R.B.C, count, heamotocrit, MCV and MCH confirming the results as predicted by heamoglobin levels. These results clearly depict that iron intervention had positive impact on iron status of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce malnutrition and improve child survival, school feeding programmes have been established in many parts of Africa, although prevalence of child malnutrition and anaemia remains high, especially in urban slums. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of a school feeding programme in the slums of Nairobi (Kenya) on anaemia and nutritional status, together with an investigation for socioeconomic determinants that may overrule this effect. Sixty-seven children at the St. George primary school in Kibera participated in the school feeding programme for 1 year and data concerning anaemia rate, nutritional status and socioeconomic status were collected during a medical health check. Data were compared with a control group of children attending the same school, of the same age and with the same gender distribution without participation in a feeding programme. Data were analyzed with statistical software (SPSS 17.0). Children participating in the school feeding programme were less stunted (p = 0.02) and wasted (p = 0.02) than children in the control group, and levels of anaemia were lower (p = 0.01). Having no father (p = 0.01) and living in small families (p = 0.003) overruled the effect of the feeding programme. Also, the higher the mother’s education, the more wasting was seen (p = 0.04) despite participation in the programme. The programme reduced anaemia and malnutrition and has improved child growth in our study group greatly, but we found that education level of the mother, family size and absence of a father overruled the effect of the school feeding programme. Because sample size of our study is small, we encourage further large-scaled research on reviewing programmatic interventions to develop optimal feeding strategies and improve nutritional status of children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Antropo is the property of Antropo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite growing wealth and a strengthening government commitment to improve livelihoods and welfare, many students across rural China have inadequate access to micronutrient-rich diets. Poor diets can lead to nutritional problems, such as iron-deficiency anemia, that can adversely affect health, attention, learning, and mental health. The overall goal of this paper is to assess the impact of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) on anemia and anxiety among students in poor areas of rural China. To achieve this goal, we conducted a randomized controlled trial in 54 randomly chosen elementary schools in 8 of the poorest counties in Shaanxi Province in Northwest China. Study participants were 2730 fourth-grade students, mostly aged 10-12 y. Schools were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a control group that received no intervention and an intervention group that received a daily MMS with 5 mg of iron (ferrous sulfate) for 5 mo. Our primary outcome measures were hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations (assessed by HemoCue 201+ technology), anemia prevalence (defined as Hb) concentrations ≤120 g/L), and anxiety (using a written mental health test). The results showed that 42.4% of students were anemic at baseline. The Hb concentration was 121.7 ± 10.7 g/L in the treatment group and 123.4 ± 11.4 g/L in the control group. MMS increased Hb concentrations by 1.7 g/L ± 0.15 and reduced anemia rates by 7.0 percentage points (P < 0.05). Anxiety was reduced by 0.30 SDs (P < 0.01). MMS reduced both anemia and anxiety. Our results should encourage further research on the linkages between nutrition and mental health in a development context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Food & Nutrition / Alimentos e Nutrição is the property of Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, UNESP and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A 13-year old girl presented with a decade long anemia, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and interstistial lung disease; was eventually diagnosed as ANCA associated vasculitis. High index of suspicion is thus warranted for alternative diagnosis in chronic anemia, despite increased prevalence of infectious diseases and nutritional anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effect of increased dietary protein supply on repeated Haemonchus contortus infection was assessed in growing native Chokla lambs in the semi-arid Rajasthan state of India. In a 2×3 factorial design, 48 Chokla lambs (4–5mo, 14.9±1.0kg) were distributed in two main groups (24 animals each), control (C) and infected (I) and were fed on complete diets (at 3% of live weight (LW)) with three levels of protein (CP, g/kg dry matter) high (HP; 150), moderate (MP 115) and low (LP; 95), thus constituting six treatment groups HPC, HPI, MPC, MPI, LPC and LPI having eight animals each. Lambs of infected groups were drenched with 200 infective larvae (L3)/kg LW after one month of experimental feeding, and subsequently with 300 L3/kg LW three times a week for 13 consecutive weeks. The experiment lasted for 21 weeks with record of feed intake and weekly LW change along with collection of blood and faecal samples for analysis. Body condition score (BCS) of animals were recorded at the end of infection regime. A digestibility trial was conducted during 13 weeks of infection to assess plane of nutrition. The mortality was greater and adverse clinical signs such as inappetance, weight loss and submandibular oedema were more frequent in the LPI group. The LPI group also had more severe anaemia, hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbumenaemia. Faecal egg counts, worm burden, establishment of larvae and fecundity were not significantly (P>0.05) different between the groups of infected lambs. However, higher protein levels in the diet enhanced feed and nutrient intake and supported higher LW gain with better feed efficiency and improved BCS. It may thus be concluded that lambs on LP diet were less able to withstand the patho-physiological effects of H. contortus than lambs on MP and HP diets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To assess whether addition of cobalamin (cbl) to iron-folic acid will result in improved response in nutritional anemia.Methods: This study included 150 children aged between 0.5-5 y having nutritional anemia. Anemia was categorized for severity and red cell morphology. Serum levels of ferritin were obtained in all cases while levels of cbl and folic acid (FA) were done only in children having macrocytic or dimorphic