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Biomedical subjects

C Lujan

Publications and source records attributed to C Lujan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Definition and prevalence of anemia in Bolivian women of childbearing age living at high altitudes: the effect of iron-folate supplementation.

This paper discusses the effect that high altitudes have on iron metabolism and summarizes the results of an iron-folate supplementation trial. The two main objectives of the trial were to determine hemoglobin cut-off values for the diagnosis of anemia in Bolivian women of childbearing age living at high altitudes, and to estimate the prevalence of anemia in this population. The study showed that nutritional anemia is an important public health problem in such populations and that many methods of assessing it lead to an underestimation of prevalence. The cut-off values defined through this study, one of the few iron supplementation trials conducted at high altitudes, confirm the need to establish revised hemoglobin values for the diagnosis of anemia in populations living at high altitudes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Circulating proteins and iron status in blood as indicators of the nutritional status of 10- to 12-year-old Bolivian boys.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional status of children based on anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators of protein energy malnutrition as well as hematological variables. The subjects were 93 10- to 12-year-old Bolivian boys: 12 HAHSES, 28 HALSES, 36 LALSES, and 17 LALSES (see Introduction to this Supplement). The overall nutritional status of the boys was evaluated by anthropometric indicators (weight for age [W/A], height for age [H bd, and weight for height [W/H]). The biochemical indicators included proteins total, albumin, prealbumin, orosomucoid and protein C-reactive (for MPE) as well as hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TS). The prevalence of growth retardation of LSES boys at HA as well as at LA was found to be high when the 3rd percentile was used as the cutoff point. The corresponding prealbumin levels were found to be lower in LSES than in HSES boys at both altitudes. The study shows that LSES boys at both altitudes have significantly lower prealbumin levels than HSES boys. The socioeconomic factor seems to be more critical for the nutritional status of prepubertal boys than altitude. The study also shows that all the boys had hematological parameters within normal range. The HA boys of both SES had higher hemoglobin concentration and hematocrits than the LA boys, a fact that is explained by high-altitude hypoxia. The hematological data do not provide evidence of malnutrition among the boys.

Altitude↗
PubMed1994

The nutritional intake of Bolivian boys. The relation between altitude and socioeconomic status.

The nutrition of 57 native Bolivian boys living at high altitude (HA) in La Paz (+/- 4000 m) and of 63 boys living at low altitude (LA) in St. Cruz (+/- 400 m) is described. The dietary information was obtained with a 24-h recall method, by interviewing the child and mother. The food items are listed in household measures and weight if possible. All food items were converted into grams, and nutrients were calculated by using food composition tables of Latin America. The results show that the energy and nutrient intake of the HSES boys was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the intake of the LSES boys, at both altitudes. At HA the mean energy intake of the HSES boys was about 9.8 MJ per day (+/- 0.7); for the LSES boys an intake was found of 8.4 MJ per day (+/- 0.4). At LA the HSES boys had an energy intake of 10.7 MJ per day (+/- 0.6) and the LSES boys 7.7 MJ per day (+/- 0.3). The daily protein intake was in HAHSES boys 85 g (+/- 8), LAHSES 100 g (+/- 8), HALSES 60 g (+/- 4), and LALSES 52 g (+/- 3). In comparison with the recommended daily requirements the dietary intakes of the HSES boys seem too "rich," and of the LSES boys to some extent too "poor." These results are reflected in smaller body height and body weight of LSES boys and a higher fat mass in HSES boys irrespective of altitude.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Habitual physical activity in 10- to 12-year-old Bolivian boys. The relation between altitude and socioeconomic status.

This study describes habitual physical activity (HPA) of Bolivian boys living at different altitudes and from different socioeconomic status. The boys were living at high altitude (HA) in La Paz (4000 m) and at low altitude (LA) in Santa Cruz (400 m). At both altitudes samples of 10- to 12-year-old boys were chosen from a relatively low socioeconomic status (LSES) and a relatively high socioeconomic status (HSES). At HA 19 boys from LSES and 10 boys from HSES were measured and at LA 14 boys from LSES and 13 boys from HSES. HPA was measured by 24-h heart rate (HR) monitoring. Also an interview was completed to recall the HPA. By comparing the registered HR data with the time they were asleep the mean HR during sleep was calculated (HRsleep). The maximal HR (HRmax) was measured from a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Heart rate reserve (HRR = HRmax-HRsleep) was used to measure the mean level of physical activity of the subjects. The results show that HRsleep (= HRrest) in HA boys with 70 (+/- 6) beats/min was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in LA boys with 77 (+/- 10) beats/min. HRmax was also significantly lower (p < 0.05) in HA boys (187 +/- 12 beats/min) compared to LA boys (195 +/- 8 beats/min). Because HA influences HRsleep and HRmax in the same way, HRR is not significantly different between boys of HA and LA. The mean heart rate over 24 h (HRmean) in HA boys (87 +/- 7 beats/min) was significantly lower than in LA boys (93 +/- 8 beats/min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Altitude↗
PubMed1989

Profile of abused and neglected American Indian children in the Southwest.

From both knowledge gained working in Indian communities and a major data collection program, this article examines child abuse and neglect among the Indian tribes in a southwestern state. The period of study covers 1982 through 1985. The study sample consists of 53 children targeted by the local Indian Health Service Hospital Child Protection Team as being abused and/or neglected. In addition, information on the parents, grandparents and, in a number of cases, great-grandparents are examined. The study is a secondary data analysis of clinic and hospital records and interviews with local community health care providers and tribal officials. The results indicate that alcohol abuse was present in 85% of the neglect cases and in 63% of the abuse cases. In addition, child abuse and neglect occurred simultaneously in 65% of the sample. Child abuse and neglect are found to be part of a larger phenomenon of multiproblem families which raises the issue of intergenerational perpetuation of these problems. The results underscore the importance of interagency cooperation in surveillance, treatment, and prevention, as well as more careful and thorough documentation of record maintenance.

Adolescent↗