Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dandan Wang, Chenwei Xiao, Hongyu Li, Jing Fan
Summary: This study investigated the levels of serum ferritin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in pregnant women with preeclampsia and analyzed their predictive value for premature birth. The results showed that these markers were abnormally expressed in pregnant women with preeclampsia and were associated with premature birth.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jennifer Woo, Susan Penckofer, Marcus Fagan, Carmen Giurgescu
Summary: Vitamin D deficiency is more common in pregnant Black and Hispanic women compared to pregnant non-Hispanic White women, and it is associated with decreased quality of life, especially in terms of physical health. Screening for pregnancy-related symptoms and vitamin D levels may play an important role in improving the physical health-related quality of life for childbearing women.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rebecca J. Moon, Laura D. F. Cooke, Stefania D'Angelo, Elizabeth M. Curtis, Philip Titcombe, Justin H. Davies, Keith M. Godfrey, Jane K. Cleal, Rohan M. Lewis, Cyrus Cooper, Nicholas C. Harvey
Summary: There is an association between specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to vitamin D metabolism pathway and cord blood 25(OH)D in both mothers and offspring, indicating a potential role of genetic factors in this relationship.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Oleg Tsuprykov, Saban Elitok, Claudia Buse, Chang Chu, Bernhard Karl Kraemer, Berthold Hocher
Summary: This study compared the correlation of different vitamin D compounds in pregnant women, finding that total 1,25(OH)(2)D showed the best correlation with various health markers. Free 25(OH)D and bioavailable 25(OH)D are more precise indicators of vitamin D status than total 25(OH)D.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kate M. Miller, Robyn M. Lucas, Elizabeth A. Davis, Prue H. Hart, Nicholas H. de Klerk
Summary: Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels in pregnant women have been linked to health outcomes in their offspring. Satellite-derived ultraviolet radiation data has been used as a proxy for 25(OH)D levels, with daily UVR dose in the 90 days prior to venesection being a significant predictor of 25(OH)D levels. The study found that NASA-derived daily UVR dose can effectively predict 25(OH)D levels in pregnant women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tomozumi Takatani, Yuzuka Kunii, Mamoru Satoh, Akifumi Eguchi, Midori Yamamoto, Kenichi Sakurai, Rieko Takatani, Fumio Nomura, Naoki Shimojo, Chisato Mori
Summary: The correlation between maternal vitamin D concentrations and birth outcomes is conflicting. This study found that the maternal vitamin D metabolite ratio, specifically VMR2, is associated with neonatal anthropometric data regardless of 25(OH)D concentrations. Accurate measurement of vitamin D metabolites can help understand the effects of vitamin D on birth outcomes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Llopis, Paula Sol Ventura, Nicolai Brachowicz, Julia Sanguesa, Mario Murcia, Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa, Gonzalo Garcia-Baquero, Aitana Lertxundi, Martine Vrijheid, Maribel Casas, Paula Petrone
Summary: This study found that younger age, higher body mass index, higher deprived areas, higher air pollution, and lower UV rays and humidity are associated with lower levels of 25(OH)D-3 in Spanish pregnant women.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jinhua Gong, Lina He, Qinyuan Zou, Yangyang Zhao, Bangzhou Zhang, Rongmu Xia, Baolong Chen, Man Cao, Wenxiu Gong, Lin Lin, Xiujuan Lin, Guowei Wang, Muyun Guo, Jianquan He, Chuanxing Xiao, Jian Chen
Summary: This study reveals the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the gut microbiota and metabolites in postmenopausal women. The low 25(OH)D group showed higher diversity in the gut microbiota, while the high 25(OH)D group exhibited specific enrichments of certain bacterial genera. Additionally, the metabolic profiles differed between the two groups.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shufei Zeng, Chang Chu, Cornelia Doebis, Volker von Baehr, Berthold Hocher
Summary: There is a strong positive linear correlation between free 25(OH)D (f25(OH)D) and total 25(OH)D, making them useful for assessing vitamin D levels. The recommended threshold level for f25(OH)D is 8.499 pg/mL, corresponding to a target concentration of at least 30 ng/mL for t25(OH)D. The upper limit for vitamin D is still unclear, with most experts favoring a upper limit of 100 ng/mL for t25(OH)D.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Thu T. M. Pham, Ya-Li Huang, Jane C. -J. Chao, Jung-Su Chang, Yi-Chun Chen, Fan-Fen Wang, Chyi-Huey Bai
Summary: The study found no significant association between 25(OH)D concentration and GDM risk, but individuals with vitamin D deficiency had a higher risk of developing GDM. Additionally, there was a nonlinear relationship between 25(OH)D and GDM risk.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Johana Vasquez-Procopio, Johnatan Torres-Torres, Hector Borboa-Olivares, Salvador Espino Y. Sosa, Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla, Mario Solis-Paredes, Mari-Cruz Tolentino-Dolores, Addy Cecilia Helguera-Repetto, Karla Cecilia Marrufo-Gallegos, Fanis Missirlis, Otilia Perichart-Perera, Guadalupe Estrada-Gutierrez
Summary: A study on 165 pregnant women in the third trimester found that symptomatic COVID-19 patients had lower levels of vitamin D compared to asymptomatic patients. In addition, a higher percentage of pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency were found in the mild and severe COVID-19 groups.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jun-Hyuk Lee, Yu-Jin Kwon, Hye Sun Lee, Jee Hye Han, Boyoung Joung, Sung Jin Kim
