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Verduci E, D'Auria E, Bosetti A, DI Profio E, Vizzuso S, Milanta C, Pendezza E, Borsani B, Zuccotti GV. Immunomodulatory diet in pediatric age. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2021; 73:128-149. [PMID: 33880904 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.21.06214-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In the last few decades, the importance of a functioning immune system and health status has become more evident. Multiple factors are able to influence the development of chronic diseases and diet is one of the most important environmental factors. Evidence demonstrates that dietary patterns high in fat and low in fiber are associated with the development of non-communicable diseases. Moreover, optimal nutritional status can modulate immune maturation and response to inflammation. During inflammatory conditions, nutritional deficiencies may occur, establishing a vicious circle, consequently a balanced nutritional status is essential to prevent and counteract infections. Dietary diversity can prevent allergic diseases and nutrients such as DHA, arginine, vitamins and trace elements have an impact on physical barriers (such as gut mucosal barrier and skin), on the immune system response and on microbiome modulation. Protein deficiencies can compromise innate and adaptive immune functions; arginine availability can affect the immune response in injured states and other disease processes; EPA and DHA can modulate both innate and adaptive immunity; prebiotics have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system. Zinc, copper, selenium and iron are involved in the correct development and function of the immune system. Vitamins D, E, A, B and C have a role on immune system through different mechanisms of action. Since a complex interplay exists between diet, microbiome and epigenetic factors which determine nutrient-induced changes on the immune function, the effect of each single nutrient may be difficult to study. Well-designed intervention studies, investigating the effects of whole dietary pattern, should be performed to clarify impact of foods on the immune function and disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Verduci
- Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy - .,Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy -
| | - Enza D'Auria
- Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Sara Vizzuso
- Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Milanta
- Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Pendezza
- Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Borsani
- Department of Pediatrics, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Arıcan P, Bozkurt O, Cavusoglu D, Gencpınar P, Haspolat S, Duman O, Olgac Dundar N. Various Neurological Symptoms with Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Posttreatment Evaluation. J Pediatr Neurosci 2021; 15:365-369. [PMID: 33936299 PMCID: PMC8078635 DOI: 10.4103/jpn.jpn_130_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs primarily as a result of insufficient dietary intake in children in developing countries. Vitamin B12 deficiency produces a cluster of neurological symptoms in children. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the vitamin B12 status of patients who were admitted with neurological symptoms and to evaluate the clinical response to vitamin B12 treatment. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on children who had vitamin B12 deficiency presented with neurological findings from January 2014 to October 2016. Patients with serum vitamin B12 levels lower than 300 pg/mL received intramuscular or oral vitamin B12 treatment. Results: Three hundred and fifty-one patients presenting with neurologic symptoms and who had low serum vitamin B12 deficiency were analyzed. Our study population was composed mainly of adolescent age. The most common symptom with respect to age was headache. In infant patients, most common symptoms were seizure and developmental delay. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and vitamin B12 treatment are advocated to avoid long-term injury. Our study shows that patients with serum vitamin B12 levels lower than 300 pg/mL showed clinical improvement of neurological symptoms after receiving vitamin B12 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Arıcan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Oznur Bozkurt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Dilek Cavusoglu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Pinar Gencpınar
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Senay Haspolat
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Duman
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Nihal Olgac Dundar
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey
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Abstract
The biosynthesis of B12, involving up to 30 different enzyme-mediated steps, only occurs in bacteria. Thus, most eukaryotes require an external source of B12, and yet the vitamin appears to have only two functions in eukaryotes: as a cofactor for the enzymes methionine synthase and methylmalonylCoA mutase. These two functions are crucial for normal health in humans, and in particular, the formation of methionine is essential for providing methyl groups for over 100 methylation processes. Interference with the methionine synthase reaction not only depletes the body of methyl groups but also leads to the accumulation of homocysteine, a risk factor for many diseases. The syndrome pernicious anemia, characterized by lack of intrinsic factor, leads to a severe, sometimes fatal form of B12 deficiency. However, there is no sharp cutoff for B12 deficiency; rather, there is a continuous inverse relationship between serum B12 and a variety of undesirable outcomes, including neural tube defects, stroke, and dementia. The brain is particularly vulnerable; in children, inadequate B12 stunts brain and intellectual development. Suboptimal B12 status (serum B12<300pmol/L) is very common, occurring in 30%-60% of the population, in particular in pregnant women and in less-developed countries. Thus, many tens of millions of people in the world may suffer harm from having a poor B12 status. Public health steps are urgently needed to correct this inadequacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A David Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Martin J Warren
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Helga Refsum
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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