Status and correlates of non-communicable diseases among children and adolescents in slum and non-slum areas of India's four metropolitan cities

The emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in childhood poses a serious risk to a healthy adult life. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of NCDs among children and adolescents in slums and non-slums areas of four metropolitan cities of India, and in rural areas of the respective states The study further, investigated the effect of the place residence as slum vs. non-slum and other risk factors of the NCDs. Nationally representative data from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) was used.. Estimates were based on children (5-9 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) for whom biomarkers predicting diabetes, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides and hypertension were determined. Weight, height and age data were used to calculate z-scores of the body mass index. Overweight and obesity was higher in urban areas than in rural areas among children and adolescents. Regional differences in the prevalence of diseases were observed; children in Delhi and Chennai had a higher likelihood of being diabetic while children in Kolkata were at a greater risk of high total cholesterol and high triglycerides. The risk of hypertension was strikingly high among non-slum children in Delhi. Children from slums were at a higher risk of diabetes compared to the children from non-slums, while children and adolecents from non-slums were at a greater risk of high triglycerides and hypertension respectively than their counterparts from slums. Male children and adolecents had a higher risk of diabetes and high cholesterol. Screening of children for early detection of NCDs should be integrated with the already existing child and adolescent development schemes in schools and the community can help in prevention and control of NCDs in childhood.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adolescents in India: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

In India, the prevalence of overweight among adolescents is on the rise, setting the stage for an increase in metabolic syndrome (MS). This paper presents the national prevalence of MS in adolescents in India.

METHODS

A nationally representative data of adolescents (10-19 years) from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey was used. MS was defined based on the NCEP-ATP III criteria for adolescents. Bivariate analysis was used to report socio-demographic differentials in prevalence and to assess interstate variability. Multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to measure the association between socio-demographic characteristics and prevalence of MS. Census data from 2011 was projected to 2017 to calculate burden.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MS was 5.2% among adolescents. 11.9%, 15.4%, 26.0%, 31.9% and 3.7% had central obesity, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol and high fasting glucose, respectively. The prevalence was higher among males (5.7% vs. 4.7%, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0, 1.6), those residing in urban areas (7.9% vs 4.2%, AOR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.8), and from wealthier households as compared to their counterparts (8.3% vs. 2.4%, AOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.1, 5.5). There was wide interstate variability in the prevalence of MS (0.5% - 16.5%). In 2017, 14.2 million adolescents had MS in India.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of MS among adolescents in India is low and clustered in urban areas and richer households. Early prevention interventions promoting a healthy lifestyle, especially in high prevalence areas, are needed to keep MS from becoming a public health issue.

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and its Sociodemographic Patterning in Indian Children and Adolescents: Findings from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2016-18

BACKGROUND

Anemia control programs in India focus mainly on the measurement of hemoglobin in response to iron-folic acid supplementation. However, representative national estimates of iron deficiency (ID) are not available.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present study was to evaluate ID prevalence among children and adolescents (1-19 y) using nationally representative data and to examine the sociodemographic patterning of ID.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey in children (1-4 y: n = 9635; 5-9 y: n = 11,938) and adolescents (10-19 y; n = 11,507) on serum ferritin (SF) and other biomarkers were analyzed to determine inflammation-adjusted ID prevalence [SF (μg/L): <12 in 1-4 y and <15 in 5-19 y] and its relation to sociodemographic indicators. Multiple-regression analyses were conducted to identify the exposure associations of iron status. In addition, the relation between SF and hemoglobin was assessed as an indicator of iron utilization in different wealth quintiles.

RESULTS

ID prevalence was higher in 1- to 4-y-old children (31.9%; 95% CI: 31.0%, 32.8%) and adolescent girls (30.4%; 95% CI: 29.3%, 31.5%) but lower in adolescent boys and 5- to 9-y-old children (11%-15%). In all age groups, ID prevalence was higher in urban than in rural participants (1-4 y: 41% compared with 29%) and in those from richer quintiles (1-4 y: 44% in richest compared with 22% in poorest), despite adjustment for relevant confounders. SF significantly interacted with the wealth index, with declining trends in the strength of association between hemoglobin and SF from the richest to the poorest groups suggesting impaired iron utilization for hemoglobin synthesis in poorer wealth quintiles.

