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Melaku EE, Urgie BM, Tilahun AT, Assefa HK, Abebe AA, Tefera AS. Prevalence of vitamin B 12 deficiency and associated factors among primary school children: North East Ethiopia: multicenter cross-sectional study. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2024; 43:82. [PMID: 38867328 PMCID: PMC11170803 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency is common and is more frequent in low- and middle-income countries with a poor or inadequate diet of animal foods. In Ethiopia, researches related to the status of micronutrients in children are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and associated factors among primary school children. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 10-February 30/2023. A total of 514 students were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, document review, anthropometric measurement, and laboratory studies were implemented to collect data. Data was analyzed by STATA version 14 and summarized by using frequency tables and graphs. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with vitamin B12 Deficiency. RESULTS About 34% of the students were found to have vitamin B12 deficiency. Not Consuming animal products (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI:1.20-2.79) and low body mass index (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI:1.05-2.47) were associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed a notable high deficiency of vitamin B12 in primary school students. Consumption of animal products and BMI were identified as statically significant associated factors with serum concentration of vitamin B12.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Aklile Semu Tefera
- Department of Epidemiology, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
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2
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Ye Q, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Higgins KA, Mitmesser SH. Lower Intakes of Key Nutrients Are Associated with More School and Workplace Absenteeism in US Children and Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of NHANES 2003-2008. Nutrients 2023; 15:4356. [PMID: 37892431 PMCID: PMC10609412 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The influence of individual macro- and micronutrients on absenteeism in the United States is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether nutritional status or nutrient intake were associated with absenteeism from school and work due to illness or injury. Data from NHANES 2003-2008 were used to assess nutrient intake from food and food plus supplements, nutritional biomarker levels, and school and work absenteeism per year in children and adults. Negative binomial regression models were used to predict mean days of missed work per year and to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of absenteeism by nutrient biomarker status. Of 7429 children, 77% reported missing school days (mean 4.0 days). Of 8252 adults, 51% reported missing work days (mean 4.9 days). Children and adults who reported more absent days had a significantly lower intake of protein and several essential micronutrients from the diet. When nutrients from supplements were included, this negative association was retained for protein, selenium, choline, and DHA in children and for protein, selenium, vitamin K, choline, potassium, fiber, octadecatrienoic acid, and lycopene in adults. Future studies are needed to ascertain whether dietary interventions, such as access to healthier food options and/or dietary supplements, can reduce absenteeism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ye
- Science & Technology, Pharmavite LLC, West Hills, CA 91304, USA; (P.P.D.); (R.W.G.)
| | - Prasad P. Devarshi
- Science & Technology, Pharmavite LLC, West Hills, CA 91304, USA; (P.P.D.); (R.W.G.)
| | - Ryan W. Grant
- Science & Technology, Pharmavite LLC, West Hills, CA 91304, USA; (P.P.D.); (R.W.G.)
| | - Kelly A. Higgins
- Food Components and Health Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Susan H. Mitmesser
- Science & Technology, Pharmavite LLC, West Hills, CA 91304, USA; (P.P.D.); (R.W.G.)
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3
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Tcherni-Buzzeo M. Dietary interventions, the gut microbiome, and aggressive behavior: Review of research evidence and potential next steps. Aggress Behav 2023; 49:15-32. [PMID: 35997420 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Research in biosocial criminology and other related disciplines has established links between nutrition and aggressive behavior. In addition to observational studies, randomized trials of nutritional supplements like vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and folic acid provide evidence of the dietary impact on aggression. However, the exact mechanism of the diet-aggression link is not well understood. The current article proposes that the gut microbiome plays an important role in the process, with the microbiota-gut-brain axis serving as such a mediating mechanism between diet and behavior. Based on animal and human studies, this review synthesizes a wide array of research across several academic fields: from the effects of dietary interventions on aggression, to the results of microbiota transplantation on socioemotional and behavioral outcomes, to the connections between early adversity, stress, microbiome, and aggression. Possibilities for integrating the microbiotic perspective with the more traditional, sociologically oriented theories in criminology are discussed, using social disorganization and self-control theories as examples. To extend the existing lines of research further, the article considers harnessing the experimental potential of noninvasive and low-cost dietary interventions to help establish the causal impact of the gut microbiome on aggressive behavior, while adhering to the high ethical standards and modern research requirements. Implications of this research for criminal justice policy and practice are essential: not only can it help determine whether the improved gut microbiome functioning moderates aggressive and violent behavior but also provide ways to prevent and reduce such behavior, alone or in combination with other crime prevention programs.