anemia. Children were randomized to receive either iron and FA (Group I) or iron, FA and cbl (Group II). Response to treatment was assessed at 2, 4 and 8 wk.Results: Of all the 150 patients, iron deficiency was documented in 111 patients. Of the 41 cases in whom, Cbl and FA levels were done, 97.56% and 53.66% had deficiency of cbl and FA respectively. Patients in group II had higher Hb level at 2, 4 and 8 wk (significant at 4 and 8 wk). Percentage Hb rise from baseline Hb was significantly higher in group II (p 0.00). In group II, increase in Hb among cases with macrocytosis and others were similar although percentage increase in Hb was more pronounced among patients with macrocytic anemia or dimorphic anemia. However, this difference was statistically not significant (p = 0.18).Conclusions: Children receiving cbl in addition to iron and FA showed an improved hematological response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. With the documentation of high rates of acute malnutrition in children under 5 years of age, the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka established a Nutrition Rehabilitation Program in Jaffna District of the Northern Province. Objective. To assess the impact of community-based management of acute malnutrition among children under 5 years of age and its operational challenges. Methods. The Nutrition Rehabilitation Program was introduced and implemented in phases covering the entire district and was integrated into the routine healthcare system from the beginning. Children were categorized into severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) groups according to World Health Organization weight-for-height growth standards. Children with SAM were given ready-to-usetherapeutic food (RUTF), and children with MAM were given 100 g (450 kcal) of high-energy biscuits (HEBs) provided by UNICEF. All children received daily supplementary food consisting of locally produced Thriposha or 50 g of corn-soya blend provided by the World Food Programme that provides approximately 200 kcal in addition to the general food ration. The children were followed up according to the guidelines stipulated in the Nutrition Rehabilitation Program manual. Results. An endline representative survey conducted 2 years after implementation of the Nutrition Rehabilitation Program revealed that the prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) among children under five dropped from 18% to 9.6%, a reduction of 47%, while the prevalence of SAM dropped from 3.5% to 0.7%, a reduction of 80%. However, the prevalence of anemia remained at 34%, which is higher than the national prevalence of 25%, in spite of supplementation with 200% of the Recommended Nutrient Intake of iron and vitamin A. Conclusions. Proper targeting of feeding programs with good coverage can reduce the rates of acute malnutrition in emergencies. It is important also to consider the control of anemia in emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is the central diagnostic indicator for anemia, including nutritional anemia. The objective of this study was to compare the Hb values determined by two portable, non-invasive devices across a wide Hb spectrum against formal laboratory measurements, and with each other. Eighty Guatemalan adults (40 highland men, 40 lowland pregnant women) provided venous blood for formal Hb colorimetric determination. Hb was also registered sequentially on the Rad-87™ pulse CO-Oximeter with Rainbow Set technology (Masimo) and Haemospect® (MBR Optical Systems) by non-invasive skin-probe contact procedures as per manufacturers' instructions. Whole blood Hb concentrations ranged from 7.8 to 18.5 g/dL (mean, 12.9±2.3 g/dL and median, 13.3 g/dL). Corresponding descriptive statistics were: range, 9.6 to 16.2 g/dL; mean, 12.1±1.5 g/dL; and median, 11.9 g/L, respectively, with the Rad-87™ (nail bed). They were: range, 8.7 to 15.8 g/dL; mean, 12.7±1.8 g/dL; and median, 13.0 g/dL for the Hemospect® for forearm contact. They were: range, 9.1 to 17.5 g/dL; mean, 13.24±2.1 g/dL; and median, 13.4 g/dL for palm contact. The Pearson correlation coefficient of venous blood Hb with the former device's Hb values was r=0.59 (p<0.001), and r=0.94 (p<0.001) and r=0.90 (p<0.001) with those of the latter device at the palm and forearm, respectively. The inter-site Lin coefficient was r=0.84. Sensitivity and specificity were variable across devices, depending on Hb cut-off and measurement procedures. With Hb cut-off values of <12.0 g/dL for adult, non-pregnant women and <13.0 g/dL for adult men, the Haemospect® device's performance here would provide adequate potential for screening purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaranth grain is a highly nutritional pseudocereal with a superior amount of proteins when compared to true cereals. It is a reasonably well-balanced food with functional properties that have been shown to provide medicinal benefits. The health benefits attributed include decreasing plasma cholesterol levels, stimulating the immune system, exerting an antitumor activity, reducing blood glucose levels and improving conditions of hypertension and anemia. In addition, it has been reported to possess anti-allergic and antioxidant activities. The present article provides a comprehensive overview of amaranth grain that focuses on recent research reporting its use in the clinical practice and its possible benefits to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To describe the frequency and severity of anemia and the nutritional variables associated to hemoglobin levels (Hb) in children <5 years of age. Materials and methods. We studied 981 children measuring hemoglobin and serum concentrations of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), C-reactive protein (CRP), zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, folate and vitamin B12. Ordinal logit or multiple regression models were constructed to assess the risk for anemia and the associations among nutritional variables. Results. The overall prevalence of anemia was 20.6%, of which 14% were mild cases and 6.38% moderate. Anemia was associated with iron deficiency (ID) in 42.17% of the cases, whereas ID coexisted with either folate or vitamin B12 deficiency in 9%. Only 2% of cases of anemia were associated with either folate or vitamin B12 deficiencies. CRP (coef: 0.17 g/dl) and third tertile of s-copper (coef: -0.85 g/dl) were associated to unexplained anemia (p<0.05). Conclusions. ID is the main cause of anemia in children <5 y. Folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were associated with anemia. CRP was associated to unexplained anemia. However, vitamin A deficiency, which is associated with anemia, was not studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]