Publications by authors named "George Fuchs"

Childhood vitamin A deficiency leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Human milk is the only source of vitamin A for exclusively breastfed infants. Dried leaf powder (moringa) is a good food source of provitamin A and other carotenoids.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to estimate the costs of inpatient care for childhood severe pneumonia and how these costs differ between urban and rural settings in Bangladesh.
  • Using a detailed micro-costing approach, researchers analyzed data from 1252 children aged 2-59 months who received treatment at public facilities.
  • The findings highlighted that urban facilities had significantly higher costs compared to rural ones, suggesting that improving care availability at lower-level rural facilities could lower overall treatment expenses.
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Background: Cardiometabolic risk factors (impaired fasting glucose, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia) cluster in children, may predict adult disease burden, and are inadequately characterized in South American children.

Objectives: To quantify the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors in South American children (0-21 years) and identify knowledge gaps.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature via Virtual Health Library from 2000-2021 in any language.

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The category of "formulas" directed at older infants and toddlers 6 to 36 months of age has increased in prominence over the last years but is characterized by lack of standardization in nomenclature and composition as well as questionable marketing practices. There has been uncertainty and misperception regarding some of the roles of these beverages in ensuring adequate childhood nutrition. The aim of this clinical report is to review the context, evidence, and rationale for older infant-young child formulas, followed by recommendations.

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Background: We aimed to define clinical and cost-effectiveness of a Day Care Approach (DCA) alternative to Usual Care (UC, comparison group) within the Bangladesh health system to manage severe childhood pneumonia.

Methods: This was a cluster randomised controlled trial in urban Dhaka and rural Bangladesh between November 1, 2015 and March 23, 2019. Children aged 2-59 months with severe pneumonia with or without malnutrition received DCA or UC.

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Unlabelled: Undernutrition contributes to up to 45% of deaths globally in children <5 years, with an optimal time for intervention before 24 months of age. Breastmilk microbiome helps establish the infant intestinal microbiome and impacts infant intestinal and nutritional health. Inadequacies in breastmilk composition such as low vitamin A contribute to infant nutrient deficiencies.

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Background: The safety, reactogenicity, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the mRNA-1273 coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine in young children are unknown.

Methods: Part 1 of this ongoing phase 2-3 trial was open label for dose selection; part 2 was an observer-blinded, placebo-controlled evaluation of the selected dose. In part 2, we randomly assigned young children (6 months to 5 years of age) in a 3:1 ratio to receive two 25-μg injections of mRNA-1273 or placebo, administered 28 days apart.

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Background: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children globally with the majority of these deaths observed in resource-limited settings. Globally, the annual incidence of clinical pneumonia in under-five children is approximately 152 million, mostly in the low- and middle-income countries. Of these, 8.

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Childhood undernutrition contributes to up to 45% of deaths in children under age 5. Moringa oleifera (moringa) leaves are nutrient dense and promote breastmilk production. We performed a systematic review assessing the impact of moringa leaf supplementation in humans and animals on the outcomes of iron, vitamin A status, the measures of growth, and/or breastmilk production.

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Background: An increasing number of clinical practice guidelines recommend screening children with obesity for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there is limited evidence regarding what parameters should be used to initiate the screening.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether obesity class rather than age group can identify a higher percent of children at risk of NAFLD as assessed by abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

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Objective: Delays in seeking medical attention for childhood pneumonia may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed at identifying the drivers of delayed seeking of treatment for severe childhood pneumonia in rural Bangladesh.

Methods: We conducted a formative study from June to September 2015 in one northern district of Bangladesh.

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Objective: To estimate household cost of illness (COI) for children with severe pneumonia in Bangladesh.

Design: An incidence-based COI study was performed for one episode of childhood severe pneumonia from a household perspective. Face-to-face interviews collected data on socioeconomic, resource use and cost from caregivers.

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Introduction: Vitamin D is important for its immunomodulatory role and there is an independent association between vitamin D deficiency and pneumonia. We assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the outcome in children hospitalized for severe pneumonia.

Methods: This was a randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in children aged >2-59 months with severe pneumonia attending Dhaka Hospital, icddr,b.

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Purpose Of Review: An understanding of fluid and electrolyte losses from diarrhea and mechanisms of solute cotransport led to development of oral rehydration solution (ORS), representing a watershed in efforts to reduce diarrheal disease morbidity and mortality. This report reviews the scientific rationale and modifications of ORS and barriers to universal application.

Recent Findings: Solutions with osmolality and electrolyte composition different from original ORS for routine and unique pathophysiology such as in malnutrition have met with varying success.

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Diarrheal disease is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, but particularly in low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) examined the infectious etiologies as well as associated demographics, socioeconomic markers, health-care-seeking behaviors, and handwashing practices of the households of children with diarrhea and their age- and gender-matched controls in seven countries over a 3-year period (December 2007-December 2010). Stool studies to determine diarrheal etiologies and anthropometry were performed at baseline and at 60-day follow-up visits, along with surveys to record demographics and living conditions of the children.

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Objectives: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and costs of managing pneumonia and severe malnutrition in a day clinic (DC) management model (outpatient) vs. hospital care (inpatient).

Methods: Randomised clinical trial where children aged 2 months to 5 years with pneumonia and severe malnutrition were randomly allocated to DC or inpatient hospital care.

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Background: Food allergy is an important public health problem because it affects children and adults, can be severe and even life-threatening, and may be increasing in prevalence. Beginning in 2008, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, working with other organizations and advocacy groups, led the development of the first clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy. A recent landmark clinical trial and other emerging data suggest that peanut allergy can be prevented through introduction of peanut-containing foods beginning in infancy.

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Background: Food allergy is an important public health problem because it affects children and adults, can be severe and even life-threatening, and may be increasing in prevalence. Beginning in 2008, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, working with other organizations and advocacy groups, led the development of the first clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy. A recent landmark clinical trial and other emerging data suggest that peanut allergy can be prevented through introduction of peanut-containing foods beginning in infancy.

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