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de Seymour J, Stollenwerk Cavallaro A, Wharemate-Keung L, Ching S, Jackson J. Nutrient-Level Evaluation of Meals Provided on the Government-Funded School Lunch Program in New Zealand. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14235087. [PMID: 36501117 PMCID: PMC9741039 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 1 in 6 children in New Zealand are living in households facing poverty and 14% of the population is food insecure. The Ka Ora, Ka Ako|Healthy School Lunches program aims to reduce food insecurity by providing access to a nutritious lunch every school day. This study analyzed the nutritional content of Ka Ora, Ka Ako meals and compared them to national and international standards. Meals were selected at random from approved menus. The suppliers covered by the 302 meals analyzed provide 161,699 students with a lunch (74.9% of students on the program). The meals were analyzed using Foodworks 10 nutrient analysis software. The nutrient content was compared against the New Zealand/Australia Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and to nutrient-level standards for international school lunch programs. A total of 77.5% of nutrients analyzed exceeded 30% of the recommended daily intakes. Protein, vitamin A and folate met the NRV targets and a majority of the international standards (55/57). Energy, calcium, and iron were low compared to NRVs and international standards (meeting 2/76 standards). Carbohydrates were low compared to international standards. The findings have been used to inform the development of revised nutrition standards for the program, which will be released in 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie de Seymour
- Special Projects Team, Ministry of Education, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- College of Health, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.d.S.); (J.J.)
| | | | | | - Sheryl Ching
- Special Projects Team, Ministry of Education, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
| | - Jasmin Jackson
- Special Projects Team, Ministry of Education, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.d.S.); (J.J.)
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5
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Güitrón Leal CE, Palma Molina XE, Williams JL, Venkatramanan S, Finkelstein JL, Kuriyan R, Crider KS. Vitamin B 12
supplementation for growth, development, and cognition in children. Hippokratia 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennifer L Williams
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta GA USA
| | | | | | - Rebecca Kuriyan
- Division of Nutrition; St John's Research Institute; Bengaluru India
| | - Krista S Crider
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta GA USA
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Darnton-Hill I. Public Health Aspects in the Prevention and Control of Vitamin Deficiencies. Curr Dev Nutr 2019; 3:nzz075. [PMID: 31598578 PMCID: PMC6775441 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzz075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin deficiencies remain major etiological factors in the global burden of disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this state-of-the-art review was to update current information on deficiencies of vitamins and public health approaches to addressing them. Some stages of life present a higher risk of deficiency than others: risks are higher in pregnant women, children (from conception to young childhood), adolescents, the elderly, and all of the over 800 million people globally who are undernourished. At risk are approximately 125 million preschool children with vitamin A deficiency, as well as sub-populations at risk of deficiencies of folate, thiamin, vitamin B12, niacin, riboflavin, other B vitamins. and vitamin D. Addressing micronutrient deficiencies requires identifying those at risk and then working to prevent and manage that risk. Public health approaches include improved, diversified diets; supplementation; fortification and biofortification; and other supportive public health measures. Historically, as with pellagra and beriberi and, in the last 3 decades, with vitamin A and folic acid, there has been encouraging progress, but much remains to be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Darnton-Hill
- The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 021111, USA
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7
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Wolde T, Belachew T. Chronic undernutrition (stunting) is detrimental to academic performance among primary schools of adolescent children: a randomized cross sectional survey in Southern Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:142. [PMID: 30876451 PMCID: PMC6419846 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4160-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite several decades of work in improving childhood nutrition in Ethiopia, stunting remains a major public health concern with lack of evidence on its effect on school performance. Therefore, this study aimed at determining prevalence of stunting and the impact on academic performance among schoolchildren attending primary schools in Meskan District of Southern Ethiopia. RESULTS During October 2016, we interviewed primary school children and their parents, collected anthropometric measurements of children, and conducted school record reviews among 408 randomly selected children attending ten primary schools. Univariate and multivariable linear regression were performed to assess stunting associated with academic performance among schoolchildren. A total of 378 primary schoolchildren were involved in the study giving a response rate of 93%. The prevalence of stunting was 16.9%. Grade repetition, place of residence, class rank of students and absenteeism from the class was negatively associated with the academic performance. In general, the present study children had relatively high prevalence of chronic undernutrition. We found that school underperformance was significantly high in the study area. The study underlines the need for nutrition interventions targeting rural areas to improve children's academic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsedeke Wolde
