ABSTRACT
Introdução: O diagnóstico precoce de problemas nutricionais pode melhorar o prognóstico dos pacientes oncológicos. Objetivo: Identificar pela Avaliação Subjetiva Global Produzida Pelo Paciente (ASG-PPP), a necessidade de intervenção nutricional e seus fatores associados em pacientes prestes a iniciar quimioterapia. Método: Estudo transversal realizado com dados secundários. Todos os pacientes acima de 18 anos, que iniciaram quimioterapia no Hospital Escola da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, entre maio de 2011 a dezembro de 2012, foram incluídos. Foi aplicada a todos os pacientes a ASG-PPP. As demais variáveis foram obtidas dos prontuários dos pacientes. Os dados foram digitados no programa Microsoft Excel 2007®. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas no programa Stata® 11.2. Realizaram-se análises bivariadas por meio de testes qui-quadrado e regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, adotando-se um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: 40,4%; 46,8%; e 12,8 dos pacientes foram classificados como bem nutridos, moderadamente desnutridos e gravemente desnutridos, respectivamente. A maior pontuação da ASG-PPP associou-se com idade superior a 60 anos (p<0,001), doença em estadiamento III (p=0,030) e tumores de cabeça e pescoço, e pulmão (p=0,006). Pacientes idosos e com doença avançada apresentaram, respectivamente, 1,53 e 1,85 vezes mais necessidade crítica de intervenção nutricional quando comparados aos pacientes adultos e os com estadiamentos I e II. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes estava moderadamente ou gravemente desnutrida, com necessidade crítica de intervenção nutricional nos idosos, com estadiamento III e com tumores de cabeça e pescoço, e de pulmão. Apresentaram probabilidade maior de intervenção nutricional crítica os idosos e os com doença avançada.
Introduction: Early diagnosis and management of nutritional problems can improve the prognosis of cancer patients. Objective: Identify the need of nutritional intervention through Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment produced by patient (PG-SGA) and associated factors in patients in the beginning of chemotherapy. Methods: This cross sectional study used secondary data. It included patients over 18 years old that started chemotherapy treatment in the Chemotherapy Service of the Universidad Federal de Pelotas from May/2011 to December/2012. Variables were collected from PG-SGA and medical records. Data were plotted in Microsoft Excel 2007® and the statistical analyzes were performed in Stata® 11.2. Statistical tests applied were chi square test and Poisson regression, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: It was demonstrated that 40.4% of patient evaluated were classified as well nourished, 46.8% as having moderate malnourishment and 12.8% as having severe malnourishment. The highest PG-SGA scores were associated with being aged over 60 y (p<0.001), stage III (p=0.0030) and having head or neck and lung cancer (p=0.006). It was also observed that elderly patients and those whose cancer was at advanced stages presented a 1.53 and 1.85 fold higher probability, respectively, of needing nutritional intervention, compared to adult patients and those with stage I and II of the disease. Conclusion: The majority of patients had moderate or severe malnourishment, with critical need for nutritional intervention. Elderly patients, with stage III and with head, neck and lung cancer presented more probability of needing nutritional intervention.
Introducción: El diagnóstico precoz de los problemas de nutrición puede mejorar el pronóstico de los pacientes con cáncer. Objetivo: Identificar la Evaluación Subjetiva Global Producido por paciente (ASG-PPP), la necesidad de intervención nutricional y sus factores asociados en pacientes que van a comenzar la quimioterapia. Método: Estudio transversal con datos secundarios. Todos los pacientes mayores de 18 años que comenzaron la quimioterapia en el Hospital Escuela de la Universidad Federal de Pelotas, entre mayo/2011 a diciembre/2012 se incluyeron. Se aplicó a todos los pacientes ASG-PPP. Las otras variables se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas. Los datos fueron introducidos en el programa Microsoft Excel 2007®. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron en 11,2 programa Stata®. Held, análisis bivariante mediante pruebas de chi-cuadrado y la regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta, adoptando un nivel de significación del 5%. Resultados: 40,4%, 46,8% y el 12,8 de los pacientes fueron clasificados como bien nutrido, moderadamente desnutridos y desnutrición severa, respectivamente. La puntuación más alta de ASG-PPP se asoció con edad mayor de 60 años (p<0,001) en la estadificación de la enfermedad III (p=0,030) y los tumores de cabeza y cuello, y pulmón (p=0,006). Los pacientes ancianos con enfermedad avanzada y presentado, respectivamente, 1,53 y 1,85 veces la necesidad más crítica para la intervención nutricional en comparación con pacientes adultos y aquellos con estadios I y II. Conclusión: La mayoría de los pacientes estaban moderada o severamente desnutridos, con necesidad crítica de intervención nutricional en pacientes de edad avanzada con tumores en estadio III y la cabeza y el cuello, y pulmón.