Physical Growth Of Children Research Articles

Mobility Assistive Technology (AT) for Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP): A Literature Review

This paper comprehensively reviews the use of mobility Assistive Technology (MAT) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Currently, 9 million people are severely affected by CP, the most serious form of movement disability, characterized by deficits in movement, posture, and more, alongside cognitive and sensory deficits. These impairments restrict the child’s functionality in self-care, performing tasks associated with daily living, and socialization. The main purpose of this paper is to establish the role of MAT in supporting children with CP and assess its impact on their lives. This review describes a range of devices that enhance mobility in motor-disabled patients such as powered wheelchairs, robotic exoskeletons, ankle-foot orthoses (AFO), and gait trainers, and examines their effects on the psychosocial well-being and physical growth of children with CP. A methodical search performed within the PRISMA framework enabled us to analyze papers from 2010 to 2024, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of assistive technology (AT). It was noted that although ATs can improve independence, social involvement, and mobility, challenges remain such as high costs, poor design, and unavailability of these resources in underprivileged regions. New information technologies, including intelligent systems and virtual reality (VR) training tools, are effective in addressing health-related issues; however, the optimization of these techniques over a long period needs further study. This paper underscores the importance of a more child-centred design of AT devices and additional policy adjustments to enhance accessibility across different socio-economic strata. Through this review, we seek to advance the emerging understanding of the role of mobility AT in enhancing the lives of children with CP, focusing on identifying weaknesses in the existing research and suggesting possible advancements.

Body measurement changes in adults with pectus excavatum after the Nuss procedure: a study of 272 patients

BackgroundPectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital abnormality of the chest wall. Most patients with PE have slim bodies. Some studies have been conducted on the physical growth of children and adolescents who underwent the Nuss procedure. This study aimed to evaluate body measurement changes in adult patients with PE after the Nuss procedure.MethodsA total of 272 adult PE patients, who underwent the Nuss procedure and pectus bars removal from August 2014 to December 2020, were evaluated retrospectively. Body measurement [body height (BH), body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI)] of the patients were collected before Nuss repair and after bar removal. We used the interquartile range (IQR) to identify and exclude outliers. Associations between changes in body measurement and clinical and radiological features were evaluated.ResultsThe BH, BW and BMI showed significantly increased after pectus bar removal, compared to pre-Nuss procedure parameters (BH 173.8 ± 5.9 cm vs. 173.9 ± 5.9 cm, P < 0.001; BW 60.3 ± 8.1 kg vs. 61.1 ± 8.8 kg, P = 0.005; BMI 19.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2 vs. 20.1 ± 2.4 kg/m2, P = 0.02). The same result were observed in the male subgroup, the HI ≥ 4 group and the male subgroup within the HI ≥ 4 group.ConclusionsThe BH, BW and BMI were significantly increased after completing surgical correction of PE using the Nuss procedure, particularly in young males and patients with more pronounced deformities.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SWARNAPRASHAN PREPARED FROM BRAHMI GHRITA AND PANCHGAVYA GHRITA ON IMMUNOMODULATION &amp; PHYSICAL GROWTH IN CHILDREN

Introduction: Ayurveda, the comprehensive Indian system of medicine, has devised a novel approach for boosting overall immunity and thereby assisting the child in resisting and fighting sickness. Administration of processed gold to children is unique practice described as Swarnaprashan in the Kashyap Samhita for improving intellect, digestion, metabolism, physical strength, and immunity. The study was aimed to compare the effect of Swarnaprashan prepared from Brahmi Ghrita and Panchgavya Ghrita on immunomodulation and physical growth in children. Materials and Methods: In total 46 children seeking prevention from recurrent seasonal disorders of 0 to 8 years age of both sexes were randomly selected from OPD &amp; IPD of Hospital of University Postgraduate Institute of Ayurveda Studies &amp; Research, Dr. S.R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Out of them, six children were drop out during study. Therefore, study was completed on 40 children. They were divided into two groups of 20 each. Group A: Swarnaprashan prepared from Brahmi Ghrita was given to 20 patients. Group B: Swarnaprashan prepared from Panchgavya Ghrita was given to 20 patients. Dose of Swarna Bhasma and Swarnaprashan in children were calculated according to young formula and administered in drops form for a duration of 45 days. Results: The percentage relief for study group A subjects were 66.65% and the relief for group B was 55.67%. The statistical analysis of the same showed that the improvements in both groups were highly significant. Discussion Swarnaprashan used in the above study was in a modified form that contained Swarna Bhasma, ghrita, and honey, along with some herbs showing nootropic, immune-modulatory, adaptogenic and rejuvenator activity. Conclusion: Swarnaprashan prepared from Brahmi ghrita showed a significant result over Swarnaprashan prepared from Panchgavya ghrita on various assessment parameters. However, Swarnaprashan did not elicit any remarkable changes on anthropometry parameters.

