Effect of Maternal Retinol Status at Time of Term Delivery on Retinol Placental Concentration, Intrauterine Transfer Rate, and Newborn Retinol Status.

Retinol (vitamin A) is essential, so the objective of this Institutional Review Board approved study is to evaluate retinol placental concentration, intrauterine transfer, and neonatal status at time of term delivery between cases of maternal retinol adequacy, insufficiency, and deficiency in a United States population. Birth information and biological samples were collected for mother-infant dyads ( = 260). Maternal and umbilical cord blood retinol concentrations ( = 260) were analyzed by HPLC and categorized: deficient (≤0.

Efficacy and Safety of a Ketogenic Diet in Children and Adolescents with Refractory Epilepsy-A Review.

Epilepsy in the pediatric and adolescent populations is a devastating condition where individuals are prone to recurrent epileptic seizures or changes in behavior or movement that is the direct result of a primary change in the electrical activity in the brain. Although many children with epilepsy will have seizures controlled with antiseizure medications (ASMs), a large percentage of patients are refractory to drug therapy and may consider initiating a ketogenic diet. The term Ketogenic Diet or Ketogenic Diet Therapy (KDT) refers to any diet therapy in which dietary composition results in a ketogenic state of human metabolism.

Quantification of Lutein + Zeaxanthin Presence in Human Placenta and Correlations with Blood Levels and Maternal Dietary Intake.

Lutein + zeaxanthin (L + Z) are carotenoids recognized in eye health, but less is known about their status during pregnancy. While quantified in maternal and umbilical cord blood, they have never been analyzed in placenta. The purpose of this study is to quantify combined L + Z concentrations in human placenta and correlate with levels in maternal dietary intake, maternal serum, and umbilical cord blood.

A Comparison of Vitamin E Status and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes in Maternal⁻Infant Dyads between a Nigerian and a United States Population.

Oxidative stress is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and vitamin E has powerful anti-oxidant properties with the potential to impact health outcomes. Tocopherol isomers of vitamin E differ in their ability to modulate inflammation and vary in concentration in diets containing high proportions of processed versus unprocessed foods. The purpose of this study was to compare vitamin E status and associated pregnancy outcomes (mode of delivery, chorioamnionitis, APGARs (measure of appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration), gestational age at delivery, and fetal growth) between maternal⁻infant dyads in a developed and a developing nation to identify potentially modifiable differences that may impact pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and provide a way to improve maternal and neonatal health.

Vitamin E status and associations in maternal-infant Dyads in the Midwestern United States.

Background: Oxidative stress has been associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, and vitamin E has powerful anti-oxidant properties. Vitamin E occurs in several different isoforms which differ in their ability to modulate inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the status of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherol in maternal-infant pairs, and the impact on maternal-newborn outcomes.

The role of specialized pro-resolving mediators in maternal-fetal health.

Infants developing in a pro-inflammatory intrauterine environment have a significant risk for severe complications after birth. It has been shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, and also reduce early preterm births and decrease risk of infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. However, the mechanism for omega-3 fatty acids exerting these effects was previously unknown.

Status of Vitamin A and Related Compounds and Clinical Outcomes in Maternal-Infant Pairs in the Midwestern United States.

Background: Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for pregnant women, and other vitamin A-related compounds, including lutein and lycopene, have been associated with maternal-infant outcomes. The objective of this study was to quantify the status of vitamin A and related compounds in maternal-infant pairs at the time of delivery, and to determine its impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods: Maternal and cord blood samples were collected in 189 mother-infant pairs.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake of Pregnant Women and Women of Childbearing Age in the United States: Potential for Deficiency?

Omega-3 fatty acids play critical roles during fetal growth and development with increased intakes associated with improved maternal-fetal outcomes. Omega-3 fatty acid intake in Western diets is low, and the impact of socioeconomic factors on omega-3 fatty acid intake in pregnant women and women of childbearing age has not been reported. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles 2003-2012 to assess the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid intake and socioeconomic factors in women of childbearing age.

Obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: recent knowledge and future directions.

Purpose Of Review: Obesity has been shown to have a significant impact on lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this review is to discuss the most recent findings regarding the association between obesity, COPD, and COPD-related outcomes.

Recent Findings: Evidence indicates that obese patients with COPD may compose a unique disease phenotype who are more susceptible than their lean counterparts to environmental exposures.

A Comparison of Nutritional Antioxidant Content in Breast Milk, Donor Milk, and Infant Formulas.

Human milk is the optimal food for human infants, including infants born prematurely. In the event that a mother of a hospitalized infant cannot provide breast milk, donor milk is considered an acceptable alternative. It is known that the macronutrient composition of donor milk is different than human milk, with variable fat content and protein content.

Serum Retinol Concentrations, Race, and Socioeconomic Status in of Women of Childbearing Age in the United States.

Background: Vitamin A is an essential nutrient during pregnancy and throughout the lifecycle due to its role in the development of critical organ systems. Because maternal tissue is progressively depleted of vitamin A to supply fetal demands, women who become pregnant while possessing marginal vitamin A reserves are at increased risk of vitamin A inadequacy as pregnancy progresses. Few studies have assessed the relationship between socioeconomic factors and retinol status in women of childbearing age.

Dynamics of Vitamin D Metabolism in Maternal-Fetal Dyads.

Objectives: Metabolites of vitamin D in maternal-neonatal dyads remain relatively unexplored. The goal of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in maternal-infant pairs at delivery.

Methods: Serum samples of maternal and infant cord blood were collected on 131 mother-infant pairs at delivery.

Vitamin D metabolism in the premature newborn: A randomized trial.

Background & Aims: Vitamin D status during infancy has been associated with important pediatric health outcomes; however concentrations of many vitamin D metabolites in premature infants are not yet described. The objective of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in premature infants.

Methods: 32 infants <32 weeks gestation were randomized to receive 400 or 800IU/day of vitamin D3 orally.

Serum tocopherol levels and vitamin E intake are associated with lung function in the normative aging study.

Background & Aims: The results of studies assessing relationships between vitamin E intake and status and lung function are conflicting. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E intake and serum levels of tocopherol isoforms on lung function in a cross-sectional sample of 580 men from the Normative Aging Study, a longitudinal aging study.

Methods: Regression models were used to look at associations of serum tocopherol isoform levels and vitamin E intake with lung function parameters after adjustment for confounders.

Demographics and nutrition-related patient care encounters: a survey of physician assistants in Nebraska.

Purpose: To collect information regarding demographics, nutrition-related patient care encounters, and comfort levels in addressing nutrition-related problems in a population of physician assistants (PA) currently practicing in Nebraska.

Methods: A survey was developed by faculty members in the Medical Nutrition Education and Physician Assistant Education programs, School of Allied Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test.