Blood Lead Levels and Their Association with Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Children.

Lead is a ubiquitous and neurotoxic heavy metal particularly harmful to children, who are more susceptible than adults to its toxic effects. The prevalence of lead poisoning and iron deficiency (ID) is high in socioeconomically vulnerable child populations, negatively affecting neurocognitive development in children. Although numerous studies have shown the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and ID, the issue remains controversial.

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).

Effectiveness of weekly and daily iron administration for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in infants.

Introduction. Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency and the main cause of anemia in infants. There is consensus on daily iron supplementation as a preventive strategy; and weekly iron supplementation has also been shown to be effective, but evidence in infants is scarce.

Environmental exposure to lead and oxidative stress biomarkers among healthy children in La Plata, Argentina.

Introduction: Environmental exposure to lead is still a major public health problem, especially in children. Oxidative stress may be a primary mechanism associated with toxicity. The objective of this study was to measure blood lead levels (BLLs) in children aged 1 to 6 years exposed to lead in La Plata and suburban areas and their relation to oxidative stress biomarkers.

Assessment of sensorimotor intelligence and psychomotor development in clinically healthy infants assisted in the public health sector.

Introduction: Infancy is the period of greatest neuroplasticity. The early detection of developmental disorders helps to provide a timely intervention aimed at reducing sequelae and/or complications.

Objective: To assess psychomotor and cognitive development in infants between 6 and 9 months old assisted in the public health 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.

Nocturnal but not Diurnal Hypertension Is Associated to Insulin Resistance Markers in Subjects With Normal or Mildly Elevated Office Blood Pressure.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the relationships among insulin resistance markers and nocturnal and diurnal hypertension in normotensive or mildly untreated hypertensive adults.

Methods: The study was performed in both female and male adults referred to the Cardiometabolic Unit of the Hospital San Martín, La Plata, Argentina, in order to perform an ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) for the evaluation of a possible hypertensive disorder. The population was stratified according to their ABPM in: 1-presence or absence of diurnal hypertension and 2-presence or absence of nocturnal hypertension; both conditions were analyzed separately.

[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.

Blood lead levels in children aged between 1 and 6 years old in La Plata, Argentina. Identification of risk factors for lead exposure.

Introduction: Lead has neurotoxic effects in children, even at a very low level in blood. The risk factors (RFs) for lead exposure have not been adequately identified in La Plata. The objectives of this study were to determine mean blood lead levels and identify RFs in children aged 1 to 6 years old living in La Plata and the outskirts.

Red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition in infants fed formulas with different lipid profiles.

Background: There is growing interest in the fatty acid composition of breast milk and substitute formulas used to replace or complement infant breastfeeding.

Aim: The aims of this study were to assess the impact of two follow-up infant formulas based on cow milk fat, vegetable oils and different docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (ARA) acid content on red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition, and determine the percent saturated fatty acid (SFA) incorporation into the membrane.

Study Design: This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial.

Prenatal lead exposure and relationship with maternal exposure determinants in a public maternity hospital of La Plata, Argentina.

Prenatal lead exposure is a health hazard that may cause cognitive development impairments and other adverse effects in children. We conducted a cross sectional study analyzing cord blood lead levels (CBLL) of newborns and their relationship with maternal determinants of lead exposure. Mothers answered a questionnaire about socio-demographic, lifestyle habits and environmental characteristics.

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).

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).

[Prevalence of anemia in infants under the age of 6 months being treated at a primary care setting in the city of La Plata, Argentina].

Introduction. Anemia is a public healthcare problem that particularly affects children under the age of 2 years, with consequences that greatly affect psychomotor and intellectual growth during childhood and productive capacities in adulthood. Objective.

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.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on immunoglobulins, isoagglutinins and antibody response in children of low socio-economic status.

Background: Antigen exposure is one of the major exogenous factors modulating human immunocompetence acquisition. Decline in family size and improvements in public health and hygiene in developed countries, may deprive the immune system of appropriate antigen input by diminishing infectious stimuli. Probiotics are a large group of microorganisms defined by their beneficial effects on human health and with stimulating effects on different functions of the immune system.

[Blood lead levels in children from the city of La Plata, Argentina. Relationship with iron deficiency and lead exposure risk factors].

Introduction: Environmental exposure to lead and the subsequent poisoning are a main public health concern worldwide. Children have a higher vulnerability to lead toxic effects, and many reports have shown the association between iron deficiency and lead poisoning. In Argentina, reports about lead levels in children are scarce.