Reference Ranges and Determinants of Thyroid Function and TSH Receptor Antibodies During Early Pregnancy in Nepal.

Objective: Different definitions of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy may lead to under or overtreatment. The aims of this study were to (1) define population-based pregnancy-specific reference ranges for thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy in Nepal and assess the impact of antibody positivity, (2) quantify the diagnostic impact of population-based reference ranges compared with current practice and (3) assess the determinants of thyroid function and antibody positivity.

Methods: A total of 800 healthy pregnant women aged 20-40 years in the Bhaktapur municipality were included.

Cohort profile: the WHO Child Mortality Risk Stratification Multi-Country Pooled Cohort (WHO-CMRS) to identify predictors of mortality through early childhood.

Purpose: To provide details of a pooled data set that will be used to estimate absolute and relative mortality risks and other outcomes among children less than 59 months of age and the predictive performance of common risk exposures, both individually and in combination.

Participants: Children from birth to 5 years of age recruited at health facilities or community settings into 33 longitudinal observational or intervention studies in 17 low- and middle-income countries.

Findings To Date: The data set includes 75 287 children with a median age of 3 months (IQR 1-12) at first measurement.

Stability and predictability of Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development: evidence from a south Indian birth cohort prospective study.

Objectives: There is limited information about the stability and predictability of Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) assessing child development in low- and middle-income settings. The objective of the present study was to analyse stability and predictive validity of BSID using an existing birth cohort.

Design: Prospective birth cohort follow-up study.

The relationship between the ages and stages questionnaire, 3rd edition scores in early childhood and future cognitive abilities in young Nepalese children.

Background: The Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd edition (ASQ-3) could be a feasible tool in resource-poor settings. Little is known on the relationship between scores on the ASQ-3 and later intellectual abilities in these settings.

Aims: To examine the relationship between ASQ-3 scores during the first and second year of life and intellectual abilities at 4 years of age in Nepalese children.

Is home environment associated with child fluid reasoning abilities in middle childhood in high-risk settings? findings from a cross-sectional study in Pakistan.

Background: Evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) suggests that home environment is associated with early childhood development outcomes. However, studies from LMIC that have examined how the home environment during middle childhood is associated with intellectual abilities are scarce. The objective of the study was to explore the association between different aspects of the home environment at 7-8 years and fluid reasoning abilities in a rural, high-risk cohort in Pakistan.

Breastfeeding and biomarkers of folate and cobalamin status in Norwegian infants: a cross-sectional study.

Folate and vitamin B (cobalamin) are essential for growth and development. This cross-sectional study aims to describe folate and vitamin B status according to infant age and breastfeeding practices in Norwegian infants. Infants aged 0-12 months ( = 125) were recruited through public health clinics.

Trend analyses of persistent organic pollutants in human milk from first-time mothers in Norway between 2002 and 2021.

Introduction: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are stable compounds characterized by their resistance to degradation. From the 1960-70's organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as DDTs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) raised concerns regarding health and environmental impacts. This has led to the banning of POPs in the USA and Europe including Norway in 1980 and worldwide under the 2004 Stockholm Convention.

Epidemiology of overweight in under-five children in India: insights from National Family Health Survey.

Childhood overweight is not only an immediate health concern due to its implications but also significantly increases the risk of persistent obesity and consequently CVD in the future, posing a serious threat to public health. The objective of this study was to examine the trends and associated factors of childhood overweight in India, using nationally representative data from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). For the primary analysis, we used data from 199 375 children aged 0-59 months from fifth round of the NFHS (NFHS-5).

Social withdrawal behaviour in Nepalese infants and the relationship with future neurodevelopment; a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Social withdrawal in infants may be a signal of distress and a precursor for non-optimal development.

Objective: To examine the relationship between infant social withdrawal and neurodevelopment up to 4 years in Nepalese children.

Methods: A total of 597 Nepalese infants 6-11 months old were assessed with the modified Alarm Distress Baby Scale (m-ADBB), and of these, 527 with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition (Bayley-III) during early childhood, and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) and NEPSY-II subtests at 4 years.

The effect of donation frequency on donor health in blood donors donating plasma by plasmapheresis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The demand for plasma products is growing, necessitating an increase in plasma collection by plasmapheresis. While the 20th edition of the European Guidelines permits plasma donors in Europe to donate with 96-h donation intervals, the potential short- and long-term consequences of high-frequency plasma donations on donor health remain unknown. This study aims to measure the effect of plasma donation frequency on plasma protein composition, including total serum protein (TSP) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), in Norwegian male blood donors.

Impact of an integrated health, nutrition, and early child stimulation and responsive care intervention package delivered to preterm or term small for gestational age babies during infancy on growth and neurodevelopment: study protocol of an individually randomized controlled trial in India (Small Babies Trial).

