Erythrocyte folate content and serum folic acid and homocysteine levels in preeclamptic primigravidae teenagers living at high altitude.

OBJECTIVE: To measure erythrocyte folate content and serum folic acid and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in preeclamptic primigravidae teenagers living at high altitude. METHODS: Measured analytes were compared to those found in normal teen controls. RESULTS: Teenagers complicated with preeclampsia displayed significantly lower hematocrit and erythrocyte folic acid levels with higher serum Hcy levels as compared to controls (36.40 ± 4.90 vs. 38.99 ± 2.89 %, 493.80 ± 237.30 vs. 589.90 ± 210.60 ng/mL, and 7.29 ± 2.52 vs. 5.97 ± 1.41 µmol/L, respectively, p < 0.05). There was a non-significant trend for lower serum folic acid levels among preeclampsia teenagers. Serum and erythrocyte folic acid levels positively correlated in preeclampsia teenagers, and levels of both analytes inversely correlated with Hcy levels. CONCLUSION: This pilot study found that teenagers complicated with preeclampsia living at higher altitude displayed lower erythrocyte folate content in addition to higher serum Hcy levels. More research is warranted to determine the clinical implications of these findings.

Conjuntivitis alérgica / Allergic conjunctivitis

La conjuntivitis alérgica es una de las causas más comunes de consulta externa en oftalmología y tiene una muy alta relación con las reacciones alérgicas sistémicas. La fisiopatología de las reacciones de hipersensibilidad nos hace entender los cuadros clínicos característicos de esta patología y sus diferentes grados de severidad. El diagnostico diferencial es amplio, sin embargo hay claves diagnosticas que nos orientan rápidamente al diagnostico correcto. El tratamiento se enfoca en las medidas farmacológicas y no farmacológicas, utilizándolas en conjunto para disminuir la recurrencia del cuadro y prevenir secuelas visuales.

Ocular allergies are the one of the most common pathologies in ophthalmology and have high association with systemic allergic reactions. The physiopathology of the hypersensitivity reactions make us understand the different manifestations and severity of this pathology. Differential diagnosis is wide but many diagnostic clues guide us quickly to the right disease. Treatment basis are pharmacological and non pharmacological, using them together to prevent relapses and visual sequelae.

Randomized controlled trial of the effect of daily supplementation with zinc or multiple micronutrients on the morbidity, growth, and micronutrient status of young Peruvian children.

BACKGROUND: Zinc supplements reduce childhood morbidity in populations in whom zinc deficiency is common. In such populations, deficiencies in other micronutrients may also occur. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the administration of other micronutrients with zinc modifies the effect of zinc supplementation on children's morbidity and physical growth. DESIGN: Two hundred forty-six children aged 6-35 mo with persistent diarrhea were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups to receive a daily supplement of 10 mg Zn alone (Zn; n = 81), zinc plus vitamins and other minerals at 1-2 times recommended daily intakes (Zn+VM; n = 82), or placebo (n = 83) for approximately 6 mo after the diarrhea episode ended. Morbidity information was collected on weekdays. Weight, length, and other anthropometric indicators were measured monthly, and plasma zinc and other indicators of micronutrient status were measured at baseline and 6 mo. RESULTS: Supplement consumption was high ( approximately 90%) in all groups, although slightly more vomiting was reported in the Zn+VM group (P < 0.0001, analysis of variance). The change in plasma zinc from baseline to 6 mo was greater in the 2 zinc groups (6.1, 27.3, and 16.2 micro g/dL in the placebo, Zn, and Zn+VM groups, respectively; P < 0.0001, analysis of variance). The Zn group had fewer episodes of diarrhea, dysentery, and respiratory illness and a lower prevalence of fever and cough than did the Zn+VM group and a lower prevalence of cough than did the placebo group (P = 0.05). No significant effects of supplementation on growth were observed. CONCLUSION: Morbidity was greater after supplementation with zinc plus multivitamins and minerals than it was after supplementation with zinc alone.