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Nutrition Surveys/statistics & numerical data , Malnutrition/prevention & control , Early Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Neoplasms/complications , Prognosis , Nutrition Assessment , Nutritional Status , Cross-Sectional Studies , Malnutrition/drug therapyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of supplemental zinc, vitamin A, and glutamine alone or in combination on growth, intestinal barrier function, stress and satiety-related hormones among Brazilian shantytown children with low median height-for-age z-scores. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in children aged two months to nine years from the urban shanty compound community of Fortaleza, Brazil. Demographic and anthropometric information was assessed. The random treatment groups available for testing (a total of 120 children) were as follows: (1) glutamine alone, n = 38; (2) glutamine plus vitamin A plus zinc, n = 37; and a placebo (zinc plus vitamin A vehicle) plus glycine (isonitrogenous to glutamine) control treatment, n = 38. Leptin, adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and plasma levels of cortisol were measured with immune-enzymatic assays; urinary lactulose/mannitol and serum amino acids were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00133406. RESULTS: Glutamine treatment significantly improved weight-for-height z-scores compared to the placebo-glycine control treatment. Either glutamine alone or all nutrients combined prevented disruption of the intestinal barrier function, as measured by the percentage of lactulose urinary excretion and the lactulose:mannitol absorption ratio. Plasma leptin was negatively correlated with plasma glutamine (p = 0.002) and arginine (p = 0.001) levels at baseline. After glutamine treatment, leptin was correlated with weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-height z-scores (WHZ) (p≤0.002) at a 4-month follow-up. In addition, glutamine and all combined nutrients (glutamine, vitamin A, and zinc) improved the intestinal barrier function in these children. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings reveal the benefits of glutamine alone or in combination ...
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Dietary Supplements , Glutamine/administration & dosage , Growth and Development/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Vitamin A/administration & dosage , Vitamins/administration & dosage , Zinc/administration & dosage , Anthropometry , Brazil , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Hormones/blood , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/analysis , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/drug effects , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Poverty Areas , Stress, Physiological/drug effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Caracterizar el consumo de ácido fólico (AF) y otros micronutrientes en forma de medicamentos en un grupo de mujeres gestantes colombianas. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo. Se obtuvo información por medio de entrevistas a gestantes y de sus registros de historia clínica de control prenatal y/o atención del parto en cuatro ciudades de Colombia. La muestra fue de 1 637 mujeres atendidas en 15 instituciones. RESULTADOS: A 1 315 gestantes (80,3%) les recomendaron consumir AF, con prescripción realizada por médico al 84% de ellas; 90,3% adhirieron al tratamiento. A 85,6% el AF les fue suministrado por la empresa aseguradora de salud, y 10,7% lo compró de su bolsillo. La prescripción fue pertinente en 0,2% de las mujeres. Su consumo fue totalmente oportuno en 0,2% y totalmente inoportuno en 41,9% de las gestantes. A 1 192 mujeres (72,8%) les recomendaron otros micronutrientes; a 77,6% de ellas se los recomendó el médico, y 88,7% adhirieron al tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Se recomienda y se consume AF y otros micronutrientes de manera inadecuada, sin evaluar las necesidades individuales de las mujeres gestantes. Se invita a reflexionar sobre la utilidad de los programas que promueven el consumo masivo de micronutrientes en forma de medicamento durante el embarazo; los programas parecen desconocer las causas fundamentales de los problemas nutricionales que aquejan a la población.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the intake of folic acid (FA) and other micronutrients in medicinal form in a group of pregnant women in Colombia. METHODS: Descriptive observational study. Information was obtained from interviews of pregnant women and from the clinical records of their prenatal check-ups and/or delivery in four cities in Colombia. The sample consisted of 1 637 women seen in 15 institutions. RESULTS: A total of 1 315 pregnant women (80.3%) were advised to take FA, and 84% received a prescription, 90.3% of whom adhered to the treatment. FA was provided to 85.6% of them by their health insurance company and 10.7% purchased it themselves. The prescription was appropriate for 0.2% of the women; its use was entirely appropriate for 0.2% of the pregnant women and totally inappropriate for 41.9%. Other micronutrients were recommended to 1 192 women (72.8%), 77.6% of whom received the advice from their physician, with 88.7% adhering to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: FA and other micronutrients are inappropriately recommended to pregnant women and taken without assessing their individual needs. The usefulness of programs that promote mass consumption of micronutrients in medicinal form during pregnancy should be reexamined. These programs seem not to recognize the fundamental causes of the population's nutritional problems.