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Biomedical subjects

D G Kenoyer

Publications and source records attributed to D G Kenoyer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of iron-, iodine-, and beta-carotene-fortified biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school children: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies of iron, iodine, and vitamin A are prevalent worldwide and can affect the mental development and learning ability of schoolchildren. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of micronutrient-fortified biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school children. DESIGN: Micronutrient status was assessed in 115 children aged 6-11 y before and after consumption of biscuits (fortified with iron, iodine, and beta-carotene) for 43 wk over a 12-mo period and was compared with that in a control group (n = 113) who consumed nonfortified biscuits. Cognitive function, growth, and morbidity were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: There was a significant between-group treatment effect on serum retinol, serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and urinary iodine (P <0.0001) and in hemoglobin and hematocrit (P <0.05). The prevalence of low serum retinol concentrations (<0.70 micromol/L) decreased from 39.1% to 12.2%, of low serum ferritin concentrations (<20 microg/L) from 27.8% to 13.9%, of anemia (hemoglobin <120 g/L) from 29.6% to 15.6%, and of low urinary iodine concentrations (<100 microg/L) from 97.5% to 5.4%. There was a significant between-group treatment effect (P <0.05) in cognitive function with the digit span forward task (short-term memory). Fewer school days were missed in the intervention than in the control group because of respiratory- (P = 0.097) and diarrhea-related (P = 0.013) illnesses. The intervention had no effect on anthropometric status [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS: Fortified biscuits resulted in a significant improvement in the micronutrient status of primary school children from a poor rural community and also appeared to have a favorable effect on morbidity and cognitive function [corrected].

Anthropometry↗

The nutritional status of a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: the Ndunakazi project.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutritional status of six month to 11 year old rural Black children and their mothers as a first phase in a nutrition intervention project. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: A rural African community +/- 60 km northwest of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 127 mothers and 105 pre-school and 131 primary school children were selected from this community. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric (height and weight), biochemical and dietary and socio-demographic information was collected. RESULTS: Among the pre-schoolers anaemia was present in 23.8%, iron deficiency in 19.8%, while marginal vitamin A deficiency was observed in 44.9%. Urinary iodine levels indicated moderate iodine deficiency in 31.8% and severe iodine deficiency in 9.1%. In primary school children the prevalence of anaemia was 22%, while marginal vitamin A deficiency was observed in 50.8%. Moderate iodine deficiency was observed in 37.9% of primary school children while 13.6% presented with severe iodine deficiency. The prevalence of goitre in this group was 22.1%. Almost 22% of mothers were anaemic and 18.9% were iron deficient. Only 1.6% of mothers were marginally vitamin A deficient. An enlarged thyroid was observed in 26.7% of mothers of which 17.3% were palpable and 9.4% visible. Of mothers 43.4% were overweight while 33.8% were obese. CONCLUSION: The rural community in KwaZulu-Natal, showed a high prevalence of anaemia, marginal vitamin A deficiency and iodine deficiency. The information gathered during this cross sectional study served as a basis to plan and implement an intervention study aimed at addressing the nutritional deficiencies.

Adult↗

The adaptive immune response to major surgery in the neonate.

The effect of major surgery on components of the adaptive immune response in babies has not previously been reported. In a prospective study, eight neonates undergoing uncomplicated surgery for repair of esophageal atresia were investigated. They were compared with ten age-matched normal babies not undergoing surgery. The parameters of the immune response investigated were: total leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytes and their subsets (T-helper, T-suppressor, natural killer [NK], B-lymphocytes), monocytes, immunoglobulins (Ig) G and M, the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (Il-1beta), and C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase protein. When compared to the normal controls, the operated group showed a fall in all types of WBC following surgery, but only the falls in B-lymphocytes and NK cells were significant on postoperative day 3 (P < 0.05). The suppression in WBC was temporary, and by day 7 the operated group had significantly higher numbers of total WBC and T-helper cells than the controls (P < 0.05), who were undergoing their physiological postpartum fall in WBC. Within the operated group, there was a significant fall in the numbers of total lymphocytes, T-suppressors, and B-lymphocytes compared to preoperative levels (P < 0.01). The ratio of T-helper/T-suppressor cells increased significantly following surgery. There was a vigorous immune response in terms of the humoral factors: CRP, TNF-alpha, and Il-1beta all rose significantly postoperatively (P < 0.02).

