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Background Global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breastmilk are lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the calcium, zinc, and vitamin D content in breast milk. Methods A systematic search of the online databases Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL was conducted in November 2022 and complemented by searches of the African Journals Online database and the LILACS database, and reference lists. Studies reporting the calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breast milk of apparently healthy mothers and infants were included. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted. The effect of influencing factors were investigated with sub-group analyses and meta-regressions. Results A total of 154 studies reporting on breast milk calcium were identified, with a mean calcium concentration in breast milk of 261 mg/L (95% CI: 238, 284). Calcium concentration was influenced by maternal health and decreased linearly over the duration of lactation. Calcium concentration at a specific time during lactation could be estimated with the equation: calcium concentration [mg/L] = 282 – 0.2331 ✕ number of days since birth. A total of 242 studies reporting on breast milk zinc were identified, with a mean zinc concentration of 2.57 mg/L (95% CI: 2.50, 2.65). Zinc concentration was influenced by several factors, such as maternal age, gestational age, and maternal diet. Zinc concentration started high in the first weeks post-partum followed by a rapid decrease over the first months. Zinc concentration at a specific time during lactation could be estimated with the equation: zinc concentration [mg/L] = 6 + 0.0005 ✕ days – 2.0266 ✕ log(days). A total of 43 studies reporting on breast milk vitamin D were identified, with a mean total antirachitic activity of breast milk of 58 IU/L (95% CI: 45, 70), which consisted mostly of 25OHD3, and smaller amounts of vitamin D3, 25OHD2 and vitamin D2. Vitamin D concentration showed wide variations between studies and was influenced by vitamin D supplementation, continent and season. Conclusions This review provides global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breast milk, as well as indications on changes over time and depending on influencing factors.

The first 1,000 days of life, i.e., from conception to age 2 years, could be a critical period for cardiovascular health. Increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses to assess (1) the relationship between exposures or interventions in the first 1,000 days of life and CIMT in infants, children, and adolescents; and (2) the CIMT measurement methods. Systematic searches of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were performed from inception to March 2019. Observational and interventional studies evaluating factors at the individual, familial, or environmental levels, for instance, size at birth, gestational age, breastfeeding, mode of conception, gestational diabetes, or smoking, were included. Quality was evaluated based on study methodological validity (adjusted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale if observational; Cochrane collaboration risk of bias tool if interventional) and CIMT measurement reliability. Estimates from bivariate or partial associations that were least adjusted for sex were used for pooling data across studies, when appropriate, using random-effects meta-analyses. The research protocol was published and registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42017075169). Of 6,221 reports screened, 50 full-text articles from 36 studies (34 observational, 2 interventional) totaling 7,977 participants (0 to 18 years at CIMT assessment) were retained. Children born small for gestational age had increased CIMT (16 studies, 2,570 participants, pooled standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.40 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15 to 0.64, p: 0.001), I2: 83%). When restricted to studies of higher quality of CIMT measurement, this relationship was stronger (3 studies, 461 participants, pooled SMD: 0.64 (95% CI: 0.09 to 1.19, p: 0.024), I2: 86%). Only 1 study evaluating small size for gestational age was rated as high quality for all methodological domains. Children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) (3 studies, 323 participants, pooled SMD: 0.78 (95% CI: -0.20 to 1.75, p: 0.120), I2: 94%) or exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy (3 studies, 909 participants, pooled SMD: 0.12 (95% CI: -0.06 to 0.30, p: 0.205), I2: 0%) had increased CIMT, but the imprecision around the estimates was high. None of the studies evaluating these 2 factors was rated as high quality for all methodological domains. Two studies evaluating the effect of nutritional interventions starting at birth did not show an effect on CIMT. Only 12 (33%) studies were at higher quality across all domains of CIMT reliability. The degree of confidence in results is limited by the low number of high-quality studies, the relatively small sample sizes, and the high between-study heterogeneity. In our meta-analyses, we found several risk factors in the first 1,000 days of life that may be associated with increased CIMT during childhood. Small size for gestational age had the most consistent relationship with increased CIMT. The associations with conception through ART or with smoking during pregnancy were not statistically significant, with a high imprecision around the estimates. Due to the large uncertainty in effect sizes and the limited quality of CIMT measurements, further high-quality studies are needed to justify intervention for primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Purpose The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate caffeine intake and identify the main sources of intake using a dietary questionnaire, (2) to assess 24-h urinary excretion of caffeine and its metabolites, and (3) to assess how self-reported intake estimates correlates with urinary excretion among children in Switzerland. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of children between 6 and 16 years of age in one region of Switzerland. The participants filled in a dietary questionnaire and collected a 24-h urine sample. Caffeine intake was estimated with the questionnaire. Caffeine, paraxanthine, theophylline, and theobromine excretions were measured in the urine sample. Correlations between questionnaire-based intake and urinary excretion estimates were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Results Ninety-one children were included in the analysis (mean age 10.6 years; 43% female). The mean daily caffeine intake estimate derived from the diet questionnaire was 39 mg (range 0–237), corresponding, when related to body weight, to 1.2 mg/kg (range 0.0–6.3). Seven children (8%) had a caffeine intake above the upper recommended level of 3 mg/kg per day. The main sources of caffeine intake were cocoa milk (29%), chocolate (25%), soft drinks (11%), mocha yogurt (10%), tea (8%), and energy drinks (8%). The 24-h urinary excretion of caffeine was 0.3 mg (range 0.0–1.5), paraxanthine 1.4 mg (range 0.0–7.1), theophylline 0.1 mg (range 0.0–0.6), and theobromine 14.8 mg (range 0.3–59.9). The correlations between estimates of caffeine intake and the 24-h urinary excretion of caffeine was modest ( ρ  = 0.21, p  = 0.046) and with the metabolites of caffeine were weak ( ρ  = 0.09–0.11, p  = 0.288–0.423). Conclusions Caffeine intake in a sample of children in a region of Switzerland was relatively low. The major sources of intake were cocoa milk, chocolate and soft drinks. Self-reported caffeine intake correlated weakly with urinary excretion of caffeine and some of its main metabolites. Trial registration number NCT02900261.

