Discordance in exclusive breastfeeding between maternal recall and deuterium dose-to-mother technique during the first 6 months of infants: A multi-country study in Asia.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the agreement in EBF between maternal recall and the dose-to-mother (DTM) technique.

Methods: Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam participated in the study. A total of 207 and 118 mother-infant pairs were assessed at 3 and 6 months of child's age.

Effect of 24-Week, Late-Evening Ingestion of a Calcium-Fortified, Milk-Based Protein Matrix on Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism and Site-Specific Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia.

Dietary calcium intake is a modifiable, lifestyle factor that can affect bone health and the risk of fracture. The diurnal rhythm of bone remodelling suggests nocturnal dietary intervention to be most effective. This study investigated the effect of daily, bed-time ingestion of a calcium-fortified, milk-derived protein matrix (MBPM) or control (CON), for 24 weeks, on serum biomarkers of bone resorption (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, CTX) and formation (serum pro-collagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide, P1NP), and site-specific aerial bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Validation of the Sinhalese Version of Brief COPE Scale for patients with cancer in Sri Lanka.

Background: Coping strategies play a vital role in cancer management and has been an integral part in the recovery process of cancer patients worldwide. Coping refers to specific efforts; both behavioral and psychological, that diminishes stresses emerged in cancer patients. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Sinhalese version of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (S-BC) which was developed based on the Brief COPE scale  for cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

Cost-Effective Analysis of the Congenital Hypothyroidism Screening Program in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Economic evaluations will determine policy decisions on any screening programs as estimates of short-term or long-term clinical and economic outcomes are analyzed through a systematic approach. This cost-effectiveness analysis was aimed to assess newborn screening for congenital hypothroidism (CH) in Sri Lanka as a important tool to allocate funds and make decisions on feasibility of new interventions with budget constraint in healthcare costs.

Methods: The newborn screening database was retrospectively analyzed to assess key performance indicators of the program.

Psychological experiences of healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka during COVID-19.

Background: The upsurge of COVID-19 has caused numerous psycho-social challenges for healthcare professionals because of its ability to spread rapidly in the community and high mortality rate. The seriousness of the disease has led many healthcare professionals plagued by stigma as well as discrimination. In this study, depressive symptomatology, levels of anxiety, and related psychosocial and occupational factors experienced by healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka during COVID -19 were investigated.

Temporal Change in Biomarkers of Bone Turnover Following Late Evening Ingestion of a Calcium-Fortified, Milk-Based Protein Matrix in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia.

The diurnal rhythm of bone remodeling suggests nocturnal dietary intervention to be most effective. This study investigated the effect of bedtime ingestion of a calcium-fortified, milk-derived protein matrix (MBPM) or maltodextrin (CON) on acute (0-4 h) blood and 24-h urinary change in biomarkers of bone remodeling in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. In CON, participants received 804 ± 52 mg calcium, 8.

Urinary iodine and thyroid determinants in pregnancy: a follow up study in Sri Lanka.

Background: Iodine deficiency and thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is associated with number of adverse outcomes that includes mental and physical disabilities creating a huge human and economic burden in later life. Several indicators are used to assess the iodine status of a population: thyroid size by palpation and/or by ultrasonography, urinary iodine excretion and the blood thyroid hormone profile.

Methods: This prospective study was designed to assess the iodine nutrition during the course of pregnancy with reference to urine iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid determinants among 425 pregnant women from Galle district, Sri Lanka.

Maternal iodine status and the thyroid function of pregnant mothers and their neonates in Jaffna District of Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Iodine status of pregnant women and their newborns have not been studied in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. This study was planned to assess the maternal iodine status and thyroid function at the third trimester of gestation and the thyrotrophin level of their neonate.

Methods: Four hundred and seventy-seven pregnant women and their newborns were randomly selected among six Medical Officers of Health Divisions out of 12 in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka.

Body composition among Sri Lankan infants by ¹⁸O dilution method and the validity of anthropometric equations to predict body fat against ¹⁸O dilution.

Background: Body composition indicators provide a better guidance for growth and nutritional status of the infants. This study was designed to (1) measure the body composition of the Sri Lankan infants using a reference method, the (18)O dilution method; (2) calculate the body fat content of the infants using published skinfold prediction equations; and (3) evaluate the applicability of the skinfold equations to predict body fat among Sri Lankan infants against the (18)O dilution method.

Methods: Twenty five healthy, exclusively breast-fed infants were randomly recruited at well-baby clinics, for this cross-sectional study.

The Deuterium Oxide-to-the-Mother Method Documents Adequate Breast-Milk Intake among Sri Lankan Infants.

Background: The WHO recommends that exclusive breastfeeding should last up to 6 mo. However, human milk intake of Sri Lankan infants has not been quantified scientifically.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure the human milk intake of Sri Lankan infants during the first 6 mo of age and to document the breastfeeding practices of their mothers.

