Young children formula consumption and iron deficiency at 24 months in the general population: A national-level study.

Background & Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) is considered the most frequent micronutrient deficiency in industrialized countries where strategies for its primary prevention vary widely and are insufficiently evaluated. We aimed to study the effectiveness for iron status of a national iron deficiency prevention strategy based on recommendations for young-child formula (YCF) use after age 12 months, taking into consideration other sources of iron and the family's socio-economic status.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study conducted in primary care pediatrician offices throughout France from 2016 to 2017, infants aged 24 months were consecutively included for a food survey and blood sampling.

In-house HIV-1 RNA real-time RT-PCR assays: principle, available tests and usefulness in developing countries.

The principle of currently available licensed HIV-1 RNA assays is based on real-time technologies that continuously monitor the fluorescence emitted by the amplification products. Besides these assays, in-house quantitative (q) real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR (RT-qPCR) tests have been developed and evaluated particularly in developing countries, for two main reasons. First, affordable and generalized access to HIV-1 RNA viral load is urgently needed in the context of expected universal access to prevention and antiretroviral treatment programs in these settings.