The incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, time trends and association with the population composition in Sweden: a 40 year follow-up.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: During the 1980s and 1990s, the incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes more than doubled in Sweden, followed by a plateau. In the present 40 year follow-up, we investigated if the incidence remained stable and whether this could be explained by increased migration from countries reporting lower incidences. METHODS: We used 23,143 incident cases of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes reported between 1978 and 2019 to the nationwide, population-based Swedish Childhood Diabetes Registry and population data from Statistics Sweden. Generalised additive models and ANOVA were applied to analyse the effects of onset age, sex, time trends and parental country of birth and interaction effects between these factors. RESULTS: The flattening of the incidence increase seems to remain over the period 2005-2019. When comparing the incidence of type 1 diabetes for all children in Sweden with that for children with both parents born in Sweden, the trends were parallel but at a higher level for the latter. A comparison of the incidence trends between individuals with Swedish backgrounds (high diabetes trait) and Asian backgrounds (low diabetes trait) showed that the Asian subpopulation had a stable increase in incidence over time. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In Sweden, the increase in incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in the late 20th century has been approaching a more stable albeit high level over the last two decades. Increased immigration from countries with lower incidences of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes does not provide a complete explanation for the observed levelling off.

Risk of cancer in young and middle-aged adults with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Sweden-A prospective cohort study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In persons with type 1 diabetes, the risk of cancer remains controversial. We wanted to examine the excess risk of cancer in a large population-based cohort diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before 15 years of age. STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS: From 1 July 1977 to 31 December 2013, we prospectively and on a national scale included 18,724 persons (53% men) with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. For each person with type 1 diabetes, we selected four referents, matched for the date at birth and municipality of living at the time when the case developed diabetes. Cases and referents were linked to national registers of cancer and of the cause of death. RESULTS: A total of 125 persons (61% women) with diabetes had 135 different cancers, all diagnosed after the diabetes diagnosis. The median duration from diabetes diagnosis to first cancer diagnosis was 19 years (interquartile range 10-26). The median age at cancer diagnosis in the diabetes group was 28 years (interquartile range 20-35). The overall standardized incidence ratio (95%), using the Swedish general population as referents for women with diabetes was 1.28 (1.02, 1.58) and when comparing women with diabetes with matched referents, we found a hazard ratio of 1.42 (1.10, 1.85). No elevated risk was seen for men. Cancers of the breast and testis were the most common types in women and men respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes had a small but significantly elevated risk of cancer. No such tendency was seen for men. The reason behind this is unclear.

Individual participant data (IPD)-level meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to estimate the vitamin D dietary requirements in dark-skinned individuals resident at high latitude.

CONTEXT AND PURPOSE: There is an urgent need to develop vitamin D dietary recommendations for dark-skinned populations resident at high latitude. Using data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with vitamin D3-supplements/fortified foods, we undertook an individual participant data-level meta-regression (IPD) analysis of the response of wintertime serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) to total vitamin D intake among dark-skinned children and adults residing at ≥ 40° N and derived dietary requirement values for vitamin D. METHODS: IPD analysis using data from 677 dark-skinned participants (of Black or South Asian descent; ages 5-86 years) in 10 RCTs with vitamin D supplements/fortified foods identified via a systematic review and predefined eligibility criteria. Outcome measures were vitamin D intake estimates across a range of 25(OH)D thresholds. RESULTS: To maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 25 and 30 nmol/L in 97.5% of individuals, 23.9 and 27.3 µg/day of vitamin D, respectively, were required among South Asian and 24.1 and 33.2 µg/day, respectively, among Black participants. Overall, our age-stratified intake estimates did not exceed age-specific Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for vitamin D. The vitamin D intake required by dark-skinned individuals to maintain 97.5% of winter 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 50 nmol/L was 66.8 µg/day. This intake predicted that the upper 2.5% of individuals could potentially achieve serum 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 158 nmol/L, which has been linked to potential adverse effects in older adults in supplementation studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our IPD-derived vitamin D intakes required to maintain 97.5% of winter 25(OH)D concentrations ≥ 25, 30 and 50 nmol/L are substantially higher than the equivalent estimates for White individuals. These requirement estimates are also higher than those currently recommended internationally by several agencies, which are based predominantly on data from Whites and derived from standard meta-regression based on aggregate data. Much more work is needed in dark-skinned populations both in the dose-response relationship and risk characterisation for health outcomes. TRAIL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Registration Number: CRD42018097260).

