RESUMO
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of caregiving arrangement on the iron and folate status of infants and toddlers reared at home or enrolled in centre-based, independent home, or licensed home care. One hundred and eighty-nine children aged 2 to 29 months were assessed 1 month prior to child care entry and at 6 months after entry into child care. Dietary (24-hour records), anthropometric (height, weight, head circumference) and biochemical (red blood cell folate, hematocrit, transferrin, and serum ferritin concentrations) methods were used to assess nutritional status. Frequency of illness was determined by a series of telephone interviews. Median intake of nutrients exceeded Canadian recommendations, regardless of care arrangement. Fifteen of 65 children had hematocrit values below age-specific cutoffs at the 6-month post-entry to child care visit. Children were frequently taken to obtain medical advice (average of 4 to 6 times during the study period) and 75% of subjects were prescribed at least one course of antibiotics. In conclusion, infants and toddlers in this study were generally well nourished, regardless of child care arrangement; however, iron status may remain an issue in this sample of infants and toddlers.
Assuntos
Cuidado da Criança/métodos , Creches , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Infantil , Estado Nutricional , Adulto , Cuidado da Criança/estatística & dados numéricos , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Ferritinas/sangue , Ácido Fólico/sangue , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação Nutricional , Inquéritos Nutricionais , Necessidades Nutricionais , Ontário , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
In 1980, 18 institutionalized children, carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV), were enrolled into two special education schools, and staff and students were monitored for HBV markers. Eleven HBV exposures were observed and those exposed were given hepatitis B immune globulin. After 3.5 years, no remaining staff showed serological evidence of HBV infection but three of 61 susceptible students did so. The three students probably acquired the infection outside the school. At the conclusion of the project, one school located in the community decided not to institute a vaccine program for students or staff. The other school, located inside the mental retardation institution, established an organized vaccine initiative. Indications for use of hepatitis vaccine in schools should be individualized to accommodate for differences in student and staff interaction, physical design of the school, and number and behaviors of HBsAg carrier students.