[Food cravings and aversions in pregnant women in the Buenos Aires Conurban, Argentina]. / Antojos y aversiones alimentarias en gestantes del Conurbano Bonaerense, Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women often experience food aversions and cravings, of which little is known about their characteristics and consequences. The objective was to know the prevalence of food cravings and aversions, the characteristics of the pattern of foods that are craved or avoided, and the reasons behind their presence. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. A validated questionnaire was applied to 370 pregnant and postpartum women in public hospitals. Maternal and neonatal variables were measured with descriptive statistics and those associated with the phenomena under study were identified using logistic regression models and cluster analysis using the multivariate technique. RESULTS: A presence of cravings from 71 to 80% and aversions from 55 to 65% was detected. The most craved foods were fruits and sweet foods and the most avoided meats and mate. The maternal characteristics predictive of cravings were: being younger (OR 0.94), vomiting (OR 2.23), and having gained more weight than expected were negatively associated with the presence of cravings (OR 0.44). The variables associated with the aversions were the absence of a history of hypertension (OR 0.13), a history of macrosomia (OR 2.70), nausea (OR 1.86) and complications during pregnancy (OR 2.23). DISCUSSION: This work allowed to characterize food cravings and aversions during pregnancy and to know their high frequency.

Introducción: Las gestantes suelen experimentar aversiones y antojos alimentarios, de los cuales se conocen poco sus características y consecuencias. El objetivo fue conocer la prevalencia de los antojos y aversiones alimentarias, las características del patrón de alimentos que son antojados o evitados y los motivos que subyacen ante su presencia. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Un cuestionario validado se aplicó a 370 embarazadas y puérperas en hospitales públicos. Las variables maternas y neonatales se midieron con estadísticas descriptivas y se identificaron aquellas asociadas a los fenómenos en estudio empleando modelos de regresión logística y un análisis por clusters utilizando la técnica multivariante. Resultados: Se detectó una presencia de antojos del 71 al 80% y de aversiones del 55 al 65%. Los alimentos más antojados fueron las frutas y los alimentos dulces y los mayormente rechazados las carnes y el mate. Las características maternas predictoras de antojos fueron: tener menor edad (OR 0.94), vómitos (OR 2.23), y el haber ganado más peso de lo esperado se asoció negativamente con la presencia de antojos (OR 0.44). Las variables asociadas a las aversiones fueron la ausencia de antecedentes de hipertensión (OR 0.13), antecedentes de macrosomía (OR 2.70), náuseas (OR 1.86) y complicaciones durante el embarazo (OR 2.23). Discusión: Este trabajó permitió caracterizar los antojos y aversiones alimentarias durante el embarazo y conocer su elevada frecuencia.

The usefulness of intraoperative sodium fluorescein in the surgical treatment of relapsed high-grade brain tumors in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: We report the usefulness of intraoperative sodium fluorescein (SF) in the surgical treatment of relapsed high-grade brain tumors in pediatric neurosurgery. METHODS: We describe our protocol for intraoperative SF and three cases of patients between 5 and 11 years diagnosed and surgically treated for relapsed high-grade brain tumors using SF. RESULTS: The 560-nm microscope filter enables the use of low doses of this fluorochrome. A dose of 3 mg/kg of patient weight of 10% SF, administered intravenously, is safe and effective in children. The effect of SF was immediate, providing a clear margin between the tumor and healthy tissue, which enabled good tumor resection. We observed no adverse effects in the postoperative period, and the patients evolved satisfactorily. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time the use of fluorescein in reoperations of relapsed high-grade brain tumors in childhood with promising results. Using SF in children is a safe, affordable, and effective technique that offers an excellent intraoperative image, being a feasible option to improve oncological resection. This study is one of the few that uses SF in pediatric neurosurgery, where it could be very beneficial.

Myelopexy: A novel technique in posttraumatic syringomyelia.

Posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) is a well-reported phenomenon that usually takes place in the long-term course of patients following spinal cord injury. Different surgical procedures have been described: spinal cordectomy is usually a last option technique, but might be an excellent choice in patients with severe spinal cord injuries. We present a young patient with complete spinal cord injury after spine trauma, who developed posttraumatic syringomyelia with progressive motor deterioration twelve years after fixation. We performed a novel surgical technique (myelopexy) with excellent resolution of syringomyelia, sparing the negative implications of complete cord transection. Some artistic illustrations made by one of the corresponding authors are included, to better understanding of operative details.

Quadrigeminal Cistern Epidermoid Cyst: Neuroendoscopy and Endoscope-Assisted Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach.

The pineal region is a complex anatomical location with multiple surrounding important neurovascular structures.1,2 Several approaches to this region have been described, including posterior interhemispheric, transchoroidal, infratentorial supracerebellar, supracerebellar and infracerebellar trans-sinus, and their modifications. Neuroendoscopy and endoscope-assisted surgery have been widely applied to aid resection of pineal region lesions.3-5 A 40-year-old man presented with tonic-clonic seizures and bilateral papillary edema on fundus examination. Computed tomography showed a midline lesion at the level of the quadrigeminal cistern with mass effect on the aqueduct of Sylvius and posterior wall of the third ventricle, triggering obstructive triventricular hydrocephalus. As a first intervention, a third ventriculostomy was attempted unsuccessfully owing to unfavorable third ventricle floor anatomy. This approach was used to obtain a biopsy specimen, which showed an epidermoid cyst. Ventriculoscopy showed a communication of the pineal recess and quadrigeminal cistern owing to tumor invasion. An external ventricular drain was placed to control the hydrocephalus until complete resection was performed (Video 1). Several days later, tumor resection was carried out via the median supracerebellar infratentorial approach with the patient in semisitting position. After near-total resection under microscope, the third ventricle and both lateral recesses were explored with the endoscope. A small tumor remnant (visible only with endoscope) was identified and removed. This step was essential to achieve complete resection, confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was discharged 6 days later without complications. During follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic. The combination of microneurosurgery, neuroendoscopy, and endoscope-assisted surgery improves management of pineal region lesions and facilitates complete resection.

Usefulness of ipsilateral translaminar C2 screws insertion for cervical fixation in children with a low laminar profile: a technical note.

PURPOSE: The fusion of the upper cervical spine in children is demanding due to its reduced size, its anatomical complexity, or a severe pathology of the cranio-cervical junction. In some pediatric patients with today's more popular C1-C2 or, occipito-C2 techniques, it is impossible, or very risky to perform a short upper cervical fixation. METHODS: We present the utility and good results of ipsilateral laminar C2 screws insertion technique in two pediatric cases with low C2 laminar profile. Case 1: a 5-year-old child with a C1-C2 unstable subluxation, and a condylar assimilation of C1, where we performed an occipito-C2 fixation using an occipital plate and this modified translaminar C2 screw technique. Case 2: a 8-year-old Down syndrome boy who suffered an unstable subluxation of C1-C2 upon whom we performed a C1-C2 screw fixation using the same technique. RESULTS: Both cases have been followed up over a period of 7 and 2 years respectively, with good clinical results. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the technique and the feasibility of the ipsilateral insertion of translaminar C2 screws in children with low laminar profiles, as a good alternative to other techniques when the anatomy of the C2 does not permit its use or make them very risky.

Myelopexy: A novel technique in posttraumatic syringomyelia.

Posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) is a well-reported phenomenon that usually takes place in the long-term course of patients following spinal cord injury. Different surgical procedures have been described: spinal cordectomy is usually a last option technique, but might be an excellent choice in patients with severe spinal cord injuries. We present a young patient with complete spinal cord injury after spine trauma, who developed posttraumatic syringomyelia with progressive motor deterioration twelve years after fixation. We performed a novel surgical technique (myelopexy) with excellent resolution of syringomyelia, sparing the negative implications of complete cord transection. Some artistic illustrations made by one of the corresponding authors are included, to better understanding of operative details.