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Folic Acid/administration & dosage , Micronutrients/administration & dosage , Pregnancy , Prenatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Anemia/epidemiology , Colombia , Counseling , Dietary Supplements , Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Folic Acid/adverse effects , Inappropriate Prescribing/statistics & numerical data , Precision Medicine , Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Medication Adherence , Micronutrients/adverse effects , Nonprescription Drugs , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Self Medication , Socioeconomic Factors , Thinness/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Introducción: La desnutrición (DNT) es una de las complicaciones más tempranas que se presenta en niños con infección por VIH/SIDA, asociada a su morbimortalidad. Igualmente como consecuencia de la terapia antriretroviral y otros medicamentos utilizados, se han encontrado problemas de resistencia a la insulina y obesidad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de malnutrición (MNT) en niños con infección por VIH/SIDA por carga viral de la Clínica de VIH/SIDA del Hospital Universitario del Valle de Cali, Colombia (HUV) y su posible asociación con algunos factores de riesgo. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, observacional de corte transversal, con análisis de casos y controles, a quienes se les tomaron datos como carga viral, %CD4, peso y talla. Se categorizó la carga viral (copias/ml) en: <400, ≥400-<300000, ≥30000-<1 millón y ≥1 millón; y el %CD4 en: <15%, ≥15%-<25% y ≥25%. Se consideró DNT global (déficit P/E≥10%), DNT crónica (déficit T/E≥5%), DNT aguda (déficit P/T≥10%) y sobrepeso (exceso P/T≥10%). Resultados: Fueron incluidos 111 niños entre 0 meses y 15 años de edad, con predominio del género masculino (51,3%), con modo de transmisión vertical en 91,8%. El 58.5% tenían entre ≥400-<300000 copias/ml de carga viral; y el 59% presentaron %CD4 ≥25%. La valoración nutricional evidenció DNT global en 64%, DNT aguda en 58%, DNT crónica en 22% y sobrepeso en 18%. Hubo riesgo de 1.7, 1.5 y 2.0 veces más de presentar DNT global, aguda y crónica, respectivamente, si la carga viral era ≥400 copias/ml. Conclusión: En niños con infección por VIH/SIDA por carga viral de la Clínica Pediátrica de VIH/SIDA del HUV de Cali, Colombia, la prevalencia de MNT fue superior al 18%, con una relación positiva superior a 1.5 veces entre carga viral y los diferentes tipos de DNT.
Introduction: Undernutrition (UNT) is a complication that occurs earlier in children with HIV/AIDS associated morbidity and mortality. Also as a result of anti-retroviral therapies and other drugs used, have encountered problems of insulin resistance and obesity. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition (MNT) in children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS by viral load in the Pediatric Clinic HIV/AIDS at the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali, Colombia (HUV) and its possible association with certain risk factors. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study, with case-control analysis, whose data were taken as viral load, CD4%, weight and height. Were categorized viral load (copies / ml): <400, ≥ 400 - <300000, ≥ 30000 - <1 million and ≥ 1 million, and the %CD4 <15%, ≥ 15% - <25% ≥ 25%. UNT is considered global (low W/A≥10%), chronic (low H/A≥5%), acute (low W/H≥10%) and overweight (excess W/H≥10%). Results: We included 111 children from 0 months to 15 years old with male predominance (51.3%), mode of transmission in 91.8%. 58.5% were aged ≥ 400 - <300,000 copies/ml viral load, and 59% had CD4% ≥25%. Nutritional assessment showed 64% global UNT, 58% acute UNT, 22% chronic UNT and 18% overweight. Risk was 1.7, 1.5 and 2.0 times the present global, acute and chronic UNT, respectively, if the viral load was ≥ 400 copies / ml. Conclusion: In children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS by viral load of Pediatric Clinic HIV/AIDS at the HUV in Cali, Colombia, the prevalence of MNT was higher than 18%, with a positive relationship more than 1.5 times between viral load and the different types of UNT.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Malnutrition/classification , Malnutrition/diagnosis , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Malnutrition/etiology , Malnutrition/immunology , Malnutrition/mortality , Malnutrition/pathology , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Malnutrition/blood , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/classification , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/congenital , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/nursing , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/etiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/physiopathology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/genetics , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/history , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/immunology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/mortality , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/pathology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/bloodABSTRACT
En muchas oportunidades, en los niños con cáncer, no se logra ofrecer toda la alimentación que el niño requiere por la boca, motivo por el cual son utilizadas algunas alternativas que han demostradas ser eficaces para evitar la malnutrición, como la nutrición enteral y la parenteral, las cuales deben ser determinadas por el pediatra o nutricionista infantl del niño. Cuando la nutrición enteral, no es suficiente, es requerida la nutrición parenteral, incluso en casa.