Summary: This study confirms an inverse dose-dependent association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP) in a large sample of 15,338 individuals. Each unit increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with a 3% decrease in the odds of having EIOP. Compared to individuals deficient in 25-hydroxyvitamin D, those with insufficiency and sufficiency have a 28% and 49% lower odds of EIOP, respectively. Therefore, clinical assessment of intraocular pressure may be helpful in the treatment and prevention of glaucoma in patients with insufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
RuTong Wang, Weijing Wang, Ping Hu, Ronghui Zhang, Xue Dong, Dongfeng Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary vitamin D intake and serum vitamin D concentrations with cognitive performance in older Americans. The results showed a positive association between dietary vitamin D intake, serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and cognitive performance, with no significant gender differences in the associations. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of dietary vitamin D intake and specific serum D concentrations on cognitive performance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Somchit Jaruratanasirikul, Sasivara Boonrusmee, Staporn Kasemsripitak, Tansit Saengkaew, Kanjana Chimrung, Hutcha Sriplung
Summary: Vitamin D inadequacy is a global problem that affects all age groups. This study investigated the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in healthy non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Southern Thailand and identified the risk factors associated with it.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Berenice Rivera-Paredez, Alberto Hidalgo-Bravo, Guadalupe Leon-Reyes, Leith S. Leon-Maldonado, Arnoldo Aquino-Galvez, Manuel Castillejos-Lopez, Edgar Denova-Gutierrez, Yvonne N. Flores, Jorge Salmeron, Rafael Velazquez-Cruz
Summary: This study evaluated the association between 25(OH)D (total, free, and bioavailable) with adiposity and metabolic traits. The findings suggest that free and bioavailable 25(OH)D do not offer additional advantages over total 25(OH)D regarding its association with adiposity and several metabolic traits in Mexican adults.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shabina Ariff, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Zamir Suhag, Suhail Chanar, Maria Bhura, Zaib Dahar, Imran Ahmed, Ali Turab, Atif Habib, Yasir Bin Nisar, Samira Aboubaker, Steve Wall, Abdul Wahab Soomro, Shamim Ahmad Qazi, Rajiv Bahl, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: High coverage of possible serious bacterial infections (PSBI) treatment can be achieved by implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in programmatic settings when referral is not feasible.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kamran Sadiq, Fatima Mir, Uswa Jiwani, Suhail Chanar, Apsara Nathwani, Muhammad Jawwad, Amjad Hussain, Arjumand Rizvi, Shah Muhammad, Muhammad Atif Habib, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Shabina Ariff, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Diarrhoea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, and Pakistan has a high burden of diarrhoea-related deaths. This study identifies risk factors associated with diarrhoea in children under 23 months, including younger maternal age, higher paternal education, not breastfeeding, and poverty. This has implications for developing prevention programs and strategies targeting high-risk populations.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jai K. Das, Hsien Yao Chee, Sohail Lakhani, Maryam Hameed Khan, Muhammad Islam, Sajid Muhammad, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: With almost 11 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses administered, there are significant disparities in vaccination rates. Initiatives such as COVAX and AVAT were established to ensure equitable distribution, but differences remain. This review analyzes the initial vaccination efforts and the impact of different distribution initiatives, revealing inequities among countries of different income groups. Future efforts should focus on addressing these disparities and improving global vaccine distribution.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Veeraraghavan Balaji, Duy M. M. Dinh, Anne V. V. Kane, Sajid Soofi, Imran Ahmed, Arjumand Rizvi, Meera Chatterjee, Sudhir Babji, Joanne Duara, Joy Moy, Elena N. N. Naumova, Christine A. A. Wanke, Honorine D. D. Ward, Zulfiqar A. A. Bhutta
Summary: This longitudinal study in Sindh, Pakistan found that age, residential location, and intervention had significant effects on the composition, relative abundance, and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in children under 24 months of age. The study highlights the importance of longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes to fully understand the intestinal microbiota of children in resource-limited settings.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bernardette Cichon, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Zahra A. Padhani, Heather C. Stobaugh, Muzna Mughal, Patrizia Pajak, Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Robert E. Black