Detección de proteínas lácteas en alimentos infantiles en polvo con frases de advertencia / Detection of Milk Proteins in Powder Infant Foods with Precautionary Statements / Detecção de proteínas lácteas em alimentos infantis em pó com frases de advertência

En Argentina, la Comisión Nacional de Alimentos debe elaborar una propuesta de adecuación de la Declaración obligatoria de los componentes alérgenos en el rótulo de los alimentos (art. 235 séptimo del Código Alimentario Argentino). La posibilidad de declarar frases de advertencia es uno de los temas en estudio. En el mercado se encuentran productos en polvo para lactantes y niños en la primera infancia que presentan la frase: Elaborado enuna línea donde se procesan productos con leche. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar este grupo de alimentos con el fin de determinar la posible presencia de proteínas lácteas. Las muestras analizadas fueron cuatro lotes diferentes de los productos 5 cereales, Arroz, Trigo con miel, Vainilla, Maíz y Trigo con frutas. La determinación de leche se realizó utilizando kits ELISA de las marcas r-biopharm y Veratox de Neogen. Debido a que no existe un consenso internacional respecto de los valores umbrales para la posible declaración de alérgenos en alimentos, se consideraron como valores de referencia los de la legislación japonesa; el programa EU- VITAL y el programa VITAL 2.0. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, 15 lotes presentaron valores de leche por debajo delos límites de cuantificación de los kits y 9 lotes presentaron concentraciones desde 2,9 hasta 17,5 ppm de proteínas de leche. Considerando los valores obtenidos para cada lote se estableció, para cada legislación o programa internacional, de qué manera debería declarar se el alérgeno leche. De acuerdo con nuestros resultados, si la empresa lleva a cabo un plan eficaz de control de alérgenos en los productos analizados, nos parece que sería adecuado el uso de una frase de advertencia.

In Argentina, the National Food Commission (CONAL, byits acronym in Spanish) should formulate a modification of the mandatory declaration of allergens on food labels (art. 235 7° of the Argentine Food Code). The possibility of using allergen precautionary statements is one of the items under study. In the market there are powder products for infants and children in early childhood that show the phrase "produced in a factory that processes milk products". The aim of this study was to analyse this group of foods in order to determine the possible presence of milk proteins. Samples from four different batches of the products 5 cereals, rice, wheat with honey, vanilla, corn and wheat with fruit were analysed. The detection and quantification of milk was performed using ELISA kits from R- biopharm and Veratox from Neogen. As there is no international consensus on threshold values for the possible declaration of allergens in foods, the Japanese legislation, the EU VITAL program and the VITAL 2.0 program were considered as reference values. According to the results obtained, the milk values were below the detection limits of the kits in 15 batches and the concentration of milk proteins were between 2,9 and 17,5 ppm in 9 batches. With the values obtained for each batch, it was established how the milk allergen has to be declared according to the legislation or international program considered as reference value. In view of our results, if the company carries out an effective plan to control allergens, the use of a allergen precautionary statement in the tested products seems to be appropriate.

Na Argentina, a Comissão Nacional de Alimentos deve elaborar uma proposta de adequação da Declaração obrigatória dos componentes alérgenos no rótulo dos alimentos ((art. 235 sétimo do Código Alimentar Argentino). A possibilidade de declarar frases de advertência é um dos sistemas em estudo. No mercado existem produtos em pó para lactantes e crianças na primeira infância que apresentam a frase: Elaborado em um alinha onde são processados produtos com leite. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar este grupo de alimentos com o fim de determinar a possível presença de proteínas lácteas. As amostras analisadas foram quatro lotes diferentes dos produtos 5 cereais, Arroz, Trigo com mel, Baunilha Milho e Trigo com frutas. A determinação de leite foi realizada utilizando ELISA das marcas r-biopharm e Veratox da Neogen. Devido ao fato de que não existe um consenso internacional a respeito dos valores limiares para a possível declaração de alérgenos em alimentos, foram considerados como valores de referência os da legislação japonesa; o programa EU- VITAL e o programa VITAL 2.0. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 15 lotes apresentaram valores de leite abaixo dos limites de quantificação dos kits e 9lotes apresentaram concentrações de 2,9 até 17,5 ppm de proteínas de leite. Considerando os valores obtidos para cada lote foi estabelecido, para cada legislação ou programa internacional, de que modo deveria ser declarado o alérgeno leite. De acordo com os nossos estudos, se a empresa realiza um plano eficaz de controle de alérgenos nos produtos analisados, acreditamos que seria adequado o uso de uma frase de advertência.