CONCLUSIONS

ID prevalence was indicative of moderate (in preschool children and adolescent girls) or mild (in 5- to 9-y-old children and adolescent boys) public health problem with significant variation by state and age. Focusing on increasing iron intake alone, without addressing the multiple environmental constraints related to poverty, may not result in intended benefits.

Prevalence of low serum zinc concentrations in Indian children and adolescents: findings from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2016-18

BACKGROUND

It is thought that there is a high risk of zinc deficiency in India, but there are no representative national estimates.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the national and state-level prevalence of low serum zinc concentrations (SZCs) in Indian children from the nationally representative Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey.

METHODS

Prevalence of low SZC, adjusted for C-reactive protein, was estimated among preschool (1-4 y; n = 7874) and school-age children (5-9 y; n = 10,430) and adolescents (10-19 y; n = 10,140), using SZC cutoffs defined by the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group.

RESULTS

Prevalence of low SZC was high among adolescents (31.1%; 95% CI: 29.8%, 32.4%), compared with school-age (15.8%; 95% CI: 15.3%, 16.3%) or preschool children (17.4%; 95% CI: 16.7%, 18.0%). However, stratification of prevalence by fasting status or using an alternative lower SZC cutoff independent of fasting status led to a reduction in prevalence by 3.7% or 7.8% in children <10 y, respectively. The prevalence of low SZC was higher among rural preschool children, those belonging to households with poor socioeconomic status, and those with severe stunting or underweight. Preschool children with diarrhea (22.6%; 95% CI: 20.8%, 24.4%), productive cough (22.7%; 95% CI: 18.5%, 27.5%), or malaria/dengue (38.5%; 95% CI: 29.4%, 48.2%) in the 2 wk preceding the survey had a higher prevalence of low SZC than those without morbidity (16.5%; 95% CI: 15.9%, 17.2%; 17.6%; 95% CI: 16.9%, 18.2%; and 17.5%; 95% CI: 16.8%, 18.1%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The national prevalence of low SZC among preschool (17%) or school-age children (16%) was <20%, which is considered the cutoff indicating a problem of public health significance; but there were variations by state and socioeconomic status. In adolescents, however, the prevalence of low SZC was 31%, which warrants further investigation. The association of low SZC with diarrhea in preschool children necessitates better coverage of Zn administration in the management of diarrhea.

The Effects of a Single Freeze-Thaw Cycle on Concentrations of Nutritional, Noncommunicable Disease, and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Serum Samples

Background  The stability of biological samples is vital for reliable measurements of biomarkers in large-scale survey settings, which may be affected by freeze-thaw procedures. We examined the effect of a single freeze-thaw cycle on 13 nutritional, noncommunicable diseases (NCD), and inflammatory bioanalytes in serum samples.

Method  Blood samples were collected from 70 subjects centrifuged after 30 minutes and aliquoted immediately. After a baseline analysis of the analytes, the samples were stored at − 70°C for 1 month and reanalyzed for all the parameters. Mean percentage differences between baseline (fresh blood) and freeze-thaw concentrations were calculated using paired sample t -tests and evaluated according to total allowable error (TEa) limits (desirable bias).

Results  Freeze-thaw concentrations differed significantly ( p < 0.05) from baseline concentrations for soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) (− 5.49%), vitamin D (− 12.51%), vitamin B12 (− 3.74%), plasma glucose (1.93%), C-reactive protein (CRP) (3.45%), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (7.98%), and cholesterol (9.76%), but they were within respective TEa limits. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (− 0.67%), creatinine (0.94%), albumin (0.87%), total protein (1.00%), ferritin (− 0.58%), and triglycerides (TAG) (2.82%) concentrations remained stable following the freeze-thaw cycle. In conclusion, single freeze-thaw cycle of the biomarkers in serum/plasma samples after storage at − 70°C for 1 month had minimal effect on stability of the studied analytes, and the changes in concentration were within acceptable limit for all analytes.

Effect of Differences in Month and Location of Measurement in Estimating Prevalence and Trend of Wasting and Stunting in India in 2005-2006 and 2015-2016

BACKGROUND

Child undernutrition in India remains widespread. Data from the National Family Health Survey 3 and 4 (NFHS-3 and NFHS-4) suggest that wasting prevalence has increased while stunting prevalence has declined.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to do the following: 1) describe wasting and stunting by month of measurement in India in children <5 y of age in NFHS-3 and NFHS-4 surveys, and 2) test whether differences in the timing of anthropometric data collection and in states between survey years introduced bias in the comparison of estimates of wasting and stunting between NFHS-3 and NFHS-4.