Risk Factors of Onset Time and Persistence of Atopic Dermatitis in Children Under Age 5 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is high among children, with development of AD occurring during early childhood in most affected children and some having a chronic disease course. Risk factors for AD in this group remain undefined. Objectives: We analyzed the medical records of children with AD under 5 years of age. We summarized characteristics of the natural course of AD in these children and explored relevant risk factors of AD in infancy and early childhood. Methods: Using a self-developed questionnaire, we investigated 716 children under 5 years of age who were treated for AD at the Dermatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China. We conducted the study from October 2021 to September 2022 using telephone and on-site interviews with the children's parents. In parental interviews, data were gathered on neonatal diseases, comorbidities, parental allergy history, maternal history of tobacco and alcohol use, and basic infant information at birth. Some children were tested for serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) before this study. Results: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), neonatal infection, and infection during childhood had a significant impact on persistent symptoms and the onset of first symptoms in children with AD (P < 0.05). Allergic diseases as common comorbidities with AD, which had earlier onset of AD related to more obvious disease activity (P < 0.05). Parental history of allergy was also significant in AD (P < 0.05). Serum total iIgE levels in children with AD showed an impact on the clinical course of AD; neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and NRDS may affect IgE levels (P < 0.05). Persistent AD had a significant effect on the physical growth of children with height/length for age Z score ≤3 and weight for height/length Z score ≤3 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Early adverse events in infants, infection before onset, and susceptibility to infection may affect the onset and clinical course of childhood AD. Serum total IgE levels affect the progression of AD. Persistent AD in childhood may have a slight impact on children's physical growth.

Long-term trends and urban-rural disparities in the physical growth of children and adolescents in China: an analysis of five national school surveys over three decades.

