Influence of micronutrient status and socioeconomic gradient on growth indices of 2-18-year-old Indian girls

Association of Altered Ratio of Maternal Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 during Pregnancy with Newborn Birth Weight, Head Circumference, and Chest Circumference

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effect of an altered ratio of maternal RBC folate (MRF) to serum vitamin B12 (MB12) on pregnancy and newborn outcomes.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from pregnant women and the umbilical cord at the time of delivery. Estimations of RBC folate and serum vitamin B12 from maternal and cord blood samples and total homocysteine (HCY) were performed. Maternal and newborn anthropometric parameters like placental weight (PW), head circumference (HC), chest circumference (CC), and body weight (BW) were measured in offsprings after birth. We stratified the pregnant women into six groups (a) vitamin B12 normal and folic acid normal (BNFN)-control group, (b) vitamin B12 normal and folic acid elevated (BNFE), (c) vitamin B12 normal and folic acid deficient (BNFD), (d) vitamin B12 deficient and folic acid normal (BDFN), (e) vitamin B12 deficient and folic acid elevated (BDFE) and (f) vitamin B12 deficient and folic acid deficient (BDFD) based on their levels of RBC folate (MRF) and vitamin B12 (MB12). The expression of the one-carbon metabolism genes (methionine synthase (MS), glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) was also studied in placental tissue by using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Cord blood RBC folate was significantly reduced in groups BDFE and BDFD as compared to the control group (BNFN). The cord blood vitamin B12 levels were also reduced in the BDFE group as compared to the BDFD. All the newborn parameters viz. PW, HC, CC, and BW, were reduced in the altered MRF/MB12 ratio (low & high vs. normal ratio). Total HCY was significantly elevated in the groups with (BDFE & BDFN) an imbalance of maternal RBC folate and serum vitamin B12 as compared to the control group. Downregulation of one-carbon metabolism genes like MS (p < 0.001), GNMT (p < 0.05), and CBS (p < 0.01) in placental tissue was observed in the high MRF/MB12 ratio group as compared to the normal ratio group. A strong positive correlation was also observed between MRF, MB12, and newborn parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The altered ratio of folate to vitamin B12 in the maternal blood is associated with adverse growth and development of the newborn.

Global Trends in the Availability of Dietary Data in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Individual-level quantitative dietary data can provide suitably disaggregated information to identify the needs of all population sub-groups, which can in turn inform agricultural, nutrition, food safety, and environmental policies and programs. The purpose of this discussion paper is to provide an overview of dietary surveys conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 1980 to 2019, analyzing their key characteristics to understand the trends in dietary data collection across time. The present study analyzes the information gathered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT). FAO/WHO GIFT is a growing repository of individual-level dietary data and contains information about dietary surveys from around the world, collected through published survey results, literature reviews, and direct contact with data owners. The analysis indicates an important increase in the number of dietary surveys conducted in LMICs in the past four decades and a notable increase in the number of national dietary surveys. It is hoped that this trend continues, together with associated efforts to validate and standardize the dietary methods used. The regular implementation of dietary surveys in LMICs is key to support evidence-based policies for improved nutrition.

Nutritional Adequacy and Diet Quality Are Associated with Standardized Height-for-Age among U.S. Children

Nutritional status affects linear growth and development. However, studies on the associations between nutritional status, diet quality, and age-standardized height in children are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between macro- and micronutrient intake and food consumption and height-for-age Z score (HAZ) among US children in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This cross-sectional population-based study included 6116 US children aged 2–18 years. The usual dietary intake of nutrients and food groups was estimated by the multiple source method (MSM) using two-day food consumption data from NHANES 2007–2014. After adjusting for covariates, HAZ was positively associated with intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins A, D, E, B6, and B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, and iron. Children in the highest tertile of HAZ were less likely to consume lower than the EAR for vitamin E and calcium. Major foods consumed by children with lower HAZ were soft drinks, high-fat milk products, cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies, whereas children with higher HAZ tended to consume low-fat milk products, tea, and low-calorie fruit juice. These findings suggest that adequate nutritional intake, diet quality, and nutrient-dense food are important factors for height in children.

Impact of dietary nutrient intake and physical activity on body composition and growth in Indian children

BackgroundTo investigate interrelationships of dietary composition and physical activity (PA) with growth and body composition (BC) in urban Indian school children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 4,747 Indian school children (2,623 boys) aged 3-18 years. Weight, height, BC by body impedance analyzer, PA and dietary food intakes by questionnaire method were recorded.ResultsMean daily energy and protein intakes as recommended dietary allowance were significantly lower in both boys and girls (P<0.01) above 6 years, with 55% reduction in micronutrient intakes in older children. When compared with World Health Organization references, lower heights in pubertal boys and girls were related to dietary energy and protein intake. Multiple regression analysis showed positive association of height for age z-scores (HAZ) with midparental height z-scores (β=0.45, P=0.0001) and protein density (β=0.103, P=0.014). HAZ was negatively associated with inactivity (β=-0.0001, P=0.049) in boys and girls (R²=0.104, P<0.01). Further, body fat percentage was negatively correlated with moderate or light activity and antioxidant intakes (P<0.01) but not with dietary fat intake. Percentage muscle mass was positively correlated with moderate activity and negatively with inactivity (P<0.05).ConclusionAdequacy of protein and antioxidant intakes, reducing inactivity and increasing moderate activity are essential for optimal growth and body composition in Indian children.

