Vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight infants

PURPOSE: In United States, the percentage of Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) born for year 2006 was 0.8% (approximately 32,000 babies) & Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) 1.48% (1). ELBW babies account for nearly half (49%) of the infant mortality for United States. Very Low birth weight infants are at a significant risk for high mortality and morbidity due to their multi system involvement and predisposition to lung prematurity and impaired immune function. One of the common causes cited is Vitamin A deficiency (2, 3).The purpose of this study is to look at published literature on Vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. ^ RESEARCH DESIGN: Systematic review of literature of published articles meeting the pre-defined criteria. ^ PROCEDURE: Studies included in this review were those which looked at very low birth weight infants defined as birth weight<1500gms. All experimental studies were reviewed. Studies looking at the effect of Vitamin A supplementation in comparison with a placebo or by itself in varying dosing regimens as an intervention were reviewed. Vitamin A deficiency and its manifestations were of interest. We used key words such as "very low birth weight", "mortality", "Vitamin A", "retinol" and "supplementation" in our search. ^ RISKS & POTENTIAL BENEFITS: We do not see any potential risks associated with this study. The potential benefit is recommendation for future studies based on the review of literature available currently. ^ IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE THAT MAY REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO RESULT: The systematic review of literature of all experimental studies in VLBW infants showed uniform correlation of parenteral Vitamin A dosing and high plasma concentrations achieved. The recommended dosage for use is 5000 IU 3 times/week given intramuscularly for 4 weeks to prevent CLD. Higher doses have not shown benefit, with a potential for toxicity, while lower doses are inadequate. There is no role of use of Vitamin A in closure of patent ductus arteriosus & reducing mortality. However, it is important to state that the number of studies done so far is limited with small sample sizes. There is a need in the future for experimental studies to ascertain the role of Vitamin A to improve outcomes in VLBW. Atleast, one more RCT should be conducted using the dosage recommended above to make this a standard practice.^

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 reversibly blocks the progression of relapsing encephalomyelitis, a model of multiple sclerosis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease believed to be a model for the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Induced by immunizing B10.PL mice with myelin basic protein (MBP), EAE was completely prevented by the administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. 1,25-(OH)2D3 could also prevent the progression of EAE when administered at the appearance of the first disability symptoms. Withdrawal of 1,25-(OH)2D3 resulted in a resumption of the progression of EAE. Thus, the block by 1,25-(OH)2D3 is reversible. A deficiency of vitamin D resulted in an increased susceptibility to EAE. Thus, 1,25-(OH)2D3 or its analogs are potentially important for treatment of MS.

Cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de aportes de vitamina D y calcio en pacientes con osteoporosis

Objetivos: - Conocer los aportes diarios de vitamina D y calcio (suplementos farmacológicos y dieta) en mujeres mayores de 65 años. - Conocer si existe relación entre el consumo diario de vitamina D y las variables clínicas y sociodemográficas.

IL28B e vitamina D : preditadores da resposta terapêutica na hepatite C crónica

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

A vitamina D na diabetes mellitus tipo 2 : uma forma terapêutica a explorar

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Suivi longitudinal de la densité osseuse et du statut en vitamine D chez des enfants prépubères avec une allergie au lait de vache non résolue

Problématique : L'allergie au lait de vache (ALV) est reconnue comme une condition transitoire qui disparaît chez la majorité des enfants avant l’âge de 3-5 ans, mais des données récentes révèlent une persistance de l’ALV. Les enfants souffrant d’une ALV sont à risque d’apports insuffisants en calcium et en vitamine D, deux nutriments impliqués dans la santé osseuse. Une première étude transversale portant sur la santé osseuse d’enfants prépubères ALV a observé que la densité osseuse (DMO) lombaire était significativement inférieure à celle d’enfants sans allergie au lait de vache (SALV). Objectifs : Sur la base de ces résultats, nous désirons documenter l’évolution longitudinale de la santé osseuse, du statut en vitamine D, des apports en calcium et en vitamine D et de l’adhérence à la supplémentation des enfants ALV (n=36) et de comparer ces données aux enfants SALV (n=19). Résultats : Le gain annualisé de la DMO lombaire est similaire entre les enfants ALV et SALV. Bien qu’il n’y ait pas de différence significative entre les deux groupes, la DMO lombaire des enfants ALV demeure cependant inférieure à celle des témoins. Qui plus est, le score-Z de la DMO du corps entier tend à être inférieur chez les enfants-cas comparé aux témoins. Au suivi, la concentration de 25OHD et le taux d’insuffisance en vitamine D sont similaires entre les deux groupes tout comme les apports en calcium et en vitamine D. Davantage d’enfants ALV prennent un supplément de calcium au suivi comparativement au temps initial (42% vs. 49%, p<0,05), mais le taux d’adhérence à la supplémentation a diminué à 4 jours/semaine. Conclusion : Une évaluation plus précoce ainsi qu’une prise en charge de la santé osseuse des enfants ALV pourraient être indiquées afin de modifier l’évolution naturelle de leur santé osseuse. Les résultats justifient aussi le suivi étroit des apports en calcium et vitamine D par une nutritionniste et la nécessité d'intégrer la supplémentation dans le plan de traitement de ces enfants et d’assurer une surveillance de l’adhérence à la supplémentation.