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in the State of Telangana, India, freely provides a fortified complementary food product, Bal Amrutham, as a take-home ration to children 6-35 months of age. In order to understand the potential for impact of any intervention, it is essential to assess coverage and utilization of the program and to address the barriers to its coverage and utilization. A two-stage, stratified cross-sectional cluster survey was conducted to estimate the coverage and utilization of Bal Amrutham and to identify their barriers and drivers. In randomly selected catchment areas of ICDS centers, children under 36 months of age were randomly selected. A questionnaire, constructed from different validated and standard modules and designed to collect coverage data on nutrition programs, was administered to caregivers. A total of 1,077 children were enrolled in the survey. The coverage of the fortified take-home ration was found to be high among the target population. Nearly all caregivers (93.7%) had heard of Bal Amrutham and 86.8% had already received the product for the target child. Among the children surveyed, 57.2% consumed the product regularly. The ICDS program's services were not found to be a barrier to product coverage. In fact, the ICDS program was found to be widely available, accessible, accepted, and utilized by the population in both urban and rural catchment areas, as well as among poor and non-poor households. However, two barriers to optimal coverage were found: the irregular supply of the product to the beneficiaries and the intra-household sharing of the product. Although sharing was common, the product was estimated to provide the target children with significant proportions of the daily requirements of macro- and micronutrients. Bal Amrutham is widely available, accepted, and consumed among the target population in the catchment areas of ICDS centers. The coverage of the product could be further increased by improving the supply chain.

Poor micronutrient intakes are a major contributing factor to the high burden of micronutrient deficiencies in Côte d'Ivoire. Large-scale food fortification is considered a cost-effective approach to deliver micronutrients, and fortification of salt (iodine), wheat flour (iron and folic acid), and vegetable oil (vitamin A) is mandatory in Côte d'Ivoire. A cross-sectional survey on households with at least one child 6-23 months was conducted to update coverage figures with adequately fortified food vehicles in Abidjan, the capital of and largest urban community in Côte d'Ivoire, and to evaluate whether additional iron and vitamin A intake is sufficient to bear the potential to reduce micronutrient malnutrition. Information on demographics and food consumption was collected, along with samples of salt and oil. Wheat flour was sampled from bakeries and retailers residing in the selected clusters. In Abidjan, 86% and 97% of salt and vegetable oil samples, respectively, were adequately fortified, while only 32% of wheat flour samples were adequately fortified, but all samples contained some added iron. There were no major differences in additional vitamin A and iron intake between poor and non-poor households. For vitamin A in oil, the additional percentage of the recommended nutrient intake was 27% and 40% for children 6-23 months and women of reproductive age, respectively, while for iron from wheat flour, only 13% and 19% could be covered. Compared to previous estimates, coverage has remained stable for salt and wheat flour, but improved for vegetable oil. Fortification of vegetable oil clearly provides a meaningful additional amount of vitamin A. This is not currently the case for iron, due to the low fortification levels. Iron levels in wheat flour should be increased and monitored, and additional vehicles should be explored to add iron to the Ivorian diet.