METHODS

Data on wasting and stunting for 42,608 and 232,744 children aged >5 y in the NFHS-3 and NFHS-4 survey rounds were analyzed. Differences in the prevalence of wasting and stunting by month of year and by state of residence were examined descriptively. Regression analyses were conducted to test the sensitivity of the estimate of differences in wasting and stunting prevalence across survey years to both state differences and seasonality.

RESULTS

Examination of the patterns of wasting and stunting by month of measurement and by state across survey years reveal marked variability. When both state and month were adjusted, regardless of the method used to account for sample size, there was a small negative difference from 2005-2006 to 2015-2016 in the prevalence of wasting (-0.8 ± 0.6 percentage points; P = 0.2) and a negative difference in stunting prevalence (-8.3 ± 0.7 percentage points; P < 0.001), indicating a small bias for wasting but not for stunting in unadjusted analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

State and seasonal differences may have introduced bias to the estimated difference in prevalence of wasting between the survey years but did not do so for stunting. Future data collection should be designed to maximize consistency in coverage of both time and place.

Effect of temperature and time delay in centrifugation on stability of select biomarkers of nutrition and non-communicable diseases in blood samples

Introduction

Preanalytical conditions are critical for blood sample integrity and poses challenge in surveys involving biochemical measurements. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the stability of select biomarkers at conditions that mimic field situations in surveys.

Material and methods

Blood from 420 volunteers was exposed to 2 - 8 °C, room temperature (RT), 22 - 30 °C and > 30 °C for 30 min, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours prior to centrifugation. After different exposures, whole blood (N = 35) was used to assess stability of haemoglobin, HbA1c and erythrocyte folate; serum (N = 35) for assessing stability of ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamins B12, A and D, zinc, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), tryglicerides, albumin, total protein and creatinine; and plasma (N = 35) was used for glucose. The mean % deviation of the analytes was compared with the total change limit (TCL), computed from analytical and intra-individual imprecision. Values that were within the TCL were deemed to be stable.

Result

Creatinine (mean % deviation 14.6, TCL 5.9), haemoglobin (16.4%, TCL 4.4) and folate (33.6%, TCL 22.6) were unstable after 12 hours at 22-30°C, a temperature at which other analytes were stable. Creatinine was unstable even at RT for 12 hours (mean % deviation: 10.4). Albumin, CRP, glucose, cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, vitamins B12 and A, sTfR and HbA1c were stable at all studied conditions.

Conclusion

All analytes other than creatinine, folate and haemoglobin can be reliably estimated in blood samples exposed to 22-30°C for 12 hours in community-based studies.

Mapping QTLs for opaque2 modifiers influencing the tryptophan content in quality protein maize using genomic and candidate gene-based SSRs of lysine and tryptophan metabolic pathway

The mapping analysis resulted in identification of five significant QTLs for opaque2 modifiers influencing the tryptophan content in quality protein maize using functional and genomic SSR markers. Quality protein maize (QPM) was developed by selecting genetic modifiers that convert opaque2 mutant containing high lysine and tryptophan. There are several unlinked opaque2 modifier loci (Opm) in QPM whose location, nature and mode of action are not clear. To identify these Opm QTLs, we developed a population of 218 F2:3 individuals from a cross between VQL2 and VQL8, two isogenic QPM inbreds significantly differing in tryptophan content. Based on the data of the F2:3 population, five significant QTLs on chromosomes 5, 7 and 9 with LOD values more than 2.5 were identified and together explained 38.6 % of the total phenotypic variance (R (2)). The Wx1 gene which has influence on the amino acid composition of the maize endosperm was mapped on chromosome 9 near the marker phi022 and also validated by bulk analysis. The QTL near the SSR marker ZmASK3, developed from the aspartate kinase 2 gene of the lysine pathway, mapped on chromosome 5 and had LOD of 2.7 with R (2) of 5.1 %. On chromosome 9, the QTL between the loci umc1430 and bnlg1401 had an LOD of 4.5 with R (2) of 9.1 %, whereas the QTL between the loci bnlg1401 and phi022 had an LOD of 4.2 with R (2) of 8.4 %. The third QTL was observed to be close to the marker umc2207 with an LOD of 4.8 and R (2) of 8.4 %. The identified QTLs will be very useful in the marker-assisted back-cross breeding and transgressive breeding for the development of QPM maize.

