• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 1994

The concentrations of the immunological substances in breast milk and nutritional status were studied in healthy Korean women of middle socioeconomic class. The subjects were recruited at random from obstetric clinics in Seoul. The nutrients intake, prepregnancy BMI, maternal weight gain during pregnancy were studied. The concentrations of lactoferrin(LF), lysozyme(LZ), sIgA, IgG and C3 in colostrum, in transitional milk, and in mature milk, were measured. To elucidate the effect of nutritional status on immunological substances, each components was compared on the basis of either BMI, weight gain, or protein intake. The highest concentrations of the substances were found in colostrum and decreased as lactation progressed. The decline was more prominent in IgG, C3 and sIgA, and less significant in LZ and LF. The colostrum of standard weight gain group showed higher concentrations compared to lower weight gain group. This difference became smaller as the lactation progresses. BMI and nutrient intake status had less significant effect. Lower sIgA was found in lower BMI, in lower weight gain, and lower protein intake groups compared to standard groups, which indicates sIgA is the most affected substance among the measured by nutritional status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2007

Myelin basic protein (MBP), a major structural protein of the myelin, is thought to be important for the maintenance of myelin in the central nervous system (CNS). We investigated the effect of maternal folic acid nutritional status on the folate level and the synthesis of MBP in the offspring. In order to test this hypothesis, female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either folic acid sufficient (8 mg/kg diet) or deficient (0 mg/kg diet) diet from 2 wks prior to the mating throughout the entire pregnancy, lactation and weaning period. We examined plasma folate level by the radioimmunoassay and homocysteine level by HPLC, respectively. The MBP expression was measured by the western blot analysis. The maternal folic acid deficiency decreased plasma folate level with a concomitant increase in plasma homocysteine level in their offspring. The maternal folic acid deficiency decreased hepatic levels of SAM and SAM/SAH ratio with a concomitant increase in hepatic levels of SAH and the MBP expression of spinal cord in their offspring at 7 wks of age. These results suggest that maternal folic acid nutritional status affect plasma folate and homocysteine level in their offspring. Moreover, the maternal folic acid deficiency mi호t inhibit the MBP expression of the spinal cord and disrupt many other vital CNS reactions in their offspring.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.686-695
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to assess the maternal iron status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationships bet-ween the iron indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum, placenta and pregnancy outcomes. Venous bloods samples were drawn from 54 pregnant women just before delivery and cord bloods of their newborn babies were collected immediately after birth. And also, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference of the iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue between two gestational age group (PT group, NT group : preform delivery and normal term delivery at 34.9wk and 39.0wk of mean gestational length, respectively) and also assessed correlations of iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placenta tissue. And lastly, we related between birth weight and iron status indices of maternal, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum ferritin and of placental iron were significantly higher in NT group (32.1 $\pm$ 21.1 ng/ml, 68.5 $\pm$ 16.7 $\mu$g/g), than those of NT group (20.8 $\pm$ 11.6 ng/ml, 53.2 $\pm$ 17.4 $\mu$/g) respectively (p<0.001). However the serum ferritin of umbilical cord were significantly higher in NT group (PT : 109.4 $\pm$ 65.7 ng/ml, NT : 147.0 $\pm$ 56.8 ng/ml) than those of PT group (p<0.05). Our results showed that a negative association between birth weight (r=-0.361) and maternal serum ferritin and that a positive association between birth weight and umbilical cord serum ferritin (r=0.261). Despite not a significant difference, there was tendency that highest concentration of maternal serum ferritin was associated with the lowest birth weight. These findings indicate that birth weight of newborn is dependent of multiple factors such as maternal iron status during pre-pregnancy, body size, general nutritional status. Although for women who enter pregnancy with low iron stores, enough intakes of iron during pregnancy could produce undesirable pregnancy outcome. Therefore we suggest for successful pregnancy outcome and delivery differential iron supplementation program will be carried out individual pregnant women on the basis of pre-pregnancy nutritional status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.809-816
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal nutritional status and health behaviors on the concentrations of minerals (Zn, Fe, Ca) and the immunological substances (lactoferrin, sIgA, Iysozyme) in breast milk. Breast milk was collected from 193 healthy Korean women from obstetric clinics and postpartum care centers in Seoul. : 99 colostrum (1 - 5 days postpartum), 33 transitional milk (6 - 10 days postpartum), 61 mature milk (11 - 50 days postpartum). The concentrations of minerals and immunological substance were highest in colostrum and decreased with lactational period. Concentrations of Zn and Fe reduced significantly from colostrum to mature milk, however, Ca concentration stayed constant throughout the lactational period. Contents of lactoferrin, sIgA, and lysozyme were significantly lower in mature milk than in colostrum. Mother's nutritional status, assessed by prepregnancy BMI, had an effect only on colostrum, but not on transition and mature milk. Fe concentration of colostrum was significantly lower in underweight (prepregnancy BMI < 18.5) than in overweight mothers (prepregnancy BMI $\geq$ 23.0). Also lower tendency was observed for sIgA and lysozyme contents, even though the difference was not statistically significant. Pregnancy weight gain had no effect on the breast milk component. Since nutritional factors had some effect on colostrum, the health behaviors of mothers providing colostrum were assessed. The mother's behavior of smoking, drinking, morning sickness, parity, disease, nutrient supplement use had no significant effect on the breast milk component, however, Zn, sIgA, and lysozyme were the somewhat affected components by maternal health behavior.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2016

