Neurologic Manifestations of Gastrointestinal and Nutritional Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A tie between nutritional or gastrointestinal and neurologic disease has been recognized for centuries. Many gastrointestinal disorders are associated with neurologic disease through nutritional, immune-mediated, or degenerative pathophysiologies. This article reviews neurologic disorders in patients with gastrointestinal disease and gastrointestinal manifestations in their own neurologic patients. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Development of new gastric and bariatric surgical procedures and the widespread use of over-the-counter gastric acid-reducing medications continue to create vitamin and nutritional deficiencies despite modern diet and supplementation. Some supplements, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, and selenium, themselves are now found to cause disease. Recent work has shown extraintestinal and neurologic manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease. Chronic brain damage in liver disease has been recognized, and the opportunity to intervene may exist in the covert beginning stages. The characterization of gluten-related neurologic symptoms and differentiation from those of celiac disease is an evolving body of work. ESSENTIAL POINTS: Gastrointestinal and neurologic diseases related to common immune-mediated, degenerative, or infectious mechanisms are common and can coexist in the same patient. Furthermore, gastrointestinal disease may cause neurologic complications because of nutritional inadequacies, malabsorption, and hepatic dysfunction. In many cases, the complications are treatable but have subtle or protean presentations. Therefore, the consulting neurologist must be current in knowledge of the growing ties between gastrointestinal and neurologic disease.

Effect of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form in Elderly Burn Patients.

Nutritional assessment can early identify patients who are malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. To examine the effect of nutritional status on wound healing in elderly burn patients, we used the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) to measure the nutritional status of elderly patients. This study aimed to examine the role of MNA-SF in elderly burn patients through the correlation analysis of wound healing indicators and MNA-SF score. This was a prospective observational and cross-sectional study. This study used the MNA-SF to investigate the elderly burn patients at the department of burn. According to the score, the patients fell into three groups: good nutritional status (more than 12 points), malnutrition risk (8-11 points), and malnutrition (0-7 points). At the same time, we measured and compared the wound healing indicators among the three groups of patients, and detected the correlation. The results showed gender had a slight influence on the score of nutritional status, while age was negatively correlated with the MNA-SF score and nutrition-related indicators. There was a low positive linear correlation between the wound healing percent area change or wound healing rate of patients and the score of the MNA-SF. This study finds malnutrition is common among hospitalized elderly burn patients. The application of the MNA-SF in elderly burn patients is efficient and accurate to identify malnutrition early and prevent further obstruction of the normal wound healing, which can provide reference points for early nutrition intervention programs.

[Gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis in children]. / Manifestaciones gastrointestinales en fibrosis quística en una población pediátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic disease, with high morbidity and mortality, and its early diag nosis improves results. Lung conditions are the main cause of morbidity and mortality and are clo sely related to nutritional status and survival. There is little national information about the liver and gastrointestinal characteristics in pediatric patients with CF. OBJECTIVE: to describe at a gastrointes tinal level, the general, nutritional, and genetic characteristics and the evolution of CF carriers with/ without neonatal screening. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study carried out in 4 public referral hospitals in the Metropolitan Region. The diagnosis of CF confirmed with two positive sweat tests (Gibson and Cooke method) was considered as an inclusion criterion. Those patients with unconfir med neonatal screening tests through Immunoreactive Trypsinogen (IRT) or with only one positive sweat test were excluded. Sex, age, nutritional status, date of diagnosis, clinical presentation at the onset, evolution, and therapies received were recorded as clinical variables, and as laboratory ones, genetic study by means of a diagnostic panel with 36 mutations. The STATA 12 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 127 patients were included. Respiratory manifestations (recurrent obstructive bronchial syndrome and pneumonia) were present in >60% and gastrointestinal ones (mainly malabsorption and malnutrition syndrome) in >80% of patients. On average, diagnostic confirmation took 4 months. The diagnosis guided by IRT was associated with better nutritional outcomes in the evolution of the patient. In 81.1% of the patients, the genetic study was performed. The most frequent mutations were those associated with DF508 (deletion of phenylalanine 508). 5.8% of the patients presented mutations not included in the gene panel used. CONCLUSIONS: Gas trointestinal CF appears with pancreatic, intestinal, and hepatic pathology throughout life. Malnutri tion is a frequently present factor, which worsens the prognosis. The management of gastrointestinal manifestations and malnutrition are relevant to improve the morbidity and mortality of CF patients.

