Maternal weight gain in low-income black and hispanic women: evaluation by use of weight-for-height near term

Article Abstract:

The health of infants is strongly related to birth weight, which in turn is associated with the mother's weight gain. Like low birth weight, suboptimal birth weight, 5.5 to 6.6 pounds, is associated with health disadvantages, although the problems tend to not be as serious. Preventive action is important in reducing infant illness and death, and this includes improvement of strategies used to assess maternal weight gain. Methods have been developed that evaluate maternal weight gain for particular gestational periods by standardizing it to weight-for-height ratios, with a total of 18.3 percent growth expected in excess of the prepregnancy weight-for-height ratio. This technique was used to evaluate the prevalence of low maternal weight gain among 325 low-income Hispanic and black women, and was compared with other guidelines for weight gain and birth weight classification. About half the women did not seek prenatal care until they were well into the second trimester, when interventions may be less effective. Prepregnancy weight was not available for 21 percent of subjects, but about 22 percent were estimated to be below 90 percent of standard weight-for-height, while 16 percent were estimated to be greater than 120 percent of the expected figure. Thirty-one percent of women did not achieve the desired 120 percent of prepregnancy weight-for-height within two weeks of delivery. Average birth weight was 6.6 pounds for infants born to women whose weights near the time of delivery were under the 100 percent standard of weight-for-height, while it was 7.5 pounds for infants of women who achieved over 135 percent of standard. More of the black women than Hispanic who had suboptimal weight gains had babies of birth weight less than 6.6 pounds, and this was likely related to deficiencies in prepregnancy weight for many. Comparison of weight-for-height standards with total pregnancy weight gain indicated that each measurement had particular advantages and disadvantages. Further comparisons of these techniques in populations whose prepregnancy weights are definite are needed. The study indicates that there is a high prevalence of suboptimal maternal weight gain and consequent suboptimal infant birth weight among low-income women, and the current data are likely to underestimate the extent of this problem. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Pregnant women, Weight gain, Women, Black, Black women, Hispanic American women, Socially handicapped, Disadvantaged persons

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Protein-energy requirements of prepubertal school-age boys determined by using the nitrogen-balance response to a mixed-protein diet

Article Abstract:

In Chile, the Ministry of Education has developed a program to reduce malnutrition and optimize learning in schoolchildren. To evaluate the protein energy requirements of prepubertal boys, researchers assessed an experimental diet modeled after the protein consumption of the low socioeconomic groups of the urban population of Chile. Nitrogen balance was measured in response to a mixed vegetable and protein diet, and to a milk and egg protein diet in 8 healthy male children 8 to 10 years of age. The mixed diet group received 96 to 192 milligrams (mg) of nitrogen per kilogram (kg) of body weight, while the milk and egg diet group received 160 mg of nitrogen per kg body weight. The nitrogen digestibility was 86 and 82 percent for the milk-egg and mixed diets, respectively. For the mixed diet group, the average nitrogen intake for satisfactory nitrogen retention (as established by the FAO/WHO/UNU Committee) was 150 mg of nitrogen/kg of body weight/day. The average weight gain for the two-month study period was consistent with the normally expected weight gain for children of the same age. The results suggest that the present national and international recommendations for daily protein requirements of school-age children are adequate and compatible with normal growth. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Chile, Children, Food and nutrition, Nutrition, Nutritional requirements

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Oral copper supplementation: effect on copper and zinc balance during acute gastroenteritis in infants

Article Abstract:

Acute gastroenteritis is prevalent worldwide, but many of its physiological effects are not well understood. The effects of gastroenteritis on infants may be particularly serious, with continued loss of nutrients for up to six weeks after the acute phase of diarrhea. Zinc and copper deficiencies can result from diarrheal disease; these trace minerals are important for the normal functioning of a variety of reactions in the body. The effects of copper supplementation on seven infants hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis were studied; seven similar infants were used as controls and received inactive placebos instead of copper supplements. Copper supplementation increased bodily retention of copper but resulted in only moderate increases in blood copper levels. More importantly, copper supplements interfered with intestinal absorption of zinc, and for that reason, copper supplements are not recommended in the treatment of infants who are recovering from acute diarrhea. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Diseases, Infants, Zinc in the body, Zinc (Nutrient), Diet therapy, Copper in the body, Copper (Nutrient), Nutrient interactions, Gastroenteritis

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