Lactancia materna exclusiva: factores intervinientes en el abandono antes de los 6 meses / Exclusive breastfeeding: factors involved in the abandonment before 6 months

La lactancia maternal (LM) proporciona el alimento ideal para el crecimiento saludable y el desarrollo de los infantes en los primeros meses de vida. La leche materna es el primer alimento natural para los lactantes, les provee toda la energía y nutrientes que necesitan en los primeros meses de vida, y continúa proveyendo hasta la mitad o más de las necesidades nutricionales durante la segunda mitad del primer año, y un tercio durante el segundo año de vida. La lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) es la alimentación con leche materna exclusivamente sin el agregado de otros componentes como por ejemplo agua. La OMS recomienda LME durante los primeros seis meses de vida y a partir de este momento comenzar con la introducción de alimentos manteniendo siempre la LM, hasta los dos años en contextos de pobreza...

Historia de la nutrición en la Argentina: nacimiento, esplendor y ocaso del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición / History of nutrition in Argentina: birth, splendor and decline of the National Institute of Nutrition

El presente trabajo tiene el propósito de realizar una reseña sobre la historia del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición, institución que marcó el rumbo inicial de la ciencia de la nutrición en nuestro país. Su creación es obra del doctor Pedro Escudero, mentor de la Ciencia de la Nutrición en Argentina, creador además de la Escuela de Dietistas, la Cátedra de Clínica de la Nutrición y el Curso Superior de Médicos Dietólogos [... ] El Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición. Fue el primer Instituto de América Latina dedicado al estudio de enfermedades relacionadas con la nutrición, en él se desarrollaban actividades asistenciales, de docencia, investigación y de asesoramiento, con un enfoque integrador de aspectos biológicos, económicos, psicológicos y socioculturales de las problemáticas alimentario-nutricionales. En el marco de las actividades docentes del Instituto se gradúan en 1938 las primeras egresadas de la Escuela Nacional de Dietistas, que fue pionera en la formación de dietistas en América Latina. En 1947 el Dr. Pedro Escudero deja el cargo de director del Instituto Nacional de Nutrición, que es intervenido en 1955 por el Gobierno; a partir de entonces la producción científica disminuyó significativamente y en 1969 fue clausurado por el Ministerio de Salud Pública, del que dependía. En el 2005 se realiza un rescate arqueológico de objetos pertenecientes al Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición encontrados al realizar excavaciones para una construcción en el terreno lindero al predio que ocupaba y en donde se actualmente se funciona el Centro de Salud Mental Arturo Ameghino. En la Escuela de Nutrición de la Universidad de Buenos Aires se exhibe una muestra de fotografías, objetos y publicaciones originales que retratan parte de la historia del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición.

Historia de la nutrición en la Argentina: nacimiento, esplendor y ocaso del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición / History of nutrition in Argentina: birth, splendor and decline of the National Institute of Nutrition