[A cachectic man with a severe vitamin deficiency]. / Een cachectische man met een ernstig vitaminetekort.

A 57-year-old man, known with severe malnutrition, vitamin E deficiency and peripheral neuropathies, presented with vomiting and abdominal tenderness. There was a suspicion of ileus and small bowel obstruction. During the exploratory laparotomy a complete brown colored bowel without peristalsis was seen.

Nutrition impact symptoms and weight loss in head and neck cancer during radiotherapy: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving radiotherapy (RT) are at high risk of weight loss (WL) due to a variety of nutrition impact symptoms (NIS). This study aimed to describe the NIS through the Head and Neck patient Symptom Checklist and body weight over time and further explore the impact of NIS on WL in patients with HNC undergoing RT. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal observational study. NIS and body weight of 117 participants were assessed at baseline, mid-treatment and post-treatment of RT. Generalised estimation equations (GEE) were used to conduct repeated measures analysis of NIS interference score and body weight at each time point and estimate the impact of NIS interference score on WL. RESULTS: All participants experienced a substantial increase in the mean number of NIS during RT, with each patient having eight to nine NIS at mid-treatment and post-treatment. Marked increases were noted in almost each NIS score during RT. Compared with their baseline body weight, 97 (82.9%) and 111 (94.9%) participants experienced WL at mid-treatment and post-treatment, with the mean WL of 2.55±1.70 kg and 5.31±3.18 kg, respectively. NIS of dry mouth (ß=-0.681, p=0.002, 95% CI -1.116 to -0.247), difficulty swallowing (ß=-0.410, p=0.001, 95% CI -0.651 to -0.169) and taste change (ß=-0.447, p=0.000, 95% CI -0.670 to -0.225) impacted WL significantly in GEE multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HNC experience a variety of NIS which have significant impact on WL during RT. Assessment of NIS, especially dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and taste change, should be given more considerable attention in the supportive care of patients with HNC.

Recomendaciones en el tratamiento nutricional para pacientes oncológicos ante Covid - 19 / Recommendations in the nutritional treatment for cancer patients before Covid ­ 19

Los pacientes con cáncer tienen alto riesgo de infección y muerte por Covid-19 tras exposición a dicho virus. En estos pacientes confluyen la edad avanzada, inmunodepresión, desnutrición, anemia, exposición a varios prestatarios de cuidados de salud durante el tratamiento citorreductor, estadía en hospitales y unidades cerradas, y los tiempos dilatados de los esquemas terapéuticos como factores de riesgo para desarrollar una infección por dicho virus. Esta revisión presenta recomendaciones sobre acciones requeridas para la identificación, evaluación del impacto sobre el estado de salud y la respuesta terapéutica, e intervención de la desnutrición presente en el paciente con cáncer. Las intervenciones alimentarias y nutricionales se adecúan a la etapa del tratamiento citorreductor, y las terapias empleadas, se orientan a la restauración de una inmunocompetencia requerida para prevención de la infección y la continuidad de los tratamientos antineoplásicos. Se prevén acciones nutricionales en aquellos pacientes con cáncer en caso de la ocurrencia de la Covid-19 a fin de preservar la vida del enfermo y prevenir complicaciones mayores. El presente manuscrito enfatiza las medidas de protección personal, familiar y ambiental contra la Covid-19 que son aplicables con iguales propósitos en el paciente con cáncer. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es proporcionar recomendaciones nutricionales claras para el paciente con cáncer en situaciones de alta vulnerabilidad inmunológica y nutricional, para lograr una disminución del riesgo de contagio viral con sus consecuentes complicaciones, asegurando así la continuidad de las acciones citorreductoras en el enfermo con cáncer.

