Calcium and phosphate solubility curves for parenteral nutrient solutions containing Vaminolact.

Calcium and phosphate incompatibility in the total parenteral nutrient (TPN) solutions is a common problem especially in neonates. Their combinations in TPN admixture must be tested before use. We here investigated the compatibility of calcium and phosphate in TPN solutions containing a newborn amino acid product, Vaminolact. The TPN test-solutions contained 10 per cent dextrose, 1, 2, or 3 per cent Vaminolact, 4 mmole/L of magnesium sulphate and various combinations of calcium gluconate and dipotassium phosphate. Precipitations and crystallizations were inspected visually and microscopically after 24 hours standing at room temperature. Solubility curves were made by plotting the maximum concentrations of calcium and phosphate at which both were still compatible in the solution. Such curves are extremely helpful for clinicians and pharmacists to administer maximum calcium and phosphate dose for individual patient requirement.

Incidence and risk factors for carbohydrate intolerance in Thai infants with acute diarrhea: an outpatient-based study.

Until recently, information concerning carbohydrate intolerance complicating acute infantile diarrhea of outpatients in Thailand has been lacking. This prospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence and risk factors of secondary carbohydrate intolerance in outpatients. Of 197 well-nourished infants with acute diarrhea who were seen at the outpatient department of Songklanagarind Hospital between July 1991 and June 1992, 62 infants (31.3%) had carbohydrate intolerance, and 7 of the 62 (3.5%) also had acquired monosaccharide intolerance. The clinical characteristics that predicted infants with carbohydrate intolerance were : a low bodyweight relative to the length, dehydration (OR 4.55, 95% CI 1.1.5-17.9), the presence of mucus in diarrheal stools (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.23-6.32) and rotavirus infection (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.20-10.18).

Calcium and phosphate solubility curves for parenteral nutrient solutions containing aminoplasmal-paed, Aminovenos-N-pad or Moripron-F.

We investigated the calcium and phosphate compatibility in three amino acid products: Aminoplasmal-paed, Aminovenos-N-pad, Moripron-F. The final TPN sample solution contained 10 per cent dextrose, 1-3 per cent amino acids, 4 mmol/L magnesium sulphate and various combinations of calcium gluconate and dipotassium phosphate. Precipitates and crystallization were inspected visually and microscopically after 24 hrs standing at room temperature. Calcium-phosphate solubility curve were drawn. Among the three amino acid products, Moripron-F gave the highest buffer capacity. These curves are extremely helpful to predict the compatibility of a calcium-phosphate dose in the TPN solution using these three amino acid products.

Increasing obesity in school children in a transitional society and the effect of the weight control program.

Childhood obesity is an increasing problem in developed countries. Its persistence into adulthood with accompanied health risks has raised many concerns. In a country with rapid growing economy and changing life styles such as Thailand, the natural history of obesity in school children aged 6-12 years was investigated. Yearly weight and height measurements were performed from 1991 onwards. Of 1,156 primary school children enrolled in 1991, two year follow-up was possible in 1,106 cases. Prevalence of obesity, as diagnosed by weight-for-height > 120% of the Bangkok reference, rose from 12.2% in 1991 to 13.5% in 1992 and 15.6% in 1993. In two years, 74 non-obese children became obese while 28 obese children showed the opposite trend. For those obese children who attended the weight control program, their body mass indices and triceps skinfold thickness increased significantly less than those of the non-attendees in the first year. These findings persisted in the second year but were of a smaller magnitude. Results of this study demonstrate the trend of increasing obesity in school children in the transitional society and the short term benefit of a weight control program.