El presente trabajo tiene el propósito de realizar una reseña sobre la historia del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición, institución que marcó el rumbo inicial de la ciencia de la nutrición en nuestro país. Su creación es obra del doctor Pedro Escudero, mentor de la Ciencia de la Nutrición en Argentina, creador además de la Escuela de Dietistas, la Cátedra de Clínica de la Nutrición y el Curso Superior de Médicos Dietólogos [... ] El Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición. Fue el primer Instituto de América Latina dedicado al estudio de enfermedades relacionadas con la nutrición, en él se desarrollaban actividades asistenciales, de docencia, investigación y de asesoramiento, con un enfoque integrador de aspectos biológicos, económicos, psicológicos y socioculturales de las problemáticas alimentario-nutricionales. En el marco de las actividades docentes del Instituto se gradúan en 1938 las primeras egresadas de la Escuela Nacional de Dietistas, que fue pionera en la formación de dietistas en América Latina. En 1947 el Dr. Pedro Escudero deja el cargo de director del Instituto Nacional de Nutrición, que es intervenido en 1955 por el Gobierno; a partir de entonces la producción científica disminuyó significativamente y en 1969 fue clausurado por el Ministerio de Salud Pública, del que dependía. En el 2005 se realiza un rescate arqueológico de objetos pertenecientes al Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición encontrados al realizar excavaciones para una construcción en el terreno lindero al predio que ocupaba y en donde se actualmente se funciona el Centro de Salud Mental Arturo Ameghino. En la Escuela de Nutrición de la Universidad de Buenos Aires se exhibe una muestra de fotografías, objetos y publicaciones originales que retratan parte de la historia del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición. (AU)

Decreasing trend of Helicobacter pylori infection in children with gastrointestinal symptoms from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is declining in developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate over an 8-year period the rate of H. pylori infection in children with gastrointestinal symptoms from Buenos Aires, Argentina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of children referred from 2002 to 2009 to the gastroenterology unit of the Children Hospital "Superiora Sor Maria Ludovica" for evaluation of upper gastrointestinal signs and symptoms in which the (13) C-urea breath test was performed to diagnose H. pylori infection and a sociodemographic questionnaire was obtained. RESULTS: Records of a total of 1030 children and adolescents with a mean age of 9.99 years were included in the analysis. We found an H. pylori prevalence of 41.2% (95% CI, 36.9-46.0%) for the triennium 2002-2004, dropping to 26.0% (95% CI, 20.7-31.8%) in the triennium 2007-2009. CONCLUSION: Our results showed a significant decrease in H. pylori infection rates from children referred for upper gastrointestinal symptoms evaluation from 2002 to 2009, following the H. pylori epidemiologic trend reported in other countries.

Iron, zinc, and copper nutritional status in children infected with Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: : Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucosa of about half of the world's population and it has been related to extragastrointestinal diseases. The present study sought to evaluate the association between H pylori infection and iron, zinc, and copper nutritional status in symptomatic children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: : A cross-sectional study was carried out in 395 children (4-16 years) with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, who were tested for H pylori infection by the C-urea breath test. Iron status was determined by hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum transferrin receptors. Copper and zinc serum concentrations were also evaluated. Epidemiological data, dietary assessment, and anthropometric indicators were analyzed as potential confounding factors. RESULTS: : Prevalence of H pylori infection was 24.3%. Anemia and iron deficiency (ID) were found in 12.0% and 14.3% of the H pylori-positive and 8.9% and 11.0% of the H pylori-negative children, respectively. There was no association between H pylori infection and anemia (odds ratio = 1.54 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73%-3.24%]) or ID (odds ratio = 1.35 [95% CI 0.67-2.70]). Crude beta coefficients showed that H pylori has no significant effect on hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum transferrin receptors, copper, and zinc concentrations. However, adjusted results suggested that H pylori-infected children had an increase of 9.74 microg/dL (95% CI 2.12-17.37 microg/dL) in copper concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: : This study revealed that H pylori infection was not associated with iron deficiency, anemia, or zinc concentrations; however, a positive relation with copper status was found after adjusting for confounding factors. The contribution of H pylori infection to higher copper concentrations needs to be confirmed by additional studies.

Edulcorantes no nutritivos en bebidas sin alcohol: estimación de la ingesta diaria en niños y adolescentes / Non nutritive sweeteners in non alcoholic drinks: estimation of the daily intake in children and adolescents