Linoleic Acid:Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio Predicts the Efficacy of Zn-Biofortified Wheat in Chicken (Gallus gallus)

The amount of Zn absorbed from Zn-biofortified wheat material has been determined using an in vivo model of Zn absorption. The erythrocyte linoleic:dihomo -γ-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio was used as a biomarker of Zn status. Two groups of chickens (n = 15) were fed different diets: a high-Zn (46.5 μg Zn g^-1) and a low-Zn wheat-based diet (32.8 μg Zn g^-1). Dietary Zn intakes, body weight, serum Zn, and the erythrocyte fatty acid profile were measured, and tissues were taken for gene expression analysis. Serum Zn concentrations were greater in the high Zn group (p < 0.05). Duodenal mRNA expression of various Zn transporters demonstrated expression upregulation in the birds fed a low Zn diet (n = 15, p < 0.05). The LA:DGLA ratio was higher in the birds fed the low Zn diet (p < 0.05). The higher amount of Zn in the biofortified wheat resulted in a greater Zn uptake.

Dietary Zinc Intake and Plasma Zinc Concentrations in Children with Short Stature and Failure to Thrive

Background: The burden of zinc deficiency on children includes an increased incidence of diarrhea, failure to thrive (FTT) and short stature. The aim of this study was to assess whether children with FTT and/or short stature have lower dietary zinc intake and plasma zinc concentrations compared to controls. Methods: A case-control study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center included 161 subjects from 1 to 10 years of age. Results: Cases had a statistically significant lower energy intake (960.9 vs. 1,135.2 kcal for controls, p = 0.010), lower level of fat (30.3 vs. 36.5 g/day, p = 0.0043) and iron intake (7.4 vs. 9.1 mg/day, p = 0.034). There was no difference in zinc, copper, carbohydrate and protein intake between the 2 groups. The plasma zinc concentration did not differ between the cases and controls (97.4 vs. 98.2 μg/dl, p = 0.882). More cases had mild-to-moderate zinc deficiency when compared to controls with 10.3 vs. 3.6%, p = 0.095. Conclusion: Our study did not show statistically significant difference in dietary zinc intake and plasma zinc concentrations between children with FTT and/or short stature compared to healthy controls. A prospective study is planned to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on growth parameters in FTT children.

Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome: two siblings with a new mutation and dramatic therapeutic effect of high-dose riboflavin

Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome (BVVLS) is a rare and severe neurometabolic disease. We present two siblings with BVVLS with a novel homozygous mutation in SLC52A3 (formerly C20orf54) gene. The first sibling was admitted with respiratory insufficiency and required mechanical ventilation. After administration of a high dose of riboflavin, all his clinical symptoms were resolved, which also strongly suggested the diagnosis of BVVLS. The second sibling was also found to have the same genetic mutation as her brother. Although she was symptom-free, riboflavin was initiated empirically. On follow-up, she developed no neurologic or metabolic problems with entirely normal growth and development. BVVLS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained neurologic symptoms such as polyneuropathy and respiratory insufficiency, as BVVLS and multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenation defect have broadly overlapping symptoms. Furthermore, our cases once again suggest that with proper diagnosis and early high-dose riboflavin treatment, complete reversal of neurologic deficits in BVVLS is possible.

Dietary zinc deficiency affects blood linoleic acid: dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio; a sensitive physiological marker of zinc status in vivo (Gallus gallus)

Zinc is a vital micronutrient used for over 300 enzymatic reactions and multiple biochemical and structural processes in the body. To date, sensitive and specific biological markers of zinc status are still needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate Gallus gallus as an in vivo model in the context of assessing the sensitivity of a previously unexplored potential zinc biomarker, the erythrocyte linoleic acid: dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio. Diets identical in composition were formulated and two groups of birds (n = 12) were randomly separated upon hatching into two diets, Zn(+) (zinc adequate control, 42.3 μg/g zinc), and Zn(−) (zinc deficient, 2.5 μg/g zinc). Dietary zinc intake, body weight, serum zinc, and the erythrocyte fatty acid profile were measured weekly. At the conclusion of the study, tissues were collected for gene expression analysis. Body weight, feed consumption, zinc intake, and serum zinc were higher in the Zn(+) control versus Zn(−) group (p < 0.05). Hepatic TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 gene expression were higher in the Zn(+) control group (p < 0.05), and hepatic Δ⁶ desaturase was significantly higher in the Zn(+) group (p < 0.001). The LA:DGLA ratio was significantly elevated in the Zn(−) group compared to the Zn(+) group (22.6 ± 0.5 and 18.5 ± 0.5, % w/w, respectively, p < 0.001). This study suggests erythrocyte LA:DGLA is able to differentiate zinc status between zinc adequate and zinc deficient birds, and may be a sensitive biomarker to assess dietary zinc manipulation.