Nutritional status of mentally disabled children in Egypt

Mental disability can interfere with education and scholastic achievement. It can lead to school dropout and minimize opportunities to participate in the labor force. Moreover, disabilities affect the overall health and psychological state of the individuals. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status of mentally disabled children in Egypt on the basis of anthropometric indicators and laboratory data. Across sectional study was conducted on 639 mentally disable children aged 6-<14 years [422males and 217females], from urban areas. They were classified into two age groups [6-<11 and 11-<14 years]. The following variables were determined using Z score indicator of weight for age, height for age and weight for height. Also, body mass index, mid arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness percentiles were determined. Laboratory investigation including blood hemoglobin concentration and plasma levels of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol as well as plasma zinc, copper and magnesium concentration were estimated. Prevalence of underweight was 14.1% by Wt/age Z score. Stunting was estimated among 33.5% with significantly higher prevalence in older children. Muscle and fat depletion was detected in 30.2%, with significantly higher prevalence among males than females. Depleted fat store was detected in 14.7% of children. Wasting was documented in 14.1% of children by BMI percentile, and was significantly higher among males than females. No significant difference was detected between male and female handicapped children regarding mean blood hemoglobin values as well as mean plasma levels of the measured vitamins and minerals, except for mean plasma zinc level. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was higher in males [41.5%] than females [37.1%]. Deficiency of alpha- tocopherol was more prevalent than that of vitamin A. The overall prevalence of deficiency of zinc, magnesium and copper was 1.8%, 40%, and 25.3% respectively. The decline in anthropometric measurements was associated with the decline in socioeconomic status. Malnutrition as revealed by anthropometric variables and micronutrient deficiency occurs with a high prevalence among mentally disabled children and almost increased with age and low socioeconomic level

Plasma retinol, thyroid stimulating hormone and zinc as predictors of bone mineral density status

Conflicting results on the association between serum retinol level and bone mineral density [BMD] have been published. Thyroid hormones are essential for skeletal development and have direct effect on bone formation and resorption. Bone has one of the highest concentrations of zinc of all tissues, and has been shown to release zinc during deficiency for soft tissue metabolism. The objective of this study was to assess the relation between plasma levels of retinol, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and zinc and BMD of Egyptian adolescents and adults. The study was a part of a cross sectional national survey conducted by National Nutrition Institute. The sample was a multistage stratified random. Target individuals were classified into two age groups [10-

Copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead levels in plasma of hemodialysis patients

Hemodialysis patients are at risk of developing trace elements imbalance and increase in heavy metals. The objective of this study was to asses plasma levels of copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead of hemodialysis patients. The study comprised 40 patients aged 27-65 years under regular hemodialysis for 1.8-13 years and 28 healthy age and sex matched the control. Copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead plasma levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Levels of copper, zinc and selenium were significantly decreased in dialysis patients compared with the control group; the percentage decrease was 25.5%, 20.4% and 19.0% for copper zinc and selenium, respectively. Moreover, cadmium and lead plasma levels showed significant increases among hemodialysis patients versus their matched controls with percentage of 144.6% and 28.1% for cadmium and lead, respectively. Levels of trace elements are altered and heavy metals showed increased plasma levels by hemodialysis. Regular monitoring of trace elements and heavy metals in hemodialytic patients is advisable