Calcium Intake among Myanmar Residing in Bago, Kayin, and Yangon Areas

A cross-sectional survey combined with 24-hour dietary recall and food diary was undertaken to assess the calcium intake of the Myanmar population. The study was conducted from November 2003 to October 2005. A total of 886 subjects of both sexes aged above 2 years from three States and Divisions (Bago, Kayin, and Yangon) of Myanmar were included in the study. The major measures were mean daily calcium intake (mg/day) and major sources of calcium in the diet. Overall mean calcium intake was 197+13mg/day (2-9 years), 421+2mg/day (10-19 years), 399+21 mg/day (20-49 years), and 383+25mg/day (>50 years) for males, while the corresponding values for females were 207+17 mg/day, 366+19 mg/day, 387+16 mg/day, and 327 +19 mg/day. Calcium intake was less than 80% of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Myanmar for ages 2-9 years and 10-29 years in all the study areas, and for the 50 years and above age group in Yangon. Fish paste was found to be the major source of calcium. Milk and milk products contributed very little to total calcium intake, contributing 2.1% for residents in Yangon, 5.1% in Pa-an and none in Bago. Consumption of calciumrich foods, particularly milk and milk products, should be encouraged among the Myanmar people. Towards this end, appropriate nutrition education materials should be developed for promotional purposes.

Histopathological severity of antral gastritis in relationship to Helicobacter pylori colonisation

The association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) colonisation in gastric antrum and the degree of severity and activity of gastritis and the concomitant relationship with gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplastic changes were studied. A total of 204 pieces of endoscopic biopsy tissues were collected from the outpatient endoscopy unit of New Yangon General Hospital in 1994. Routine Haematoxylin and Eosin stain as well as special stains such as modified Giemsa and Carbol fuchsin stains were used for bacterial identification and quantitative analysis. a significant correlation (P value <0.001) was obtained between density of HP colonisation and severity of gastritis as well as its activity (p value <0.001). However, no significant degree of atrophic changes and intestinal metaplastic changes were noted in these biopsies. a continuation for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HP and its consequences is necessary.

Assessing the accuracy of respiratory rates at different counting periods and methods

The respiratory rates of 198 children (aged 2-59 months) suffering from acute respiratory infections (ARI) were monitored by observation, palpation and auscultation (Gold standard). Two 30-second and one 60-second counts were obtained. The difference among respiratory rate counts determined simultaneously by observation, palpation and auscultation in relation to their mean count was analyzed for 60-second counting period, 30 plus 30-second period and 30-second doubled. The variability among the different counting methods and counting periods was not significantly different whether the children were feeding, sleeping, resting and awake or awake but not resting. The data from the study suggest that respiratory rate counting either by observation or palpation are similar in accuracy and one minute's counting either at a stretch or 30-second doubled or two blocks of 30-second intervals are also similarly accurate.

Is oral rice-based electrolyte solution superior to glucose electrolyte solution in acute chidhood diarrhoea?

In a controlled trial of oral rehydration therapy, the efficacy and safety of rice-based electrolyte solution was compared with standard WHO oral rehydration solution. Ninety eight male children aged 4 months to 10 years presenting with watery diarrhoea of less than 72 hours prior to hospitalization were studied. 48 were treated with standard WHO oral rehydration solution (ORS) and 50 patients with an improved formulation which contained 100 gm of rice (instead of glucose) with 25 mg of amylase in addition to electrolytes. The clinical characteristics of the two groups on, admission were comparable. Although there was a consistent trend towards reduction in stool volume and better gain in body weight in children with cholera treated with rece-based ORS, significant difference was noted only in 6-12 hour stool output and in the first 6 hour weight gain. Stool volume was significantly reduced during the 24 to 48 hour perild in all diarrhoeal patients receiving rice-based ORS. Thus, amylyte digested rice-based ORS is as effective as the Standard WHO ORS and have some therapeutic advantage in the treatment of acute childhood diarrhoea.

Assessment of the erythrocyte protoporphyrin test for screening of iron deficiency anaemia

A total of 84 apparently healthy children between ages of 1-12 years were screened for iron deficiency with the erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) test. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity in serum, percent transferrin saturation, haematocrit and haemoglobin values were also determined together with the screening test. Comparing the relationship between EP and percent transferrin saturation, using a percent transferrin saturation value < 10 percent as the criterion of iron deficiency, the optimal cut off limit for the EP test appears to be 80 ug/dl of rbcs. At this level, this screening test showed a sensitivity of 74 percent and specificity of 95 percent and the positive and negative predictive values were 82 percent and 93 percent respectively. thus EP assay which is less expensive and easy to perform can be used as a screening test for the detection of iron deficiency.