China's rapid economic growth has brought opportunities for improved health and growth of children and adolescents. We sought to explore the long-term trends and urban-rural inequalities in physical growth (specifically height and BMI) among school-aged children and adolescents in China to identify policy priorities for a healthier generation. We used the 1985, 1995, 2005, 2014, and 2019 cycles of the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health from primary and secondary schools in 30 mainland provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. We analysed height and BMI data for 7, 12, and 18 year old children and adolescents of Han ethnicity. Children and adolescents who had complete data on age, sex, location, weight, and height were included. All surveys used a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method and were nationally representative. A univariate kernel density estimation was used to plot the distribution of height and BMI. Quantile regression was used to examine associations between urban and rural locations and the primary outcomes of height and BMI at specific quantiles of distribution (5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th). Across the five surveys (in 1985, 1995, 2005, 2014, and 2019), 313 973 children and adolescents were included. From 1985 to 2019, the height and BMI distribution curves shifted to the right for each age group and sex, with the BMI curve becoming more dispersed. Median height in adolescents aged 18 years increased by 3·8 cm (95% CI 3·4-4·1) in boys in urban areas and 5·7 cm (5·3-6·1) in boys in rural areas, and 2·7 cm (2·4-3·0) in girls in urban areas and 3·7 cm (3·4-4·0) in girls in rural areas. Children in urban areas were taller than those in rural areas at every quantile, but the magnitude of this disparity narrowed by 2019. In 2019, the median height of boys in urban areas were 1·4 cm (1·0-1·8) greater in those aged 7 years, 2·5 cm (1·9-3·1) greater in those aged 12 years, and 1·1 cm (0·6-1·5) greater in those aged 18 years than their rural counterparts, whereas the median height of girls in urban areas were 1·1 cm (0·7-1·4) greater in those aged 7 years, 1·6 cm (1·1-2·1) greater in those aged 12 years, and 1·1 cm (0·7-1·5) greater in those aged 18 years than rural girls. Over this period, urban-rural differences in BMI disappeared at the lowest quantile, but persisted at higher quantiles. In 2019, the urban-rural differences in BMI for boys aged 12 years were 0·6 kg/m2 (95% CI 0·3-0·8) at the median, 1·0 kg/m2 (0·6-1·4) at the 75th quantile, and 0·7 kg/m2 (0·1-1·3) at the 95th quantile; for girls aged 12 years, 0·3 kg/m2 (0·1-0·5) at the median, 0·5 kg/m2 (0·2-0·8) at the 75th quantile, and 0·9 kg/m2 (0·3-1·5) at the 95th quantile; for boys aged 18 years, 0·6 kg/m2 (0·4-0·8) at the median, 0·8 kg/m2 (0·5-1·2) at the 75th quantile, and 0.7 kg/m2 (0·0-1·5) at the 95th quantile; and for girls aged 18 years, 0·2 kg/m2 (0·1-0·4) at the median, 0·5 kg/m2 (0·3-0·8) at the 75th quantile, and 1·0 kg/m2 (0·5-1·5) at the 95th quantile. Across three decades, school-aged children and adolescents in China have increased in height and BMI, with less disparity between urban and rural locations. Investments are needed to improve the affordability of healthy foods to help children and adolescents in rural areas reach their potential maximum height. Meanwhile, these changes in BMI necessitate tailored strategies according to urban-rural settings to contain the increase in overweight and obesity and promote optimal growth for children and adolescents. Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research, and National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Upaya Pencegahan Stunting dengan Nugget Daun Kelor Bersama Mahasiswa KKN UNRI di Desa Beringin Taluk

Stunting is a global health problem that affects the physical growth and development of children. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using Moringa leaf nuggets in preventing stunting in preschool children. The research method involved 20 children aged 4-8 years who received Moringa leaf nuggets as a daily supplement for 6 months. Child growth parameters, including height, weight, and head circumference, were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The results of the analysis showed a significant increase in the physical growth of children in. Moringa leaf nuggets have the potential to be an easily accessible and effective stunting prevention strategy. This research provides initial support for the use of Moringa leaves as a functional food ingredient in efforts to prevent stunting in preschool children. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term effects of using Moringa leaf nuggets in the context of stunting prevention

The Effect of screen time on Children’s Behaviour

As more of their leisure time is spent with screens such as iPhones, tablets, computer games, and television, parents, health experts, and educators are concerned about the impact of screen time on children’s well-being. Excessive screen usage has a negative impact on the verbal, emotional, and physical growth of children. Because children and teenagers are naturally drawn to screens, the aim is to teach them how to use them responsibly. Screens may help promote self-esteem and give numerous chances for learning and growth when used with good screen objectives and abilities. Children, especially those above the age of three, respond to interactive programming that is entertaining, suited to them, and stimulates imitation or participation. Dynamic video games may encourage light-to-moderate or acceptable physical exercise in the near future. Families and child care providers may include more physical activity into daily routines by using fun, age-appropriate exercise (e.g., yoga or dance) and fitness apps or videogames. As a result of these concerns, parents are being advised to limit their children’s screen time on a daily basis, with particular time constraints for children and a general guideline to minimize screen time in teenagers. Key words: screen time, children's behaviour

Relationships between growth indicators, liver and kidney function markers, and blood concentrations of essential and potentially toxic elements in environmentally exposed young children

