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Biomedical subjects

N Raghuramulu

Publications and source records attributed to N Raghuramulu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Relationship between measles, malnutrition, and blindness: a prospective study in Indian children.

A prospective study was conducted in slum children to determine the incidence of post-measles corneal disease and to clarify its relationship with nutritional status. A total of 318 cases of measles were identified over a period of 15 mo; maximum incidence was observed for children between 1-2 yr. Most of the children showed weight loss and serum proteins decrease during the acute stage of measles. Corneal lesions were observed in 3% of the children, and the lesions responded well to treatment. Serum vitamin A and RBP levels were significantly depressed during the acute stage of measles but were restored to normal 8 wk after recovery. There were no significant differences in the serum levels for those with and without eye lesions, which suggests that these lesions may not be mediated simply through the effect of infection on serum concentration of vitamin A.

Blindness↗
PubMed1986

Absorption of vitamin A by children with diarrhoea during treatment with oral rehydration salt solution.

The results of a study of absorption by children of vitamin A indicate that absorption is lower in children with acute diarrhoea compared with normal children. The glucose or electrolytes present in solutions of oral rehydration salts had no effect on the absorption. Despite malabsorption, 70% of the administered dose of 100 000 IU of vitamin A in 500 ml of fluid was absorbed and retained.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1986

Pathogenesis of corneal lesions in measles.

The mechanism of pathogenesis underlying the development of corneal lesions in measles was investigated in 125 children suffering from measles and 66 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Forty age-matched children with bronchopneumonia were investigated on similar lines to delineate the role played by vitamin A and measles individually in the development of corneal lesions. The results indicate that the pathogenesis of corneal lesions in measles is indeed multifactorial. Vitamin A deficiency alone or measles keratitis per se may not explain the mechanism completely. The immunosuppression induced by the local proliferation of the measles virus in the eye might trigger the invasion of pathogenic microbes which damage the cornea. The structural integrity of the cornea is already compromised by vitamin A deficiency and lesions of measles keratitis.

Bronchopneumonia↗
PubMed1982

Studies on vitamin D metabolism in malnourished children.

1. Basal levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) were estimated in ten normal children and twenty-seven children with protein-energy malnutrition. 2. Five normal children and fourteen malnourished children were administered a single massive dose of 15 mg vitamin D orally and the remaining children received oral supplements of 50 micrograms vitamin D daily for 20 d. Blood samples were obtained after 10 and 20 d of dosing and serum 25-OHD levels were repeated. 3. The basal serum 25-OHD levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in malnourished children than in normal children. 4. Administration of a single massive dose of vitamin D as well as daily supplementation of small doses resulted in significant increases in serum 25-OHD levels within 10 d. However, the increase with a massive dose was of a higher magnitude. There was no significant difference between the normal and malnourished children. 5. The binding capacity of serum to 25-OHD was similar in both the groups. 6. These results suggest that vitamin D metabolism is not altered in protein-energy malnutrition.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1982

Serum prolactin levels in undernourished Indian lactating women.

1. Serum prolactin (PRL) levels, both basal and post-suckling peak, were estimated in fifty-seven lactating women. 2. Basal PRL levels were significantly higher in all lactating women irrespective of the duration of lactation as compared to the levels in non-pregnant, non-lactating women. 3. There was significant positive correlation (r 0.69, P less than 0.001) between the basal PRL levels and the post-suckling peak values. 4. After 8 months of lactation, peak post-suckling, PRL levels were not significantly different from basal values. 5. Basal PRL levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in mothers whose infants were being supplemented. 6. PRL levels were not related to the mother's nutritional status as determined by body-weight. 7. The findings suggest that high PRL levels during lactation prolong the duration of lactional amenorrhoea and hence the relative infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

The effect of dietary protein on the biological activity of cholecalciferol and its metabolites in the rachitic rat.