Vitamin D, liver-related biomarkers, and distribution of fat and lean mass in young patients with Fontan circulation.

INTRODUCTION/AIM: Young patients with Fontan circulation may have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, an affected liver, and unhealthy body compositions. This study aimed to explore the association between vitamin D intake/levels, liver biomarkers, and body composition in young Fontan patients. METHOD: We collected prospective data in 2017 to 2018, obtained with food-frequency questionnaires, biochemical analyses of liver biomarkers, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans in 44 children with Fontan circulation. Body compositions were compared to matched controls (n = 38). Linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations of biomarkers, leg pain, and lean mass on serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Biomarkers were converted to z scores and differences were evaluated within the Fontan patients. RESULTS: Our Fontan patients had a daily mean vitamin D intake of 9.9 µg and a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 56 nmol/L. These factors were not associated with fat or lean mass, leg pain, or biomarkers of liver status. The Fontan patients had significantly less lean mass, but higher fat mass than controls. Male adolescents with Fontan circulation had a greater mean abdominal fat mass than male controls and higher cholesterol levels than females with Fontan circulation. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D intake and serum levels were not associated with body composition or liver biomarkers in the Fontan group, but the Fontan group had lower lean mass and higher fat mass than controls. The more pronounced abdominal fat mass in male adolescents with Fontan circulation might increase metabolic risks later in life.

Comparing continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and multiple daily injections in children with Type 1 diabetes in Sweden from 2011 to 2016-A longitudinal study from the Swedish National Quality Register (SWEDIABKIDS).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare metabolic control measured as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the risk of severe hypoglycemia, and body composition measured as body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI-SDS) in a nationwide sample of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and multiple daily injections (MDI), respectively. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Longitudinal data from 2011 to 2016 were extracted from the Swedish National Quality Register (SWEDIABKIDS) with both cross-sectional (6 years) and longitudinal (4 years) comparisons. Main end points were changes in HbA1c, BMI-SDS, and incidence of severe hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Data were available from 35,624 patient-years (54% boys). In general, HbA1c decreased approximately 0.5% (2-5 mmol/mol) from 2011 to 2016 (ptrend < 0.001) and the use of CSII increased in both sexes and all age groups. Mean HbA1c was 0.1% (0.7-1.5 mmol/mol) lower in the CSII treated group. Teenagers, especially girls, using CSII tended to have higher BMI-SDS. There was no difference in the number of hypoglycemias between CSII and MDI over the years 2011-2016. CONCLUSIONS: There was a small decrease in HbA1c with CSII treatment but of little clinical relevance. Overall, mean HbA1c decreased in both sexes and all age groups without increasing the episodes of severe hypoglycemia, indicating that other factors than insulin method contributed to a better metabolic control.

