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Sugianto R, Toh JY, Wong SF, Tint MT, Colega MT, Lee YS, Yap F, Shek LPC, Tan KH, Godfrey KM, Chong YS, Tai BC, Chong MFF. Dietary patterns of 5-year-old children and their correlates: findings from a multi-ethnic Asian cohort. Br J Nutr 2022; 127:763-772. [PMID: 33910654 PMCID: PMC7612427 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114521001434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is limited data on the dietary patterns of 5-year-old children in Asia. The study examined childhood dietary patterns and their maternal and child correlates in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort. Based on caregiver-reported 1-month quantitative FFQ of 777 children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort, cluster analysis identified two mutually exclusive clusters. Children in the 'Unhealthy' cluster (43·9 %) consumed more fries, processed meat, biscuits and ice cream, and less fish, fruits and vegetables compared with those in the 'Healthy' cluster (56·1 %). Children with mothers of lower educational attainment had twice the odds of being assigned to the 'Unhealthy' cluster (adjusted OR (95 % CI) = 2·19 (95 % CI 1·49-3·24)). Children of Malay and Indian ethnicities had higher odds of being assigned to the 'Unhealthy' cluster (adjusted OR = 25·46 (95 % CI 15·40, 42·10) and 4·03 (95 % CI 2·68-6·06), respectively), relative to Chinese ethnicity. In conclusion, this study identified two dietary patterns in children, labelled as the 'Unhealthy' and 'Healthy' clusters. Mothers' educational attainment and ethnicity were two correlates that were associated with the children's assignments to the clusters. These findings can assist in informing health promotion programmes targeted at Asian children.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sugianto
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - JY Toh
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - SF Wong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - MT Tint
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - MT Colega
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - YS Lee
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - F Yap
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - LPC Shek
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - KH Tan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - KM Godfrey
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - YS Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - BC Tai
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - MFF Chong
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
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Cai S, Natarajan P, Chan JKY, Wong PC, Tan KH, Godfrey KM, Gluckman PD, Shek LPC, Yap F, Kramer MS, Chan SY, Chong YS. Maternal hyperglycemia in singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF may be modified by first-trimester BMI. Hum Reprod 2018; 32:1941-1947. [PMID: 28854717 PMCID: PMC5638004 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does IVF independently increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and is this increase in risk modified by maternal body mass index? SUMMARY ANSWER IVF appears to be an independent risk factor for GDM and elevated blood glucose levels in overweight women (BMI > 25 kg/m2). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY IVF has been associated with increased risk of GDM, but most previous studies did not adequately assess confounding or effect modification by other risk factors. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Cross-sectional study using data from 1089 women with singleton pregnancies who participated in a Singaporean birth cohort study (GUSTO) and received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 26-28 weeks gestation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 1089 women (n = 1013 conceived spontaneously, n = 76 conceived through IVF) with singleton pregnancies received a 75 g OGTT at 26-28 weeks gestation. Fasting and 2 h postprandial blood glucose levels were assayed. World Health Organization criteria (1999) standard criteria were used to classify GDM: ≥7.0 mmol/L for fasting and/or ≥7.8 mmol/L for 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, which was the clinical guideline in use during the study. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE IVF pregnancies had nearly double the odds of GDM (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.03-3.26) and elevated fasting (mean difference = 0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.00-0.24) and OGTT 2-h blood glucose levels (mean difference = 0.64 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.27-1.01), after adjusting for commonly recognized risk factors for GDM. After stratification by first-trimester BMI, these increased risks of GDM (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.44-8.72) and elevated fasting (mean difference = 0.39 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.13-0.65) and 2-h blood (mean difference = 1.24 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.56-1.91) glucose levels were significant only in the IVF group who is also overweight or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2). LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION One limitation of our study is the absence of a 1 h post-OGTT plasma glucose sample, as we were using the 1999 WHO diagnostic criteria (the clinical guideline in Singapore) at the time of our study, instead of the revised 2013 WHO diagnostic criteria. Our cohort may not be representative of the general Singapore obstetric population, although participants were recruited from the two largest maternity hospitals in the country and include both private and subsidized patients. