Examining the Triple Burden of Malnutrition: Insights from a Community-Based Comprehensive Nutrition Survey among Indigenous Tribal Children (0-19 Years) in the Western Ghats Hills of India.

This article presents findings from a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Attappadi, Kerala, India, aimed at assessing the prevalence of the triple burden of malnutrition among indigenous children aged 0-19 years. Historically, the indigenous population in Attappadi has faced significant developmental challenges, including high rates of malnutrition, infant mortality, and neonatal mortality. This study revealed alarming rates of undernutrition among children aged 0-59 months, with 40.9% experiencing stunting, 27.4% wasting, and 48.3% being underweight. Adolescent girls also suffered from undernutrition, with 21% classified as underweight and 43.3% experiencing stunting. Surprisingly, overweight or obesity was identified as a nutritional problem, affecting 1.4% of children aged 0-59 months, 4.2% of children aged 5-9 years, and 10.5% of adolescent girls. Additionally, a distressing proportion of young children aged 12-59 months (91.2%) were anaemic, with 50% diagnosed specifically with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Nearly all adolescent girls (96.6%) were reportedly suffering from anaemia. Deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, and vitamin-A were prevalent among 35%, 20%, 16%, and 12% of children aged 12-59 months, respectively. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address this triple burden of malnutrition. Recommendations include promoting culturally appropriate local food-based solutions, establishing participatory and community-led systems for health and nutrition information dissemination, and strengthening the nutrition surveillance system through village-level health and nutrition workers. By adopting a holistic approach, these interventions can help improve the nutritional status and well-being of the indigenous tribal children in Attappadi.

Maternal Nutrition, Body Composition and Gestational Weight Gain on Low Birth Weight and Small for Gestational Age-A Cohort Study in an Indian Urban Slum.

Maternal nutritional status and care during pregnancy are essential for adequate birth weight. In this prospective cohort study (N = 1061) in an urban slum, we investigated the association of maternal anthropometry, body composition, gestational weight gain and dietary intakes with low birthweight (LBW, <2.5 kg). About one-third of the women were short (<150 cm), 35% were underweight (<45 kg), 23% suffered from chronic energy deficiency (CED, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and another 30% were overweight/obese. The mean age and BMI were 23 years and 21.7 kg/m2, respectively, and haemoglobin was 10.73 g/dL. The mean birthweight (N = 605) was 2.81 ± 0.5 kg, and the average gestational age was 38 ± 2 weeks. About 15% of infants had LBW, and 48% were small for gestational age (SGA). Maternal body composition was assessed by skinfold thickness (SFT) in all trimesters. In the first trimester (N = 762), we found that mean fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM) and body fat percentage (% BF) were 38.86 kg, 11.43 kg and 21.55%, respectively. Low birthweight was significantly associated with preterm deliveries (p < 0.001) and less fat free mass (p = 0.02) in the third trimester. Among other factors were age (p = 0.017), maternal anthropometry (height: p = 0.031; weight: p = 0.059) and fewer antenatal check-ups (p = 0.037). Small size (SGA) was consistently associated with maternal bodyweight at all trimesters (term I, p = 0.013, term II, p = 0.003 and term III, p < 0.001), fat mass in the third trimester (p < 0.001) and maternal height (p = 0.003).

A comparative evaluation of four regenerative materials for pulpotomy in primary molars: An in vivo study.

Background: Preservation of pulpal vitality is of paramount importance as the vital functioning pulp is capable of initiating a unique reparative capacity. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare four regenerative materials for pulpotomy in primary molars. Materials and Methods: This in vivo study included a total of 120 primary molars from 30 healthy children aged 3-9 years for regenerative pulpotomy procedure. The teeth were then divided by the lottery method (chits with names of materials on it) into four groups so that each child received all four of the regenerative materials; Group 1: Biodentine (BD)™, Group II: Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Plus (MTA Plus™), Group III: Retro MTA (Retro MTA®), and Group IV: Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM) cement. All the primary molars (1st/2nd molars) were evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Data were subjected to the statistical analysis using the Chi-square test. The level of significance was considered as P < 0.05. Results: Clinical evaluation showed 100% success with BD™ and CEM cement; whereas 96.2% success was seen with MTA Plus™ and Retro MTA®. On radiographic evaluation, MTA Plus™ and CEM cement showed 96.2% success, whereas BD™ and Retro MTA® showed 92.59% success rate. Conclusion: All four regenerative materials showed high success in the pulpotomy of primary molars.

Vitamin A Deficiency, Anemia, and Nutritional Status of under 5-Year Children from Northeast India.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Anemia are important public health nutritional problems in India. OBJECTIVE: To assess nutritional status and prevalence and correlates of undernutrition, anemia, and VAD among children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out adopting systematic random sampling. Information on socio-demographic particulars was collected and 20 µL blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop on Whatman filter paper for Vitamin A estimation. Hemoglobin was estimated using indirect cyanmethemoglobin and Vitamin A by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO Child Growth Standard. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anemia and VAD was 68% and 59%, respectively, while underweight, stunting, and wasting was 30%, 55%, and 11%, respectively, among under 5 year children. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association of anemia and VAD with any sociodemographic variables, while the odd of stunting was four times higher among children of mothers engaged in labor and two times among children from low-income group, while underweight was two times higher among children from households not having sanitary latrine. Exclusive breastfeeding was observed to be associated with undernutrition among infants. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia, VAD, and stunting were high among children. Low intakes of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk product may be the reasons for the higher prevalence of anemia and VAD. There is a need to strengthen supplementation of iron and folic acid tablets and Vitamin A and also public distribution system.

