A longitudinal study in Ascaris-infected and noninfected children was conducted in two Kenyan villages. Anthropometric, clinical, and stool exams were performed three times at 14-week intervals. All children received an anthelmintic drug (levamisole) at the second examination. In the 14 weeks before deworming, children with Ascaris (n = 61) did not differ from controls (n = 125) in percentage expected weight gain. In the 14 weeks after deworming, previously infected children showed higher percentage expected weight gain than controls. Before deworming, there was a statistically significant (P less than 0.0005) decrease in triceps skinfold thickness in Ascaris-infected children versus controls. After deworming, skinfold increased significantly (P less than 0.0005) in previously infected children versus controls. Multiple regression analysis showed that Ascaris infection was by far the most important variable of those studied explaining decrease in skinfold thickness before and increase after deworming. It appears that even light Ascaris infections might adversely influence nutritional status, and deworming might enhance growth.

Lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POP) are stored in adipose tissue. Following rapid weight loss such as when induced by bariatric surgery, an increased release of potential harmful lipophilic compounds into the blood circulation may occur. Weight reduction is recommended for overweight and obese individuals in order to decrease risk of weight-related health problems. However, in cases of significant weight reduction POP become mobilized chemicals and consequently may adversely affect health, including endocrine disruption. The objective of the present investigation was to estimate quantitatively the level of mobilization of POP following weight loss over time. According to literature search criteria, 17 studies were identified with 2061 participants. Data from 5 of the studies with 270 participants were used to assess the change in blood levels of POP in percent per kilogram weight loss. Weight loss in the included studies varied from 4.4 to 64.8 kg. In all studies, the majority of POP concentrations in blood were found to rise following weight reduction. Blood concentrations following weight reduction were elevated by 2-4% per kilogram weight loss for most POP examined. The increased POP levels were still elevated 12 mo after intervention. Most research in this field, including animal studies, is carried out on a single compound or group of selected compounds, not taking the "cocktail effect" into consideration. This does not reflect the true range of POP to which humans are actually exposed. Few chronic investigations have been published and, in particular, few studies were available that compared the increase in POP concentrations with clinical consequences as individuals lost weight. These limitations call for caution in interpreting results. The benefits of losing weight still far outweigh the potential adverse health risks. However, further studies are recommended to determine the clinical significance of increased blood levels of POPs following rapid and excessive weight loss, particularly for women attending weight reduction treatment before pregnancy.

Breastmilk yields and its composition during the first 6 months of lactation were measured in 46 women with low weight-for-height during the third trimester of pregnancy (WH minus group) and in 52 mothers with good weight-for-height in the same period (WH plus group). On average WH minus mothers produced 695 g per 24 hours and WH plus mothers 790 g. In the WH minus group yield was affected by feeding frequency, season, mother's energy intake during lactation and infant's weight-for-age. In the WH plus group feeding frequence, parity and sex were the affecting variables (male infants consumed more milk). The difference in yield between WH minus and WH plus mothers corrected for feeding frequency, sex and season was significant but was only 80 g per 24 hours. Protein and lactose concentrations in milk were in both groups comparable with that of British mothers, fat concentrations were lower.

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A selective review of maternal nutrition and birthweight is presented. Data from an observational, longitudinal study in Machakos, Kenya show that the habitual diet of pregnant women provided about 1600 kcal and 50 g of protein per day. Nevertheless the birthweight was acceptable, i.e., the mean value was 3058 g. This good reproductive performance was attributed to the fact that weight-for-height remained acceptable during pregnancy, in spite of low weight gain because of an acceptable pre-pregnant weight. However, the birthweight was found to be influenced by the mother's weight in the third month of pregnancy, her weight gain and her height.

Cobas h 232 point-of-care instrument for measurement of NT-proBNP performed satisfactorily with regard to precision, user-friendliness, and lot-variation. A decrease in NT-proBNP levels observed in samples transported to a central laboratory needs further attention and investigation.

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