Environmental exposure to multiple metals and metalloids is widespread, leading to a global concern relating to the adverse health effects of mixed-metals exposure, especially in young children living around industrial areas. This study aimed to quantify the concentrations of essential and potentially toxic elements in blood and to examine the potential associations between multiple elements exposures, growth determinants, and liver and kidney function biomarkers in children living in several industrial areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The blood distribution of 20 trace elements As, Ag, Bi, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, I, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb, Tl, V, U, and Zn, growth determinants such as body mass index and body fats, blood pressure, liver and kidney injury biomarkers including serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, serum calcium, and creatinine levels, blood urea nitrogen, and hemoglobin concentrations, and glomerular filtration rate were measured in 141 children, aged six to 16 years. Among these elements, blood concentrations of Ag, U, V, Cr, Cd, Sb, and Bi were measured below LOQs and excluded from subsequent statistical analysis. This comprehensive study revealed that blood concentrations of these elements in children, living in industrial areas, exceeded critical reference values to varying extents; elevated exposure to As, Pb, Br, Cu, and Se was found in children living in multiple industrial areas. A significant positive association between elevated blood Tl concentration and obesity (β = 0.300, p = 0.007) and an inverse relationship between lower As concentration and underweight (β = −0.351, p < 0.001) compared to healthy weight children indicate that chronic exposure to Tl and As may influence the metabolic burden and physical growth in children. Concentration-dependent positive associations were observed between the blood concentrations of Cu, Se, and Br and hepatic- and renal dysfunction biomarkers, an inverse association with blood Mo and I level, however, indicates an increased risk of Cu, Se, and Br-induced liver and kidney toxicity. Further in-depth studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the observed associations. Regular biomonitoring of elemental exposures is also indispensable to regulate pollution in consideration of the long-term health effects of mixed-elements exposure in children.

Association between maternal postpartum depression and children's physical growth in early childhood: a birth cohort study.

Untreated maternal postpartum depression (PPD) has consequences for children's physical growth, but no published study has evaluated changes in this effect over time. Here we therefore aimed to evaluate the dynamic effects of PPD on the physical growth of children in a prospective birth cohort. Between 2015 and 2019, 960 mother-child pairs in Changsha, China were followed up when the child was aged 1-48 months. Data were obtained through household surveys. The mothers' depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at 1 month postpartum. Linear mixed models were used to examine the changes in the association of PPD and EPDS scores with physical growth in six different age groups of children between 1 and 48 months. A total of 604 mother-child pairs completed the follow-up, and 3.3% of mothers reported PPD. No associations were found between PPD and weight or height growth at any age. While EPDS scores were associated with weight gain (β = -0.014, 95% CI (-0.025, -0.002), P = 0.024) and height growth (β = -0.044, 95% CI (-0.084, -0.004), P = 0.030) rates at 1-3 months, no associations were found in older children. The number of mothers who reported PPD was relatively small, and the measurement of PPD was not continuously taken. After adjustments for confounders, no dynamic association was found between PPD and children's weight and height growth. EPDS scores, in contrast, did negatively affect children's weight and height growth at age 1-3 months, but this effect was not long-lasting.

Maternal pregnancy-related anxiety and children’s physical growth: the Ma’anshan birth cohort study

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have identified maternal antenatal anxiety and several adverse birth outcomes, but limited studies have focused on the relationship with the long-term physical growth of children. The study aimed to assess the influence of maternal pregnancy-related anxiety on physical growth in children at different exposure periods during pregnancy.Methods3,154 mother-child pairs were included based on the Ma’anshan birth cohort study. Maternal prenatal anxiety was obtained by administering a questionnaire using the pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire (PRAQ) scale during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Body fat (BF) (48 to 72 months) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (birth to 72 months) were collected repeatedly for children. Group-based trajectory models were applied to fit the different trajectories of BMI and BF.ResultsMaternal anxiety in the 2nd (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.98; P < 0.025) and 3rd (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.97; P = 0.020) trimesters was associated with a decreased risk of rapid weight gain (RWG) in the first year of life. Children aged 48 to 72 months of mothers with anxiety in the 3rd trimester had lower BMI (β = -0.161; 95% CI, -0.293 to -0.029; P = 0.017) and BF (β = -0.190; 95% CI, -0.334 to -0.046; P = 0.010), and these children were less likely to develop a very high BMI trajectory (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.84; P = 0.006), and a high BF trajectory (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.99; P = 0.043). Similar associations were found between maternal anxiety in both 2nd and 3rd trimesters and children’s physical growth.ConclusionsOffspring of mothers with prenatal anxiety in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters predicts poorer growth in infancy and preschool age. Early improvement and treatment of prenatal anxiety could benefit physical health and development in early childhood.

