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.
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Uncertainty exists regarding the effects of iron supplementation on neurodevelopmental outcomes in the absence of anemia. ⋯ Limited available evidence suggests that iron supplementation in infants may positively influence children's psychomotor development, whereas it does not seem to alter their mental development or behavior.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute partial sleep deprivation increases food intake in healthy men.
Acute partial sleep deprivation increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin and decreases those of leptin. ⋯ One night of reduced sleep subsequently increased food intake and, to a lesser extent, estimated physical activity-related energy expenditure in healthy men. These experimental results, if confirmed by long-term energy balance measurements, suggest that sleep restriction could be a factor that promotes obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00986492.
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Obesity affects almost one-third of pregnant women and causes many complications, including neural tube defects. It is not clear whether the risk of congenital heart defects, the most common malformations, is also increased. ⋯ Obese, but not overweight, women are at significantly increased risk of bearing children with a range of congenital heart defects, and the risk increases with increasing BMI. Weight reduction as a way to reduce risk should be investigated.