Cancer patients are at high risk of infection and death from Covid-19 after exposure to this virus. In these patients, advanced age, immunosuppression, malnutrition, anemia, exposure to several health care providers during cytoreductive treatment, length of stay in hospitals and closed units, and lengthy therapeutic regimens converge as risk factors to developed an infection by Covid-19. This review presents recommendations on actions required for the identification, evaluation of the impact on the health status and therapeutic response, and intervention of malnutrition present in cancer patients. The food and nutritional interventions are adapted to the cytoreductive treatment stage, and the therapies used aim to restore the immunocompetence required for the prevention of infection and the continuity of antineoplastic treatments. Nutritional actions are foreseen in cancer patients with Covid-19 in order to preserve the life of the patient and prevent major complications. This manuscript emphasizes the personal, family, and environmental protection measures against Covid-19 that are applicable to the same purposes in cancer patients. This narrative review aims to provide clear nutritional recommendations for the cancer patient in high immunological and nutritional vulnerability to achieve a reduction in the risk of viral infection with its consequent complications, thus ensuring the continuity of cytoreductive actions in cancer patients.

Descriptive Study of Children's Nutritional Status and Identification of Community-Level Nursing Diagnoses in a School Community in Africa.

Effectively responding to children's nutritional status and eating behaviors in Mozambique requires a community-based care approach grounded in sound nursing research that is evidence-based. The Community Assessment, Intervention, and Empowerment Model (MAIEC) is a nursing theoretical model that is based upon clinical decision-making for community health nurses using communities as a unit of care. We used the MAIEC to identify a community-based nursing diagnosis to address children's nutritional status and eating behaviors in Mozambique. OBJECTIVES: (1) to conduct a descriptive study of children's nutritional status and eating behaviors in a school community in Mavalane, Mozambique, and (2) to identify a community-based nursing diagnosis using the MAIEC clinical decision-making matrix in the same school community. METHOD: a cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of children using anthropometric data, including brachial perimeter and the tricipital skinfold, and standard deviation for the relation of weight-height, in a sample of 227 children. To assess community management of the problem and identify a community-based nursing diagnosis, we surveyed 176 parents/guardians and 49 education professionals, using a questionnaire based on the MAIEC clinical decision matrix as a reference. RESULTS: malnutrition was identified in more than half of the children (51.3%). We also identified a community-based nursing diagnosis of impaired community management related to the promotion of child health and healthy eating evidenced by the lack of community leadership, participation, and processing among more than 70% of the community members (parents/guardians and education professionals). CONCLUSION: a nursing diagnosis and diagnostic criteria for nutritional status and community management were identified. The need to intervene using a multidisciplinary public health approach is imperative, with the school community as the unit of care. In addition, reliable anthropometric data were identified as important criteria to complement the nursing diagnosis and guide future public health interventions.

Evaluación del estado nutricional en pacientes críticos mediante dos Índices de riesgo nutricional / Assessment of nutritional status in critical ill patients by means of two Nutritional Risk Indexes

Introducción: Se desconoce qué marcadores de riesgo nutricional estratifican mejor el riesgo en pacientes críticos. Objetivo: Evaluar el riesgo nutricional en pacientes críticos mediante dos escalas. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, transversal, con 222 pacientes ingresados en la Terapia 8B del Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras" (septiembre 2017 / mayo 2018). Se utilizaron el Control Nutricional (CONUT) y el Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill modificado (mNutric). Resultados: Según CONUT el 96,4 por ciento estaba desnutrido; según mNutric el 27,5 por ciento eran pacientes en alto riesgo nutricional. Hubo asociación entre las escalas (Kappa = 0,102). El 78.3 por ciento de los sobrevivientes eran bajo riesgo por mNutric (p=0,013). Hubo asociación entre la sepsis y la desnutrición por mNutric (p=0,013), no así entre la ventilación mecánica artificial (VMA) y la desnutrición estimada por dicha escala (p=0,116). No se encontraron diferencias entre la sepsis y la desnutrición según CONUT (p=0,126). Hubo diferencias entre la VMA en relación con la desnutrición según CONUT (p=0,027). La frecuencia de fallecidos se incrementó paralelo al grado de desnutrición según CONUT (p=0,004). La variable que más influyó sobre la mortalidad fue la VMA (OR= 8,5). Conclusiones: Según el CONUT, la mayoría de los pacientes estaban desnutridos, y según el mNutric, predominaron los pacientes en bajo riesgo nutricional. Se demostró el valor predictivo de muerte de la presencia de VMA. La desnutrición ligera y moderada y la variable no desnutrido de la escala CONUT, se consideraron categorías de menor riesgo de muerte con respecto a la desnutrición grave(AU)