PENANGANAN STUNTING DI DESA LARANGANLOR MELALUI PENYULUHAN DAN CLASS FOODING

Stunting is a chronic malnutrition problem caused by a lack of nutritional intake in infants for a long time starting from pregnancy until the baby is twenty-four months old. Stunting has an impact on the inhibition of mental development, health status, and physical growth in children. In addition, stunting also has an impact on increasing children's vulnerability to diseases, both infectious and non-communicable diseases (PTM). Based on observations in Laranganlor Village, stunting is also caused by the lack of awareness of mothers attending posyandu activities and the emergence of excessive shame when stunting occurs in children. So that public knowledge about the prevention and treatment of children indicated by stunting is very low. However, it cannot be denied that the implementation of a healthy lifestyle and the fulfillment of nutrition for infants is also the reason for the high stunting rate in Laranganlor village. The solution we can offer for this problem is to carry out Stunting Handling Counseling and Class Fooding. By holding this activity, it is hoped that it will have a positive impact on the community and provide changes for the better, especially regarding the importance of maintaining healthy and nutritious food intake for infants in order to prevent stunting

The Mediating Role of the Gut Microbiota in the Physical Growth of Children.

Gut microbiota succession overlaps with intensive growth in infancy and early childhood. The multitude of functions performed by intestinal microbes, including participation in metabolic, hormonal, and immune pathways, makes the gut bacterial community an important player in cross-talk between intestinal processes and growth. Long-term disturbances in the colonization pattern may affect the growth trajectory, resulting in stunting or wasting. In this review, we summarize the evidence on the mediating role of gut microbiota in the mechanisms controlling the growth of children.

Identification of Small Molecules of the Infective Stage of Human Hookworm Using LCMS-Based Metabolomics and Lipidomics Protocols.

Hookworm infections affect millions of people worldwide and are responsible for impaired mental and physical growth in children, and anemias. There is no vaccine, and increasing anthelmintic drug resistance in nematodes of domestic animals, and reduced drug cure rates in nematode infections of humans is alarming. Despite this looming health problem, there is a significant knowledge gap in terms of nonproteinaceous "excretory/secretory products" (ESPs) and how they orchestrate a parasitic existence. In the current study, we have conducted the first metabolomic and lipidomic analysis of the infective third-stage filariform larvae (L3) of the predominant human hookworm Necator americanus using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Altogether, we have identified a total of 645 small molecules that were mainly produced through amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Putatively, 495 metabolites were unique to the somatic tissue extract, and 34 metabolites were present only in the ESP component. More than 21 novel mass features with nitrogen and sulfur functional groups were detected in the ESP component for the first time from helminths. While this study could not establish the biological functions of the metabolites identified, literature searches revealed that these metabolites possess various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory activities. These metabolites are likely used by the parasite upon exposure to a host to facilitate skin penetration, passage through different tissues, and immune regulation in the small bowel. Overall, the results presented herein offer significant insight into the metabolome of N.americanus L3 and have the potential to instigate future work to establish biomarkers of infection. This area urgently needs attention, given the lack of sensitive point-of-care diagnostic tools.

The Physical Growth of Children in Iwate Prefecture from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s: A Literature Review

ABSTRACT Until the mid-1960s, municipal areas were distinct in northern Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, and included the following: urban areas (Morioka), steel industrial areas (Kamaishi), rice granary areas, millet-producing areas, and fishery towns. The sub-optimal physiques of children in millet-producing areas was reported and was a known public health concern. This paper examines the historic physical growth of children in Iwate Prefecture between the mid-1950s and the mid-1970s using municipal statistics from the Iwate Prefectural Library. The heights and weights of children in Morioka, Kamaishi, and Ofunato (a large-scale fishery town) were greater than or comparable to the national average. In contrast, children in millet-producing areas were 3–5 cm shorter. Following improvements in medical care, hygiene, dietary habits, housing, and social infrastructure, the height of these children reached the national average, and excess body weight was observed in the mid-1970s.