Perinatal risk factors for type 1 diabetes revisited: a population-based register study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Single-centre studies and meta-analyses have found diverging results as to which early life factors affect the risk of type 1 diabetes during childhood. We wanted to use a large, nationwide, prospective database to further clarify and analyse the associations between perinatal factors and the subsequent risk for childhood-onset type 1 diabetes using a case-control design. METHODS: The Swedish Childhood Diabetes Register was linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register and National Patient Register, and 14,949 cases with type 1 diabetes onset at ages 0-14 years were compared with 55,712 matched controls born from the start of the Medical Birth Register in 1973 to 2013. After excluding confounders (i.e. children multiple births, those whose mother had maternal diabetes and those with a non-Nordic mother), we used conditional logistic regression analyses to determine risk factors for childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. We used WHO ICD codes for child and maternal diagnoses. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, there were small but statistically significant associations between higher birthweight z score (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06, 1.10), delivery by Caesarean section (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02, 1.15), premature rupture of membranes (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01, 1.16) and maternal urinary tract infection during pregnancy (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04, 1.86) and the subsequent risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. Birth before 32 weeks of gestation was associated with a lower risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes compared with full-term infants (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38, 0.76), whereas birth between 32 and 36 weeks' gestation was associated with a higher risk (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14, 1.35). In subgroup analyses (birth years 1992-2013), maternal obesity was independently associated with subsequent type 1 diabetes in the children (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.15, 1.41) and rendered the association with Caesarean section non-significant. In contrast to previous studies, we found no association of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes with maternal-child blood-group incompatibility, maternal pre-eclampsia, perinatal infections or treatment of the newborn with phototherapy for neonatal jaundice. The proportion of children with neonatal jaundice was significantly higher in the 1973-1982 birth cohort compared with later cohorts. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Perinatal factors make small but statistically significant contributions to the overall risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. Some of these risk factors, such as maternal obesity, may be amendable with improved antenatal care. Better perinatal practices may have affected some previously noted risk factors over time.

Study protocol: optimized complementary feeding study (OTIS): a randomized controlled trial of the impact of a protein-reduced complementary diet based on Nordic foods.

BACKGROUND: What we eat as infants and children carries long-term consequences. Apart from breastfeeding, the composition of the complementary diet, i.e. the foods given to the infant during the transition from breast milk/infant formula to regular family foods affects the child's future health. A high intake of protein, a low intake of fruits, vegetables and fish and an unfavorable distribution between polyunsaturated and saturated fats are considered to be associate with health risks, e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia later in life. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled study from 6 to 18 months of age we will compare the currently recommended, Swedish complementary diet to one based on Nordic foods, i.e. an increased intake of fruits, berries, vegetables, tubers, whole-grain and game, and a lower intake of sweets, dairy, meat and poultry, with lower protein content (30% decrease), a higher intake of vegetable fats and fish and a systematic introduction of fruits and greens. The main outcomes are body composition (fat and fat-free mass measured with deuterium), metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers (associated with the amount of body fat) in blood and urine, gut microbiota (thought to be the link between early diet, metabolism and diseases such as obesity and insulin resistance) and blood pressure. We will also measure the participants' energy and nutrient intake, eating behavior and temperament through validated questionnaires, acceptance of new and unfamiliar foods through video-taped test meals and assessment of cognitive development, which we believe can be influenced through an increased intake of fish and milk fats, notably milk fat globule membranes (MFGM). DISCUSSION: If the results are what we expect, i.e. improved body composition and a less obesogenic, diabetogenic and inflammatory metabolism and gut microbiota composition, a more sustainable nutrient intake for future health and an increased acceptance of healthy foods, they will have a profound impact on the dietary recommendations to infants in Sweden and elsewhere, their eating habits later in life and subsequently their long-term health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02634749 . Registration date 18 December 2015.

Fluid restriction negatively affects energy intake and growth in very low birthweight infants with haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.

AIM: We explored if fluid restriction in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants with a haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) affected energy and protein intakes and growth. METHODS: Retrospectively, we identified 90 VLBW infants that were admitted to Umea University Hospital, Sweden, between 2009 and 2012: 42 with and 48 without haemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA). Anthropometric, fluid, energy and protein intake data during the first 28 days of life were expressed as z-scores. RESULTS: In the 42 infants diagnosed with hsPDA, fluid intake was restricted after diagnosis, resulting in a decrease in energy and protein intake. No decrease was observed in the other 48 infants in the cohort. Multivariate analysis showed that the z-score of weight change depended on both ductus arteriosus status and energy intake; thus, infants with hsPDA did not grow as expected with the energy provided to them. CONCLUSION: Energy and protein intake was diminished in prematurely born infants with hsPDA when fluid was restricted after diagnosis. The initial reduction in intakes may have contributed to the lower postnatal growth observed in these infants.