- Population & Family Health Department, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Population & Family Health Department, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
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8
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Shores DR, Everett AD. Children as Biomarker Orphans: Progress in the Field of Pediatric Biomarkers. J Pediatr 2018; 193:14-20.e31. [PMID: 29031860 PMCID: PMC5794519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.08.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darla R Shores
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
| | - Allen D Everett
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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9
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Weinhouse C, Ortiz EJ, Berky AJ, Bullins P, Hare-Grogg J, Rogers L, Morales AM, Hsu-Kim H, Pan WK. Hair Mercury Level is Associated with Anemia and Micronutrient Status in Children Living Near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:1886-1897. [PMID: 29016304 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anemia has been widely studied in global health contexts because of severe nutritional deficiency, and more recently, inflammatory status, but chemical exposures are rarely considered. Until recently, "anemia" was used synonymously with "iron deficiency anemia (IDA)" in global health settings. However, only 50% of anemia cases worldwide are IDA. Environmental toxicology studies of anemia risk have generally focused on populations in developed countries, albeit with high exposure to environmental toxicants, such as lead or cadmium. In the developing world, toxicant exposures commonly coexist with other risk factors for anemia. In particular, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities are at risk for dietary methylmercury exposure through contaminated fish consumption, and for anemia due to food insecurity and infectious and chronic diseases. Here, we report analysis of total hair mercury content, hemoglobin, and serum micronutrient levels in children < 12 years of age (N = 83) near ASGM in the Peruvian Amazon. Forty-nine percent (N = 29/59) of those aged < 5 years were anemic (< 11 g/dL) and 52% (N = 12/23) of those aged 5-11 years (< 11.5 g/dL). Few children were stunted, wasted, or micronutrient deficient. Median total hair mercury was 1.18 μg/g (range: 0.06-9.70 μg/g). We found an inverse association between total mercury and hemoglobin (β = -0.12 g/dL, P = 0.06) that persisted (β = -0.14 g/dL, P = 0.04) after adjusting for age, sex, anthropometrics, and vitamin B12 in multivariate regression. This study provides preliminary evidence that methylmercury exposure is associated with anemia, which is especially relevant to children living near ASGM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caren Weinhouse
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ernesto J Ortiz
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Axel J Berky
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Paige Bullins
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - John Hare-Grogg
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Laura Rogers
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ana-Maria Morales
- Centro de Estudios, Investigación y Servicios en Salud Publica, Lima, Peru
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.,Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - William K Pan
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.,Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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10
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The association between food insecurity and academic achievement in Canadian school-aged children. Public Health Nutr 2017; 20:2778-2785. [PMID: 28724457 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980017001562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Education is a crucial social determinant of health. Food insecurity can be detrimental to children's academic achievement, potentially perpetuating a cycle of poverty and food insecurity. We aimed to assess the relationship between food insecurity and academic achievement in Canadian school-aged children. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of children and parents. Parents completed the short-form Household Food Security Survey Module and questions about income and education level (socio-economic status). Children completed FFQ. Data were prospectively linked to children's performance on standardized exams written one year later. Mixed-effect logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between food insecurity and likelihood of meeting academic expectations adjusting for socio-economic status, diet quality and potential confounders. SETTING Nova Scotia, Canada in 2011-2012. SUBJECTS Students (n 4105) in grade 5 (10-11 years; 2167 girls) and their parents. RESULTS Low food security was reported by 9·8 % of households; very low food security by 7·1 % of households. Students from low-income households and reporting poor diet quality were less likely to do well in school. Children who lived in households reporting very low food security had 0·65 times the odds (OR=0·65; 95 % CI 0·44, 0·96) of meeting expectations for reading and 0·62 times the odds (OR=0·62; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·86) of meeting expectations for mathematics. CONCLUSIONS Very low household insecurity is associated with poor academic achievement among children in Nova Scotia.