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS IVF appears to be an independent risk factor for GDM and elevated blood glucose levels in overweight women. Our findings reinforce the need to advise overweight or obese women contemplating IVF to lose weight before the procedure to reduce their risk of GDM and hyperglycemia-related adverse outcomes arising therefrom. In settings where universal GDM screening is not routine, overweight or obese women who conceive by IVF should be screened. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation under its Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Program and administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council (NMRC), Singapore (NMRC/TCR/004-NUS/2008; NMRC/TCR/012-NUHS/2014). Additional funding was provided by the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). K.M.G. and Y.S.C. have received lecture fees from Nestle Nutrition Institute and Danone, respectively. K.M.G., Y.S.C. and S.Y.C. are part of an academic consortium that has received research funding from Abbott Nutrition, Nestec and Danone. The other authors have nothing to disclose. The other authors have nothing to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cai
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - P Natarajan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - J K Y Chan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - P C Wong
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - K H Tan
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - K M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.,NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - P D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 117609, Singapore.,Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - L P C Shek
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 117609, Singapore.,Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore.,Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - F Yap
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
| | - M S Kramer
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada QC H3A 1A2.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada QC H3G 2M1
| | - S Y Chan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 117609, Singapore
| | - Y S Chong
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 117609, Singapore
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Chen LW, Tint MT, Fortier MV, Aris IM, Shek LPC, Tan KH, Chan SY, Gluckman PD, Chong YS, Godfrey KM, Rajadurai VS, Yap F, Kramer MS, Lee YS. Which anthropometric measures best reflect neonatal adiposity? Int J Obes (Lond) 2017; 42:501-506. [PMID: 28990589 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studying the determinants and the long-term consequences of fetal adipose accretion requires accurate assessment of neonatal body composition. In large epidemiological studies, in-depth body composition measurement methods are usually not feasible for cost and logistical reasons, and there is a need to identify anthropometric measures that adequately reflect neonatal adiposity. METHODS In a multiethnic Asian mother-offspring cohort in Singapore, anthropometric measures (weight, length, abdominal circumference, skinfold thicknesses) were measured using standardized protocols in newborn infants, and anthropometric indices (weight/length, weight/length2 (body mass index, BMI), weight/length3 (ponderal index, PI)) derived. Neonatal total adiposity was measured using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and abdominal adiposity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Correlations of the anthropometric measures with ADP- and MRI-based adiposity were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients (rp), including in subsamples stratified by sex and ethnicity. RESULTS Study neonates (n=251) had a mean (s.d.) age of 10.2 (2.5) days. Correlations between ADP-based fat mass (ADPFM) and anthropometric measures were moderate (rp range: 0.44-0.67), with the strongest being with weight/length, weight, BMI and sum of skinfolds (rp=0.67, 0.66, 0.62, 0.62, respectively, all P<0.01). All anthropometric measures except skinfold thicknesses correlated more strongly with ADP-based fat-free mass than ADPFM, indicating that skinfold measures may have more discriminative power in terms of neonatal total body adiposity. For MRI-based measures, weight and weight/length consistently showed strong positive correlations (rp⩾0.7) with abdominal adipose tissue compartments. These correlations were consistent in boys and girls, across different ethnic groups, and when conventional determinants of neonatal adiposity were adjusted for potential confounding. Abdominal circumference was not strongly associated with ADPFM or abdominal fat mass. CONCLUSIONS Simple anthropometric measures (weight and weight/length) correlated strongly with neonatal adiposity, with some evidence for greater discriminative power for skinfold measures. These simple measures could be of value in large epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-W Chen
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M-T Tint
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M V Fortier
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - I M Aris
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - L P-C Shek
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - K H Tan
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - S-Y Chan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - P D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Y-S Chong
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - K M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit & NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - V S Rajadurai
- Department of Neonatology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - F Yap
- Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M S Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Departments of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Y S Lee
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Khoo Teck Puat- National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