Vitamin D Intervention and Bone: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Fair- and Dark-skinned Children at Northern Latitudes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate vitamin D status and effects of vitamin D intervention on bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) in children with fair and dark skin in Sweden during winter. METHODS: In a 2-center prospective double-blinded randomized intervention study 5- to 7-year-old children (n = 206) with fair and dark skin in Sweden (55°N-63°N) received daily vitamin D supplements of 25 µg, 10 µg, or placebo (2 µg) during 3 winter months. We measured BMD and BMC for total body (TB), total body less head (TBLH), femoral neck (FN), and spine at baseline and 4 months later. Intake of vitamin D and calcium, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (S-25[OH]D), and related parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Despite lower S-25(OH)D in dark than fair-skinned children, BMD of TB (P = 0.012) and TBLH (P = 0.002) and BMC of TBLH (P = 0.04) were higher at baseline and follow-up in those with dark skin. Delta (Δ) BMD and BMC of TB and TBLH did not differ between intervention and placebo groups, but FN-BMC increased more among dark-skinned children in the 25 µg (P = 0.038) and 10 µg (P = 0.027) groups compared to placebo. We found no associations between Δ S-25(OH)D, P-parathyroid hormone, P-alkaline phosphatase, and Δ BMD and BMC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BMD and BMC remained higher in dark- than fair-skinned children despite lower vitamin D status. Even though no difference in general was found in BMD or BMC after vitamin D intervention, the increase in FN-BMC in dark-skinned children may suggest an influence on bone in those with initially insufficient vitamin D status.

Estimating marginal causal effects in a secondary analysis of case-control data.

When an initial case-control study is performed, data can be used in a secondary analysis to evaluate the effect of the case-defining event on later outcomes. In this paper, we study the example in which the role of the event is changed from a response variable to a treatment of interest. If the aim is to estimate marginal effects, such as average effects in the population, the sampling scheme needs to be adjusted for. We study estimators of the average effect of the treatment in a secondary analysis of matched and unmatched case-control data where the probability of being a case is known. For a general class of estimators, we show the components of the bias resulting from ignoring the sampling scheme and demonstrate a design-weighted matching estimator of the average causal effect. In simulations, the finite sample properties of the design-weighted matching estimator are studied. Using a Swedish diabetes incidence register with a matched case-control design, we study the effect of childhood onset diabetes on the use of antidepressant medication as an adult. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Radiation exposure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the years 2001-2011.

OBJECTIVES: To compare cumulative ionizing radiation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the years 2001-2011. To study how radiation exposure change over time in patients with newly diagnosed IBD and factors associated with radiation exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All radiological investigations performed between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2011 were retrospectively recorded in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) (n = 103), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 304) and IBS (n = 149). Analyses were done with Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square test. RESULTS: The median total cumulative radiation exposure in mSv for CD (20.0, inter quartile range (IQR) 34.8), UC (7.01, IQR 23.8), IBS (2.71, IQR 9.15) and the proportion of patients who had been exposed for more than 50 mSv during the study period (CD 19%, UC 11%, IBS 3%) were significantly higher in the patients with CD compared to patients with UC (p < .001) and IBS (p < .001), respectively. In turn, patients with UC had significantly higher doses than patients with IBS (p = .005). Risk factors for radiation exposure were female gender (CD), early onset (UC), ileocolonic location (CD), previous surgery (CD and UC), depression (IBS) and widespread pain (IBS). In newly diagnosed CD, there was a significant decline in median cumulative radiation dose in mSv (17.2 vs. 12.0; p = .048) during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CD are at greatest risk for high cumulative radiation exposure, but there is a decline in exposure during the late 2000s. Non-colectomized patients with UC and patients with IBS have a relatively low risk of cumulative radiation exposure.

Mode of oral iron administration and the amount of iron habitually consumed do not affect iron absorption, systemic iron utilisation or zinc absorption in iron-sufficient infants: a randomised trial.