Does Addition of Propolis to Glass Ionomer Cement Alter its Physicomechanical Properties? An In Vitro Study.

Propolis is a natural resinous substance produced by honey bees. The antimicrobial effects of glass ionomer cement have been shown to improve with the addition of propolis; however its effect on the physicomechanical properties of the cement is not known. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength and solubility of conventional restorative glass ionomer cement following the addition of propolis. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty half cylindrical samples were prepared with conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the control group. Another twenty samples were prepared with propolis added to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the experimental group. The compressive strength was assessed using universal testing machine. To assess solubility, the samples were immersed in deionised water at room temperature, for 7 days. The solubility was measured as a difference in the weight of the sample; prior to immersion and following immersion at the end of each day. RESULTS: The control group had a significantly higher mean compressive strength of 146.26 Mpa as compared to the experimental group (135.06 Mpa). The solubility between the groups was significant. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the control group, incorporation of propolis to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement decreased the compressive strength significantly. The solubility of the cement in the experimental group increased significantly over 7day period as compared to the control group.

Does Addition of Propolis to Glass Ionomer Cement Alter its Physicomechanical Properties? An in Vitro Study.

UNLABELLED: Propolis is a natural resinous substance produced by honey bees. The antimicrobial effects of glass ionomer cement have been shown to improve with the addition of propolis; however its effect on the physicomechanical properties of the cement is not known. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength and solubility of conventional restorative glass ionomer cement following the addition of propolis. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty half cylindrical samples were prepared with conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the control group. Another twenty samples were prepared with propolis added to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the experimental group. The compressive strength was assessed using universal testing machine. To assess solubility, the samples were immersed in deionised water at room temperature, for 7 days. The solubility was measured as a difference in the weight of the sample; prior to immersion and following immersion at the end of each day. RESULTS: The control group had a significantly higher mean compressive strength of 146.26 Mpa as compared to the experimental group (135.06 Mpa). The solubility between the groups was significant. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the control group, incorporation of propolis to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement decreased the compressive strength significantly. The solubility of the cement in the experimental group increased significantly over 7day period as compared to the control group.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oro-facial injuries and oro-facial protective devices among physical instructors in Bangalore.

BACKGROUND: Sports specific dental injuries are seen to occur frequently among children and young athletes. Dental injury is a distressing event often causing psychological as well as physical problems. The risk of children getting dental injuries during sports activities can be minimized by using a mouth guard and other oro-facial protective devices. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of physical instructors in Bangalore, regarding oro-facial injuries and orofacial protective devices. MATERIAL & METHODS: A self-completion questionnaire was sent to 50 physical instructors of schools, sports academies and gymnasiums situated in the South of Bangalore city. The questionnaire sought information about the knowledge of the incidence of oro-facial injuries, common sports causing oro-facial injuries and oro-facial protective devices and their role in the prevention of injuries. The data was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The population under study comprised of 92 males and 8 females. About 38% of oro-facial injuries were reported by physical instructors in the previous year. Physical instructors had knowledge regarding oro-facial protective devices like mouth guards (54%) and helmet (40%). The attitude and practice regarding the usage of mouth guards was found to be minimal. CONCLUSION: The physical instructors had knowledge especially through the media on the protective effectiveness of mouth guards in reducing the oro facial injuries. Despite their awareness, only 4% of them recommended the mandatory use of the mouth guards. Majority of them could not recommend its usage as they were unaware of its availability and the reason for not using the mouth is its improper fitting. How to cite the article: Neeraja G, Bharadwaj S, Shah K, Subramaniam P. Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oro-facial injuries and oro-facial protective devices among physical instructors in Bangalore. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(3):1-6.

Comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of chemomechanical caries removal (Carisolv) with that of conventional drilling in reducing cariogenic flora.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of chemomechanical caries removal (Carisolv) in reducing the count of cariogenic flora and compare it to conventional drilling. MATERIALS: The study group consisted of 20 healthy children aged between four and eight years. In each child, two primary molars with broad occlusal cavitated lesions were chosen for caries removal either with Carisolv or by conventional drilling. Dentin samples of both groups were taken prior to and following caries removal. They were then processed after suitable dilutions and cultured using Schaedler agar for the Total Viable Bacteria and MRS agar for the lactobacilli. After incubation at 35 degrees C for 3 days, the Total Viable Count and lactobacilli count was determined and expressed as Colony Forming Units per ml. The two methods of caries removal were then compared and the data was statistically analyzed. Both methods reduced the TVC count by 92% and lactobacilli count by 91%. RESULTS have indicated that the antimicrobial efficacy of Carisolv was comparable to that of conventional drilling and can be used as a suitable alternative for caries removal, especially in children.

Witkop's tooth and nail syndrome: a multifaceted approach to dental management.

Witkop's tooth and nail syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of ectodermal dysplasia characterized by hypodontia and nail dysplasia. Mutations in MSX-1 have been shown to be associated with this syndrome. There is failure of development and eruption of the dentition. Tooth shape may vary; the most common forms are conical and narrow crowns. The nails may be spoon shaped and slow growing and affect both finger and toe nails. The nail involvement is more severe in childhood. The present case describes a 14-year-old boy who showed the characteristic features of Witkop's syndrome. A multifaceted approach to the dental management of the patient is discussed.