Excreción urinaria de yodo en escolares de Galicia / Urinary iodine excretion among school children in Galicia (Spain)

Introducción: Conocer y valorar el estado nutricional de yodo, mediante la determinación de la yoduria, en los escolares gallegos de 6 a 12 años de edad. Sujetos y método: Se realizó un estudio transversal en los escolares de Educación Primaria de Galicia durante el año 2002. El territorio gallego se dividió en 3 zonas geográficas según criterios dietéticos: urbana, rural interior y rural costa, y en cada una de ellas se seleccionó una muestra de escolares mediante muestreo polietápico. A los niños autorizados se les recogió una muestra ocasional de orina, y se determinó la yoduria mediante la técnica colorimétrica de Dunn. Se estimaron los indicadores del nivel de ingesta de yodo, teniendo en cuenta el tipo de muestreo y se valoraron siguiendo los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Resultados: Se recogieron 2.188 muestras de orina en 88 colegios, 744 en la zona urbana, 725 en la zona rural costa y 719 en el rural interior. La mediana de yoduria fue 102,9 µg/l (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 100,2-106,0) en Galicia, y 91,3 µg/l (IC del 95%, 86,0-99,9) en la zona rural interior. En global, el porcentaje de niños con yoduria 100 µg/l fue del 48,5% (IC del 95%, 45,0-52,0). Conclusiones: El nivel de ingesta de yodo en los escolares gallegos de 6 a 12 años se encuentra en el límite de lo recomendado por la OMS. Sin embargo, la zona rural interior presenta una yoduria baja, compatible con una ingesta insuficiente de yodo (AU)

Introduction: To identify and asses current iodine nutritional status by determining urinary iodine excretion among school children aged 6-12 years old in Galicia (Spain). Subjects and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children in primary schools in Galicia in 2002. The children were selected through multistage cluster sampling in three different geographical areas defined by dietary criteria: urban, inner-rural and coastal-rural. A urine sample was collected from authorized children to measure urinary iodine excretion by the Dunn colorimetric method. Indicators of iodine intake were estimated, taking into account the sample design, and were assessed following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Results: A total of 2,188 urine samples were collected in 88 schools: 744 in the urban area, 725 in the inner-rural area and 719 in the coastal-rural area. The median urinary iodine excretion was 102.9 mg/l (95% CI: 100.2-106.0) in Galicia and was 91.3 mg/l (95% CI: 86.0-99.9) in the inner-rural area. Overall, the percentage of children with urinary iodine excretion 100 mg/l was 48.5% (95% CI: 45.0-52.0). Conclusion: The level of iodine intake level among Galician school children aged 6-12 years old is at the limit of WHO recommendations. Nevertheless, urinary iodine levels in the inner-rural area were low, which is compatible with insufficient iodine intake (AU)

Investigation for a more virulent variant among the c:2b:P1.2,5 Spanish meningococcal epidemic strains by molecular epidemiology.

A rise in the incidence of meningococcal disease has occurred in Spain in recent years, especially in some regions in the north-west of the country. Most cases have been caused by meningococci characterised as Neisseria meningitidis C:2b:P1.2,5. A total of 107 C:2b:P1.2,5 meningococcal isolates (60 from patients and 47 from carriers) and 12 isolates showing related antigenic combinations (C:2b:NST, C:2b:P1.2, C:2b:P1.5, C:NT:P1.2,5) was analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to determine the genetic variability of the epidemic and related strains. Endonucleases BglII and NheI were used to cut chromosomal DNA. When BglII was used, most of the C:2b:P1.2,5 isolates showed the same pulsotype regardless of whether they were from clinical cases or carriers. Isolates showing the principal profile after digestion with endonuclease BglII were analysed with NheI. Four pulsotypes were identified, of which two were found in only one isolate each. The major profiles (1 and 2) showed differential distribution among clinical and carrier isolates; pulsotype 1 was the most frequent among clinical isolates. However, the proportions of isolates showing profiles 1 and 2 were similar among carrier isolates. This could indicate that there are two variants of the C:2b:P1.2,5 strain with differing pathogenicity.

Protein requirements of preschool children: obligatory nitrogen losses and nitrogen balance measurements using cow's milk.

Obligatory N losses through feces (FN) and urine (UN) were measured in five children and N balance was measured in them and in five others (23 +/- 4 months old) using four levels of cow's milk intake. FN, UN and FN +UN were 19.5 +/- 6.9, 34.0 +/- 5.3, and 53.7 +/- 8.1 mg N/kg/day, respectively. The ratios of FN, UN and total obligatory losses (FN + UN + sweat and integumental N) to basal energy expenditure were 0.38, 0.64 and 1.11 mg N/basal kcal, respectively. The two latter values are 32 and 45% lower than the 1971 FAO/WHO estimates. Mean N requirement determined by factorial calculations using a correction factor of 1.3 and by N balance techniques was 98 mg N or 0.61 g milk protein/kg/day, which is 33% lower than the FAO/WHO estimates. Depending on the allowances made for inter-individual variability, safe levels of protein intake ranged from 0.79 to 0.94 g/kg/day, 33 to 21% lower than FAO/WHO recommendations. Apparent and "true" milk protein digestibilities were 80 +/- 4% and 94 +/- 4%, respectively.