Muchas bebidas sin alcohol que se ofrecen en el mercado no destacan en su rotulado que corresponden a bebidas dietéticas con el agregado de edulcorantes no nutritivos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue calcular la ingesta diaria estimada de edulcorantes no nutritivos por parte de niños y adolescentes sanos, a través del consumo de este tipo de alimentos. Se analizaron encuestas de frecuencia de consumo de bebidas sin alcohol de 190 niños y adolescentes (3-18 años). Se solicitó que se detallaran las marcas de las bebidas más consumidas, con el fin de considerar para el cálculo de la ingesta diaria estimada los contenidos de edulcorantes declarados en los respectivos rótulos. Además se tuvo en cuenta el consumo diario de bebidas sin alcohol y peso corporal declarado en cada encuesta. La ingesta diaria estimada de individuos entre 3 y 18 años fue 2,61 mg/kg para ciclamato; 0,28 mg/kg para sacarina; 0,69 mg/kg para acesulfame K y 2,78 mg/kg para aspartame. Sólo en el caso del ciclamato se observaron tres individuos con una ingesta diaria estimada mayor a la ingesta diaria admisible.

Many non-alcoholic drinks commercially available do not emphasize on their labels that they correspond to light drinks. The objective of the present paper was to estimate the daily intake of non nutritive sweeteners by healthy children and adolescents through the consumption of non-alcoholic drinks. Food frequency questionnaires of non alcoholic drinks from 190 children and adolescents (3 to 18 years old) were analysed. The brands of the most consumed non-alcoholic drinks were requested in order to consider the quantity of the declared sweetener in the correspondent labels to estimate the daily intake. Moreover, the daily intake of nonalcoholic drinks and the body weight declared in each questionnaire was taken into account. The estimated daily intake of students from 3 to 18 years old was 2,61 mg/kg of cyclamate, 0,28 mg/kg of saccharin, 0,69 mg/kg of acesulfame-K and 2,78 mg/kg of aspartame. Only in the case of cyclamate there were three individuals with an estimated daily intake greater than the admissible daily intake.

Edulcorantes no nutritivos en bebidas sin alcohol: estimación de la ingesta diaria en niños y adolescentes / Non nutritive sweeteners in non alcoholic drinks: estimation of the daily intake in children and adolescents

Muchas bebidas sin alcohol que se ofrecen en el mercado no destacan en su rotulado que corresponden a bebidas dietéticas con el agregado de edulcorantes no nutritivos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue calcular la ingesta diaria estimada de edulcorantes no nutritivos por parte de niños y adolescentes sanos, a través del consumo de este tipo de alimentos. Se analizaron encuestas de frecuencia de consumo de bebidas sin alcohol de 190 niños y adolescentes (3-18 años). Se solicitó que se detallaran las marcas de las bebidas más consumidas, con el fin de considerar para el cálculo de la ingesta diaria estimada los contenidos de edulcorantes declarados en los respectivos rótulos. Además se tuvo en cuenta el consumo diario de bebidas sin alcohol y peso corporal declarado en cada encuesta. La ingesta diaria estimada de individuos entre 3 y 18 años fue 2,61 mg/kg para ciclamato; 0,28 mg/kg para sacarina; 0,69 mg/kg para acesulfame K y 2,78 mg/kg para aspartame. Sólo en el caso del ciclamato se observaron tres individuos con una ingesta diaria estimada mayor a la ingesta diaria admisible.(AU)

Many non-alcoholic drinks commercially available do not emphasize on their labels that they correspond to light drinks. The objective of the present paper was to estimate the daily intake of non nutritive sweeteners by healthy children and adolescents through the consumption of non-alcoholic drinks. Food frequency questionnaires of non alcoholic drinks from 190 children and adolescents (3 to 18 years old) were analysed. The brands of the most consumed non-alcoholic drinks were requested in order to consider the quantity of the declared sweetener in the correspondent labels to estimate the daily intake. Moreover, the daily intake of nonalcoholic drinks and the body weight declared in each questionnaire was taken into account. The estimated daily intake of students from 3 to 18 years old was 2,61 mg/kg of cyclamate, 0,28 mg/kg of saccharin, 0,69 mg/kg of acesulfame-K and 2,78 mg/kg of aspartame. Only in the case of cyclamate there were three individuals with an estimated daily intake greater than the admissible daily intake.(AU)

Zinc en sangre durante la gestación y su relación con la ingesta de calcio / No disponible

