Children of migrant farmworkers are at increased risk of exposure to organophosphate pesticides because of “carry-home” transport processes and residential location. Although this at-risk status is generally recognized, few available reports describe the extent of this exposure among agricultural communities. We quantified dialkyl phosphate (DAP) levels in serial samples of urine from 176 children, 2–6 years of age, in three Oregon communities hosting differing agricultural industries: pears, cherries, and fruit berries. Up to three spot samples of urine were collected from children at the beginning, mid-point, and end of their parents’ work seasons. The median levels of dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), the most commonly detected metabolite, was significantly higher in urine samples from children in each of the three agricultural communities (17.5, 19.0, and 41.0 ng/mL) relative to a reference group of children who lived in an urban community and whose parents did not work in agriculture (6.5 ng/mL; Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.001). After controlling for age, sex, and weight, the median level of DMTP in children in the pear community was 1.92 times higher than the level in children of the berry community [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–3.23] and 1.75 times higher than the level in children of the cherry community (95% CI, 0.95–3.23). We observed increasing levels of DMTP across the work season only within the berry community. Levels decreased in the cherry community and remained constant in the pear community. Substantial temporal variation within the children followed demonstrates the need for multiple urine samples to most accurately characterize longer term and/or cumulative exposure. The observed variability in urinary DAP levels, between communities and over time, could be attributed to the types and amounts of organophosphate pesticides used, the timing of applications and degradation of residues in the environment, work operations and hygiene practices, the proximity of housing to orchards and fields, or the movement of these working families. Additional studies of variation in pesticide exposure across agricultural regions are needed.

Objective: Studies performed on the nutritional status of the Spanish population have been very heterogeneous with respect to methodology, sample size, geographical location, socio-economic level and health status of the subjects involved. In order to gain an overall view of the state of knowledge in this area, a meta-analysis was performed on the results of all such studies undertaken in Spain between 1990 and 1999. Results: The dietetic data reviewed showed mean intakes similar to those recommended. The results obtained for the biochemical parameters analysed were within normal limits. However, results for some vitamins were very close to the lower established limits for the reference intervals (recommended intakes or blood levels), meaning that a variable percentage of subjects show values lower than those recommended. The percentage of subjects with intakes below those recommended for niacin, vitamin B 12 and C was small. The percentage of inadequate intakes of thiamine and riboflavin was small as well. However, for all other vitamins, especially D and E, the number of people with intakes below recommended was rather high, particularly so in some studies. At blood level, deficiencies of vitamins B 12 , A and E were infrequent. However, for all other vitamins, prevalence of deficiency varied within a wide range. With respect to vitamins D, B 1 , B 2 and B 6 , over 50% of the population showed inadequate levels. Conclusions: The methodologies used in the studies included in this review were very varied and the knowledge gained is still incomplete. Despite the average Spanish diet often being regarded as satisfactory, this review and other studies show the situation can be improved.

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Introduction: Primary headaches are more common in females until the 5th decade of life and should be properly diagnosed to ensure appropriate management, as they can cause significant socioeconomic impairment and psychological damage. Objectives: To describe migraine and other painful headaches (MPH) cases and costs in Brazilian National Health System (SUS) from 2010 to 2020. Methods: This is a descriptive epidemiological study. Data was collected from the Brazilian National Health System’s (DATASUS) database, describing MPH’s morbidity (CID-10) between 2010 and 2020. As this is a public domain database, there was no need for ethics committee approval. Results: The total number of hospitalizations for MPH in Brazil during the study period (2010–2020) was estimated at 89,372, with 65.6% being female patients. The number of hospitalizations increased each year since 2010, reaching its peak in 2019 (12,120 cases), and presenting a new drop in 2020 to 67% of its value, potentially indicating an impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The age group with the highest number of hospitalizations was between 30– 49 years. In relation to the values of hospital services, a total of R$35,538,127.81 was spent in this time interval, with 63.9% of the funding allocated to the treatment of female patients. The region with the highest cost during the study period was the South (31.9%), while the lowest was the North (3.9%), which also presented the lowest number of hospitalizations among all regions of the country (5.1%). Conclusion: Between 2010 and 2020, hospitalizations and costs of hospital services related to the treatment of migraine and other painful headaches were predominantly directed towards female patients. Middle-aged adults were the age group with the highest number of hospitalizations. The region with the lowest hospitalizations and hospital costs for this condition was the North.