Introduction: Nutritional status markers that better stratify risk in critically ill patients have yet to be established. Objective: To assess nutritional risk in critically ill patients through the use of two assessment scales. Material and Methods: A prospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 222 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (8B) at the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Hospital from September, 2017 to May, 2018. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) and the modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill (mNutric) were used. Results: According to CONUT, 96.4 percent of patients were alnourished; according to mNutric, 27.5 percent of patients were categorized as high nutritional risk. There was an association between the scales (Kappa = 0.102). Among survivors, 78.3 percent of patients were at low risk according to mNutric score (p=0,013). There was an association between sepsis and malnutrition due to mNutric (p = 0.013) versus artificial mechanical ventilation (AMV) and malnutrition estimated by this scale (p = 0.116). No differences were found between sepsis and malnutrition according to CONUT (p = 0.126). There were differences between the AMV in relation to malnutrition according to CONUT score (p = 0.027). The frequency of deaths increased in parallel to the degree of malnutrition according to CONUT (p = 0.004). AMV was the variable that most influenced mortality (OR = 8,5). Conclusions: According to CONUT, most of the patients were malnourished; according to mNutric, patients at low nutritional risk predominated. The predictive value of death in patients receiving AMV was demonstrated. The light and moderate malnutrition and the variable related with the not malnourished group (CONUT scale) were considered as categories associated with lower risk of death with regard to severe malnutrition(AU)

Case Report: Nutritional and Toxic Optic Neuropathy: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

SIGNIFICANCE: Nutritional and toxic optic neuropathies are rare disorders characterized by visual impairment due to optic nerve damage by a toxin, usually with coexisting nutritional deficiencies. Its pathophysiology is still unclear, and multiple mechanisms implicated act synergistically to bring about this condition. The decline in its incidence and its confusing clinical appearance make diagnosing nutritional and toxic optic neuropathies challenging. PURPOSE: This is an observational clinical case report of an atypical clinical case of a nutritional and toxic optic neuropathy with a subacute presentation and papilledema at the time of diagnosis. The patient provided written informed consent for medical information and images to be published. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old man presented with progressive, painless bilateral decrease in central vision over 15 days. The patient had a long-standing history of alcohol abuse and was a heavy smoker. The examination revealed dyschromatopsia, 20/400 visual acuity on both eyes, and no relative afferent pupillary defect. Funduscopy revealed bilateral papilledema. A visual field test showed generalized depression with centrocecal involvement in the left eye. Laboratory studies evidenced decreased vitamin B12/B1 and red blood cell folate levels, increased acute phase reactants, hypertransaminasemia, and macrocytic anemia. Serologies and methanol in urine were negative. After the discontinuation of tobacco use and alcohol accompanied by vitamin supplementation, our patient's visual field, visual acuity, and papilledema improved remarkably. After 5 months, visual acuity and funduscopy were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Although some hallmark signs were visible in this case, its subacute presentation and the presence of papilledema at diagnosis caused some diagnostic uncertainty. Nutritional and toxic optic neuropathy is a rare and challenging diagnosis because of a lack of biomarkers. Eye care clinicians should consider nutritional and toxic optic neuropathies to prevent severe and irreversible visual damage resulting from underdiagnosis and mismanagement.

Development of an index of complexity for outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics. / Desarrollo de un índice de complejidad en consultas externas de Endocrinología y Nutrición.