Effects of cyproheptadine on body weight gain in children with nonorganic failure to thrive in Taiwan: A hospital-based retrospective study.

Failure to thrive (FTT) impairs the expected normal physical growth of children. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cyproheptadine hydrochloride on growth parameters in prepubertal children with FTT. The medical records of prepubertal children who were newly diagnosed with FTT at China Medical University Hospital between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively examined. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they had (T-group) or had not (NT-group) received cyproheptadine hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg daily) for at least 14 days. The mean length of the treatment period was 97.22 days (range: 14-532 days). Weight, height, and body mass index were adjusted for age using the median values in the growth charts for Taiwanese boys and girls as the reference. A total of 788 patients aged 3-11 years were enrolled, 50 in the T-group and 738 in the NT-group. No statistically significant difference in the median age-adjusted weight value was noted between the T-group and NT-group during the follow up period. In the T-group, age-adjusted weight and body mass index were inversely associated with age (P <0.001, P <0.001) and positively associated with medication duration (P = 0.026, P = 0.04). Our findings underscore the positive association between cyproheptadine hydrochloride treatment and weight gain among prepubertal children. Further prospective clinical studies with a. longer and consistent treatment course is warranted.

Nutritional status of children with familial hypercholesterolemia

Aim. To study the features of the nutritional status, including physical growth, body composition, energy value of the diet and the amount of cholesterol consumed with food, in children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).Patients and methods. The study included 39 children (19 girls, 20 boys) with familial hypercholesterolemia, both genetically confirmed (n = 11) and established on the basis of Simon Broome criteria (n = 28), aged 9.9 [6.0; 12.9] years. All children were assessed for physical growth based on the Z-score BMI, Z-score height, Z-score body weight/height calculated using the programs Anthro and Anthro plus; analysis of actual nutrition using a standard application program; study of body composition using the InBody 770 bioimpedance analyzer, the basal metabolic rate measured by indirect calorimetry.Results. 55 % of children with FH had harmonious physical growth, 27 % had a body weight deficit, 18 % were overweight or obese. 53 % of patients consumed more than 200 mg of cholesterol per day, while half of them consumed more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day. The range of excess consumption of cholesterol in comparison to the recommended physiological needs for patints with FH ranged from 24 to 67 %. The fat mass according to the body composition in 47 % of patients with FH is within the normal range, in 39 % it is reduced by 18-74 %, in 14 % it is increased by 14-197 %. The median fat percentage was 17.8 [12.7; 22.4]%. According to indirect calorimetry, it was found that the level of resting energy needs corresponded to age needs in 21 % patients, in 8 % it was decreased of 2-26 %, in 2/3 of children its increase was recorded by 3-69 %. The rate of fat oxidation, on the contrary, was increased in 71 % of children by 3-86 % and reduced only in 6 %.Conclusion. The physical growth of children with FH was mainly average, harmonious, while a third of the children had a mass deficit. The level of the main indicators of lipid metabolism did not depend on the physical growth of patients. This pathology in children with normal body weight or with a body weight deficit often remains undiagnosed.

Multimicronutrient supplements in nutrition of pregnant women: critical analysis of research results

The purpose of the review is to analyze the results of the use of vitamin-mineral supplements (MMS) during pregnancy using the databases of the RSCI, CyberLeninka, pubMed. The detection of micronutrient deficiency in a significant part of pregnant women requires its unconditional correction by taking vitamin-mineral supplements. In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to studying the effect of MMS intake on the course and outcomes of pregnancy. The effects described in the literature should be treated critically. Most of the studies are based only on a retrospective survey of pregnant women (according to the ‘yes' or ‘no' principle), their supply of micronutrients is not monitored; no causal relationship is established. There is no objective monitoring of the MMS intake. Uncertainties include the composition and doses of micronutrients in the MMS used, the lack of data on drug intake, the assumption that all MMS are equivalent in composition and micronutrient content, and the grouping of women taking MMS with different composition into one group. In addition, the use of incorrect indicators in assessing the physical growth of children occurs. The positive effect of additional intake of MMS is manifested only if initially there was a deficiency of micronutrients.Conclusions. The intake of MMS during pregnancy improves the supply of vitamins for those women in whose diet there is a lack of them. This prophylaxis reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to vitamin deficiencies.

