Fortified complementary foods with or without alpha-amylase treatment increase hemoglobin but do not reduce breast milk intake of 9-mo-old Zambian infants.

Background: Malnutrition in late infancy in developing countries may result from poor-quality complementary foods that displace breast milk.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effects of fortified complementary blends of different energy densities on growth, hemoglobin concentrations, and breast milk intake of 9-mo-old Zambian infants.

Design: Infants were randomly assigned at 6 mo of age to receive for 3 mo a fortified blend of maize, beans, bambaranuts, and groundnuts [Chilenje Baby Mix (CBM); energy density: 68 kcal/100 g; n = 37] or a similar blend with alpha-amylase (CBMA; energy density: 106 kcal/100 g; n = 44).

Effect of age, polymicrobial disease, and maternal HIV status on treatment response and cause of severe pneumonia in South African children: a prospective descriptive study.

Background: HIV-related pneumonia is the main cause of paediatric hospital admissions in southern Africa. We aimed to measure predictors of treatment failure and the cause of non-responsive pneumonia in children admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia in Durban, South Africa.

Methods: We investigated 358 children aged 1-59 months who presented with WHO-defined severe or very severe pneumonia.

Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy on inflammatory markers in Nepalese women.

Background: Multiple micronutrient supplementation of Nepalese women during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in birth weight.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that improved birth weight in infants of mothers supplemented with micronutrients is associated with a decrease in inflammatory responses and an increase in the production of T helper 1 cells and T helper 2 cells.

Design: The study was embedded in a randomized controlled trial of 15 micronutrients, compared with iron-folate supplementation (control), given during pregnancy with the aim of increasing birth weight.

Factors influencing breast milk HIV RNA viral load among Zambian women.

In a longitudinal cohort study we investigated factors contributing to breast milk HIV RNA viral load among lactating women in Lusaka, Zambia. Detailed data from 135 HIV-infected women were collected by questionnaires concerning postpartum maternal and infant health and infant feeding practice. Maternal blood was collected during pregnancy and at 6 weeks postpartum.

Lack of association between the nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in HIV-1-infected South African children.

We investigated the nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in 355 children hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Of the children, 239 (67.3%) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 positive; 169 (47.

Impact of zinc deficiency on vibrio cholerae enterotoxin-stimulated water and electrolyte transport in animal model.

The effect of zinc deficiency on the function of the intestine to absorb water and electrolytes was studied in animal models, stimulated by Vibrio cholerae enterotoxin. Sprague-Dawley rats, used in the study, were divided into four groups: Zinc-deficient, ad libitum zinc-fed control, zinc weight-matched control, and zinc-deficient acutely-repleted. 14C-labelled polyethylene glycol solution was used for measuring the absorption capacity of the small intestine.

Xanthophyll and hydrocarbon carotenoid patterns differ in plasma and breast milk of women supplemented with red palm oil during pregnancy and lactation.

Currently limited information exists on how maternal supplementation with provitamin A carotenoids might influence the carotenoid pattern in breast milk during lactation. This study was designed to investigate the effect of maternal red palm oil supplementation ( approximately 12 g/d) throughout the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and the first 3 mo postpartum on carotenoid pattern in both plasma and breast milk. Plasma and breast milk alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations increased in response to red palm oil supplementation and were different (P < 0.

Plasma levels of retinol, carotenoids, and tocopherols in relation to dietary pattern among pregnant Tanzanian women.

In Tanzania, as in other developing countries, dietary intake of nutrients in pregnant women is marginal or lower than the recommended intakes and therefore these women are at high risk for deficiencies. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between diet and plasma levels of retinol, carotenoids, and alpha-tocopherol in the third trimester of pregnancy. Ninety pregnant women aged between 18 and 45 years were equally recruited from three villages.

Subclinical mastitis among HIV-infected and uninfected Zimbabwean women participating in a multimicronutrient supplementation trial.

Subclinical mastitis, defined as raised milk sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratio is common and associated with poor infant growth and increased mother-to-child HIV transmission. In 1996-97, we conducted a randomized controlled trial of multiple micronutrient supplementation, at recommended daily allowance levels, from 22 to 35 weeks gestation until 3 months post-partum, on the prevalence and severity of subclinical mastitis among 84 HIV-infected and 83 HIV-uninfected lactating Zimbabwean women and on their infants' growth. Spot milk samples collected before 4.

Health and health care-seeking behavior of adolescents in urban and rural China.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 13-18-year-old adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China. Morbidities showed few urban/rural differences. Concerns were mainly related to academic pressure.

Using the premarital examination for population-based surveillance for HIV in China: a pilot study.

All couples attending the premarital examination at four selected sites in Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces in China were included in this study. Blood from 9952 individuals was tested for HIV-1 using a gelatin particle agglutination technique. There were no HIV-positive individuals in Zhejiang.

Breastmilk RNA viral load in HIV-infected South African women: effects of subclinical mastitis and infant feeding.

Objective: To investigate determinants of breastmilk RNA viral load among HIV-infected South African women, with particular attention to infant feeding mode and subclinical mastitis.

Design: Observational, longitudinal study.

Methods: Information on current infant feeding practice and a spot milk sample from each breast were obtained from 145 HIV-infected lactating women at 1, 6 and 14 weeks postpartum.

Disparities in economic development in Eastern China: impact on nutritional status of adolescents.

Objective: To compare the effects of disparities in economic development in urban and rural Eastern China on the nutritional status of adolescents.

Design: A cross-sectional survey consisting of self-completion questionnaires, anthropometry and haemoglobin measurement.

Setting: Twelve middle schools in an urban and a rural area of Zhejiang Province: Hangzhou, the capital, and Chunan, a poor mountainous area.