Daily Complementary Feeding With Eggs Improves Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Infants.

This secondary analysis of the Eggcel-growth study investigated the effect of daily egg intake for 6 months in infants aged 6-9 months on environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) biomarkers and the association of EED markers with growth faltering. A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Jouberton, South Africa, among 500 infants randomly assigned equally to either an intervention group receiving a daily chicken egg or a control group. Both groups were followed up for 6 months.

Female rats consuming an iron and omega-3 fatty acid deficient diet preconception require combined iron and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the prevention of bone impairments in offspring.

We previously showed in rats that pre- and postnatal deficiencies in iron and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids can impair bone development, with additive and potentially irreversible effects when combined. This study aimed to investigate, in female rats consuming a combined iron and n-3 fatty acid deficient (ID + n-3 FAD) diet preconception, whether supplementation with iron and docosahexaenoic/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA), alone and in combination, can prevent bone impairments in offspring. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, female Wistar rats consuming an ID + n-3 FAD diet preconception were randomised to receive an: 1) iron supplemented (Fe + n-3 FAD), 2) DHA/EPA supplemented (ID + DHA/EPA), 3) Fe + DHA/EPA, or 4) ID + n-3 FAD diet from gestational day 10 throughout pregnancy and lactation.

Effects of egg as an early complementary food on growth of 6- to 9-month-old infants: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effect of daily egg consumption for six months on linear growth (primary outcome), weight-for-age, weight-for-length, mid-upper arm circumference-for-age, head circumference-for-age Z-scores, gross motor milestones development, anaemia and iron status (secondary outcomes) in a low socioeconomic community.

Participants: Infants aged 6 to 9 months living in the peri-urban Jouberton area, in the Matlosana Municipality, South Africa.

Design: A randomised controlled trial with a parallel design was implemented.

Iron and n-3 fatty acid depletion, alone and in combination, during early development provoke neurochemical changes, anhedonia, anxiety and social dysfunction in rats.

Both iron and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA) play important roles in the development and functioning of the brain. We investigated the effects of n-3 FA and iron deficiencies, alone and in combination, during early development on behaviour and brain monoamines in rats. Using a 2-factorial design, female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of four diet groups: Control, n-3 FA deficient (n-3 FAD), iron deficient (ID), or n-3 FAD + ID.

Comparison of test performance of two commonly used multiplex assays to measure micronutrient and inflammatory markers in serum: results from a survey among pregnant women in South Africa.

The combined sandwich-ELISA (s-ELISA; VitMin Lab, Germany) and the Quansys Q-Plex™ Human Micronutrient Array (7-Plex) are multiplex serum assays that are used to assess population micronutrient status in low-income countries. We aimed to compare the agreement of five analytes, -1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) as measured by the 7-Plex and the s-ELISA. Serum samples were collected between March 2016 and December 2017.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Associations between Biomarkers of Vitamin D, Iron Status, and Hemoglobin in South African Women of Reproductive Age: the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative, South Africa.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and anemia impact the health of women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) and anemia/iron deficiency, but less is known about these associations in women of reproductive age, in particular in a setting with a combined burden of micronutrient deficiency, food insecurity, and obesity.

Objective: We aimed to assess the associations between 25(OH)D and biomarkers of iron and anemia in a cohort of women of reproductive age from Soweto, South Africa.

Use of full blood count parameters and haematology cell ratios in screening for sepsis in South Africa.

Background: Sepsis is characterised by multi-organ failure due to an uncontrolled immune response to infection. Sepsis prevalence is increased in developing countries and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Reports, although controversial, suggest that full blood count parameters and cell ratios could assist in the early screening for sepsis.

Association between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms, socioeconomic factors, and birth outcomes with infant growth in South Africa.

This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal postpartum depressive symptoms, household demographic, socioeconomic, and infant characteristics with infant physical growth, and how these factors correlate to determine latent factors. This study was based on the baseline data of a 6-month randomised controlled trial aimed at providing an egg a day to infants aged 6 to 9-months from a low socioeconomic community in South Africa. Information collected on household demographic, socioeconomic, and infant characteristics was by face-to-face structured interviews, and trained assessors took anthropometric measurements.

Determinants of anaemia among women of reproductive age in South Africa: A Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI).

Anaemia continues to be a persistent concern among South African women of reproductive age (WRA), yet population specific information on its determinants remains sparse. We used baseline data from the Healthy Lives Trajectory Initiative a randomised trial (n = 480) to quantify factors associated with anaemia in Soweto, South Africa aged 18-25 years. We used multivariable logistic regression to describe associations with anaemia and used structural equation modelling to assess a theoretical model, which tested three categories socioeconomic status (household asset score, education level), nutritional factors (food security, leafy green vegetable and chicken and beef consumption, iron status and vitamin A status) and biodemographic factors (parity, age at start of menarche, HIV status, contraception use, anthropometry, and inflammation status).

