Anaemia, iron deficiency and vitamin A status among school-aged children in rural Kazakhstan

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency and vitamin A status among school-aged children in rural Kazakhstan and identify factors associated with anaemia in this population. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design. SETTING: School-aged children in rural Kazakhstan. SUBJECTS: Socio-economic and anthropometric information was collected from 159 school-aged children living in the Kzyl-Orda region of Kazakhstan. Blood samples were collected and the concentrations of haemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, serum ferritin (SF), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), serum retinol and beta-carotene, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS) and other haematological indices were measured. RESULTS: Among the 159 children, the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency defined by the multiple criteria model (SF, TS and EP) was 27% and 13%, respectively. Nine per cent had iron-deficiency anaemia and 21% had serum retinol value < 1.05 micromol l(-1). Mean SF and serum iron concentrations and TS were significantly lower in anaemic children than in their non-anaemic peers, while TIBC and EP were significantly higher in children with anaemia. Hb was significantly correlated with serum iron and retinol concentrations. Serum retinol and SF concentrations and mean corpuscular volume were significantly correlated with Hb by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia among school-aged children in rural Kazakhstan appears to be related to iron indices and vitamin A status.     

Breast-feeding at 12 months of age and dietary habits among breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants

OBJECTIVE: To analyse factors associated with breast-feeding and use of sweetened drinks at 12 months, and to compare dietary habits among breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants. DESIGN: Data were collected by a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire filled in by the parents. SETTING: National dietary survey in Norway. SUBJECTS: In total, 1932 12-month-old infants were included. RESULTS: At 12 months, 36% of the infants were breast-fed. The odds of breast-feeding at this age were more than doubled both for mothers > or =35 years compared with mothers <25 years and for mothers in the highest educational group compared with mothers in the lowest. A negative association was found for maternal smoking, and the odds of breast-feeding were 40% lower for mothers who smoked than for non-smokers. Some dietary differences were observed between breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants apart from intake of milk. In particular, breast-fed infants had a significantly lower daily intake of sweetened drinks than non-breast-fed infants and a 16% lower mean daily intake of added sugars (P<0.001). Furthermore, breast-fed infants had 30% higher odds of not receiving sweetened drinks daily, compared with non-breast-fed infants. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal age, education and smoking status were important factors for breast-feeding at 12 months. Breast-fed infants had lower intakes of sweetened drinks and added sugars than non-breast-fed infants. From a public health perspective, continued promotion of breast-feeding is needed to reduce inequalities in breast-feeding. Moreover, prevention of high intakes of sweetened drinks and added sugars should start in infancy.     

Consumption of 'extra' foods (energy-dense, nutrient-poor) among children aged 16-24 months from western Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the contribution of energy-dense, nutrient-poor 'extra' foods to the diets of 16-24-month-old children from western Sydney, Australia. DESIGN: An analysis of cross-sectional data collected on participants in the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS), a randomised trial investigating the primary prevention of asthma from birth to 5 years. We collected 3-day weighed food records, calculated nutrient intakes, classified recorded foods into major food groups, and further classified foods as either 'core' or 'extras' according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. SETTING: Pregnant women, whose unborn child was at risk of developing asthma because of a family history, were recruited from all six hospitals in western Sydney, Australia. Data for this study were collected in clinic visits and at participants' homes at the 18-month assessment. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred and twenty-nine children participating in the CAPS study; 80% of the total cohort. RESULTS: The mean consumption of 'extra' foods was approximately 150 g day(-1) and contributed 25-30% of the total energy, fat, carbohydrate and sodium to the diets of the study children. 'Extra' foods also contributed around 20% of fibre, 10% of protein and zinc, and about 5% of calcium. Children in the highest quintile of 'extra' foods intake had a slightly higher but not significantly different intake of energy from those in the lowest quintile. However, significant differences were evident for the percentage of energy provided by carbohydrate and sugars (higher) and protein and saturated fat (lower). The intake of most micronutrients was also significantly lower among children in the highest quintile of consumption. The intake of 'extra' foods was inversely associated with the intake of core foods. CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of energy contributed by 'extra' foods and their negative association with nutrient density emphasise the need for dietary guidance for parents of children aged 1-2 years. These preliminary data on commonly consumed 'extra' foods and portion sizes may inform age-specific dietary assessment methods.     

Anaemia, iron status and vitamin A deficiency among adolescent refugees in Kenya and Nepal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin<11.0 to 13.0 g dl(-1) depending on age and sex group), iron deficiency (transferrin receptor concentration>8.3 microg ml(-1)) and vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol <0.7 micromol l(-1)) in adolescent refugees. DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and seven refugee camps in Nepal. SUBJECTS: Adolescent refugee residents in these camps. RESULTS: Anaemia was present in 46% (95% confidence interval (CI): 42-51) of adolescents in Kenya and in 24% (95% CI: 20-28) of adolescents in Nepal. The sensitivity of palmar pallor in detecting anaemia was 21%. In addition, 43% (95% CI: 36-50) and 53% (95% CI: 46-61) of adolescents in Kenya and Nepal, respectively, had iron deficiency. In both surveys, anaemia occurred more commonly among adolescents with iron deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency was found in 15% (95% CI: 10-20) of adolescents in Kenya and 30% (95% CI: 24-37) of adolescents in Nepal. Night blindness was not more common in adolescents with vitamin A deficiency than in those without vitamin A deficiency. In Kenya, one of the seven adolescents with Bitot's spots had vitamin A deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia, iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency are common among adolescents in refugee populations. Such adolescents need to increase intakes of these nutrients; however, the lack of routine access makes programmes targeting adolescents difficult. Adolescent refugees should be considered for assessment along with other at-risk groups in displaced populations.     