Rats maintained on low-protein rachitogenic diets show increased intestinal calcium transport, serum inorganic phosphate and increased endochondral calcification responses to calciferol, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-CC) and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2CC). Because enhanced responses are observed with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol as well as its precursors, it is unlikely that the effect of dietary protein is mediated by a change in the calciferol-25-hydroxylase and the 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1 alpha-hydroxylase. Instead, it appears that either metabolism of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol or its activity in the target organs is affected.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels in malnourished children with rickets.

Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-D3) were measured in normal and malnourished children with and without rickets. Children with rickets had clinical, biochemical, and x-ray evidence of the disease; most of them were malnourished. 25-OH-D3 levels were lower than in normal children. After treatment with vitamin D their condition improved. 25-OH-D3 levels were also found to be reduced in malnourished children without rickets. These studies show that rickets is common in malnourished children. Inadequate exposure to sunlight appears to be the factor mainly responsible for the high incidence of the disease. In addition, malnutrition perhaps contributes to the development of rickets.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1979

Serum retinol-binding protein and vitamin A levels in malnourished children.

Serum levels of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) were measured in children with vitamin A deficiency, in children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and in normal children, before and after administration of 100 000 IU of water-miscible vitamin A. Serum vitamin A and RBP levels were significantly low in children with vitamin A deficiency and in children with severe PEM, whereas the values in milder grades of PEM were similar to those of normal subjects. In severely malnourished children with corneal lesions, serum vitamin A concentration was reduced to a much greater extent than the level of serum RBP. Administration of vitamin A resulted in a significant increase in serum levels of both the components within 4 hours in all the 3 groups of children. The increase in RBP concentration observed in children with PEM was similar to that in vitamin A deficient children. These results indicate that in malnourished children, particularly in those who are at risk of developing keratomalacia, vitamin A is the main limiting factor. It is, therefore, recommended that children with PEM should be treated with vitamin A in addition to dietary protein and calories.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Plasma placental lactogen in pregnancy.

Plasma placental lactogen (HPL) and urinary oestrogen levels were investigated in pregnant women belonging to low and high socio-economic groups. Plasma HPL levels increased progressively with increasing gestation in women of both the socio-economic groups. The mean values in the two groups were not statistically different at any period of gestation. No correlation was observed between the birth weight of the infant and the maternal plasma placental lactogen levels at term. A positive correlation was observed between urinary oestrogen excretion and plasma HPL concentration.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1977

Antimicrobial factors in human milk.

Levels of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and lysozyme were determined in milk samples obtained from well-nourished and under-nourished Indian women at different stages of lactation. The concentration of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin was higher in colostrum than in mature milk while the lysozyme levels showed a progressive increase with the period of lactation. There were no significant differences in the levels between the two groups of women. Administration of iron did not alter either the total or percentage saturation of lactoferrin in milk. These results indicate that antibacterial factors in milk are not influenced by the nutritional status of the mother and that iron supplementation does not interfere with the bacteriostatic function of lactoferrin.

Colostrum↗
PubMed1977

Cell-mediated immunity and immunoglobulin levels in light-for-date infants.

Cell-mediated immune response and circulating levels of immunoglobulins were studied in 75 full-term newborn babies. The results showed that though the immunoglobulin levels were not altered, cell-mediated immunity was significantly depressed in infants with birth weight less than 2 500 g and this may result in lowered resistance of infection.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Secretory IgA in protein-calorie malnutrition.

The secretory IgA system was investigated in children with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). The results of the study indicated that in children suffering from kwashiorkor and marasmus the concentration of IgA in duodenal fluid, saliva, nasal secretions, and tears was significantly reduced on admission and returned to normal 4 weeks after treatment. However, the concentration of secretory IgA in children with mild to moderate PCM was similar to that of normal children. Secretory IgA deficiency may be an important factor in promoting bacterial growth and this may account for the increased incidence and severity of mucosal infections in children with severe PCM.

Child, Preschool↗