Different metabolic pathways of supplemental and fortification Fe, or inhibition of Zn absorption by Fe, may explain adverse effects of supplemental Fe in Fe-sufficient infants. We determined whether the mode of oral Fe administration or the amount habitually consumed affects Fe absorption and systemic Fe utilisation in infants, and assessed the effects of these interventions on Zn absorption, Fe and Zn status, and growth. Fe-sufficient 6-month-old infants (n 72) were randomly assigned to receive 6·6 mg Fe/d from a high-Fe formula, 1·3 mg Fe/d from a low-Fe formula or 6·6 mg Fe/d from Fe drops and a formula with no added Fe for 45 d. Fractional Fe absorption, Fe utilisation and fractional Zn absorption were measured with oral (57Fe and 67Zn) and intravenous (58Fe and 70Zn) isotopes. Fe and Zn status, infection and growth were measured. At 45 d, Hb was 6·3 g/l higher in the high-Fe formula group compared with the Fe drops group, whereas serum ferritin was 34 and 35 % higher, respectively, and serum transferrin 0·1 g/l lower in the high-Fe formula and Fe drops groups compared with the low-Fe formula group (all P<0·05). No intervention effects were observed on Fe absorption, Fe utilisation, Zn absorption, other Fe status indices, plasma Zn or growth. We concluded that neither supplemental or fortification Fe nor the amount of Fe habitually consumed altered Fe absorption, Fe utilisation, Zn absorption, Zn status or growth in Fe-sufficient infants. Consumption of low-Fe formula as the only source of Fe was insufficient to maintain Fe stores.

Serum Vitamin D Depends Less on Latitude Than on Skin Color and Dietary Intake During Early Winter in Northern Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if dietary vitamin D intake is adequate for sufficient vitamin D status during early winter in children living in Sweden, irrespective of latitude or skin color. METHODS: As part of a prospective, comparative, 2-center intervention study in northern (63°N) and southern (55°N) Sweden, dietary intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH) D), associated laboratory variables, and sociodemographic data were studied in 5 to 7-year-old children with fair and dark skin in November and December. RESULTS: Two hundred six children with fair/dark skin were included, 44/41 and 64/57 children in northern and southern Sweden, respectively. Dietary vitamin D intake was higher in northern than southern Sweden (P = 0.001), irrespective of skin color, partly due to higher consumption of fortified foods, but only met 50-70% of national recommendations (10 µg/day). S-25(OH) D was higher in northern than southern Sweden, in children with fair (67 vs 59 nmol/L; P < 0.05) and dark skin (56 vs 42 nmol/L; P < 0.001). S-25(OH) D was lower in dark- than fair-skinned children at both sites (P < 0.01), and below 50 nmol/L in 40 and 75% of dark-skinned children in northern and southern Sweden, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient vitamin D status was common during early winter in children living in Sweden, particularly in those with dark skin. Although, higher dietary vitamin D intake in northern than southern Sweden attenuated the effects of latitude, a northern country of living combined with darker skin and vitamin D intake below recommendations are important risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency.

Childhood stunting is highly clustered in Northern Province of Rwanda: A spatial analysis of a population-based study.

Background: In Northern Province, Rwanda, stunting is common among children aged under 5 years. However, previous studies on spatial analysis of childhood stunting in Rwanda did not assess its randomness and clustering, and none were conducted in Northern Province. We conducted a spatial-pattern analysis of childhood undernutrition to identify stunting clusters and hotspots for targeted interventions in Northern Province. Methods: Using a household population-based questionnaire survey of the characteristics and causes of undernutrition in households with biological mothers of children aged 1-36 months, we collected anthropometric measurements of the children and their mothers and captured the coordinates of the households. Descriptive statistics were computed for the sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements. Spatial patterns of childhood stunting were determined using global and local Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics, and the corresponding maps were produced. Results: The z-scores of the three anthropometric measurements were normally distributed, but the z-scores of height-for-age were generally lower than those of weight-for-age and weight-for-height, prompting us to focus on height-for-age for the spatial analysis. The estimated incidence of stunting among 601 children aged 1-36 months was 27.1 %. The sample points were interpolated to the administrative level of the sector. The global Moran's I was positive and significant (Moran's I = 0.403, p < 0.001, z-score = 7.813), indicating clustering of childhood stunting across different sectors of Northern Province. The local Moran's I and hotspot analysis based on the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic showed statistically significant hotspots, which were strongest within Musanze district, followed by Gakenke and Gicumbi districts. Conclusion: Childhood stunting in Northern Province showed statistically significant hotspots in Musanze, Gakenke, and Gicumbi districts. Factors associated with such clusters and hotspots should be assessed to identify possible geographically targeted interventions.