Food fortification is a cost-effective approach to prevent and control of micronutrient deficiencies in India. A cross-sectional survey of children 0-35 months of age residing in the catchment areas of anganwadi centers in the state of Telangana was conducted to assess the coverage of adequately iodized salt and the potential for rice fortification. Salt samples were collected and tested for iodine concentration using iodometric titration. Information on demographics, household rice consumption, and Telangana's rice sector was collected and interpreted. In households of selected children, 79% of salt samples were found to be adequately iodized. Salt brand and district were significant predictors of inadequately iodized salt. Daily rice consumption among children and women averaged 122 grams and 321 grams per day, respectively. Approximately 28% of households reported consuming rice produced themselves or purchased from a local farmer, 65% purchased rice from a market or shop, 6% got rice from a public distribution system site, and 2% obtained it from a rice mill. In the catchment areas of Telangana's anganwadi centers, there is significant variation in the coverage of adequately iodized salt by district. Future surveys in Telangana should measure the coverage of salt iodization in the general population using quantitative methods. Nonetheless, increasing the adequacy of iodization of smaller salt manufacturers would help achieve universal salt iodization in Telangana. Despite high consumption of rice, our findings suggest that large-scale market-based rice fortification is not feasible in Telangana due to a large proportion of households producing their own rice and highly fragmented rice distribution. Distributing fortified rice via Telangana's public distribution system may be a viable approach to target low-income households, but would only reach a small proportion of the population in Telangana.

Poor complementary feeding practices among infants and young children in Côte d'Ivoire are major contributing factors to the country's high burden of malnutrition. As part of a broad effort to address this issue, an affordable, nutritious, and locally produced fortified complementary food product was launched in the Côte d'Ivoire in 2011. The objective of the current research was to assess various levels of coverage of the program and to identify coverage barriers. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among caregivers of children less than 2-years of age living in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Four measures of coverage were assessed: \"message coverage\" (i.e., has the caregiver ever heard of the product?), \"contact coverage\" (i.e., has the caregiver ever fed the child the product?), \"partial coverage\" (i.e., has the caregiver fed the child the product in the previous month?), and \"effective coverage\" (i.e., has the caregiver fed the child the product in the previous 7 days?). A total of 1,113 caregivers with children between 0 and 23 months of age were interviewed. Results showed high message coverage (85.0%), moderate contact coverage (37.8%), and poor partial and effective coverages (8.8% and 4.6%, respectively). Product awareness was lower among caregivers from poorer households, but partial and effective coverages were comparable in both poor and non-poor groups. Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices were generally poor and did not appear to have improved since previous assessments. In conclusion, the results from the present study indicate that availability on the market and high awareness among the target population is not sufficient to achieve high and effective coverage. With market-based delivery models, significant efforts are needed to improve demand. Moreover, given the high prevalence of malnutrition and poor IYCF practices, additional modes of delivering IYCF interventions and improving IYCF practices should be considered.

BackgroundHigh sodium (Na) and low potassium (K) intakes in childhood have health effects across the life course. The objective was to estimate global, regional and national Na and K intakes in children since 1990.MethodsA systematic search of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies measuring Na or K intake in children aged 0–18 years of age since 1990 was conducted. Random effects multilevel meta-analyses and meta-regressions were performed to investigate age and time trends, country and regional differences, and to derive a worldwide average intake.ResultsA total of 259 studies with 520 630 children aged 0–18 years of age (mean 9.7 years) conducted between 1990 and 2021 in 79 different countries (mostly high-income countries) were included. The pooled Na and K intakes were 2.5 g/d (95% CI 2.4, 2.6) and 2.0 g/d (95% CI 1.9, 2.1), respectively. An estimated 73% of children had high Na intake (≥2 g/d/2000 kcal) and 89% had low K intake (<3.5 g/d/2000 kcal). Na intake was the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa and the highest in North Africa and the Middle East. K intake was the lowest in South Asia and the highest in Central-Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Na and K intakes tended to decrease slightly linearly between 1990 and 2021 and increased logarithmically with age.ConclusionGlobally, children’s Na intake was too high, while K intake was too low. Data were lacking in many countries. Interventions are needed to reduce Na and increase K from childhood, and monitoring should be improved.

Since anthropometric measurements are not always feasible in large surveys, self-reported values are an alternative. Our objective was to assess the reliability of self-reported weight and height values compared to measured values in children with (1) a cross-sectional study in Switzerland and (2) a comprehensive review with a meta-analysis. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a school-based study in Switzerland of 2616 children and a review of 63 published studies including 122,629 children. In the cross-sectional study, self-reported and measured values were highly correlated (weight: r = 0.96; height: r = 0.92; body mass index (BMI) r = 0.88), although self-reported values tended to underestimate measured values (weight: −1.4 kg; height: −0.9 cm; BMI: −0.4 kg/m2). Prevalence of underweight was overestimated and prevalence of overweight was underestimated using self-reported values. In the meta-analysis, high correlations were found between self-reported and measured values (weight: r = 0.94; height: r = 0.87; BMI: r = 0.88). Weight (−1.4 kg) and BMI (−0.7 kg/m2) were underestimated, and height was slightly overestimated (+0.1 cm) with self-reported values. Self-reported values tended to be more reliable in children above 11 years old. Self-reported weight and height in children can be a reliable alternative to measurements, but should be used with caution to estimate over- or underweight prevalence.