Folate and synthetic folic acid content in Canadian fortified foods two decades after mandatory fortification.

In 1998, Health Canada mandated folic acid fortification of white flour and enriched grain products to prevent neural tube defects. At the time, neither the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF) nor product labels reflected the actual folate content of foods. We aimed to assess if 20 years post-fortification, the CNF values for total folate and synthetic folic acid accurately reflect amounts determined by direct analysis.

Examining the effects of increased vitamin D fortification on dietary inadequacy in Canada.

Objectives: Despite mandatory fortification of milk and margarine, most Canadians have inadequate vitamin D intake and consequently poor vitamin D status, especially in the winter. Increasing vitamin D fortification is one possible strategy to address this inadequacy. The purpose of our study was to examine the modelled effect of increased vitamin D fortification on the prevalence of inadequacy and the percentage of intakes greater than the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) using different fortification scenarios.

Home fortification with calcium reduces Hb response to iron among anaemic Bangladeshi infants consuming a new multi-micronutrient powder formulation.

Objective: To investigate whether the recommended dietary intake of Ca in anaemic infants compromises the expected Hb response, via home fortification with a new Ca- and Fe-containing Sprinkles™ micronutrient powder (MNP).

Design: A double-blind, randomized controlled, 2-month trial was conducted in Bangladesh. Infants were randomized to one of two MNP intervention groups containing Fe and other micronutrients, with or without Ca.

Effect of nitrous oxide exposure during surgery on the homocysteine concentrations of children.

Background: Nitrous oxide converts vitamin B12 to its nonmetabolically active form, inhibits methionine synthase, and results in an elevation of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). The authors investigated the effect of nitrous oxide anesthesia on the plasma tHcy concentrations in children the morning after surgery and whether blood concentrations of folate and vitamins B12 and B6 were associated with any potential increase.

Methods: The authors measured plasma tHcy concentrations in 32 children before and 24 h after initial exposure to nitrous oxide (≥ 2 h).

A comparison of micronutrient inadequacy and risk of high micronutrient intakes among vitamin and mineral supplement users and nonusers in Canada.

Although supplement use is prevalent in North America, there is little information on how supplements affect the prevalence of nutrient adequacy or risk of intakes greater than the tolerable upper intake level (UL). The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of nutrient adequacy and percent of intakes greater than the UL from diet alone between supplement users and nonusers and determine the contribution of supplements to nutrient intakes. Dietary intakes (24-h recall) and supplement use (previous 30 d) from respondents ≥1 y in the Canadian Community Health Survey 2.

Botulinum toxin A for treatment of sialorrhea in children: an effective, minimally invasive approach.

Objectives: To report (1) our experience with botulinum toxin A injections into the salivary glands of pediatric patients with sialorrhea, (2) the clinical outcomes of these interventions, and (3) the associated complication rates.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Urban pediatric hospital and pediatric rehabilitation center.

Folic acid fortification above mandated levels results in a low prevalence of folate inadequacy among Canadians.

Background: Understanding folate intakes after folic acid fortification of the food supply will help to establish dietary and supplement recommendations that balance health benefits and risks.

Objectives: The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of folate inadequacy (POFI) and intakes above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) among Canadians and to estimate the supplemental dose that, with diet, provides reproductive-aged women with 400 μg folic acid/d to prevent neural tube defects.

Design: Twenty-four-hour recall and supplement (prior 30 d) data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (n = 35,107) were used to calculate the POFI and intakes above the UL with and without adjustment for fortification overages.

How much folate is in Canadian fortified products 10 years after mandated fortification?

Objective: In 1998, the Canadian government mandated folic acid fortification of white flour and enriched grain products to lower the prevalence of neural tube defects. There is now growing concern over the potential harmful effects of too much folic acid on some segments of the population. Given that the actual amount of folate in Canadian foods is unknown, the objective of this study was to measure the folate content in selected fortified foods.

Unexpectedly high early prevalence of anaemia in 6-month-old breast-fed infants in rural Bangladesh.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and maternal and infant factors associated with Hb values in infants at 6 months of age in rural Bangladesh.

Design: Infants (born to mothers supplemented with Fe-folic acid from mid-pregnancy) were visited at birth and 6 months of age. Mothers' anthropometric status, and infants' birth weight, gestational age at birth, weight and Hb concentration at 6 months were measured.

Is it necessary to measure resting energy expenditure in clinical practice in children?

We compared measured resting energy expenditure (MREE) and predicted resting energy expenditure (PREE) in 398 chronically ill children and found a wide variability for %MREE/PREE (standard deviation +/- 27.2). Bland-Altman analysis also suggested poor agreement between MREE and PREE (mean bias, 43.