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Berthold Koletzko

Publications and source records attributed to Berthold Koletzko.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood obesity.

A recent cohort study suggested that maternal smoking during pregnancy might be a risk factor for childhood obesity. Data from the obligatory school entry health examination in six Bavarian (Germany) public health offices in 1999-2000 were used to assess the relation between maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood obesity (n = 6,483 German children aged 5.00-6.99 years). A body mass index greater than the 90th percentile was defined as overweight, and a body mass index greater than the 97th percentile was defined as obesity. The main exposure was maternal smoking during pregnancy. The prevalences of overweight and obesity, expressed as percentages, increased in the following order: never smoked (overweight: 8.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.2, 9.0; obesity: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.7, 2.7); less than 10 cigarettes daily (overweight: 14.1, 95% CI: 11.1, 17.7; obesity: 5.7, 95% CI: 3.7, 8.2); and 10 or more cigarettes daily (overweight: 17.0, 95% CI: 10.1, 26.2; obesity: 8.5, 95% CI: 3.7, 16.1). The adjusted odds ratios for maternal smoking during pregnancy were 1.43 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.90) for overweight and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.31, 3.23) for obesity. A dose-dependent association between overweight/obesity and maternal smoking during pregnancy was observed that could not be explained by a wide range of confounders, suggesting that intrauterine exposure to inhaled smoke products rather than lifestyle factors associated with maternal smoking accounts for this finding.

Analysis of Variance↗

Childhood obesity is associated with maternal smoking in pregnancy.

UNLABELLED: Overweight and obesity are major public health issues. Childhood obesity often persists throughout adulthood. Recently a higher prevalence of obesity in adults whose mothers smoked during pregnancy was reported. The aim of this study was to assess whether this association is also detectable in pre-school children in a different setting and to identify the critical period for intrauterine exposure to inhaled smoke products in pregnancy. We analysed questionnaire data on early feeding and lifestyle factors of 8,765 German children aged 5.00 to 6.99 years. Obesity was defined as a body mass index >97th percentile. The prevalence estimates for obesity were: mother never smoked 2.8% (95% CI 2.4%-3.2%), smoked after pregnancy only 1.6% (95%CI 0.4%-4.1%), smoked throughout pregnancy 6.2% (95% CI 4.5%-8.3%), smoked before pregnancy, but not throughout 4.5% (95%CI 3.6%-5.7%). These associations could not be explained by confounding due to a number of constitutional, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The unadjusted/adjusted odds ratios were: smoked during pregnancy: 2.32 (95% CI 1.63%-3.30%)/1.92 (95% CI 1.29%-2.86%); smoked before, but not throughout pregnancy: 1.67 (95%CI 1.26%-2.22%)/1.74 (95%CI 1.29%-2.34%). CONCLUSION: the association of maternal smoking in pregnancy and obesity was also detectable in children at school entry. Since smoking after pregnancy was not associated with childhood obesity, intrauterine exposure rather than family lifestyle factors associated with smoking appears to be instrumental. There appears to be a role for early intrauterine exposure.

Adult↗

Systematic review of fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids of venous cord blood in full-term infants.

The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the variability of the fatty acid composition of venous cord blood phospholipids in different populations. In an attempt to review published evidence systematically, we found 19 data sets describing fatty acid composition of venous cord blood phospholipids in 11 European and 2 American countries. The amount of saturated-, monounsaturated- and parent essential polyunsaturated fatty acids exhibited relatively moderate variability among the data sets reviewed. Values of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid showed two-fold variability among the data sets. The highest values of docosahexaenoic acid were observed in countries with apparently higher consumption of dietary fat from sea fish. Considering the differences in blood sampling, laboratory methods and data presentation, we conclude that fatty acid composition of venous cord blood phospholipids in healthy, full-term infants shows relatively modest variability; hence, it is suitable for the estimation of in utero fatty acid supply.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Long-chain PUFA supplementation improves PUFA profile in infants with cholestasis.

