Current maternal-infant micronutrient status and the effects on birth weight in the United Arab Emirates

Micronutrient deficiencies exist among women of childbearing age in the United Arab Emirates but the effects of maternal micronutrient deficiency on fetal growth are not well documented. To investigate the association between micronutrients and birth weight, we measured maternal and cord blood micronutrients [vitamin A, C, D, and E] and ferritin in 84 term, singleton infants born to healthy Arab and South Asian women at Al-Ain hospital. Median serum ascorbic acid and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD] concentrations were low in mothers and infants. In multivariate analysis, maternal serum 25-OHD correlated positively with birth weight while serum ferritin showed a negative correlation

Comparison of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C status between asthmatic and healthy subjects

In a case-control study the vitamin C status of 50 adults with chronic controlled asthma was compared with that of 50 randomly selected healthy controls. Vitamin C intake was assessed by 3-day dietary recall, and plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentrations were measured colorimetrically. A positive significant correlation was found between plasma vitamin C and dietary vitamin C intake. Plasma and leukocyte vitamin C levels were significantly lower in the asthma group. Plasma vitamin C was deficient [< 0.4 mg/dL] in significantly more patients than controls [38.0% versus 0%] and leukocyte vitamin C [< 20 micro g/10[8] leukocytes] was deficient in 92.0% of asthmatics versus 8.0% of controls. significant association was observed between duration of asthma and plasma vitamin C level

Nutritional assessment of lactating women in Shiraz in relation to recommended dietary allowances

Tables of food frequency and nutrient intake were created for a r and om sample of 266 lactating women from different areas of Shiraz city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Women were interviewed at home in 1998 and nutrient intake was calculated from a food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall. On average, daily consumption was 2 servings of dairy foods, 4 of bread/rice, 2 of vegetables and 3 of fruits; weekly consumption was 5 servings of meat and 3 of legumes. Estimated average daily energy intake was 2250 kcal. Protein and vitamin C intake were significantly higher than United States recommended dietary allowances [RDA], while iron and calcium intake were significantly lower. Protein intake was insufficient among 9.0% of women, calcium in 35.7%, iron in 18.8% and vitamin C in 15.0%

Is stored expressed breast milk an alternative for working Egyptian mothers?

Expression and storage of breast milk is way to maintain breastfeeding when mother and infant are separated, if the nutritional value can be conserved. Three expressed breast milk samples were collected from 61 healthy lactating mothers in Cairo, Egypt, for determination of total protein, fat, lactose and zinc content, as well as vitamins C, A and E concentrations. One sample was analysed immediately without storage, 1 after storage for 24 hours in a refrigerator [4 degrees C] and 1 after storage for 1 week in a home freezer [-4 degrees C to -8 degrees C]. Refrigeration and freezing of breast milk caused a statistically significant decline in levels of vitamins C, A and E. Nevertheless, the values of all nutrients were still within the international reference ranges for mature breast milk