Physical Growth in Children with Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia

Background: Thalassaemia is a major congenital hematological disease of Bangladesh. Poor growth and delayed maturation occurs in these patients commonly. This study was aimed to evaluate the physical growth in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia (TDT).&#x0D; Materials and methods: This cross-sectional comparative study enrolled 60 diagnosed Children with Transfusion dependent Thalassemia over I year and carried out in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology unit and Hematology Department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chattogram. Among them, 30 children received blood transfusion &gt;12 times per year was considered as group I and rest 30 children received blood transfusion £12 times per year was considered as group II. Statistical analysis was done by using window based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-22).&#x0D; Results: The mean serum ferritin was higher in group I than group II(1243.77±761.626 and 293.77±142.686 respectively). Almost two third (60.0%) patients were severely stunted in group I and 8(26.7%) in group II. 28(93.3%) patients had under weight (&lt;-2SD) in group I and 18(60.0%) in group II. The difference were statistically significant between two groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: Growth retardation (Height for age) was significant with higher number of blood transfusion and higher serum ferritin level .&#x0D; JCMCTA 2021 ; 32 (1) : 89-95

Lead exposure in infancy and subsequent growth in childhood

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Studies suggest that elevated postnatal blood lead levels (BLL) are negatively associated with child growth. None has examined this association in African populations where the prevalence of malnutrition is high. This study aimed to investigate associations of childhood BLL at age 1 and growth outcomes at age 6 in a cohort of children in Allada, Benin. METHODS: We assessed children for lead in whole blood in 661 children at 12 months and followed them until 6 years (+/- 0.17). Weight, height and head circumference were assessed at a maternity clinic by trained staff at different age points between birth and 6 years. Weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and BMI for-age Z-score (BMIZ) were then calculated from modeled individual postnatal growth trajectories from repeated measures of weight and height. Univariate and multivariable regression models examined associations between blood lead levels and growth outcomes with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS:The geometric mean of BLL was 59.3 (95% CI: 56.6 - 62.0) and 58.1% of children presented with BLL 50 μg/L. Mean WAZ, HAZ, BMIZ and head circumference (HC) in children at age 6 years were -1.24 (+/- 0.78), -0.31 (+/- 0.83), -1.65 (+/-0.87) and 49.9 cm (+/- 1.8), respectively. Overall, there were few associations between BLL and child growth. In boys only, BLL was associated with HC at age 6 in the crude model, but this association was weaker after adjustment for confounding factors (β = -0.38 cm [95% CI: -0.83, 0.08]). A negative association was observed between BLL at age 1 and HAZ at age 6 in girls, but this association was weaker after adjustment (β = - 0.11[-0.27, 0.03)]). CONCLUSIONS:We found no evidence of a relationship between BLL and physical growth in children living in a resource-poor setting with a high prevalence of undernutrition. KEYWORDS: Heavy metals Outcomes

Effects of indoor air pollution due to solid fuel combustion on physical growth of children under 5 in Sri Lanka: A descriptive cross sectional study.

Solid fuel combustion is an important risk factor of morbidity. This study was conducted to determine the effect of indoor air pollution (IAP) due to solid fuel combustion on physical growth in 262 Sri Lankan children under five. Exposure was defined by the type of fuel used for cooking. Pollutant levels were measured in a subsample of households. "High" exposure group (households using biomass fuel/kerosene oil for cooking) comprised 60% of the study population; the prevalence of wasting was 19.7% and underweight was 20.4% in the entire population where 68% were from the high exposure group. Children from the "high" exposure group had significantly lower mean z-scores for weight-for-height (p = 0.047), height-for-age (p = 0.004) and weight-for-age (p = 0.001) as compared to the "low" exposure group (children of households using liquefied petroleum gas and/or electricity) after adjusting for confounders. Z-scores of weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height were negatively correlated with CO (p = 0.001, 0.018, 0.020, respectively) and PM2.5 concentrations (p<0.001,p = 0.024 p = 0.008, respectively). IAP due to combustion of biomass fuel leads to poor physical growth.