Influencia de la estación del año en los niveles de vitamina D de una población pediátrica / Influence of the season of the year in vitamin D levels in a pediatric population

Introducción: El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es determinar los niveles séricos de 25 (OH) vitamina D en una población pediátrica de la Ciudad de Rosario y sus alrededores y la influencia de las diferentes estaciones del año sobrelos mismos.Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional en el que se dosó el nivel de vitamina D en niños de ambossexos menores de 15 años de edad. El plazo de medición fue de un año calendario para posteriormente y analizarsus niveles según las cuatro estaciones del año. Todos los análisis de vitamina D fueron realizados por el mismolaboratorio y el mismo equipo de medición.Resultados: Se incluyeron 128 pacientes de ambos sexos. Del total de mediciones se encontraron niveles inferioresa 30 ng/ml en el 61,7% (n=79). Las medias de los niveles de Vitamina D fueron en otoño 32,6 ng/ml (±12,3);invierno 24,4 ng/ml (±8,7); primavera 24,1 ng/ml (±7,2) y en verano 27,8 ng/ml (±10,8). Existieron diferenciassignificativas entre las estaciones de otoño y primavera (p< 0,001) y entre otoño e invierno (p<0,004). Otoño fue laúnica estación que presentó niveles superiores a 30 ng/ml (media: 32,6).Conclusiones: Existe una alta prevalencia de niveles bajos de vitamina D (según lo publicado en la literatura a nivelinternacional). Recomendamos su dosaje especialmente en las estaciones de invierno, primavera y verano (AU)

Introduction: The purpose of our work is to determine the serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D in a pediatric populationof the City of Rosario and surrounding areas, and the influence of the different seasons of the year on them.Material and methods: A prospective observational study in which the level of vitamin D was measured in children ofboth sexes under 15 years of age. The measurement period was one calendar year to be subsequently analyzed accordingto the four seasons of the year. All vitamin D tests were performed by the same laboratory and the same measurementequipment. Results: 128 patients of both sexes were included. Of the total measurements, levels lower than 30 ng / ml were found in61.7% (n = 79). The averages of Vitamin D levels were: in autumn 32.6 ng / ml (±12,3); winter 24.4 ng / ml (±8,7);spring 24.1 ng / ml (±7,2) and summer 27.8 ng / ml (±10,8). There were significant differences between the autumn andspring seasons (p <0.001) and between autumn and winter (p <0.004). Autumn was the only station that presented levelshigher than 30 ng / ml (mean: 32.6).Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of low levels of vitamin D (as published in the international literature). We recommend its dosing especially in the winter, spring and summer seasons (AU)

Impact of NGO run mid day meal program on nutrition status and growth of primary school children.

Objective. To study the impact of wholesome mid day meal (MDM) program run by an NGO on the growth of the primary school students in rural area of Mathura district. Methods. This intervention study involved children enrolled in Government run rural primary schools in Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh from March 06 through August 07. A wholesome, nutritionally balanced MDM provided by an NGO for the students in the 6 primary schools was selected as intervention group. Control group consisted of children in 8 schools which received locally prepared MDM by village panchayats. Height, weight, change in height/month, change in weight/month, prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition and prevalence of signs of vitamin deficiencies, were measured. Results. Food was provided for 221 days in one year. Within group and between groups repetitive measures were compared using generalized estimating equation (GEE). Within both intervention and control groups height and weight had significantly increased (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no change in prevalence of malnutrition within either of the groups. Reduction in vitamin A deficiency signs was 38% more in intervention group (p < 0.001). Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency reduced by 50% more in intervention group. No such differences between groups were observed for vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Conclusions. MDM provided by the NGO has no better impact on growth of the primary school children, however, it reduced prevalence of vitamin deficiency significantly in comparison to the MDM run by Village Panchayats.

A missäo do professor de primeiro grau na prevençäo da hipovitaminose A / The primary schoolteacher's mission in the prevention of vitamin A deficiency

Indica aos professores do 1§ grau a importância da vitamina A para o organismo, sua funçäo metabólica e a enfermidade causada pela deficiência prolongada na ingestäo. Além disso, há uma longa descriçäo dos alimentos fontes da vitamina em questäo, com comentários sobre sua estabilidade ao processamento. A avaliaçäo do estado nutricional de vitamina A seguem-se aspectos de Saúde Pública e de prevençäo da hipovitaminose A. Finalmente, aborda a importância do professor na prevençäo dessa carência, enfatizando, após exemplificar medidas de intervençäo dietética bem sucedidas, que a educaçäo nutricional é medida que pode e deve se iniciar na pré-escola, prolongando-se no 1§ grau