Partial Clinical Remission of Type 1 Diabetes in Swedish Children: A Longitudinal Study from the Swedish National Quality Register (SWEDIABKIDS) and the Better Diabetes Diagnosis (BDD) Study.

Aims/Hypotheses: To investigate the frequency and characteristics of partial remission in Swedish children with type 1 diabetes and whether the insulin delivery method, that is, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDIs), affects incidence and duration of this period, 2007-2011. Factors that increase the proportion of subjects who enter partial remission and extend this period can improve long-term metabolic control and reduce the risk of severe hypoglycemia, improve quality of life, and, in the long run, reduce late complications. Methods: Longitudinal data from 2007 to 2020 were extracted from the Swedish National Quality Register (SWEDIABKIDS) with all reported newly diagnosed children. Data on C-peptide from the participants in the Better Diabetes Diagnosis study from 2007 to 2010 were used. The definition of partial remission was insulin dose-adjusted HbA1c: HbA1c (%) + [4 × total daily insulin dose (U/kg/day)] ≤9. Results: Of the 3887 patients, 56% were boys. More boys than girls were in partial remission throughout the follow-up period until 24 months after diabetes onset. Fewer children 0-6 years old had partial remission at 3 and 12 months but not at 24 months compared with older age-groups. A larger proportion of patients using CSII at 12 and 24 months remained in partial remission compared with those with MDI (37% vs. 33%, P = 0.02 and 31% vs. 27%, P = 0.01, respectively). The level of C-peptide was higher in the group with partial remission and mean HbA1c was lower (both P < 0.001). Partial remission at 12 months after diabetes onset was associated with CSII (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39, confidence interval [CI]:1.13, 1.71), shorter diabetes duration (OR: 0.80, CI: 0.76, 0.84), and male sex (OR: 1.23, CI: 1.04, 1.46). Conclusions/Interpretation: Insulin through MDI, longer duration of diabetes, and female sex were associated with lower frequency of partial remission. Use of CSII seems to contribute to longer partial remission among Swedish children with type 1 diabetes.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in preschool-age children in northern Sweden are inadequate after summer and diminish further during winter.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite studies indicating that vitamin D intake among Swedish children does not meet the recommendation, little is known of their vitamin D status. The aim of the present study was to examine vitamin D status in preschool-age children in relation to vitamin D intake, season, body mass index, and skin color. METHODS: Preschool-age children (n = 90; mean age 54 ± 7.1 months), all living in northern Sweden (latitude 63° north), half of them with fair skin, half with darker complexion, were recruited from well-baby clinics. The study group was examined first in August-September (late summer) and then the following January-February (winter). Skin type, vitamin D intake, anthropometrics, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25[OH] D), and serum parathyroid hormone were assessed. RESULTS: Mean ± SD S-25(OH) D in summer and winter were 60 ± 15 nmol/L and 55 ± 16 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001). Fifteen percent and 10% had S-25(OH) D ≥ 75 nmol/L, and 25% and 40% had S-25(OH) D <50 nmol/L, respectively. The mean vitamin D intake was higher in dark-skinned compared with fair-skinned children. In spite of this, S-25(OH) D in dark-skinned children was lower compared with fair-skinned children during both seasons. The dietary intake of vitamin D was positively associated with S-25(OH) D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D status is inadequate in preschool-age children living in northern Sweden, especially in dark-skinned children and during the winter despite vitamin D intakes meeting the recommendations, prompting strategies to improve intake of vitamin D in this population.