Vitamin A status among children in China

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children under 6 years old in China and to identify risk groups for VAD. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 14 provinces from coastal, inland and western geographic areas in China. SETTING: One city (urban) and two counties (rural) were randomly selected from each province as survey areas. SUBJECTS: About 200 children aged 0-6 years were randomly selected in each survey area. A blood sample was collected from each child. Data on sociodemographics and nutrition were obtained by interview of the mother or principal caregiver. Fluorescence microanalysis was used to analyse serum retinol concentration. RESULTS: VAD (serum retinol <0.7 micro mol l(-1)) was observed in 957 out of 7,826 children aged 0-6 years (12.2% of the entire study population), whereas severe VAD (serum retinol <0.35 micro mol l(-1)) was found in 39 children (0.5%). The highest prevalences of VAD at >1 year of age were observed among children of mothers with minority ethnicity (22.7%) or poor education (19.8%) and in the poor western area (17.4%). CONCLUSIONS: VAD is a nutritional problem in children in China. Children living in the poor western area, having a mother with minority ethnicity or a mother with poor education have a high risk of VAD.     

Iron chlorosis and the iron status of soils

Abstract

The iron status of soils and its relation to iron uptake and iron‐chlorosis is discussed. In many soils, the soluble iron level is so low that rather than having to screen against iron uptake, plants are likely limited in their iron uptake by diffusion. The relationship between the plant root‐soil‐iron environment and the plant's ability to alter this environment is related to the development of iron‐chlorosis.     

Vitamin A status in Cuban children aged 6-11 years

OBJECTIVE AND SETTING: A nationwide study was performed in Cuba to assess vitamin A status and the intake of vitamin-A-providing foods in children aged 6-11 years. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The sample comprised 1191 schoolchildren from first to sixth grade, both sexes, from municipalities randomly selected from the five eastern provinces of Cuba in 2002 (first semester) and from the four western and four central provinces in 2003 (first semester). A food-frequency questionnaire was completed by 2038 mother-and-child pairs. RESULTS: Mean (+/-standard deviation) plasma retinol concentrations were 1.77 +/- 0.48 micromol l-1 in the western, 2.01 +/- 0.56 micromol l-1 in the central and 1.40 +/- 0.41 micromol l-1 in the eastern region. No child had plasma retinol concentration below 0.35 micromol l-1, indicative of a high risk of clinical deficiency. Subclinical deficiency, plasma retinol concentration of 0.35-0.7 micromol l-1, was seen in 1.05 micromol l-1) was present in >90% of subjects in all western and central provinces, and in one of the eastern provinces (Holguín), whereas in the four remaining eastern provinces, adequate status was present in >75%. Only nine fruits and vegetables were consumed frequently (>3 times per week) by >50% of children. Thirty-seven per cent regularly consumed a supplement containing vitamin A. CONCLUSIONS: Most Cuban children aged 6-11 years had adequate vitamin A status. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin and provitamin A, especially vegetables, was frequent but limited to a small variety of foods.     

Wildlife in northern Darfur,Sudan: A review of its distribution and status in the recent past and at present

The literature in both published and unpublished government sources on wildlife in Northern Darfur is reviewed mainly relating to the first half of the 20th century.The area concerned covers some 250,000 km² ranging in habitat type from desert to broadleaved deciduous woodland and there are records relating to at least 31 different species of larger mammals. Of these only six were seen in aerial surveys carried out in late 1976 although a small number of others still survive.Four species of principal international concern are the scimitar-horned oryx, the addax, the barbary sheep and the addra or dama gazelle: of these only very small numbers of addax and dama gazelle certainly still occur. A table provides information on the oryx and addax from primary sources, both published and unpublished.The reduction in the number of species, the presumed reduction in total numbers of animals and restrictions in range are attributed as much to the indirect effects of increasing human and domestic livestock populations as to hunting pressure, except in the case of carnivores which were systematically exterminated in the 1940s and early 1950s.     

Comparative physiological study of iron,manganese and copper absorption by plants

In the previous reports, influence of metabolic inhibitors, such as NaCN, 2,4-dinitrophenol and EDTA, on the absorption of ⁵⁹Fe, ⁵⁴Mn and ⁶⁴Cu(1) and the distribution of these elements in root cell were studied using the separation technique by centrifugal forces (2). These experiments revealed that rice and barley plants behave differently in their mode of absorption and distribution of these elements.