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Aris IM, Bernard JY, Chen LW, Tint MT, Pang WW, Soh SE, Saw SM, Shek LPC, Godfrey KM, Gluckman PD, Chong YS, Yap F, Kramer MS, Lee YS. Modifiable risk factors in the first 1000 days for subsequent risk of childhood overweight in an Asian cohort: significance of parental overweight status. Int J Obes (Lond) 2017; 42:44-51. [PMID: 28751763 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Many studies have identified early-life risk factors for subsequent childhood overweight/obesity, but few have evaluated how they combine to influence risk of childhood overweight/obesity. We examined associations, individually and in combination, of potentially modifiable risk factors in the first 1000 days after conception with childhood adiposity and risk of overweight/obesity in an Asian cohort. METHODS Six risk factors were examined: maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (body mass index (BMI) ⩾25 kg m-2), paternal overweight/obesity at 24 months post delivery, maternal excessive gestational weight gain, raised maternal fasting glucose during pregnancy (⩾5.1 mmol l-1), breastfeeding duration <4 months and early introduction of solid foods (<4 months). Associations between number of risk factors and adiposity measures (BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), sum of skinfolds (SSFs), fat mass index (FMI) and overweight/obesity) at 48 months were assessed using multivariable regression models. RESULTS Of 858 children followed up at 48 months, 172 (19%) had none, 274 (32%) had 1, 244 (29%) had 2, 126 (15%) had 3 and 42 (5%) had ⩾4 risk factors. Adjusting for confounders, significant graded positive associations were observed between number of risk factors and adiposity outcomes at 48 months. Compared with children with no risk factors, those with four or more risk factors had s.d. unit increases of 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.41-1.15) for BMI, 0.79 (0.41-1.16) for WHtR, 0.46 (0.06-0.83) for SSF and 0.67 (0.07-1.27) for FMI. The adjusted relative risk of overweight/obesity in children with four or more risk factors was 11.1(2.5-49.1) compared with children with no risk factors. Children exposed to maternal pre-pregnancy (11.8(9.8-13.8)%) or paternal overweight status (10.6(9.6-11.6)%) had the largest individual predicted probability of child overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS Early-life risk factors added cumulatively to increase childhood adiposity and risk of overweight/obesity. Early-life and preconception intervention programmes may be more effective in preventing overweight/obesity if they concurrently address these multiple modifiable risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M Aris
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - J Y Bernard
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - L-W Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M T Tint
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W W Pang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - S E Soh
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - S-M Saw
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - L P-C Shek
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - K M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - P D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Y-S Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - F Yap
- Department of Pediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M S Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Faculty of Medicine, Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Y S Lee
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
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Santosa A, Teo BW, Shek LPC. Fixed drug eruption caused by piperacillin-tazobactam. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2013; 23:132-133. [PMID: 23654084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Santosa
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
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Quah PL, Kuo IC, Huang CH, Shek LPC, Lee BW, Chua KY. Early onset wheeze associated with enhanced combined IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23p40 in LPS-stimulated cord blood mononuclear cells. Clin Exp Allergy 2011; 41:970-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03760.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Gerez IF, Shek LPC, Chng HH, Lee BW. Diagnostic tests for food allergy. Singapore Med J 2010; 51:4-9. [PMID: 20200768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The diagnosis of food allergy is still based primarily on a detailed medical history and comprehensive physical examination. Clinical or laboratory tests only serve as an add-on tool to confirm the diagnosis. The standard techniques include skin prick testing and in-vitro testing for specific IgE-antibodies, and oral food challenges. Properly done, oral food challenges continue to be the gold standard in the diagnostic workup. Recently, unconventional diagnostic methods are increasingly used. These include food specific IgG, antigen leucocyte antibody and sublingual/intradermal provocation tests, as well as cytotoxic food and applied kinesiology and electrodermal testings. These lack scientific rationale, standardisation and reproducibility. There have been no well-designed studies to support these tests, and in fact, several authors have disproved their utility. These tests, therefore, should not be advocated in the evaluation of patients with suspected food allergy because the results do not correlate with clinical allergy and may lead to misleading advice and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- I F Gerez
- Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074