On many occasions, in children with cancer are not able to provide all nutrition required by the child's mouth, which is why some alternatives are used that have proven effective in preventing malnutrition, such as enteral nutrition and parenteral, which must be determined by the pediatrician or infant nutritionist. When enteral nutrition is insufficient, parenteral nutrition is required, even at home.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Neoplasms/classification , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Enteral Nutrition/classification , Enteral Nutrition/methods , Parenteral Nutrition/classification , Parenteral Nutrition/methods , Malnutrition/classification , Malnutrition/diagnosis , Malnutrition/pathology , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Neoplasms/rehabilitationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein E4 may benefit children during early periods of life when the body is challenged by infection and nutritional decline. We examined whether apolipoprotein E4 affects intestinal barrier function, improving short-term growth and long-term cognitive outcomes in Brazilian shantytown children. METHODS: A total of 213 Brazilian shantytown children with below-median height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) received 200,000 IU of retinol (every four months), zinc (40 mg twice weekly), or both for one year, with half of each group receiving glutamine supplementation for 10 days. Height-for-age z-scores, weight-for-age z-scores, weight-forheight z-scores, and lactulose:mannitol ratios were assessed during the initial four months of treatment. An average of four years (range 1.4-6.6) later, the children underwent cognitive testing to evaluate non-verbal intelligence, coding, verbal fluency, verbal learning, and delayed verbal learning. Apolipoprotein E4 carriage was determined by PCR analysis for 144 children. RESULTS: Thirty-seven children were apolipoprotein E4(+), with an allele frequency of 13.9 percent. Significant associations were found for vitamin A and glutamine with intestinal barrier function. Apolipoprotein E4(+) children receiving glutamine presented significant positive Pearson correlations between the change in height-for-age z-scores over four months and delayed verbal learning, along with correlated changes over the same period in weight-for-age z-scores and weight-for-height z-scores associated with non-verbal intelligence quotients. There was a significant correlation between vitamin A supplementation of apolipoprotein E4(+) children and improved delta lactulose/mannitol. Apolipoprotein E4(-) children, regardless of intervention, exhibited negative Pearson correlations between the change in lactulose-to-mannitol ratio over four months and verbal learning and non-verbal intelligence. CONCLUSIONS: During development, apolipoprotein E4 may function concomitantly with gut-tropic nutrients to benefit immediate nutritional status, which can translate into better long-term cognitive outcomes.
