The Concentration of Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 in Human Milk and Infant Plasma Is Positively Associated with Adiposity and Body Weight in the First Year of Life.

Background: The liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a recently recognized anorectic and glucose-regulating hormone with an unknown role in lactation.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to assess LEAP2 presence in human milk and putative associations with infant body weight and adiposity in the first year of life, 2) to evaluate the impact of maternal weight status on LEAP2 concentration, and 3) to explore the relationship between infant plasma LEAP2 concentration and body weight and adiposity.

Methods: This prospective cohort observational study assessed LEAP2 concentration in plasma and milk from lactating women with normal weight (n = 26) or overweight or obesity (OW/OB, n = 26) at 6 mo postpartum and in 6-mo-old infant plasma, examining associations with metabolic and anthropometric variables at 6 mo and 1 y.

Leptin receptor expression in blood mononuclear cells of lactating women is associated with infant body weight: Potential role as a molecular biomarker.

Background: Molecular biomarkers of maternal leptin resistance associated with infant weight are needed.

Objectives: To evaluate gene expression of leptin receptor (LEPR), suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) and insulin receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of lactating women and their relationship with infant body weight and adiposity.

Methods: At day 10 postpartum, maternal gene expression in PBMCs as well as leptin and insulin concentrations in plasma and milk were assessed (n = 68).

[Integrated mother-child care. Effects on adherence and knowledge of contraceptive methods].

Introduction: Scientific evidence suggests that mother-child joint care strategies would facilitate knowledge of contraceptive methods (MAC) and their access. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the Integrated Mother and Child Care Model on adherence and knowledge of CAM in women during the first postpartum semester.

Methods: An intervention study was carried out, 2 groups were formed, GI: intervention group (3 controls up to 6 months postpartum) and GC: control group (one control at 6 months postpartum).

Fatty Acid Percentage Distribution in Complex Lipids of Breast Milk From Mothers on a Low Docosahexaenoic Acid Diet.

The aim of this study was to assess the fatty acid (FA) percentage distribution in complex lipids of breast milk from mothers on a low docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional study of milk samples (n = 14) collected 90 days after delivery and analyzed them using gas chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and the Fiske-Subbarow method. Complex lipid distribution was 40.

Prolonged body weight gain, lifestyle changes and health-related quality of life in children during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A follow-up study.

Background: Further investigation is needed to define the impact of long-term pandemic lockdown in children.

Objectives: To examine changes in body mass index z-score (zBMI), lifestyle, Health-Related Quality of Life and proportion of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) in 6- to 9-year-old children in Argentina.

Methods: Observational study with baseline measurements prior to lockdown and follow-up after eight months of strict restrictive measures (November 2020, first visit, n = 144) and after ten months of partial reopening (September 2021, second visit, n = 108).

Contribution of enriched wheat flour and flour products to iron requirements in children aged 6 months to 7 years.

Introduction: Wheat flour enrichment is a public health strategy recommended to prevent micronutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency. The objective of this study was to determine iron content in enriched wheat flour and flour products and their contribution to nutritional recommendations for children.

Population And Methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study based on the total diet study method.

Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Breast Milk of Low-income Mothers.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is among the main components of synaptosomal membranes and myelin sheaths. Because DHA is essential for child neurodevelopment, breast milk DHA levels should be improved by optimizing maternal nutrition. We determined DHA percentage levels in breast milk of low-income mothers receiving care at the public healthcare sector.

Vitamin A deficiency and associated factors in preschoolers from the outskirts of La Plata, Buenos Aires.

Introduction: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been recognized as an important public health problem in developing countries. Preschoolers account for risk groups within vulnerable populations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD and associated factors in a sample of preschoolers.

Contribution of diet to lead exposure among children aged 1 to 7 years in La Plata, Buenos Aires.

Introduction: Lead is a toxic metal which, even at low blood levels, can alter normal neurodevelopment in children, so no blood lead level is acceptable. Lead absorption from diet accounts for the highest contribution to blood lead levels in the population who is not exposed to contaminated environments or because of their occupation. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of diet to lead exposure among children aged 1 to 7 years who attended Hospital de Niños de La Plata for health check-ups.

[Quali-quantitative study of nutritional status and eating patterns in children aged 1-3 years from low-income families in two population groups with different productive activities (Buenos Aires, Argentina), 2007-2008].

The aim of this article is to describe the nutritional status and eating patterns of children aged 1-3 years from low-income families who reside in areas with different productive activities: primary production and production of goods and services. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed with a qualitative and quantitative methodology, evaluating anthropometric and biochemical nutritional status, food intake, economic and demographic characteristics, dietary practices and representations. The results show that children from areas of primary production had a lower prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency.