The pathology of the vitamin B complex deficiencies in the chicken.

This essay won the Poultry Disease Essay contest for 1949.

Method Development and Validation of Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 using Mass Spectrometry

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Vitamin D3 and brain development

Evidence for the presence of the vitamin D receptor in brain implies this vitamin may have some function in this organ. This study investigates whether vitamin D-3 acts during brain development. We demonstrate that rats born to vitamin D-3-deficient mothers had profound alterations in the brain at birth. The cortex was longer but not wider, the lateral ventricles were enlarged, the cortex was proportionally thinner and there was more cell proliferation throughout the brain. There were reductions in brain content of nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and reduced expression of p75(NTR), the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor. Our findings would suggest that low maternal vitamin D3 has important ramifications for the developing brain. (C) 2003 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adverse Health Effects of Chronic Exposure to Low-Level Cadmium in Foodstuffs and Cigarette Smoke

Cadmium is a cumulative nephrotoxicant that is absorbed into the body from dietary sources and cigarette smoking. The levels of Cd in organs such as liver and kidney cortex increase with age because of the lack of an active biochemical process for its elimination coupled with renal reabsorption. Recent research has provided evidence linking Cd-related kidney dysfunction and decreases in bone mineral density in nonoccupationally exposed populations who showed no signs of nutritional deficiency. This challenges the previous view that the concurrent kidney and bone damage seen in Japanese itai-itai disease patients was the result of Cd toxicity in combination with nutritional deficiencies, notably, of zinc and calcium. Further, such Cd-linked bone and kidney toxicities were observed in people whose dietary Cd intakes were well within the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives of 1 mug/kg body weight/day or 70 mug/day. This evidence points to the much-needed revision of the current PTWI for Cd. Also, evidence for the carcinogenic risk of chronic Cd exposure is accumulating and Cd effects on reproductive outcomes have begun to emerge.

Global standard for the composition of infant formula: Recommendations of an ESPGHAN coordinated international expert group

The Codex Alimentarius Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) develops food standards, guidelines and related texts for protecting consumer health and ensuring fair trade practices globally. The major part of the world's population lives in more than 160 countries that are members of the Codex Alimentarius. The Codex Standard on Infant Formula was adopted in 1981 based on scientific knowledge available in the 1970s and is currently being revised. As part of this process, the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses asked the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition to initiate a consultation process with the international scientific community to provide a proposal on nutrient levels in infant formulae, based on scientific analysis and taking into account existing scientific reports on the subject. ESPGHAN accepted the request and, in collaboration with its sister societies in the Federation of International Societies on Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, invited highly qualified experts in the area of infant nutrition to form an International Expert Group (IEG) to review the issues raised. The group arrived at recommendations on the compositional requirements for a global infant formula standard which are reported here.

Anaemia and vitamin A status among adolescent schoolboys in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of anaemia and subclinical vitamin A deficiency among adolescent schoolboys in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, and to identify factors related to anaemia and vitamin A status. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Government high schools in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Subjects and methods A total of 381 boys, aged 11–16 years, from 10 schools in Dhaka City participated in the study. Socio-economic, anthropometric and dietary data were collected. Haemoglobin and serum retinol (vitamin A) concentrations were determined. Results Seven per cent of the boys were anaemic and 22% had serum vitamin A levels below the adequate level of 1.05 μmol l−1, with only 1.5% having subclinical vitamin A deficiency (