Plasma Vitamin D Levels Among Nigerian Mothers and their Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm delivery abruptly separates a baby from the placental supply of nutrients which are mostly accreted during the third trimester. The study aimed to determine the relationship between plasma levels of vitamin D in mothers and their preterm infants within the first 24 hours of life in a Nigerian population and how this is related to the intrauterine growth pattern. METHODS: This hospital-based panel study of 121 preterm infants and their mothers was carried out in three neonatal units in southwest Nigeria. The plasma levels of vitamin D were assayed in mothers and their corresponding singleton infants while anthropometric parameters of the babies were also recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of low plasma Vitamin D was 33.1% in the mothers and 43.8% in their preterm neonates. Plasma vitamin D levels in infants showed a moderately strong positive correlation with maternal plasma levels at birth (r = 0.517; p < 0.001). Mean maternal plasma Vitamin D was lowest in mothers whose babies were small for gestational age. CONCLUSION: Notably high proportions of Nigerian preterm infants and their mothers had low plasma Vitamin D around the period of birth and low maternal vitamin D is associated with delivery of small-for-gestational-age babies. Supplementation of Vitamin D in pregnant women and preterm babies is recommended.

OBJECTIFS: L'accouchement prématuré sépare brusquement le bébé de l'apport placentaire de nutriments, principalement accumulés au cours du troisième trimestre. L'étude visait à déterminer la relation entre les niveaux plasmatiques de vitamine D chez les mères et leurs nourrissons prématurés dans les 24 premières heures de vie dans une population nigériane, ainsi que le lien avec le schéma de croissance intra-utérin. MÉTHODES: Cette étude de panel hospitalière portant sur 121 nourrissons prématurés et leurs mères a été réalisée dans trois unités néonatales du sud-ouest du Nigeria. Les niveaux plasmatiques de vitamine D ont été dosés chez les mères et leurs nourrissons uniques correspondants, tandis que les paramètres anthropométriques des bébés ont également été enregistrés. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence de la carence en vitamine D plasmatique était de 33,1 % chez les mères et de 43,8 % chez leurs nouveau-nés prématurés. Les niveaux plasmatiques de vitamine D chez les nourrissons présentaient une corrélation positive modérément forte avec les niveaux plasmatiques maternels à la naissance (r = 0,517 ; p < 0,001). La vitamine D plasmatique maternelle moyenne était la plus faible chez les mères dont les bébés étaient petits pour l'âge gestationnel. CONCLUSION: Des proportions notablement élevées de nourrissons prématurés nigérians et de leurs mères présentaient de faibles niveaux plasmatiques de vitamine D autour de la période de naissance, et un faible taux de vitamine D maternelle est associé à la naissance de bébés petits pour l'âge gestationnel. Une supplémentation en vitamine D chez les femmes enceintes et les bébés prématurés est recommandée. MOTS-CLÉS: Nourrisson prématuré, Vitamine D, Femmes enceintes, Petit pour l'âge gestationnel.

Severe acute malnutrition in a population of hospitalized under-five nigerian children.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was to determine the prevalence and socio- clinical factors associated with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among hospitalized under-five children. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of children aged less than 59 months was carried out at the Children's Ward of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria using the 2006 WHO criteria for SAM. RESULTS: A total of 208 children were studied. Overall, 64.9% had normal nutrition while 18.3% had SAM. Of the 38 children with SAM, 68.4% were hospitalised primarily for severe protein-energy malnutrition using the Wellcome classification. Low maternal education (84.2% vs 65.2%; p = 0.025), non-exclusive breastfeeding (84.2% vs 61.5%; p = 0.009), untimely commencement of weaning (77.8% vs 47.1%; p = 0.006), cessation of breastfeeding before the age of 12 months (45.5% vs 0.0%; p < 0.0001) and presence of infections (84.2% vs 58.5%; p = 0.004) were associated with SAM. Multivariate analysis identified presence of infections (OR = 4.9; p = 0.002), non- exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 1.1; p = 0.048) and low maternal education (OR = 2.1; p = 0.02) as strong determinants of SAM. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SAM among hospitalized Under-Fives was high. This justifies the routine use of the WHO diagnostic criteria at the community level for early detection of at-risk children.

Determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among children aged 6-24 months in Sagamu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices may contribute to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among Nigerian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, children aged 6-24 months were surveyed in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Children with timely initiation of complementary feeding (6-8 months) were compared with children with untimely initiation of complementary feeding early (<6 months and >8 months) for clinical and social characteristics using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 156 children, 41%, 53.8%, and 5.1% had timely, early and delayed initiation of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding was initiated with processed cereals (44.8%), locally prepared maize gruel (32.1%) and mashed family diet (23.1%). Bivariate analysis showed significant association between timely initiation of complementary and orthodox maternity care, no prelacteal feeding, exclusive breastfeeding, no siblings and first birth order. Parental education was not associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding. Multivariate analysis identified orthodox maternity care, exclusive breastfeeding and no siblings as independent predictors of timely initiation of complementary feeding. CONCLUSION: Complementary feeding is most frequently initiated earlier than 6 months in this population. Good breastfeeding practices may influence timely initiation of complementary feeding. Interventions should be targeted at the entire population irrespective of educational and socioeconomic status.

Determinants of Timely Initiation of Complementary Feeding among Children Aged 6-24 Months in Sagamu; Nigeria

Background: Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices may contribute to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. Objective: The objective was to examine the determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among Nigerian children. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design; children aged 6-24 months were surveyed in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Children with timely initiation of complementary feeding (6-8 months) were compared with children with untimely initiation of complementary feeding early (6 months and 8 months) for clinical and social characteristics using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Of 156 children; 41; 53.8; and 5.1 had timely; early and delayed initiation of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding was initiated with processed cereals (44.8); locally prepared maize gruel (32.1) and mashed family diet (23.1