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Soh SE, Aw M, Gerez I, Chong YS, Rauff M, Ng YPM, Wong HB, Pai N, Lee BW, Shek LPC. Probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life in at risk Asian infants--effects on eczema and atopic sensitization at the age of 1 year. Clin Exp Allergy 2008; 39:571-8. [PMID: 19134020 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03133.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of probiotics in allergy prevention remains uncertain but has been shown in some studies to have a possible protective effect on eczema. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life on eczema and allergic sensitization at 1 year of age in Asian infants at risk of allergic disease. METHODS A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial involving 253 infants with a family history of allergic disease was carried out. Infants received at least 60 mL of commercially available cow's milk formula with or without probiotic supplementation [Bifidobacterium longum (BL999) 1 x 10(7) colony forming unit (CFU)/g and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LPR) 2 x 10(7) CFU/g] daily for the first 6 months. Clinical evaluation was performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of age, with serum total IgE measurement and skin prick tests conducted at the 12-month visit. The primary and secondary end-points were eczema and allergen sensitization, respectively. RESULTS The incidence of eczema in the probiotic (22%) group was similar to that in the placebo group (25%) (P=0.53). The median Scoring Atopic Dermatitis score at 12 months was 17.10 (9.74) in the probiotic group and 11.60 (8.40) in the placebo group (P=0.17). The prevalence of allergen sensitization showed no difference (probiotic=24% vs. placebo=19%, P=0.26). The total IgE geometric mean (95% confidence interval) was 18.76 (12.54-24.98) kU/L in the probiotic group and 23.13 (16.01-30.24) kU/L in the placebo group (P=0.15). Atopic eczema (with sensitization) in the probiotic (7.3%) group was comparable to the placebo group (5.8%) (P=0.86). CONCLUSION Early life administration of a cow's milk formula supplemented with probiotics showed no effect on prevention of eczema or allergen sensitization in the first year of life in Asian infants at risk of allergic disease. Further work is needed to determine whether timing of supplementation, dose and probiotic strain are important considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Soh
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Hospital, Singapore
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Shek LPC, Bardina L, Castro R, Sampson HA, Beyer K. Humoral and cellular responses to cow milk proteins in patients with milk-induced IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated disorders. Allergy 2005; 60:912-9. [PMID: 15932382 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cow milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies in childhood. Patients with CMA present with a wide range of immunoglobulin (Ig)E- and non-IgE-mediated clinical syndromes. Limited information is known about the specific humoral and cellular responses to cow milk proteins in these various forms of CMA. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine IgE, IgA, IgG1 and IgG4 antibody levels and lymphocyte proliferative responses to the major cow milk allergens in patients with IgE- and non-IgE-mediated CMA. METHODS One hundred and forty cow milk allergic patients, 6 months to 22 years of age, were included in the study. One hundred and thirteen patients had IgE-mediated CMA, 11 had milk protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and 16 had allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Twenty-one patients without food allergy, 8 months to 18 years of age, served as controls. Serum IgE, IgA, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to alpha-, beta-, and kappa-casein, alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. For a subset of these patients, we performed lymphocyte proliferation assays to the various milk allergens. RESULTS Patients with IgE-mediated CMA had higher specific IgE concentrations to casein compared with whey proteins (P < 0.001). In this group of patients, there was a positive correlation between IgE levels and levels of the other isotypes for all four milk proteins (P < 0.001). In general, the caseins were the more allergenic and antigenic proteins in all groups of patients. Patients with enterocolitis syndrome produced less milk protein-specific IgG4 (P < 0.05) and had a trend for higher IgA antibody levels when compared to the control group. Lymphocyte proliferative responses in all groups with CMA were significantly higher than controls (P < 0.05), although this response was similar in patients with IgE- and non-IgE-mediated CMA. CONCLUSION There is a distinct pattern of humoral antibody response in the different forms of CMA. Patients with IgE-mediated CMA have an elevated polyisotypic response to cow milk protein. The relative lack of specific IgG4 production in patients with enterocolitis syndrome may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. In general, caseins appear to be the predominant allergen in patients with CMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P C Shek
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and The Jaffe Institute for Food Allergy, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
