ABSTRACT
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) can have a negative impact on pregnancy but there have been no studies in Al-Ain on the vitamin A status of pregnant women. We studied 198 pregnant Emirati women aged 15-49 years attending antenatal clinics in Al-Ain Medical District (1999-2000) to assess the prevalence of VAD. Sociodemographic and health information about the women was collected by questionnaire and they all underwent blood and serum analysis. Of the 198 women, only 6 (3%) had vitamin A deficiency (plasma vitamin A < 20 microg/dL), indicating only a mild problem according to WHO criteria. There was no significant association between the occurrence of VAD and any of the characteristics studied. While the mean values of all the haematological indices were slightly lower in the vitamin A deficient group, this was not significant.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Vitamin A Deficiency/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet Surveys , Erythrocyte Indices , Female , Ferritins/blood , Health Surveys , Hematocrit , Hemoglobins/metabolism , Humans , Middle Aged , Nutrition Assessment , Nutritional Status , Population Surveillance , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/blood , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications/prevention & control , Prevalence , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , United Arab Emirates/epidemiology , Vitamin A Deficiency/blood , Vitamin A Deficiency/diagnosis , Vitamin A Deficiency/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Vitamin A deficiency [VAD] can have a negative impact on pregnancy but there have been no studies in Al-Ain on the vitamin A status of pregnant women. We studied 198 pregnant Emirati women aged 15-49 years attending antenatal clinics in Al-Ain Medical District [1999-2000] to assess the prevalence of VAD. Sociodemographic and health information about the women was collected by questionnaire and they all underwent blood and serum analysis. Of the 198 women, only 6 [3%] had vitamin A deficiency [plasma vitamin A < 20 micro g/dL], indicating only a mild problem according to WHO criteria. There was no significant association between the occurrence of VAD and any of the characteristics studied. While the mean values of all the haematological indices were slightly lower in the vitamin A deficient group, this was not significant
Subject(s)
Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet Surveys , Hemoglobins , Nutrition Assessment , Urban Population , Vitamin A DeficiencyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine factors influencing quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters of the calcaneus in a population-based sample of United Arab Emirates (UAE) women, and to compare QUS parameters of the calcaneus for healthy young UAE women with the manufacturer's reference ranges for other populations. METHODS: All subjects completed a questionnaire on reproductive and life style factors. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was determined by bioelectric impedence. Estimated bone mineral density (BMD), Speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) of the right calcaneus were determined by Sahara ultrasound. RESULTS: In premenopausal women (n=330), age, weight, body mass index (BMI), lean weight, fat weight, education, age at menarche, and number of pregnancies, correlated significantly with QUS parameters. Multiple regression analysis showed that age at menarche, number of pregnancies, and BMI, were the best predictors of QUS parameters although these factors explained only small amounts of the variance (R(2)=0.05). In postmenopausal women (n=81), age, BMI and physical activity were the best predictors of BUA (R(2)=0.35), SOS (R(2)=0.39), and QUI (R(2)=0.43). Mean estimated BMD, QUI and SOS for healthy young UAE women were significantly lower than the manufacturer's reference ranges for U.S. Caucasian, European Caucasian, and Chinese Asian healthy young women of the same age range (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Mean BUA was not significantly different, however. CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal status, age, BMI and physical activity are strong predictors of QUS parameters of the calcaneus in Arabian women. Healthy young Arabian women have lower estimated calcaneal BMD compared with the manufacturer's reference ranges for other populations.
Subject(s)
Body Constitution , Calcaneus/diagnostic imaging , Life Style , Absorptiometry, Photon , Adult , Body Composition , Bone Density , Female , Humans , Hydroxycholecalciferols/blood , Middle Aged , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/epidemiology , Parity , Postmenopause , Premenopause , Reference Values , Regression Analysis , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
The bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus was estimated in 185 young women from the United Arab Emirates, using SAHARA ultrasound. All participants completed a questionnaire on factors potentially associated with osteoporosis. In all, 29 (15.7%) of the women were classified as having osteopenia and none as having osteoporosis. Participants with osteopenia were more likely to have had a later onset of menarche, irregular periods, lower body mass index, and a positive family history of osteoporosis. Only late menarche and low body mass index, however, were independent predictors of osteopenia.
Subject(s)
Bone Density , Calcaneus/diagnostic imaging , Osteoporosis/diagnostic imaging , Osteoporosis/etiology , Adult , Body Mass Index , Calcium, Dietary , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Life Style , Logistic Models , Mass Screening , Menarche , Multivariate Analysis , Osteoporosis/epidemiology , Predictive Value of Tests , Reference Values , Reproductive History , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Ultrasonography , United Arab Emirates/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The bone mineral density [BMD] of the calcaneus was estimated in 185 young women from the United Arab Emirates, using SAHARA ultrasound. All participants completed a questionnaire on factors potentially associated with osteoporosis. In all, 29 [15.7%] of the women were classified as having osteopenia and none as having osteoporosis. Participants with osteopenia were more likely to have had a later onset of menarche, irregular periods, lower body mass index, and a positive family history of osteoporosis. Only late menarche and low body mass index, however, were independent predictors of osteopenia
