Santé (Montrouge, France)
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Santé (Montrouge, France) · Jan 1999
[Assessing severe maternal anemia and its consequences: the value of a simple examination of the coloration of palpebral conjunctiva].
The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the relationship between pre-delivery hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the outcome of the pregnancy for the mother and child and (2) to assess the extent to which the pallor of the conjunctiva indicates severe anemia in pregnancy (Hb < 7 g/dl). We carried out a prospective study in 1995, in the maternity department of the National Sourô Sanou Hospital (Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso). Women arriving to give birth at the maternity unit gave verbal consent and underwent a physical examination including the assessment of conjunctiva coloration. ⋯ Examination of the coloration of the conjunctiva is a suitable and affordable screening method for the detection of severe anemia. Mothers with severe anemia present with signs and symptoms of anemia and could therefore be given iron treatment to improve their health. This demonstrates the importance of nutritional intervention during pregnancy.
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Santé (Montrouge, France) · Jan 1999
Comparative Study[The overall nutritional quality of the diet is reflected in the growth of Nigerian children].
Childhood malnutrition is widespread in the Sahel region of Africa. In Niger, the 1992 Population and Health Survey found that 32% of children under the age of five years had stunted growth and 16% had muscle wasting. Vitamin A deficiency and anemia are major health problems and it is thought that the rate of zinc deficiency is also high. ⋯ Diet quality also predicted the anthropometric status of the child one year later. Our findings suggest that both dietary scores are relevant but that the diversity of food eaten may be a better determinant of growth status if energy intake is close to meeting dietary requirements. Multiple dietary inadequacies are frequent among children from developing countries so scores of overall dietary quality may be more appropriate indicators than the intakes of specific nutrients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)