Long-chain PUFA (LCP) deficiency is a frequent complication in cholestatic infants. We investigated the effects of LCP-supplemented formula on EFA status in infants with cholestasis. Twenty-three infants with cholestasis (biliary atresia after surgery, 8; intrahepatic cholestasis, 15) aged 1.9 to 4.9 mon (median 3.1 mon) were randomized to receive commercial infant formulas either without LCP or with LCP from egg phospholipids for 1 mon. Liver tests, nutrient intakes, and plasma phospholipid FA (%w/w) were determined at baseline and after intervention. At baseline, patients had high serum direct bilirubin levels (5.9 +/- 3.0 mg/dL; mean +/- SD), they were malnourished (body fat mass: 40 +/- 13% of normal) and presented with PUFA deficiency [plasma phospholipid PUFA: 28.43%w/w (26.56-30.53) in patients vs. 37.02%w/w (34.53-39.58) in controls; median (1st-3rd quartile)] with elevated Mead acid and palmitoleic acid. LCP-supplemented (n = 11) and -nonsupplemented groups (n = 12) did not differ in age, indicators of liver function, and EFA status at baseline. After the intervention, LCP-supplemented infants had higher levels of arachidonic acid [7.2 (5.9-8.8) vs. 4.2 (3.0-5.3) %w/w; P < 0.001] and DHA [2.8 (2.2-3.2) vs. 1.6 (1.0-2.1) %w/w; P < 0.05], accompanied by increased TBARS concentration: 1.9 (1.4-2.2) vs. 1.3 (1.1-1.6) nmol/mL; P < 0.05]. We concluded that LCP-supplemented formulae improve LCP status of infants with severe cholestasis but may enhance lipid peroxidation.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Overweight and obesity in 6- to 14-year-old Czech children in 1991: protective effect of breast-feeding.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of breast-feeding on childhood overweight/obesity in an Eastern European socialist society with relatively homogeneous lifestyles. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey data collected in 1991 on 33,768 school-children aged 6 to 14 years in the Czech Republic were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression analyses (main outcome body mass index [BMI] >90th percentile [overweight] and BMI >97th percentile [obesity]). RESULTS: Overall prevalence of overweight (obesity) was lower in breast-fed children: ever breast-fed (9.3%; 95% CI, 8.9-9.6 [3.2%; 95% CI, 3.0-3.4]) compared with never breast-fed (12.4%; 95% CI, 11.3-13.6 [4.4%; 95% CI, 3.7-5.2]). The effect of breast-feeding on overweight/obesity did not diminish with age in children 6 to 14 years old and could not be explained by parental education, parental obesity, maternal smoking, high birth weight, watching television, number of siblings, and physical activity. Adjusted odds ratios for breast-feeding were for overweight 0.80 (95% CI, 0.71-0.90) and for obesity 0.80 (95% CI, 0.66-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: A reduced prevalence of overweight/obesity was associated with breast-feeding in a setting where socioeconomic status was homogeneous. This suggests that the effect of breast-feeding on the prevalence of obesity is not confounded by socioeconomic status.

Adolescent↗

Perinatal supply and metabolism of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: importance for the early development of the nervous system.

The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential structural lipid components of biomembranes. During pregnancy, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are preferentially transferred from mother to fetus across the placenta. This placental transfer is mediated by specific fatty acid binding and transfer proteins. After birth, preterm and full-term babies are capable of converting linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids into AA and DHA, respectively, as demonstrated by studies using stable isotopes, but the activity of this endogenous LC-PUFA synthesis is very low. Breast milk provides preformed LC-PUFA, and breast-fed infants have higher LC-PUFA levels in plasma and tissue phospholipids than infants fed conventional formulas. Supplementation of formulas with different sources of LC-PUFA can normalize LC-PUFA status in the recipient infants relative to reference groups fed human milk. Some, but not all, randomized, double-masked placebo-controlled clinical trials in preterm and healthy full-term infants demonstrated benefits of formula supplementation with DHA and AA for development of visual acuity up to 1 year of age and of complex neural and cognitive functions. From the available data, we conclude that LC-PUFA are conditionally essential substrates during early life that are related to the quality of growth and development. Therefore, a dietary supply during pregnancy, lactation, and early childhood that avoids the occurrence of LC-PUFA depletion is desirable, as was recently recommended by an expert consensus workshop of the Child Health Foundation.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Effect of early enteral feeding on apolipoprotein AI levels and high-density lipoprotein heterogeneity in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We have previously shown that infants receiving total parenteral nutrition have low apolipoprotein AI levels which are associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) class distributions as in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency. This study investigates the influence of early enteral feedings on apolipoprotein AI and HDL subclasses. METHODS: Apolipoprotein AI and HDL distributions were determined in 15 total parenterally fed preterm infants (TPN group) receiving early feedings, in 28 enterally fed preterm infants (ENT group), and in 26 term infants at birth and on day 5. The HDL subclasses were determined by gradient gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: In the TPN group, the apolipoprotein AI levels increased significantly postnatally (from 73 +/- 16 to 104 +/- 23 mg/dl) to levels found in the term and ENT groups on day 5 (88 +/- 16 and 96 +/- 19 mg/dl). The HDL subclass distributions at birth and on day 5 were similar in both TPN and ENT groups with more large HDL(2b) and less small HDL(3c )than in term infants. Whereas the HDL subclass distribution of term infants remained unchanged, in TPN and ENT infants, a shift from HDL(2b) to HDL(3c) was observed, with no difference between term and preterm infants on day 5. CONCLUSION: In contrast to exclusively parenterally fed infants, infants receiving early enteral feedings exhibited a significant rise of apolipoprotein AI and HDL subclass distributions as fully enterally fed preterm infants.