Fundamentos: estudiar los niveles de Zn en sangre (ZnSE)durante la gestación y la influencia de la ingesta de calcio.Métodos: 85 gestantes, clínicamente sanas (22,0 ± 6,0años), atendidas en un Hospital del Gran Buenos Airesdesde la edad gestacional de 19,6 ± 6,6 semanas (To).Se calculó la ingesta de calcio (ICa) y de Zinc (IZn) y sedividieron en grupos que recibieron diariamente 600 mgde calcio de : leche en polvo (GL, n=20); citrato de calcio(GCit, n=12) ó carbonato de calcio (GCar, n=27). Ungrupo no aceptó tratamiento (GNs, n=26). A To, al finaldel segundo trimestre (T1) y a Tf (34,7 ± 2,8 semanas)se determinó en sangre entera: hemoglobina (Hb) y Zn.Resultados: promedio ± DE (mg/d): To: ICa: 579 ± 382;IZn: 6,5 ± 2,8.ZnSE (μg/mL), a To y T1, no presentó diferencias significativasentre los cuatro grupos. Sin embargo, a Tf, GL disminuyósignificativamente (4,06 ± 1,08) (p<0,0001) en relación aGNs (5,64 ± 0,63), GCit (6,58 ± 0,98) y GCar (6,47 ± 0,60).Conclusiones: el calcio lácteo disminuyó los valores de ZnSEdurante la gestación, sugiriendo interacción Zn-Ca, mientrasque el del citrato y carbonato no presentaron ese efecto(AU)

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the inluenceof dietary calcium during pregnancy on Zn levels in maternalwhole blood (ZnWB).Methods: A group of 85 healthy pregnant women (meanage: 22,0 ± 6,0 years) were evaluated at “Diego Paroissien”Hospital since gestational age of: 19,6 ± 6,6 weeks (To) to,34,7 ± 2,8 weeks (Tf). At To mean daily dietary intake ofcalcium (CaI) and zinc (ZnI) was calculated. Women weredivided into three groups consuming daily a supplementof 600 mg of calcium as dried whole milk (GM, n=20);calcium citrate (GCit, n=12) or calcium carbonate (GCar,n=27). A group didn’t accepted any treatment (GNt n=26).At To, T1 (end of 2º trimester) and Tf, hemoglobin andZnWB was determined.Results: Mean ± SD (mg/d): To: CaI: 579 ± 382; ZnI:6,5 ± 2,8. At To and T1 there were no significant differencesin ZWB; however, at Tf, GM decreased significantlyregarding the GNt, GCit and GCar groups (4,06 ± 1,08 vs5,64 ± 0,63; 6,58 ± 0,98; 6,47 ± 0,60, respectively;p< 0.0001).Conclusions: This study shows that milk calcium intake, butnot calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, decreased ZnWBduring pregnancy, suggesting Zn-Ca interaction(AU)

[Development and validation of an HPLC method for the quantification of vitamin A in human milk. Its application to a rural population in Argentina]. / Desarrollo y validación de un método por HPLC para la determinación de niveles de vitamina A en leche materna. Su aplicación a una población rural de Argentina.

A methodology for the quantification of vitamin A in human milk was developed and validated. Vitamin A levels were assessed in 223 samples corresponding to the 5th, 6th and 7th postpartum months, obtained in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The samples (500 microL) were saponified with potassium hydroxide/ethanol, extracted with hexane, evaporated to dryness and reconstituted with methanol. A column RP-C18, a mobile phase methanol/water (91:9 v/v) and a fluorescence detector (lambda excitation 330 nm and lambda emition 470 nm) were used for the separation and quantification of vitamin A. The analytical parameters of linearity (r2: 0.9995), detection (0.010 microg/mL) and quantification (0.025 microg/mL) limits, precision of the method (relative standard deviation, RSD = 9.0% within a day and RSD = 8.9% among days) and accuracy (recovery = 83.8%) demonstrate that the developed method allows the quantification of vitamin A in an efficient way. The mean values + standard deviation (SD) obtained for the analyzed samples were 0.60 +/- 0.32; 0.65 +/- 0.33 and 0.61 +/- 0.26 microg/ mL for the 5th, 6th and 7th postpartum months, respectively. There were no significant differences among the three months studied and the values found were similar to those in the literature. Considering the whole population under study, 19.3% showed vitamin A levels less than 0.40 microg/mL, which represents a risk to the children in this group since at least 0.50 microg/mL are necessary to meet the infant daily needs.