Variations in estimates of underweight, overweight, and obesity in pregnant women from Argentina comparing two reference charts.

Objectives: The prevalence of low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in a sample of Argentinian pregnant women using two reference charts, the Rosso and Mardones (RM) and the Calvo Chart were compared.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study of data from pregnant women beneficiaries of food aid programs collected in the period 2003-2010 in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed.

Results: Evaluations with the Calvo and RM charts showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of all nutritional conditions (low weight, 22% vs.

Short-term evaluation of the impact of a fortified food aid program on the micronutrient nutritional status of Argentinian pregnant women.

We studied the impact of a food supplementation program (Plan Más Vida (PMV)) on the micronutrient nutritional condition of pregnant women from low-income families 1 year after its implementation. The food program provided supplementary diet (wheat and maize--fortified flour, rice or sugar, and fortified soup). We performed a prospective, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, evaluating pregnant women at baseline (n = 164) and 1 year after PMV implementation (n = 108).

Nutritional status of school-aged children and its relation to blood pressure.

Introduction: Obesity is associated with a wide range of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Objective: To establish an association between the nutritional status of 6-10 year old boys and girls and blood pressure.

Population And Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in 6-10 year old schoolboys and schoolgirls.

Calcium supplementation, bone mineral density and bone mineral content. Predictors of bone mass changes in adolescent mothers during the 6-month postpartum period.

We determined the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) and identified predictors of bone mass changes in adolescent mothers 6 months postpartum. A prospective, analytical, clinical study was performed in adolescent mothers (< or = 19 years old; n = 37) from La Plata, Argentina. At 15 days postpartum, mothers were randomly assigned into one of two groups and started with calcium supplementation; one group received dairy products (932 mg Ca; n = 19) and the other calcium citrate tablets (1000 mg calcium/day; n = 18).

Evaluation of the impact of a food program on the micronutrient nutritional status of Argentinean lactating mothers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a food aid program (Plan Más Vida, PMV) on the micronutrient nutritional condition of lactating mothers 1 year after its implementation. The food program provided supplementary diets (wheat- and maize-fortified flour, rice or sugar, and fortified soup) to low-income families from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A prospective, non-experimental study was carried out to evaluate the micronutrient nutritional status of lactating mothers (n = 178 at baseline and n = 151 after 1 year).

Short-term evaluation of the impact of a food program on the micronutrient nutritional status of Argentinean children under the age of six.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of Plan Más Vida (PMV) on the micronutrient nutritional condition of children aged 1 to 6 years 1 year after PMV implementation. The food program was intended for low-income families from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina and provided supplementary diets. A prospective, nonexperimental study was carried out.

Changes in bone mineral density of adolescent mothers during the 12-month postpartum period.

Objective: Bone mineral density (BMD) loss has been described in adult women in the 12-month postpartum period. However, little is known about the precise BMD pattern in adolescent mothers. The present study aimed to evaluate BMD in Argentinean adolescent mothers followed up during the 12-month postpartum period.

Acquisition of visuomotor abilities and intellectual quotient in children aged 4-10 years: relationship with micronutrient nutritional status.

Lethargy, poor attention, and the high rate and severity of infections in malnourished children affect their educational achievement. We therefore studied the association between visuomotor abilities and intelligence quotient (IQ) and their relationship with iron, zinc, and copper. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 89 healthy children (age range, 4-10 years).

Changes in body composition in lactating adolescent mothers.

We assessed changes in body composition in lactating adolescent mothers living under unfavorable socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. A total of 17 healthy primiparous adolescents under 17 years of age attending the Maternity Hospital of the city of La Plata, Argentina, were followed at 4 time points (15 days and 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum) to assess, a) dietary intake, b) practice of physical activity, c) nutritional condition (weight, height, body mass index [BMI] according to age, and body composition by the sum of skinfold measurements), d) characteristics of lactation, and e) growth parameters of the child. The mean age of adolescents was 15.

Nutrition and immunological status in long-term follow up of children with short bowel syndrome.

Background: Little is known about the long-term evolution, nutrition status, growth, and eventual deficiencies of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) adapted to oral feeding after parenteral nutrition (PN). Because there are not absolute criteria for weaning from parenteral or enteral nutrition to oral feeding, new nutrient deficiencies may develop. Subtle nutrition deficits could induce subclinical immune deficiencies; therefore, we studied long-term growth, nutrition status, and the state of the immune system in 10 patients with SBS after weaning PN for at least 2 years.