Effect of iron supplementation on serum lead levels in Egyptian children with iron deficiency anemia

Background: iron deficiency [ID] is a major health problem worldwide and children are particularly vulnerable because of their rapid growth and increased iron requirements. Other researchers have reported an association of ID with elevated blood led level. Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency in children could help to reduce risk of lead poisoning and increase hemoglobin and iron [Fe]

Aim of the present work: the aim of this study was to estimate the effect of iron supplementation on hemoglobin [HB], serum iron [Fe] and blood lead level in anemic children [ID]

Subjects and methods: 120 anemic children were investigated to estimate the level of hemoglobin, iron and lead [Pb]. The sample was divided into two equal groups one received iron supplementation [iron group n=60] and the other didn't receive iron [control group n=60]. A questionnaire was used to collect information about food habits and food practices. Iron group received ferrous sulphate 3 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected from both groups at zero time, 3 weeks and 6 weeks

Results: the results showed that there was positive correlation between HB, Fe and daily intake of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin C [i.e. by increasing daily intake of these nutrients, level of HB and Fe increase]. However, for Pb it was found a negative correlation with daily intake of iron, zinc and vitamin C [i.e. by increasing daily intake of these nutrients, level of Pb decrease]. Iron supplementation increased the level of hemoglobin by 28.82% and level of iron by 233.52% and reduced level of lead by 94.62% in iron group

Conclusion: iron supplementation diminishes the blood lead level; in addition to improvement of hemoglobin and serum iron

Effect of feeding-type on the nutritional status of infants in urban and rural area

Breast feeding is widely accepted to be the optimal source of nutrition for infants, which providing them with suitable nutrients for growth, development and immune protection. The aim of this study was to compare between different type of feeding and nutritional status and development of infants in urban and rural area in El-Gharbia governement.100 infants and their mothers were chosen randomly from m.c.h. centers. Data were collected from mothers and anthropometric measurements were used to measure nutritional status of infants during vaccines time [2, 4.6.9.12 months] Physical development was followed in the same time. The results showed that 45%of infants were boys and 55% were girls,83%of infants were breastfed 7% were artificial feeding, and 10% were mixed feeding .The mothers of most breast feeding infants [88.37%] were either intermediate or highly educated. Regarding to nutritional status, there was 2%of infants were under weight [weight/age], 8% infants were wasting and 8% were overweight [weight/height] Underweight was found among 14.28% of artificial feeding infants, but not found among breast-feeding infants, while wasting was found among 28.56% of artificial feeding and 30% of mixed feeding. The differences in nutritional status by type of feeding were not significant. All children were anemic in both rural and urban areas .For physical development it was found that breastfeeding infants starting in sitting down, crawling and walking earlier than artificial and mixed feeding infants. The results of this study illustrated that breast-feeding is widely accepted in El-Gharbia -Egypt than other studies before. We can conclude that breast feeding is more suitable for infant's growth and development than other type of feeding

Consumer behaviour towards food label in Alexandria city markets

People want to know what is in their food. Surveys show that very high proportions of people believe it is important to find nutrition information on food packages. So the purpose of this study aimed to identify the percentage of food label on food packages and types of information. It aimed also to study consumer's practices and behavior towards food label. In addition the most acceptable form of food label for consumers. A check list was used to identify the percentage of food label on food packages and types of information on it. The data were collected from 650 consumers chosen randomly from different supermarkets in Alexandria city by using a questionnaire; the data were analyzed by using SAS program, qui square, frequency, and percentage. The survey showed that, food labels were found on some products but without nutrition facts and absent from others. The interviewed sample showed that, 64.9% female, 56.8% were between [31-45] years old, 63.8% were married and 76% were highly educated. Newspaper, television, and food labeling were the mainly information sources for consumers, representing 72%, 65.4%, 49.4% respectively. The percentage of consumers interested in reading expire date, origin, ingredients, commercial name, and price were 92.3%, 51.5%, 40.9%, 40.3%, and 34.2% respectively. It was found that 50.8% of consumers always concern about reading information on food label, and 87.8% don't buy the products in case of absence of label or enough information. Also it was found that, there was highly significant relationship between gender, age, education, and consumer's practices and behaviors towards food label It was concluded that there must be a nutrition education program to raise awareness of consumers towards food label and food choice

Relationship between daily in take of some nutrients and the level of lead and cadmium in breast milk

The effect of nutritional status of lactating women on the levels of lead and cadmium in breast milk is a critical point. Samples were chosen randomly from two sites in Alexandria representing rural and urban areas. Total samples of 84 lactating women were collected, 48 from urban areas, and 36 from rural areas. A questionnaire was prepared, containing different information about socioeconomic data, some environmental information, food habits and practices, and 24 hour dietary recall. Samples of breast milk were collected and prepared to determine the heavy metal content. The results show that, 44% of lactating women in rural areas were at risk age [under, out of normal child bearing age], while it was 20% in urban. Daily intake of protein, iron and vitamin C were higher in urban than rural. Lactating women consumed less than RDA of the studied nutrients in both areas. Levels of Pb and Cd in breast milk were higher in urban than in rural areas [0.81, 0.019 ppm, and 0.79, 0.003 ppm] respectively. The results showed that, there was a significant reverse correlation between level of Pb in breast milk and daily intake of Ca, vit. C, protein and education level in rural areas. It is concluded that, lactating women need nutrition education programs to enhance their nutritional status and avoid nutrition problems and contamination