[Usefulness of erythrocyte protoporphyrin test in the puerperium compared to the soluble transferrin receptor]. / Utilidad en el post parto de la determinación de protoporfirina eritrocitaria y su relación con el receptor soluble de transferrina.

UNLABELLED: Erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and routine hematological laboratory tests were studied in 77 women 24 h post-partum, assisted at Paroissien Hospital (in Buenos Aires Province). Hematocrite (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were determined using an electronic counter (Mega); EP by Piomelli's; SF by ELISA (IMx Ferritina, Abbott); sTfR by ELISA (Orion Diagnostica) and C-Reactive Protein (PCR-Latex, Wiener lab). All determinations were made in fasting blood samples. Statistical analysis (Receiver Operating Characteristics, ROC) were performed using Med Calc software. The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) was used as gold standard. RESULTS: (mean +/- SD): Hct (%) 35 +/- 5; Hb (g/l) 113 +/- 18; RBC x 103/mm3 3,893 +/- 489; MCV (fL) 90 +/- 6; WBC/mm3 9,543 +/- 2,669; EP (microg/dl RBC) 46 +/- 39; sTfR (mg/l) 4.7 +/- 2.8; SF (microg/l) 26 +/- 31; PCR (Pos/Neg) 72/5. EP did not correlate with SF but it did with sTfR (r=0.323, p=0.007). Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of SF and EP were, respectively: 83% and 63% for a cut-off point of 25 microg SF/L; 38% and 90% for a cut-off point of 53 microg EPdl RBC. These results suggest that EP might be a useful and cheap indicator to assess maternal Fe nutritional status during the early perinatal period in hospital laboratories, allowing the detection of 16% of women presenting normal Hb values.

Utilidad en el post parto de la determinacion de protoporfirina eritrocitaria y su relacion con el receptor soluble de transferrina / Usefulness of erythrocyte protoporphyrin test in the puerperium compared to the soluble transferrin receptor

Se estudió, en 77 puérperas, la relación entre la protoporfirina eritrocitaria (PE), la ferritina sérica(FS) el receptor soluble de transferrina (RsT) y los indicadores hematológicos utilizados en la rutina clínica. En sangre venosa se determinó: Hematocrito (Hto), Hemoglobina (Hb), recuento de glóbulos rojos (GR) yglóbulos blancos (GB) (contador electrónico MEGA); PE (Piomelli); en suero: Rst (ELISA, Orion Diagnostica), FS (ELISA, IMx Ferritina, Abbott) y Proteína C-Reactiva (PCR-Látex, Wiener lab.) Se analizaron sensibilidad (S), especificidad (E) y puntos de corte medienate el modelo ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics), considerando como gold standard el RsT. Los resultados (media mayor o menor DE) fueron: Hto (%) 35 mayor o menor; Hb (g/l) 113 mayor o menor 18; GRx10 103/mm3 3,893 mayor o menor 489; VCM (fL) 90 mayor o menor 6; GB/mm3 9,543 mayor o menor 2,669; PE (microg/dl GR) 46 mayor o menor 39; RsT (mg/l) 4.7 mayor o menor 2.8; FS (microg/l) 26 mayor o menor 31; PCR (Pos/Neg) 72/5. La PE no correlacionó con FS, pero sí con el RsT (r=0.323, p=0.007). La S y E de la FS fueron de 83% y 63 %, respectivamente, para un punto de corte de 25 (microg/l); para la PE la S fue de 38% y la E de 90% para un punto de corte de 53 (microg/l) GR. Estos resultados sugieren que ese punto de corte en el puerperio, permitiría detectar con un bajo costo un mayor porcentaje de mujeres (16% en nuestro estudio) que presentan deficiencia de Fe pese a sus valores normales de hemoglobina.