The American journal of clinical nutrition
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In nonmalaria regions, iron/folic acid supplementation during pregnancy protects newborns against preterm delivery and early neonatal death. Other studies from malaria-endemic areas have reported an adverse effect of iron supplements on malaria prevalence in pregnant women. ⋯ The use of antenatal iron/folic acid supplements combined with appropriate intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy is an important intervention to reduce neonatal mortality in malaria-endemic regions.
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Despite increased awareness of the adverse health effects of low vitamin D status, few studies have evaluated 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status in young children. ⋯ Seasonal variation in 25(OH)D concentration implies that postsummer vitamin D stores were insufficient to maintain status >50 nmol/L year-round. Examination of the predictors of 25(OH)D in our model shows few modifiable risk factors, and thus effective dietary strategies may be required if future research determines that children with 25(OH)D concentrations <50 nmol/L are at significant health risk. This trial was registered at www.actr.org.au as ACTRN12605000487617.