Analysis of Variance↗

Characterisation of infant food modifications in the European Union.

Improvements in the understanding of human milk composition, in dietetic effects on physiological outcomes in infants, and in food technology have lead to modifications in infant formulas and other dietetic products for infants. In Europe, new ingredients may be added to infant formula and follow-on formulas if their suitability for particular use by infants from birth has been established by generally accepted scientific data. However, there is uncertainty as to the nature of the evaluation needed to evaluate whether modifications in dietetic products for infants can be regarded as suitable and safe. Moreover, there is no agreement on the nature of evidence required to justify the scientific validity of potential effects on infant health and well-being, which might provide the basis for the communication of such effects to health professionals and consumers. Therefore, a scientific workshop was held under the auspices of the Child Health Foundation, Munich, Germany, and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition to discuss issues arising in this area among participants representing academia, infant food industry, consumer organisations, the European Commission, and food regulatory bodies of some European Union member states. This article summarises the outcomes of this workshop. The participants agreed on general concepts of evaluation of innovations and on establishing evidence for benefits, but felt that further discussion would be necessary on the principles and practicalities involved in setting up a central register of clinical trials and of a central repository of trial data.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Effect of amino acid infusion on human postoperative colon protein synthesis in situ.

BACKGROUND: Amino acids are an integral part of parenteral nutrition because of their anabolic action helping to conserve body protein after surgical stress. At the gastrointestinal tract, an adequate supply of amino acids may be particularly important because of the gut's high rate of protein turnover, cell division, and proliferation. However, no information is available about the effects of amino acids on human intestinal protein metabolism after surgery. METHODS: Studies were performed in postabsorptive patients 8-10 days after major abdominal surgery. Mass spectrometry techniques (capillary gas chromatography/combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry) were used to directly determine the incorporation rate of 1-[13C]-leucine into colon mucosal protein. All subjects had a colostomy, which allowed easy access to the colon mucosa, and consecutive sampling from the same tissue was performed during continuous isotope infusion (0.16 micromol/kg min). Isotopic enrichments were determined at baseline and after a 4-hour infusion of amino acids or after infusion of saline (control group). RESULTS: Compared with baseline, infusion of amino acids reduced fractional colon protein synthesis significantly by -29.2 +/- 8.3%. This decrease was also significantly different from the corresponding (insignificant) change during saline infusion (+19.4 +/- 26.9%, p < .05 vs amino acid group). CONCLUSIONS: After surgery, an amino acid infusion acutely reduces postoperative colon protein synthesis. This effect possibly may be attributed to interactions of specific amino acids (glutamine) with an altered intestinal immune system and enterocyte activity.

Amino Acids↗

The effect of hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia on small-intestinal mucosal protein synthesis in patients after surgical stress.

Hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia cannot stimulate intestinal protein synthesis in healthy individuals but does so in conditions characterized by an altered somatotropic axis such as diabetes. Only in a state of growth hormone resistance (high growth hormone but low insulin like growth factor [IGF-1] concentrations), extra insulin may acutely reverse the impaired, growth-hormone-induced IGF-1 release, thereby exerting anabolic actions at the intestinal tract. Growth hormone resistance can be also found in patients after surgical stress. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis whether hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia would stimulate ileal protein synthesis in the latter condition. Mass spectrometry techniques (capillary gas chromatography/combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry) were used to directly determine the incorporation rate of 1-[(13)C]-leucine into ileal mucosal protein. All subjects had an ileostomy, which allowed easy access to the ileal mucosa, and consecutive sampling from the same tissue was performed during continuous isotope infusion (0.16 mumol/kg min). Isotopic enrichments and fractional protein synthesis were determined at baseline (period I) and after a 4-hour glucose infusion (170 mg/kg/h) or after infusion of saline (control group) (period II). In controls, ileal protein synthesis declined significantly during prolonged isotope infusion (period I: 1.11 +/- 0.14%/h, period II: 0.39 +/- 0.13%/h, p < .01). In contrast, ileal protein synthesis remained constant during glucose infusion (period I: 1.32 +/- 0.35%/h, period II: 1.33 +/- 0.21%/h, n.s. vs period I, but p < .005 vs the corresponding value at the end of period II in the control group). Using the continuous tracer infusion technique, ileal protein synthesis seemingly declines over a short time in control subjects. We found evidence that this artificial decline was due to mass effects of a rapidly turning over mucosa protein pool in which an isotopic plateau was reached during the experiment and of which the size amounted to approximately 4% of the total mixed protein pool. Maintenance of ileal protein synthesis during glucose infusion therefore indicates a rise of ileal protein synthesis in a slowly turning over protein pool. This effect in postsurgical patients would be compatible with the concept of intestinal insulin action to depend on the specific clinical state (eg, growth hormone resistance).

Aged↗