Prevalence, trends, and determinants of menopause in India: NFHS 1992-93 to NFHS 2005-06

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of menopause in three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), determine correlates of menopause, and estimate the age of start of menopause in Indian women.

METHODS

Three rounds of NFHS data collected during 1992-93, 1998-99, and 2005-06 were analyzed. The NFHS was carried out using a uniform sample design all over the country. Age adjusted complex sample analyses, multivariate logistic regression, and probit analysis were carried out.

RESULTS

The prevalence of menopause (natural and surgical) remained similar from 1992-93 to 2005-06 among Indian women. A higher prevalence and earlier onset of menopause was associated with farming, no education, belonging to a scheduled caste or scheduled tribe, underweight, higher parity, and motherhood before 16 years of age. The age of the start of menopause did not increase much from the first to third round of NFHS.

CONCLUSIONS

Women of poor socio-economic status have an earlier age at menopause and may be unable to utilize their full reproductive potential.

Sonography as an objective tool for monitoring serial corrections and detecting spurious corrections in clubfoot: a review

Ultrasonography is an emerging tool for monitoring clubfoot correction and for early diagnosis of spurious correction and of deformity recurrence. Sonography is widely available, inexpensive and has dynamic capability and can visualize tarsals in infants accurately.

Intestinal parasitic infections among patients attending Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal

This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among patients attending Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu from July 2011 to February 2012. A total of 312 stool samples collected in a clean, dry screw capped plastic container were examined using the formal-ether concentration and sucrose-flotation techniques. Overall parasite positivity rate was 30.1% with significant difference between males (34.2%) and Female (26.3%) (p < 0.05). Out of total positive, 90.4% had single parasitism whereas 9.6% had multiple parasitism. Children aged < or = 5 years were found to be highly infected (35.8%), followed by 6-15 years (32.1%) and > 15 years old (26.9%). Rate of infection was significantly higher among patients from inside Kathmandu Valley (31.1%) than outside valley (17.4%) (p < 0.05). E. histolytica (38.5%) and Hookworm (10.6%) were the commonest protozoa and helminthes respectively. Other parasites detected were G. lamblia (26.0%), E. coli (1.0%), T. trichiura (7.7%), A. lumbricoides (6.7%), H. nana (5.8%) and Taenia species (3.8%). Out of total parasites detected, 65.4% were protozoa and 34.6% were helminthes. Positive rate was higher in Dalit (37.5%) and Aadibasi-Janjati (34.3%) than Brahman-Chhetri (22.6%) (p < 0.05).

Effect of knowledge of community health workers on essential newborn health care: a study from rural India

BACKGROUND

This study explored the relationship between the knowledge of community health workers (CHWs)-anganwadi workers (AWWs) and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs)-and their antenatal home visit coverage and effectiveness of the visits, in terms of essential newborn health care practices at the household level in rural India.

METHODS

We used data from 302 AWWs and 86 ANMs and data from recently delivered women (RDW) (n=13,023) who were residents of the CHW catchment areas and gave birth to a singleton live baby during 2004-05. Using principal component analysis, knowledge scores for preventive care and danger signs were computed separately for AWWs and ANMs and merged with RDW data. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted effect of knowledge level. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to account for clustering.

RESULTS

Coverage of antenatal home visits and newborn care practices were positively correlated with the knowledge level of AWWs and ANMs. Initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour of life (odds ratio 1.97; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55-2.49 for AWW, and odds ratio 1.62; 95% CI: 1.25-2.09 for ANM), clean cord care (odds ratio 2.03; 95% CI: 1.64-2.52 for AWW, and odds ratio 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17-1.75 for ANM) and thermal care (odds ratio 2.16; 95% CI: 1.64-2.85 for AWW and odds ratio 1.88; 95% CI: 1.43-2.48 for ANM) were significantly higher among women visited by AWWs or ANMs who had better knowledge compared with those with poor knowledge.

CONCLUSION

CHWs' knowledge is one of the crucial aspects of health systems to improve the coverage of community-based newborn health care programmes as well as adherence to essential newborn care practices at the household level.

Impact of an integrated nutrition and health programme on neonatal mortality in rural northern India

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of the newborn health component of a large-scale community-based integrated nutrition and health programme.

METHODS

Using a quasi-experimental design, we evaluated a programme facilitated by a nongovernmental organization that was implemented by the Indian government within existing infrastructure in two rural districts of Uttar Pradesh, northern India. Mothers who had given birth in the 2 years preceding the surveys were interviewed during the baseline (n = 14 952) and endline (n = 13 826) surveys. The primary outcome measure was reduction of neonatal mortality.