Background: Preterm and term small for gestational age (SGA) babies are at high risk of experiencing malnutrition and impaired neurodevelopment. Standalone interventions have modest and sometimes inconsistent effects on growth and neurodevelopment in these babies. For greater impact, intervention may be needed in multiple domains-health, nutrition, and psychosocial care and support.

Linear growth beyond 24 months and child neurodevelopment in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To synthesize available evidence on the association between change in linear growth (height for age z score, HAZ) beyond the first two years of life with later child neurodevelopment outcomes in Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE for cohort studies on the association between change in HAZ after age two and neurodevelopment outcomes in middle or late childhood. Data extraction was done independently by two reviewers.

Biotin: a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Biotin is a water-soluble B-vitamin with key roles in metabolism and are found in most foods at low concentrations. Symptomatic biotin deficiency is rare, and few studies have investigated biotin requirements in relation to health outcomes. Data to support the setting of dietary reference values for biotin are limited.

Energy drink consumption and sleep parameters in college and university students: a national cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency of energy drink (ED) consumption, and the association between ED consumption and selected sleep characteristics and parameters in Norwegian college and university students. We also explored whether these associations varied based on sex.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Thiamin (Vitamin B) - A scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Only a few studies have explored relationships between thiamine intake and function, and a few studies have examined the effects of supplements on various clinical or biochemical outcomes. None of these studies, however, makes a useful contribution to understanding requirements in healthy populations. The requirement of thiamine relates to energy and carbohydrate intake.

Zinc - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Zinc is essential for several biological processes including those critical for the immune system, DNA synthesis, cell division, and growth. Zinc is involved in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases and protects proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. Inadequate zinc intake and low plasma zinc concentration are associated to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes; however, the evidence is limited.

The Effect of Vitamin B Supplementation on Leukocyte Telomere Length in Mildly Stunted Nepalese Children: A Secondary Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Vitamin B is essential for deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and genome stability. A deficiency of vitamin B is associated with telomere shortening, genomic aging, and increased risk of chronic disease and mortality.

Objectives: The study aims to determine the effect of vitamin B supplementation on leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in infants at risk of vitamin B deficiency.

Vitamin B12 and Folate Status in Pregnant Females and Their Infants in Norway: Secondary Analysis from the Mommy's Food Study.

Background: Vitamin B12 and folate are essential micronutrients important for normal infant growth and development.

Objectives: The aims were to describe vitamin B12 and folate status in pregnant females and their infants according to commonly used status cutoffs and examine the associations between maternal status, maternal supplement use, and breastfeeding and infant status.

Methods: Pregnant females were recruited at 18 wk gestation in Bergen, Norway.

Iodine Nutrition in Children ≤2 years of Age in Norway.

Background: As a component of the thyroid hormones (THs), iodine is vital for normal neurodevelopment during early life. However, both deficient and excess iodine may affect TH production, and data on iodine status in young children are scarce.

Objectives: To describe iodine nutrition (iodine status and intake) in children ≤2 y of age in Innlandet County (Norway) and to describe the associations with maternal iodine nutrition.

Inadequate Iodine Intake in Mothers of Young Children in Innlandet County, Norway.

Background: Iodine has an essential role in child growth and brain development. Thus, sufficient iodine intake is particularly important in women of childbearing age and lactating women.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to describe iodine intake in a large random sample of mothers of young children (aged ≤2 y) living in Innlandet County, Norway.

Vitamin B status in infancy and the effect of a vitamin B injection in infants with subclinical vitamin B deficiency: study protocol for a register-based randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Vitamin B (cobalamin) is crucial for optimal child development and growth, yet deficiency is common worldwide. The aim of this study is twofold; (1) to describe vitamin B status and the status of other micronutrients in Norwegian infants, and (2) in a randomised controlled trial (RCT), investigate the effect of vitamin B supplementation on neurodevelopment in infants with subclinical vitamin B deficiency.

Methods And Analysis: Infant blood samples, collected at public healthcare clinics, are analysed for plasma cobalamin levels.

The effect of vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy on infant growth and development in Nepal: a community-based, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Vitamin B12 is required for healthy infant growth and development, but low and marginal vitamin B12 status is endemic in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to measure the effect of vitamin B12 supplementation from early pregnancy until 6 months post partum on infant growth and neurodevelopment.

Methods: In this community-based, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned (1:1) 800 pregnant women (aged 20-40 years) who were up to 15 weeks pregnant-recruited from home visits and outpatient departments at three hospitals in Nepal-to daily supplementation with 50 μg oral vitamin B12 or placebo until 6 months postpartum.