Vitamin A nutritional status in high- and low-income postpartum women and its effect on colostrum and the requirements of the term newborn / Estado nutricional de vitamina A de puérperas de alta e baixa renda e seu efeito sobre o colostro e a necessidade do recém-nascido a termo

Abstract Objective To evaluate the vitamin A status in serum and colostrum of postpartum women with different socioeconomic status, comparing the colostrum retinol supply with the vitamin A requirement of the newborn. Methods Cross-sectional study conducted with 424 postpartum women. Vitamin A maternal dietary intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire. Colostrum and serum retinol levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Serum retinol concentrations <20 µg/dL were indicative of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Vitamin A levels provided by colostrum <400 µgRAE/day were considered as insufficient for term newborns. Results The mean maternal vitamin A intake during pregnancy was 872.2 ± 639.2 µgRAE/day in low-income women and 1169.2 ± 695.2 µgRAE/day for high-income women (p < 0.005). The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 6.9% (n = 18) in the low-income group and 3.7% (n = 6) in the high-income group. The estimated mean retinol intake by infants of the high- and low-income mothers were 343.3 µgRAE/day (85.8% AI) and 427.2 µgRAE/day (106.8% AI), respectively. Conclusions Serum vitamin A deficiency was considered a mild public health problem in both populations; however, newborns of low-income women were more likely to receive lower retinol levels through colostrum when compared with newborns of high-income mothers.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o estado nutricional de vitamina A no soro e colostro de puérperas com diferentes condições de renda, comparando os níveis de retinol fornecido através do colostro coma necessidade de vitamina A do recém-nascido. Métodos Estudo transversal com 424 mulheres pós-parto. A ingestão de vitamina A dietética pelas mães foi estimada através de um questionário de frequência do consumo alimentar. Os níveis retinol no soro e colostro foram quantificados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Concentrações de retinol <20 µg/dL no soro foram indicativas de vitamin A deficiency. Os níveis de vitamina A fornecidas pelo colostro < 400 µg/RAE/dia foram considerados insuficientespara os recém-nascidos a termo. Resultados A ingestão média de vitamina A das mães durante a gravidez foi de 872,2 ± 639,2 µgRAE/dia em mulheres de baixa renda e 1169,2 ± 695,2 µgRAE/dia em mulheresde alta renda (p < 0,005). A prevalência de vitamin A deficiency foi de 6,9% (n = 18) no grupo de baixa renda e de 3,7% (n = 6) no grupo de alta renda. A estimativa dos valores médios de ingestão de retinol por lactentes de mães de baixa e alta renda foi de 343,3 µg/RAE/dia (85,8%AI) e 427,2 µg/RAE/dia (106,8% AI), respectivamente. Conclusões A vitamin A deficiency no soro foi prevalente em ambas as populações, entretanto, recém-nascidos de mães de baixa renda foram mais propensos a receberem níveis inferiores de retinol no colostro em comparação com recém-nascidos de mães de alta renda.

Health and Nutritional Factors Related to Hypertension of Subjects Aged Over 50 in High Income Class : Based on the 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study was performed to determine the health and nutritional risk factors associated with hypertension in Koreans over the age of 50 in a high-income class (more than twice as much family income as the 2005 Korean minimum cost of living, 668,540 Won). A total of 505 subjects aged over 50 from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were divided into two groups: A hypertension group (HG) (N=151, Systolic Blood Pressure > or = 140 mmHg or Diastolic Blood Pressure > or = 90 mmHg) and normal group (NG) (N=354). Subjects who took hypertension medicines or underwent diet therapy were excluded. In HG, mean daily alcohol intake and the amount of alcohol consumption per one occasion were significantly higher than in NG, respectively. A greater number of hypertension subjects answered that they drank alcohol to reduce stress as compared to normal subjects. HG also took fewer dietary supplements than NG. Mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fasting blood sugar level, and 2 hour postprandial blood sugar following a glucose load were significantly higher in HG than in NG, respectively. Also, iron, thiamin, and niacin intakes and the consumption frequency of seaweeds were significantly lower in HG than in NG, respectively. Finally, obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2), abdominal obesity (waist circumference > or = 90 cm for males, > or = 80 cm for females), high blood sugar level 2 hours after an oral glucose load (> or = 140~200 mg/dl), and hypertriglyceridemia (serum TG > or = 200 mg/dl) were related to a significantly higher risk of hypertension in the subjects (odds ratio: 1.884~3.040). In conclusion, dietary factors such as higher alcohol consumption; lower intakes of iron, thiamin, and niacin; lower consumption frequency of seaweeds; and metabolic syndrome were associated with hypertension in the study subjects.

Road safety at cross-roads.

With increasing population and increasing vehicular density and with meager infrastructural amenities the 21st century is plagued by yet another important issue Road Traffic Accidents which had in fact become a slow modern pandemic and following a pattern of a secular trend. Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) and Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) consequent to it are on the rise and are a matter of concern as far the loss of life and limb and psycho-socio-economic impact of the event aftermath, on the affected person and his family. The present review article is based on RTI and road safety and brings into focus the theme of the World Health Day (WHD) 2004 which is dedicated to Road Safety.