Indicators of newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Sri Lanka: program challenges and way forward.

Background: Many of the countries in the Asia Pacific Region are just initiating newborn screening programs for selected metabolic and other congenital disorders. The present study is aimed at evaluating the congenital hypothyroidism screening program in the Southern region of Sri Lanka in terms of coverage, effectiveness of detecting and managing the cases.

Methods: The Newborn Screening System Database of Sri Lanka was reviewed from January 2011 to December 2012.

How does the quality of life and the underlying biochemical indicators correlate with the performance in academic examinations in a group of medical students of Sri Lanka?

Background: Individual variation of examination performance depends on many modifiable and non-modifiable factors, including pre-examination anxiety. Medical students' quality of life (QoL) and certain biochemical changes occurring while they are preparing for examinations has not been explored.

Purpose: We hypothesize that these parameters would determine the examination performance among medical students.

Effects of zinc and multimineral vitamin supplementation on glycemic and lipid control in adult diabetes.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of zinc with or without other antioxidants on blood glucose, lipid profile, and serum creatinine in adult diabetics on long-term follow-up.

Materials And Methods: Patients (n = 96) were randomly allocated to three groups: group A (n = 29) was supplemented with oral zinc sulfate (22 mg/day) and multivitamin/mineral (zinc+MVM) preparation; group B (n = 31) was given the same preparation without zinc (MVM); and group C (n = 36) was given a matching placebo for a period of 4 months in a single-blinded study. Blood samples were taken at baseline and after 4 months of supplementation to assess blood glucose (fasting and postprandial) and glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb(A1C)%) and serum levels of zinc, creatinine, and lipids.

Coexisting micronutrient deficiencies among Sri Lankan pre-school children: a community-based study.

Assessing micronutrient status in children may also have the benefit of addressing the problems of various micronutrient deficiencies with a unified programmatic approach on a public health scale. A cross-sectional survey in the Galle district of the micronutrient and anthropometric status of 248 children of ages 3-5 years was performed to determine the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies [iron, zinc (Zn), folate, calcium, caeruloplasmin, iodine, vitamin A and vitamin D] and the extent to which multiple micronutrient deficiencies coexist. The prevalence of anaemia [haemogbolin (Hb) < 110.

Long-term cereal-based nutritional supplementation improved the total spine bone mineral density amongst Sri Lankan preschool children: a randomized controlled study.

Background: The Thriposha programme in Sri Lanka provides a combination of energy, protein and micronutrients as a 'ready-to-eat' cereal-based food.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of calcium and vitamin D3 in the Thriposha on bone mineralization among preschool children aged 3-5 years.

Design: Subjects (n = 30) were fed with conventional Thriposha while the control group (n = 30) children were fed without mineral and vitamin premix (Corn-Soya-Blend - CSB) for a period of nine months.

Changing the zinc:iron ratio in a cereal-based nutritional supplement has no effect on percent absorption of iron and zinc in Sri Lankan children.

The Thriposha programme is a community-level nutrition intervention in Sri Lanka that provides a combination of energy, protein and micronutrients as a 'ready-to-eat' cereal-based food. We measured the bioavailability of Fe and Zn from Thriposha formula at two different molar ratios of Zn:Fe in order to determine the effect on Fe and Zn absorption. Children 4-7 years (n 53) were given a meal prepared with 50 g Thriposha containing 1.

Adequacy of vitamin A and fat in the breast milk of lactating women in south Sri Lanka.

Objective: To determine vitamin A (retinol) and fat concentrations in breast milk during early lactation.

Methods: Healthy lactating women (n 88) aged between 18 and 35 years were randomly selected for the study from urban, semi-urban, rural and estate (plantation) sectors of Galle District. Their anthropometry was recorded; breast milk samples were collected from the right breast one hour after the last feed.

Nutrient intake and growth of adolescents in southern Sri Lanka.

Objective: Growth and dietary intake data are essential for formulation of nutritional policies and interventions for children.

Design: 945 school children (11-16 years) were subjected to growth assessment and their nutrient intake was determined using the 24-hour dietary recall method on three consecutive days.

Results: 21.

Prevalence and severity of micronutrient deficiency: a cross-sectional study among adolescents in Sri Lanka.

In order to determine the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc and folate) in Sri Lankan adolescent school children and the extent to which multiple micronutrient deficiencies exist in this population, a cross-sectional survey (2003) in the Galle district of the micronutrient and anthropometric status of 945 school children of ages 12-16 years was performed. The prevalence of anemia (Hb < 120.0 g/L) was 49.

Na2EDTA enhances the absorption of iron and zinc from fortified rice flour in Sri Lankan children.

Rice flour was proposed as a vehicle for iron and zinc fortification in Sri Lanka. Although widely consumed, rice flour has not been evaluated as a fortified food, and the absorption of minerals including iron and zinc from this flour is unknown. Determination of the bioavailability of these nutrients is a critical step before commencing a fortification program.