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , /genetics , Cognition/drug effects , Diarrhea/drug therapy , Growth Disorders/genetics , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Micronutrients/administration & dosage , /drug effects , Brazil , Diarrhea/metabolism , Diarrhea/psychology , Gene Frequency/drug effects , Gene Frequency/genetics , Glutamine/administration & dosage , Growth Disorders/metabolism , Intestinal Absorption/drug effects , Intestinal Absorption/genetics , Lactulose , Malnutrition/metabolism , Malnutrition/psychology , Mannitol , Poverty Areas , Prospective Studies , Permeability/drug effects , Vitamin A/administration & dosage , Zinc/administration & dosageABSTRACT
FUNDAMENTO: A mortalidade na diálise continua elevada e ocorre principalmente por causas cardiovasculares. A inflamação participa da gênese da aterosclerose acelerada, calcificação vascular, desnutrição e anemia, e tem enorme impacto na sobrevida destes pacientes. As estatinas, através dos seus efeitos pleiotrópicos, podem representar uma opção terapêutica para atenuação do processo inflamatório crônico dos pacientes em hemodiálise. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos de uma baixa dose de sinvastatina sobre marcadores inflamatórios, parâmetros hematimétricos e nutricionais de pacientes em hemodiálise. MÉTODOS: Pacientes em hemodiálise clinicamente estáveis foram divididos, segundo os níveis basais de LDL-colesterol, em um grupo com níveis abaixo (Grupo 1) e outro com níveis iguais ou superiores a 100 mg/dl (Grupo 2) e tratados com sinvastatina por oito semanas. O Grupo 1 recebeu apenas 20 mg após cada sessão de diálise (dose intermitente), enquanto o Grupo 2 recebeu 20 mg/dia. Dados laboratoriais, índice de resistência a eritropoetina e parâmetros nutricionais foram obtidos antes e após o tratamento. RESULTADOS: Houve redução significativa e equivalente dos níveis de proteína C-reativa em ambos os grupos (35,97±49,23 por cento vs 38,32±32,69 por cento, p=0,86). No Grupo 1 também houve tendência a queda da resistência a eritropoetina (228,6±16,2 vs 208,9±16,2, p=0,058) e melhora dos parâmetros hematimétricos (hematócrito: 33,1±5,9 por cento vs 36,1±4,5 por cento, p=0,021). CONCLUSÃO: A dose intermitente mostrou-se tão eficaz quanto a dose usual em reduzir os níveis de proteína C-reativa e resistência a eritropoetina, além de melhorar os parâmetros hematimétricos, apontando para uma importante redução do risco cardiovascular avaliado por esses parâmetros.
BACKGROUND: Mortality in dialysis patients remains high and is due mainly to cardiovascular causes. Inflammation has a role in the genesis of accelerated atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, malnutrition and anemia, and a huge impact on the survival of these patients. The pleiotropic effects of statins can be a therapeutic option for reducing chronic inflammatory processes of patients undergoing hemodialysis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of low doses of simvastatin on inflammatory markers, hematimetric and nutritional parameters of patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: Clinically-stable patients undergoing hemodialysis were classified according to their baseline LDL-cholesterol levels in two groups: those with levels below 100mg/dl (Group 1) and those with levels equal to or greater than 100mg/dl (Group-2), and were treated with simvastatin during eight weeks. Group 1 received 20mg only after each session of hemodialysis (intermittent dose), whereas Group 2 received 20mg/daily. Laboratory data, erythropoietin resistance index and nutritional parameters were obtained before and after treatment. RESULTS: A significant and equivalent reduction in C-reactive protein levels in both groups was observed (35.97±49.23 percent vs 38.32±32.69 percent, p=0.86). In group 1, there was also a tendency towards reduced resistance to erythropoietin (228.6±16.2 vs 208.9±16.2, p=0.058) and improvement of hematimetric parameters (hematocrit: 33.1±5.9 percent vs 36.1±4.5 percent, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Intermittent doses proved to be as effective as the usual dose in reducing C-reactive protein levels and resistance to erythropoietin, besides improving the hematimetric parameters, indicating an important reduction of the cardiovascular risk evaluated by these parameters.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Anticholesteremic Agents/administration & dosage , Atherosclerosis/drug therapy , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Hemoglobins/analysis , Renal Dialysis , Simvastatin/administration & dosage , Anemia/metabolism , Biomarkers , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Cholesterol, LDL/drug effects , Drug Resistance , Erythropoietin/administration & dosage , Hemoglobins/metabolism , Malnutrition/drug therapy , Nutritional Status/drug effects , Prospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of multivitamin and folic acid supplementation on serum folate level and weight gain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in malnourished children at the Nutrition Clinic, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health from February to June 2000. History taking, weight-height measurement, and blood testing for complete blood count (CBC) and serum folate level were done. Patients were randomly by assigned into 2 groups. The study group was supplemented daily with multivitamins (MVD) along with a folic acid tablet while the control group was supplemented daily with MVD only, for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-nine malnourished children were enrolled in the present study. They were randomly by assigned into 2 groups, 14 children in the study group and 15 children in the control group. There were 11 boys (38%) and 18 girls (62%). Mean age was 36.3 months. Anemia and low serum folate level were found in 24 per cent and 21 per cent respectively. There was no significant difference in the data of both groups, except that anemia was more common in the study group (p = 0.018). After 6 weeks of supplementation, increases in weight and serum folate level were significantly higher in the study group, but there was no significant difference in weight increased between both groups. CONCLUSION: Folate deficiency may be found in malnourished children. Efficacy of folic acid supplement is good. Folic acid needs to be supplemented in malnourished children.