FINDINGS

In the intervention district, the frequency of home visits by community-based workers increased during both antenatal (from 16% to 56%) and postnatal (from 3% to 39%) periods, as did frequency of maternal and newborn care practices. In the comparison district, no improvement in home visits was observed and the only notable behaviour change was that women had saved money for emergency medical treatment. Neonatal mortality rates remained unchanged in both districts when only an antenatal visit was received. However, neonates who received a postnatal home visit within 28 days of birth had 34% lower neonatal mortality (35.7 deaths per 1000 live births, 95% confidence interval, CI: 29.2-42.1) than those who received no postnatal visit (53.8 deaths per 1000 live births, 95% CI: 48.9-58.8), after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Three-quarters of the mortality reduction was seen in those who were visited within the first 3 days after birth. The effect on mortality remained statistically significant when excluding babies who died on the day of birth.

CONCLUSION

The limited programme coverage did not enable an effect on neonatal mortality to be observed at the population level. A reduction in neonatal mortality rates in those receiving postnatal home visits shows potential for the programme to have an effect on neonatal deaths.

Lacrimal canalicular obstruction by cysticercus cellulosae

Ocular adnexal infestation in cysticercosis is unusual. A case of lacrimal canalicular obstruction by cysticercus cellulosae in a 35-year-old female is reported. The diagnosis was established by histopathological examination of the cyst, surgically removed from the above patient with a suspected benign neoplasm in the lacrimal passage. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of lacrimal canalicular obstruction by cysticercus cellulosae.

Intravenous infusion for the treatment of diabetic and ischaemic non-healing pedal ulcers

Diabetic and ischaemic non-healing pedal ulcers have a tendency for chronicity and increased chances of infection, which may threaten the viability of the foot. Systemic administration of therapeutic agents may be insufficient in these cases. We have assessed the role of retrograde venous perfusion (RVP) for the treatment of nine diabetic and 10 ischaemic non-healing pedal ulcers. Agents used were soda bicarbonate, heparin, lignocaine, gentamicin and pentoxiphylline. Five of nine diabetic non-healing ulcers showed complete healing and the remaining four improved. The complete recovery in the cases of diabetic ulcer occurred in 10-24 days (mean 16 days), while ischaemic ulcers took 10-14 days for complete recovery (mean 13.6 days). There was a reduction of rest pain in all 10 patients with ischaemic disease; five patients showed complete healing of ulcers, and the other five improved significantly. In two patients, pre-gangrene changes were reversed. RVP is a useful adjunct to conservative or surgical treatment of non-healing pedal ulcers. Its main impact was in improving ischaemia and promoting healing.

Role of curcumin in idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumours

The present report, describes for the first time the clinical efficacy of curcumin, the active constituent of rhizomes of Curcuma longa, in the treatment of patients suffering from idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumours. Curcumin was administered orally at a dose of 375 mg/3 times/day orally for a period of 6-22 months in eight patients. They were followed up for a period of 2 years at 3 monthly intervals. Five patients completed the study, out of which four recovered completely and in one patient the swelling regressed completely but some limitation of movement persisted. No side effect was noted in any patient and there was no recurrence. It is suggested that curcumin could be used as a safe and effective drug in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumours.

Lithospheric Mantle Deformation beneath the Indian Cratons

The nature of deformation of the deep continental roots beneath the Archean-Early Proterozoic terrains opens the question whether these ancient terrains have had stable roots since the Precambrian or whether recent plate motions have deformed them. In view of this, we make an attempt to study the thermal structure beneath the cratonic regions of the Indian shield, which vary in lithospheric thickness from 65 km in the Singhbhum craton to 148 km in the Archean Dharwars. The average depth of 104 km to the top of the underlying asthenosphere is consistent with other termination methods and is in fact less than half the 200-400-km depth found in other stable areas of the earth. Similarly, the average reduced heat flow of about 35 mW/m2 and Moho temperature of about 550 degrees C (range: 400 degrees -730 degrees C) for the Indian cratons are also much higher than their counterparts elsewhere. Our study indicates a large-scale deformation of the cratonic mantle lithosphere beneath the Indian shield since the Mesoproterozoic caused by various geodynamic causes, challenging the idea of stability of deep continental roots.