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Cediel-Giraldo G, Castaño-Moreno E, Gaitán-Charry D. [Double burden malnutrition during growth: is becoming a reality in Colombia?]. Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2017; 18:656-669. [PMID: 28453069 DOI: 10.15446/rsap.v18n4.47769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Several reports have described in the last decade the coexistence of accelerated increase of obesity with micronutrient deficiencies in developed countries, and is becoming evident in developing nations. This condition may be especially deleterious in children and adolescents with consequences in metabolic risk and growth since early in life. This review describes the evidence of double burden malnutrition during growth period focused on six nutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, sodium, folic acid and vitamin B12) and its biological mechanisms associated with non-communicable disease through span life. In Colombia, according to the last national health and nutrition surveys (2005 vs. 2010), there is an increase in the prevalence of obesity in all age groups; that is accompanied with alarming figures of zinc and vitamin A deficiency and anemia in children under 5 years. This reality of double burden malnutrition should be considered urgently on the public health agenda, implementing robust strategies adapted to the reality of the country based on scientific evidence to prevent mobility and mortality associated with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cediel-Giraldo
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Erika Castaño-Moreno
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
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Castaño E, Caviedes L, Hirsch S, Llanos M, Iñiguez G, Ronco AM. Folate Transporters in Placentas from Preterm Newborns and Their Relation to Cord Blood Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170389. [PMID: 28103309 PMCID: PMC5245900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Folate deficiency during pregnancy has been related to low birth weight, preterm (PT) birth and other health risks in the offspring; however, it is unknown whether prematurity is related to low folate transport through the placenta due to altered expression of specific folate transporters. We determined placental expression (mRNA and protein concentrations by RT-qPCR and WB respectively) of specific folate transporters: RFC, PCFT/HCP1 and FOLR1 in chorionic (fetal) and basal (maternal) plates of placentas of PT pregnancies (PT, 32–36 weeks, n = 51). Term placentas were used as controls (T, 37–41 weeks, n = 47). Folates and vitamin B12 levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence in umbilical cord blood of newborns. FOLR1 mRNA expression was lower and protein concentration higher in PT placentas (both plates) relative to the control group (p <0.05). In addition, gestational age was positively correlated with mRNA expression (Rho = 0.7), and negatively with protein concentration (Rho = -0.7 for chorionic and -0.43 for basal plate). PCFT/HCP1 mRNA was lower in PT placentas, without changes in protein levels. RFC did not differ in PT placentas compared to controls. PT newborns presented higher cord blood folate level (p = 0.049) along with lower vitamin B12 concentration compared to controls (p = 0.037).In conclusion, placental FOLR1 mRNA was positively associated with gestational age. Conversely, FOLR1 protein concentrations along with folate/vitamin B12 ratio in cord blood were negatively associated with gestational age. Placental FOLR1 is likely the main placental folate transporter to the fetus in newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Castaño
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Regulation, Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Caviedes
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Regulation, Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sandra Hirsch
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Regulation, Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel Llanos
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Regulation, Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Germán Iñiguez
- Mother and Child Research Institute, Division of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana María Ronco
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Regulation, Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Dr. Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
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13
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Venkatramanan S, Armata IE, Strupp BJ, Finkelstein JL. Vitamin B-12 and Cognition in Children. Adv Nutr 2016; 7:879-88. [PMID: 27633104 PMCID: PMC5015033 DOI: 10.3945/an.115.012021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin B-12 is essential for brain development, neural myelination, and cognitive function. Inadequate vitamin B-12 status during pregnancy and early childhood has been associated with adverse child health outcomes, including impaired cognitive development. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. This review was conducted to examine the evidence that links vitamin B-12 and cognition in children. The search strategy resulted in 17 studies: 3 cross-sectional, 1 case-control, and 12 cohort studies, and 1 randomized trial. Cognitive processes assessed included attention, memory, and perception. Developmental outcomes, academic performance, and intelligence quotient were also considered. Despite the high prevalence of vitamin B-12 insufficiency and associated risk of adverse cognitive outcomes in children, to our knowledge, no studies to date have been conducted to examine the effects of vitamin B-12 supplementation on cognition in children. The role of vitamin B-12 in the etiology of child cognitive outcomes needs to be elucidated to inform public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barbara J Strupp