The impact of prenatal vitamin A and zinc supplementation on birth size and neonatal survival - a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in a rural area of Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal supplementation with micronutrients may increase birth weight and thus improve infant health and survival in settings where infants and children are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether vitamin A and/or zinc supplementation given during pregnancy can improve birth weight, birth length, neonatal morbidity, or infant mortality. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial supplementing women (n = 2173) in Central Java, Indonesia throughout pregnancy with vitamin A, zinc, combined vitamin A+zinc, or placebo. RESULTS: Out of 2173 supplemented pregnant women, 1956 neonates could be evaluated. Overall, zinc supplementation improved birth length compared to placebo or combined vitamin A+zinc (48.8 vs. 48.5 cm, p = 0.04); vitamin A supplementation improved birth length compared to placebo or combined vitamin A+zinc (48.7 vs. 48.2 cm, p = 0.04). These effects remained after adjusting for maternal height, pre-pregnancy weight, and parity. There was no effect of supplementation on birth weight, the proportion of low birth weight, neonatal morbidity, or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal zinc or vitamin A supplementation demonstrates a small but significant effect on birth length, but supplementation with zinc, vitamin A or a combination of zinc and vitamin A, have no effect on birth weight, neonatal morbidity, or mortality.

A randomized, controlled trial of a Nordic, protein-reduced complementary diet in infants: effects on body composition, growth, biomarkers, and dietary intake at 12 and 18 months.

BACKGROUND: High intake of protein and low intake of plant-based foods during complementary feeding can contribute to negative long-term health effects. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of a protein-reduced, Nordic complementary diet on body composition, growth, biomarkers, and dietary intake, compared with current Swedish dietary recommendations for infants at 12 and 18 mo. METHODS: Healthy, term infants (n = 250) were randomly allocated to either a Nordic group (NG) or a conventional group (CG). From 4 to 6 mo, NG participants received repeated exposures of Nordic taste portions. From 6 to 18 mo, NG was supplied with Nordic homemade baby food recipes, protein-reduced baby food products, and parental support. CG followed the current Swedish dietary recommendations. Measurements of body composition, anthropometry, biomarkers, and dietary intake were collected from baseline and at 12 and 18 mo. RESULTS: Of the 250 infants, 82% (n = 206) completed the study. There were no group differences in body composition or growth. In NG, protein intake, blood urea nitrogen and plasma IGF-1 were lower compared to CG at 12 and 18 mo. Infants in NG consumed 42% to 45% more fruits and vegetables compared to CG at 12 and 18 mo, which was reflected in a higher plasma folate at 12 and 18 mo. There were no between-group differences in EI or iron status. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a predominantly plant-based, protein-reduced diet as part of complementary feeding is feasible and can increase fruit and vegetable intake. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02634749.

How children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis participate in their healthcare: health professionals' views.

BACKGROUND: The study explores how healthcare professionals view participation of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in healthcare encounters. METHODS: This qualitative study includes focus groups of HCPs from different professions. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The theme "Creating an enabling arena" illuminates how HCPs face possibilities and challenges when enabling children to communicate and participate in clinical encounters. HCPs, parents, and the healthcare system need to adjust to the child. The sub-theme "Bringing different perspectives" describes how children and their parents cooperate and complement each other during healthcare encounters. The sub-theme "Building a safe and comfortable setting" includes how HCPs address the child's self-identified needs and make the child feel comfortable during encounters. The sub-theme "Facilitating methods in a limiting organisation" includes how HCPs' working methods and organization may help or hinder child participation during encounters. CONCLUSIONS: HCPs encourage children and adolescents to make their views known during healthcare encounters by creating an enabling arena. Collaboration and building good relationships between the child, the parents and the HCPs, before and during the healthcare encounters, can help the child express their wishes and experiences. Clinical examinations and use of technology, such as photos, films and web-bases questionnaires can be a good start for a better child communication in healthcare encounters.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHealthcare professionals in JIA teams experience that they can facilitate communication and participation with children and adolescents in healthcare encounters.When healthcare professionals enable both children, adolescents and their parents to bring their perspectives, these views complement one another and enrich information during healthcare encounters.Children and adolescents are more empowered to participate, when healthcare professionals create a good relationship with the child and their parents, and strengthen the child's knowledge, confidence and autonomy.