C-Reactive Protein↗

Thrombelastography changes in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

We have measured platelet count, bleeding time and thrombelastography (TEG) variables and the correlation between these variables in 49 pregnant patients presenting with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. Eighteen patients (37%) had a platelet count < or = 150 x 10(9) litre-1 and seven (14%) had a platelet count < or = 100 x 10(9) litre-1. Bleeding time was prolonged > 9.5 min in 13 (27%) patients and the TEG was abnormal in four (8%). The TEG variables, k time and maximum amplitude (MA) had a strong correlation with platelet count (k time-platelet count < or = 150 x 10(9) litre-1, r = -0.68, P = 0.003, platelet count < or = 100 x 10(9) litre-1, r = -0.84, P = 0.02; MA--platelet count < or = 150 x 10(9) litre-1, r = 0.72, P = 0.001, platelet count < or = 100 x 10(9) litre-1, r = 0.78, P = 0.04). There was no correlation between bleeding time and thrombocytopenia (platelet count < or = 150 x 10(9) litre-1, r = -0.18, ns; platelet count < or = 100 x 10(9) litre-1, r = 0.09, ns). There was no correlation between bleeding time and any measured TEG variable. Of the 10 (20%) patients with an adequate platelet count (> 100 x 10(9) litre-1) but prolonged bleeding time, the TEG was normal, suggesting adequate haemostasis. An MA of 53 mm, which is the lower limit for normal pregnancy, correlated with a platelet count of 54 x 10(9) litre-1 (95% confidence limits 40-75 x 10(9) litre-1). Although the number of patients with severe thrombocytopenia was small, a platelet count of 75 x 10(9) litre-1 should be associated with adequate haemostasis.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗

The association of antiphospholipid antibodies with severe early-onset pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the association of antiphospholipid antibodies with early onset of severe pre-eclampsia before 30 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-four patients with diastolic blood pressure levels > or = 110 mmHg and at least 2+ proteinuria before the 30th week of pregnancy were randomly chosen for inclusion in the study. Blood samples were taken for assessment of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs), lupus anticoagulant, syphilitic serology and antinuclear antibodies. Fifteen normal antenatal patients matched for age, parity and gestational age acted as control subjects. RESULTS: Four of the 34 women (11.7%) in the study group had elevated levels of both ACAs and lupus anticoagulant, compared with none in the control group. This was not found to be statistically different. CONCLUSION: Given the low incidence of positive ACAs in early-onset severe pre-eclampsia it is unlikely that they are implicated in its pathogenesis. It is possible that they represent a small subset of patients with alternative or combined pathology.

Adult↗

Hepatitis C virus antibodies among risk groups in a South African area endemic for hepatitis B virus.

The prevalence of anti-HCV was studied in a South African area endemic for hepatitis B virus. A total of 35,685 volunteer blood donors (22,034 whites, 9,218 Asians, 3,077 Africans, 1,356 coloureds), 71 haemophiliacs, 84 chronic dialysis patients, 100 antenatal attenders, 212 nurses, and 20 HIV-positive male homosexuals were tested for anti-HCV. Repeat positive second generation Ortho HCV EIA was used to determine HCV status for the blood donors; Abbott-II HCV EIA combined with a neutralisation test was used for the other risk groups. Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was also tested in the haemophiliacs, nurses, and chronic dialysis patients. Seroprevalence for the blood donor population was 0.16, 0.34, 0.75, and 0.22% for whites, Asians, Africans, and coloureds, respectively. Of the risk groups tested, 39.4% of haemophiliacs and 4.8% of chronic dialysis patients were positive; of the remainder tested none was positive. Fifty percent of nurses, 47.9% of haemophiliacs, and 22.6% of dialysis patients had serological evidence of past exposure to hepatitis B virus (anti-HBc positive). These findings indicate a low prevalence of anti-HCV in the blood donor population, thus probably resulting in a low prevalence in groups exposed to blood and blood derivatives. The overall difference in prevalence between the race groups was significant (P < 0.0001). The high prevalence of hepatitis B virus compared to the low prevalence of HCV suggests that the main modes of transmission of the two viruses are probably different.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Syndrome of an acquired inhibitor of factor VIII responsive to cyclophosphamide and prednisone.

Six patients with an acquired inhibitor of factor VIII had the following clinical characteristics: older age group; absence of definable, underlying disease; a low titer of the factor VIII inhibitor; notable residual plasma factor VIII activity despite the inhibitor; serious bleeding not controlled by infusion of factor VIII; and disappearance of the inhibitor after treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone. These findings delineate a syndrome characteristic of a subset of patients with an acquired factor VIII inhibitor. It is important to emphasize that such patients may bleed uncontrollably despite the misleading presence of residual plasma factor VIII activity in vitro, and that the inhibitor disappears after immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, we believe that patients with this syndrome should be treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisone as soon as the inhibitor is identified.

Adult↗