Barriers and facilitators of micronutrient supplementation among non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The prevalence of anaemia among South African women of reproductive age (WRA) remains high at 39%. Multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) may be an effective strategy in the prevention and management of anaemia. Our aim was to understand facilitators and barriers to preconception MMS adherence and to explore perceptions and beliefs of MMS in the prevention and treatment of anaemia among non-pregnant WRA.

Higher n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status during early pregnancy is associated with lower risk for depression at 12 months postpartum: The NuPED study.

Perinatal depression can negatively affect the health of the mother and her offspring. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may play a role in the aetiology of depression. Therefore, we investigated the association of n-3 PUFA status during early pregnancy with perinatal depression among women living in urban Johannesburg, South Africa.

Potential of Egg as Complementary Food to Improve Nutrient Intake and Dietary Diversity.

The original aim was to determine the effect of egg consumption on infant growth in a low socioeconomic community in South Africa in a randomized controlled trial. Enrolment was, however, prematurely stopped due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations. The resultant small sample (egg group n = 70; control group n = 85) was followed up to assess the feasibility of egg consumption for eight months in terms of dietary intake, egg usage and perceived effects of lockdown on child feeding.

Retail Cost and Energy Adjusted Cost Are Associated with Dietary Diversity and Nutrient Adequacy for Diets of 6-24 Months Children.

Poor nutrition during the first two years of life has long term consequences, but resource-poor households often do not have the means to access nutrient-dense and diverse diets. Pooled data of 24-h dietary recalls ( = 3336) and 2019 retail food prices were analyzed to determine associations of retail cost and energy cost (per 100 kcal) with diet quality indicators for diets of 6-24-month-old South African children who were breastfed (BF-diet) and not breastfed (NBF-diet) during the 24-h recall period. Compared to the BF-diet, retail cost for the NBF-diet was three times higher for age 6-11 months, and double for age 12-17 months.

Building knowledge, optimising physical and mental health and setting up healthier life trajectories in South African women (): a preconception randomised control trial part of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI).

Introduction: South Africa's evolving burden of disease is challenging due to a persistent infectious disease, burgeoning obesity, most notably among women and rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With two thirds of women presenting at their first antenatal visit either overweight or obese in urban South Africa (SA), the preconception period is an opportunity to optimise health and offset transgenerational risk of both obesity and NCDs.

Methods And Analysis: is the first individual randomised controlled trial in Africa to test the efficacy of a complex continuum of care intervention and forms part of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) consortium implementing harmonised trials in Canada, China, India and SA.

Effects and Reversibility of Pre- and Post-natal Iron and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency, Alone and in Combination, on Bone Development in Rats.

Both iron and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids may play an important role in bone development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pre- and post-natal iron and n-3 fatty acid deficiency (FAD), alone and in combination, on bone development in rats, and to determine whether effects are reversible when a sufficient diet is provided post-weaning. Using a 2×2-factorial design, 56 female Wistar rats were allocated to one of four diets: (1) control, (2) iron deficient (ID), (3) n-3 FAD or (4) ID and n-3 FAD, and were maintained on the respective diets throughout gestation and lactation.

Animal-source foods as a suitable complementary food for improved physical growth in 6 to 24-month-old children in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Although animal-source foods are suitable complementary food for child growth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), their efficacy is still under discussion. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to investigate the suitability of animal-source foods intake on child physical growth in LMICs. A systematic literature search was done using electronic databases and scanning the reference list of included studies, previous meta-analysis and systematic reviews.

Maternal postpartum depression in relation to child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression is increasingly becoming a global public health problem. Studies have shown that the presence of depression during the perinatal period impact on a mother's ability to adequately provide nutritional care for herself and her infants and young children. This may thus negatively influence the nutritional status of these vulnerable children resulting in poor growth, such as stunting which is currently a public health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Adjunct n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Treatment in Tuberculosis Reduces Inflammation and Improves Anemia of Infection More in C3HeB/FeJ Mice With Low n-3 Fatty Acid Status Than Sufficient n-3 Fatty Acid Status.

Populations at risk for tuberculosis (TB) may have a low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status. Our research previously showed that post-infection supplementation of n-3 long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) in TB without TB medication was beneficial in n-3 PUFA sufficient but not in low-status C3HeB/FeJ mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of n-3 LCPUFA adjunct to TB medication in TB mice with a low compared to a sufficient n-3 PUFA status.

Iodine status of pregnant women living in urban Johannesburg, South Africa.

Adequate intake of iodine is important during pregnancy because of its essential role in foetal growth and neurodevelopment. Data on iodine status of South African pregnant women are scarce, and the salt reduction policy implemented in 2016 may decrease iodine intake of South Africans. This cross-sectional study assessed the iodine status of pregnant women residing in urban Johannesburg, South Africa.