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and,Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and
| | - Julia L Finkelstein
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
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14
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Williams AM, Chantry CJ, Young SL, Achando BS, Allen LH, Arnold BF, Colford JM, Dentz HN, Hampel D, Kiprotich MC, Lin A, Null CA, Nyambane GM, Shahab-Ferdows S, Stewart CP. Vitamin B-12 Concentrations in Breast Milk Are Low and Are Not Associated with Reported Household Hunger, Recent Animal-Source Food, or Vitamin B-12 Intake in Women in Rural Kenya. J Nutr 2016; 146:1125-31. [PMID: 27075905 PMCID: PMC4841927 DOI: 10.3945/jn.115.228189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 01/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast milk vitamin B-12 concentration may be inadequate in regions in which animal-source food consumption is low or infrequent. Vitamin B-12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and impairs growth and development in children. OBJECTIVE We measured vitamin B-12 in breast milk and examined its associations with household hunger, recent animal-source food consumption, and vitamin B-12 intake. METHODS In a cross-sectional substudy nested within a cluster-randomized trial assessing water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition interventions in Kenya, we sampled 286 women 1-6 mo postpartum. Mothers hand-expressed breast milk 1 min into a feeding after 90 min observed nonbreastfeeding. The Household Hunger Scale was used to measure hunger, food intake in the previous week was measured with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and vitamin B-12 intake was estimated by using 24-h dietary recall. An animal-source food score was based on 10 items from the FFQ (range: 0-70). Breast milk vitamin B-12 concentration was measured with the use of a solid-phase competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and was modeled with linear regression. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for correlated observations at the cluster level. RESULTS Median (IQR) vitamin B-12 intake was 1.5 μg/d (0.3, 9.7 μg/d), and 60% of women consumed <2.4 μg/d, the estimated average requirement during lactation. Median (IQR) breast milk vitamin B-12 concentration was 113 pmol/L (61, 199 pmol/L); 89% had concentrations <310 pmol/L, the estimated adequate concentration. Moderate or severe hunger prevalence was 27%; the animal-source food score ranged from 0 to 30 item-d/wk. Hunger and recent animal-source food and vitamin B-12 intake were not associated with breast milk vitamin B-12 concentrations. Maternal age was negatively associated with breast milk vitamin B-12 concentrations. CONCLUSION Most lactating Kenyan women consumed less than the estimated average requirement of vitamin B-12 and had low breast milk vitamin B-12 concentrations. We recommend interventions that improve vitamin B-12 intake in lactating Kenyan women to foster maternal health and child development. The main trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01704105.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Williams
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Caroline J Chantry
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Sera L Young
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Program in International Nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Beryl S Achando
- Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya, and New Haven, CT
| | - Lindsay H Allen
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA; USDA Agricultural Research Service Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA
| | - Benjamin F Arnold
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; and
| | - John M Colford
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; and
| | - Holly N Dentz
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA; Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya, and New Haven, CT
| | - Daniela Hampel
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA; USDA Agricultural Research Service Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA
| | | | - Audrie Lin
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; and
| | - Clair A Null
- Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya, and New Haven, CT; Mathematica Policy Research, Washington, DC
| | | | - Setti Shahab-Ferdows
- USDA Agricultural Research Service Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA
| | - Christine P Stewart
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA;
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