Summary: Currently, there are no WHO guidelines for the management of moderately wasted children worldwide. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the best type, quantity, and duration of dietary treatment for moderate wasting. The study found that fortified blended foods (FBFs) with improved micronutrient and/or milk content (enhanced FBFs) and lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) had similar recovery rates, while children treated with non-enhanced FBFs had lower recovery rates than those treated with LNS. There was no significant difference in recovery when ready-to-use therapeutic and ready-to-use supplementary food were compared.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Nadia Amin Somani, Keiko Marshall, Hammad Durrani, Kun Tang, Roman Mogilevskii, Zulfiqar Bhutta
Summary: This study conducts a systematic review of existing frameworks to understand the roles of the for-profit private sector in non-communicable disease control and management. The findings suggest that the private sector can contribute to effectively manage and control NCDs globally through various functions, such as healthcare provision, innovation, knowledge education, investment and financing, public-private partnerships, and governance and policy.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Arjumand Rizvi, Sajid B. Soofi, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Despite the decline in under-five mortality, communicable and infectious diseases remain the main causes of child mortality that can be prevented and treated. A study was conducted in rural Pakistan to evaluate the potential impact of a participatory community engagement and innovative community incentivization strategy for improving child health interventions. The evaluation involved a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of community mobilization and incentivization, community mobilization only, and a control group.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Zahid Ali Memon, Abeer Mian, Sophie Reale, Rachael Spencer, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Hora Soltani
Summary: Unmet need for family planning is high in Pakistan due to lack of access to modern contraception and sociocultural hindrances. This study aims to explore barriers and enablers to modern contraception uptake in order to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve reproductive health outcomes.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anushka Ataullahjan, Amira Khan, Muhammad Islam, Rehman Tahir, Saeed Anwar, Imran Ahmed, Ahmed Nauman, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Improvements in the health of newborns, children, and women in Pakistan are crucial. Access to essential health strategies for maternal and child health, such as immunization and nutrition interventions, is limited. Therefore, it is important to deliver effective and feasible nutrition and immunization services, and increase demand and uptake of these services.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jai Das, Faareha Siddiqui, Zahra Ali Padhani, Maryam Hameed Khan, Sultana Jabeen, Mushtaq Mirani, Shaista Mughal, Shafaq Baloch, Imtiaz Sheikh, Sana Khatoon, Khan A. Muhammad, Manesh A. Gangwani, Karim Nathani, Rehana Salam, Zulfiqar Bhutta
Summary: Diarrhea and pneumonia are major causes of illness and death in children under five, with Pakistan having high burden and low treatment coverage rates. A qualitative study was conducted to inform the design of a cluster randomized control trial in a rural district of Pakistan. The study identified several major themes, including socio-cultural dynamics, community mobilization and incentives, care-seeking practices, hygiene, immunization, nutrition, and access to healthcare. The findings highlight deficiencies in knowledge, health practices, and the healthcare system, and suggest that community engagement and conditional incentives could help promote behavior change.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sajid Bashir Soofi, Ahmad Khan, Sumra Kureishy, Imtiaz Hussain, Muhammad Atif Habib, Muhammad Umer, Shabina Ariff, Muhammad Sajid, Arjumand Rizvi, Imran Ahmed, Junaid Iqbal, Khawaja Masuood Ahmed, Abdul Baseer Khan Achakzai, Zulfiqar A. A. Bhutta
Summary: This study analyzed the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018 data to examine the prevalence and determinants of child stunting in Pakistan. Among the 52,602 children under five surveyed, 40.0% were found to be stunted. Male children in rural areas, children with mothers who had no education or lower levels of education, and children from lower-income households with no access to improved sanitation facilities and experiencing severe food insecurity were more likely to be stunted. Younger children and children with older mothers had lower odds of stunting.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Zahra A. Padhani, Bernardette Cichon, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Heather C. Stobaugh, Muzna Mughal, Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera, Robert E. Black, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: The use of specially formulated foods (SFFs) in managing moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) in children has shown potential benefits, including increased recovery rate and improved weight-for-height z-score and weight-for-age z-score. However, the effect on MUAC gain is minimal.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Keiko Marshall, Philippa Beaden, Hammad Durrani, Kun Tang, Roman Mogilevskii, Zulfiqar Bhutta
Summary: The study conducted six systematic reviews on the involvement of the for-profit private sector in the prevention and management of NCDs in LMICs. The results were synthesized and analyzed in six important areas, revealing the significant roles of the private sector in public-private partnerships, governance and policy, healthcare provision, innovation, knowledge education, and investment and finance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
(2023)