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Wang XS, Tan TN, Shek LPC, Chng SY, Hia CPP, Ong NBH, Ma S, Lee BW, Goh DYT. The prevalence of asthma and allergies in Singapore; data from two ISAAC surveys seven years apart. Arch Dis Child 2004; 89:423-6. [PMID: 15102631 PMCID: PMC1719913 DOI: 10.1136/adc.2003.031112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Over the past few decades, the prevalence of asthma has been increasing in the industrialised world. Despite the suggestion of a similar increase in Singapore, the 12 month prevalence of wheeze among schoolchildren in 1994 was 2.5-fold less than that reported in western populations. It was hypothesised that with increasing affluence in Singapore, the asthma prevalence would further increase and approach Western figures. A second ISAAC survey was carried out seven years later to evaluate this hypothesis. METHODS The cross-sectional data from two ISAAC questionnaire based surveys conducted in 1994 (n = 6238) and in 2001 (n = 9363) on two groups of schoolchildren aged 6-7 and 12-15 years were compared. The instruments used were identical and the procedures standardised in both surveys. RESULTS Comparing data from both studies, the change in the prevalence of current wheeze occurred in opposing directions in both age groups--decreasing in the 6-7 year age group (16.6% to 10.2%) but increasing to a small extent in the 12-15 year age group (9.9% to 11.9%). The 12 month prevalence of rhinitis did not change; there was an increase in the current eczema symptoms in both age groups. CONCLUSION The prevalence of current wheeze, a surrogate measure of asthma prevalence, has decreased significantly in the 6-7 year age group. Eczema was the only allergic disease that showed a modest increase in prevalence in both age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- X S Wang
- The Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore
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Lim DL, Thong BY, Ho SY, Shek LPC, Lou J, Leong KP, Chng HH, Lee BW. Primary immunodeficiency diseases in Singapore--the last 11 years. Singapore Med J 2003; 44:579-86. [PMID: 15007498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical features, disease complications, treatment modalities and overall outcome of 39 local patients with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PID) in Singapore over the last 11 years. METHODS Paediatric and adult patients who presented to the The Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and KK Women's and Children's Hospital between January 1990 and December 2000 were identified. Their diagnoses were categorised into six groups according to the IUIS (International Union of Immunological Societies, affiliated to World Health Organisation) classification: antibody deficiencies, combined immunodeficiencies, immunodeficiencies associated with other major defects, congenital phagocytic defects, complement deficiencies and other well-defined immunodeficiency syndromes. Patients were selected from screening of inpatients with discharge diagnoses associated with primary immunodeficiency and of patients undergoing tests for immunodeficiency. Patient data were collated from case files and compiled using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS There were 39 Singaporean patients diagnosed and treated for PID during the study period. The age at diagnosis ranged from three weeks to 69 years. Antibody deficiency (41%) was the most common form of PID. Seven patients had a family history of PID. Recurrent bacterial respiratory tract infections were the most common clinical manifestation. Associated conditions included autoimmune diseases, allergies and malignancies. Infection was the commonest cause of mortality. Eighteen patients (46.2%) with antibody or combined deficiencies received regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as the primary treatment modality. Two children successfully received sibling-matched haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). CONCLUSIONS Antibody deficiencies are the most common form of PID in Singapore. Treatment with antibiotics, IVIG and HSCT are the main therapeutic modalities currently available. Early referral to an immunologist is needed to achieve good outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, The Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of a partially hydrolysed formula on genetically predisposed children, with respect to the development of atopic clinical manifestations and in vitro testing of serum IgE levels (total and milk-specific). METHODS One hundred and ten infants were randomly assigned to receive either partially hydrolysed formula or standard infant formula, and were prospectively monitored from birth for clinical atopic symptoms and serum IgE levels. RESULTS Eczema occurred less frequently in infants receiving partially hydrolysed formula. This was significant (P < 0.05) at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. However, the significance decreased with time, although it almost reached statistical significance at 30 months by the Kaplan-Meier survival function (log-rank statistic, 3.46; P = 0.063). Although wheezing occurred less frequently in infants receiving partially hydrolysed formula, compared to those receiving standard infant formula, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Exclusive feeding of hypoallergenic milk formula in the first 4 months of life has a protective effect in terms of the development of atopic dermatitis in the first 2 years of life, compared to feeding with cow's milk formula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y H Chan
- Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, Singapore
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Abstract
Behçet's disease is a chronic relapsing multisystem disease of unknown aetiology. It has a relapsing cyclical course, and is characterized by the triad of aphthous stomatitis, genital ulcerations and uveitis. There is familial and geographical clustering of cases, especially around the Mediterranean, the Middle East and East Asia. The condition is uncommon, but lesions sometimes are recalcitrant and can be debilitating to the affected individual. The treatment of Behçet's currently involves the use of steroids, immunomodulaters and immunosuppressives. Thalidomide has been used in cases of Behçet's disease with some success. This review will discuss Behçet's disease and the current information we have about using thalidomide for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P C Shek
- Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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