Plasma free amino acid contents in healthy Thai subjects.

This preliminary investigation determined the plasma amino acid concentrations in 136 healthy subjects. The subjects were divided into four groups according to their ages: gr 1; 1-3 years, gr 2; 4-11 years, gr 3; 12-19 years and gr 4; 20-45 years. Comparing among the groups, the results showed that in younger children (age 1-3 years) the essential amino acids were slightly lower than the other groups. A wide range for most amino acids were observed. The ratio of essential (EAA): non-essential amino acid (NEAA) in very young children (1-3 years) was lower than children, adolescents and adults. These ratios were normal (> 0.5). The data have been compared with those from several studies performed in normal healthy subjects of different age groups, races and dietary habits. The results showed that most of the mean values of individual amino acid were higher than others except cystine. The EAA:NEAA ratio of each age group was comparable with other reports. The mean values of plasma amino acids and EAA:NEAA ratio in healthy subjects were determined for diagnosis, follow-up and prognosis of malnourished condition, abnormal amino acid metabolism and as a reference for other purposes.

Effects of multivitamin supplementation for improvement of thiamin, riboflavin, and retinol nutrition in pediatric patients.

The effect of multivitamin supplementation on thiamin, riboflavin and retinol nutrition was studied in ten male chronic pediatric patients at Ramathibodi Hospital. MTV forte (Government Pharmaceutical Organization) was given 1 tablet daily for ten days and the effect was compared with the preceding ten-day control period. Anthropometric biochemical, clinical and dietary assessments were performed throughout the study. Biochemical assessments of vitamin nutrition at the beginning and the end of a 10-day non-supplementation period revealed multiple vitamin deficiencies in the subjects, though clinical manifestation was not seen. Hospital diets improved vitamin nutrition of some patients but most of them still showed subclinical vitamin deficiencies. Improvement of vitamin nutrition was clearly shown in most patients after MTV supplementation. Multiple vitamin supplements should be prescribed in high-risk patients since there was no definite pattern of vitamin deficiencies in various diseases and early detection of vitamin deficiency was difficult to perform. The dosage between 1-2 times of RDA was considered adequate in most of our patients.

Effect of phototherapy on nutrients utilization in newborn infants with jaundice.

The effect of phototherapy on digestion and absorption of nutrients was performed in 25 male, newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia. The infants were divided into 2 groups; one group was fed with lactose formula whereas the other group received the non-lactose formula. The quantities of daily volume, fat and energy intakes of both groups were similar. Protein intake was significantly higher in the latter group. During 72-hours of phototherapy, there were decreases in serum bilirubin in all infants and mean weight change was decreased in infants fed with non-lactose formula. Treatment by phototherapy in jaundiced infants did not affect protein, fat and energy absorption. The presence of loose stool, lower stool pH and trace in reducing substances in some subjects fed with lactose formula suggests mild lactose intolerance. Prospective study in clinical trial needs to be further assessed and clarified on other nutrients such as amino acids and riboflavin status in these infants during phototherapy.

Clinical trial of special premature formula for low-birth-weight infants.

Feeding 25 low birth weight infants during a one month period either with special premature formula or with standard formula resulted in better weight gain, nutritional efficacy, fat absorption, and lower frequency of metabolic acidosis in the special premature formula group. Various biochemical indices demonstrated excellent protein and mineral metabolization of this formula, which seem appropriate for the infants studied (1,000-1,750 g birth weight). Both formulae were well tolerated without any untoward effects.

The possibility of the native alcoholic drugs as etiological factor of the acquired prothrombin complex deficiency syndrome.

This study was attempted to determine whether the native alcoholic drugs had any significant role in the pathogenesis of the APCD syndrome. The native alcoholic drugs, breast milk and maternal serum were analysed for vitamin K antagonists (dicoumarol, warfarin and coumarin). No vitamin K antagonists were detected from 14 commercial native alcoholic drugs, but one of the two homemade samples had a positive test of coumarin but not dicoumarol and warfarin. Seven breast milk and serum samples from the mothers of APCD infants showed no detectable amount of vitamin K antagonists. Negative results were found in 35 postpartum women who did not consume the drugs and 22 postpartum women who took the drugs. The results suggested that the native alcoholic drugs are unlikely to be the etiological factor of APCD syndrome.

The changes of the hair roots in correlation to the clinical status of the nephrotic syndrome.

The examination of the hair roots were performed by a modified technique as described by Bradfield. The mean hair bulb diameter in children with overt nephrotic syndrome was statistically smaller than the controls. The distributions of hair root morphology amongst them were also statistically different from those of the control group. The hair roots of the children with remission or with questionable relapse were not different from the control group. The application of hair root examination, therefore may be useful in the differentiation of various stages of the nephrotic syndrome.