INTRODUCTION: The tools for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient clinics are scarce few and unsatisfactory. The objective of this study conducted by Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Endocrinología, Nutrición y Diabetes (SCAMEND) was to develop a tool that allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, considering bearing in mind the complexity of the conditions seen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the Delphi method, the SCAMEND index of complexity in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics (ISCCE-EyN) was developed by endocrinologists in two rounds, comparing the complexity of each condition being compared with that of a review visit of primary hypothyroidism. RESULTS: The first visits were considered more complex than the subsequent visits. Non-neoplastic thyroid disease and uncomplicated overweight/obesity were considered as the least complex diseases, while metabolic diseases, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes, and adrenal carcinoma were considered as the most complex. The degree of agreement was high in most of the diseases analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This tool allows for analyzing the case-mix in outpatient endocrinology and nutrition clinics, based on the inherent complexity of the disease of the patient is reported. This tool may be used for comparisons between centers, to better allocate resources within a given service, or for self-evaluation.

Gastrointestinal, nutritional, endocrine, and microbiota conditions in autism spectrum disorder. / Problemas gastrointestinales, nutricionales, endocrinológicos y de microbiota en el trastorno del espectro autista.

Gastrointestinal, nutritional, metabolic, endocrine, and microbiota medical problems in pediatric patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are some of the coexisting medical conditions in ASD diagnosis. Their prevalence reaches more than 91 % for gastrointestinal problems, up to 89 % for nutritional and metabolic disorders, more than 50 % for thyroid dysfunction, and up to 100 % for microbiota-related conditions. There is an urgency for medical practice to be updated and to include the assessment, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of these coexisting medical conditions in ASD diagnosis in the pediatric, adolescent, and adult population. A strict management of such conditions results in positive changes in the quality of life and symptoms based on which ASD is diagnosed many times. It should be based on high-quality scientific evidence with an adequate medical care and control.

Los problemas médicos gastrointestinales, nutricionales, metabólicos, endocrinológicos y de microbiota en los pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) son parte de los problemas médicos concomitantes al diagnóstico. La prevalencia alcanza a más del 91 % en el caso de los problemas gastrointestinales, hasta el 89 % para los nutricionales y metabólicos, más del 50 % de disfunción tiroidea y hasta el 100 % para los relacionados con la microbiota. Es urgente actualizar la práctica médica para incluir la evaluación, testeo, diagnóstico y tratamiento de estos problemas médicos concomitantes al diagnóstico de TEA en la población pediátrica, adolescente y adulta. El tratamiento riguroso de dichos problemas genera cambios positivos en la calidad de vida y en la sintomatología bajo la cual el TEA se diagnostica en muchos casos. Debe basarse en evidencia científica de alta calidad, con control y cuidado médico adecuado.

Rapid Quantification of Urinary Organic Acids by HPLC Mass Spectrometry to Assess Nutritional Individuality in Chinese Children.

A urinary organic acids profile can be utilized as an effective screening tool for analyzing abnormality of nutrient metabolism. By using these metabolic markers in conjunction with one another, it helps in understanding how individual nutrient metabolism is executed and to determine where there may be imbalances in the metabolic cycle. In this study, we developed a rapid quantification method of 20 urinary organic acids by HPLC-mass spectrometry. A pre-analytical process of organic acid extraction from a urine sample is crucial in this methodology. The process was accomplished by liquid-liquid extraction followed by strong anion exchange. Compared with previous methods, this method greatly reduces the analysis time and allows for the simultaneous quantification of 20 organic acids within 10 min for the first time. This methodology enabled us to analyze urine samples collected from 34 Chinese children. The abnormalities of some urinary organic acids were found in this group, which revealed evidence of functional inadequacy of specific nutrients. The preliminary data in this study confirmed the suitability of the method for rapid and accurate quantification of the target organic acids in urine samples.

Advancements in Personalized Nutrition Technologies: Guiding Principles for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Individualized nutrition counseling and care is a cornerstone of practice for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). The term personalized nutrition (PN) refers to "individual-specific information founded in evidence-based science to promote dietary behavior change that may result in measurable health benefits." PN technologies, which include the "omics" approaches, may offer the potential to improve specificity of nutrition care through assessment of molecular-level data, such as genes or the microbiome, in order to determine the course for nutrition intervention. These technologies are evolving rapidly, and for many RDNs, it is unclear whether, when, or how these technologies should be incorporated into the nutrition care process. In order to provide guidance in these developing PN fields, International Life Sciences Institute North America convened a multidisciplinary panel to develop guiding principles for PN approaches. The objective of this article is to inform RDN practice decisions related to the implementation of PN technologies by examining the alignment of proposed PN guiding principles with the Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession, as well as Scope and Standards of Practice. Guiding principles are described as they apply to each stage of the nutrition care process and include identifying potential beneficiaries, communicating effects transparently, and protecting individual privacy. Guiding principles for PN augment standard guidance for RDNs to pose relevant questions, raise potential concerns, and guide evaluation of supporting evidence for specific PN technologies. RDNs have a responsibility to think critically about the application of PN technologies, including appropriateness and potential effectiveness, for the individual served.

What is nutritional assessment? A quick guide for critical care clinicians.

Nutritional status is associated with patient outcomes such as length and cost of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. Trained nutrition professionals perform nutritional assessment to evaluate the patient's nutritional status, identify nutritional risk, and plan appropriate nutrition interventions. By being aware of key nutrition risk factors and by using simple methods to assess muscle stores, which may be depleted even if the patient is overweight or obese, other members of the healthcare team can help to identify who is at nutritional risk and who may be malnourished. This is helpful in identifying which patients should be referred promptly to a dietitian for appropriate nutrition therapy to improve outcomes.

Nutrition in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Critical Issues Analysis and Future Research Directions.

In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), several factors may have a negative impact on the nutritional status, including an increased respiratory muscles load, release of inflammation mediators, the coexistence of hypoxemia, and physical inactivity. Nutritional abnormalities also have an impact on IPF clinical outcomes. Given the relevance of nutritional status in IPF patients, we sought to focus on some critical issues, highlighting what is known and what should be further learned about these issues. We revised scientific literature published between 1995 and August 2019 by searching on Medline/PubMed and EMBASE databases including observational and interventional studies. We conducted a narrative review on nutritional assessment in IPF, underlining the importance of nutritional evaluation not only in the diagnostic process, but also during follow-up. We also highlighted the need to keep a high level of attention on cardiovascular comorbidities. We also focused on current clinical treatment in IPF with Nintedanib and Pirfenidone and management of gastrointestinal adverse events, such as diarrhea, induced by these antifibrotic drugs. Finally, we concentrated on the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation program, including nutritional assessment, education and behavioral change, and psychological support among its essential components. More attention should be devoted to the assessment of the undernutrition and overnutrition, as well as of muscle strength and physical performance in IPF patients, taking also into account that an adequate clinical management of gastrointestinal complications makes IPF drug treatments more feasible.

Top-ten tips for managing nutritional issues and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with neurological impairment.

The prevalence of children with neurological impairment (NI) presenting feeding difficulties and gastrointestinal symptoms is rising. The most recent guidelines recommend early nutritional assessment and intervention in order to prevent undernutrition and growth failure, along with the proper diagnosis and treatment of some frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and constipation, which can further worsen the feeding process and nutritional status. Nonetheless, the nutritional issues and growth deficits of children with NI are often considered to be of low priority or under recognised by healthcare providers. The present article proposes ten top tips that highlight the major points along the nutritional management pathway of NI children. The implementation of these tips in all healthcare settings could potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality.

HYPERVITAMINOSIS D IN A GIANT ANTEATER (MYRMECOPHAGA TRIDACTYLA) AND A LARGE HAIRY ARMADILLO (CHAETOPHRACTUS VILLOSUS) RECEIVING A COMMERCIAL INSECTIVORE DIET.

Hypervitaminosis D was diagnosed in a giant anteater (Myromecophaga tridactyla) and a large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) being fed a commercial insectivore diet. Clinical findings included weight loss, reduced appetite, vomiting, and suspected abdominal discomfort. Hypercalcemia (3.68 and 2.04 mmol/L total and ionized calcium, respectively) was detected in the anteater, and plasma 25(OH)D levels were measured and found to be 808.7 and 379.4 nmol/L for the anteater and armadillo, respectively. Dietary change resulted in a reduction of 25(OH)D levels in both animals and resolution of hypercalcemia in the giant anteater. Dietary analysis of the commercial insectivore food revealed levels of vitamin D3 higher than the data-sheet values. This case report demonstrates that hypervitaminosis D in Xenarthra can be associated with significant clinical signs.