Objectives: This study compared the nutritional status of child-bearing age women between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Methods: The data presented in the DPRK Final Report of the National Nutrition Survey 2012 was utilized for the nutritional status and food intake of North Korean women. To produce the South Korean women's data comparable to those of North Korean women, the data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed and the data presented in the 2010 Report of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards were utilized. Results: The prevalence of maternal anemia (blood hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL) was over 30% in all the age groups of North Korean women and 8.9%, 14.2%, 16.4% in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 year old South Korean women, respectively. The prevalence of maternal protein-energy malnutrition (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference < 22.5 cm) was 25.2%, 21.4%, 21.8% in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 year old North Korean women, respectively and less than 10% in all the age groups of South Korean women. Result of dietary diversity comparison showed that North Korean women consumed less food than South Korean women at all food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Percentage of North Korean women having consumed protein rich foods-meat and fish, eggs or dairy products-were much lower than those of South Korean women. Conclusions: The striking disparity of nutritional status between South and North Korean women indicates that nutrition support for North Korean women is essential in the process of preparation for a unified nation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2006

Elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Serum homocysteine levels may be affected by the MTHFR genotypes and the nutritional status of B vitamins including vitamin $B_2,\;B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. We investigated whether postnatal growth measurements were influenced by maternal MTHFR genotypes and their mid-pregnancy serum vitamin B and homocysteine levels. In 130 pregnant women of 24-28 wks of gestation, the MTHFR genotypes, serum B vitamins and homocysteine concentrations were analyzed. Physical growth status was assessed in their offsprings by measuring height, weight, and head and chest circumferences from birth up to 24 months. Serum homocysteine levels were higher in the subjects with T/T genotype than those with the C/T or C/C. Heights and head and chest circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum homocysteine levels were above the median. The mean height of offsprings from the T/T mothers was significantly lower than those from the C/C and C/T mothers. The mean weight and head circumferences of offsprings born from the mothers whose mid-term pregnancy PLP levels were in the lowest quartile was significantly lower than those from mothers in the highest quartile. Heights and head circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum FAD levels were in the lowest quartile. These results suggest that postnatal growth up to 24 months may be influenced by the maternal C677T MTHFR genotypes, and mid-pregnancy serum homocysteine and vitamin B status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.840-847
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• 2000

This study was out to evaluate the folate nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between serum folate levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood and pregnancy outcomes. Folate intakes of the pregnants was estimated by dietary folate intakes obtained from semiquantitative frequency questionnaire and supplementary folate intakes. The serum folate levels in both maternal blood and umbilical cord of 29 pregnant women at delivery and 13 nonpregnant controls were measured by redioimmunoassay. The total folate intakes(dietary and supplementary)of the pregnant women was 465. 4$\mu\textrm{g}$/d which was 93% of the Korean RDA for folate. Maternal mean serum folate levels of the pregnants was 6.1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, significantly lower than that of nonpregnant women(8.9ng/ml). Mean serumfolate level of umbilical cord blood was 14.2ng/ml, which was 2.3 folds higher than that of maternal blood. This finding indicates that the uptake of folate in the fetus may be due to an active placental transport mechanism. Maternal serum folate level correlated positively with that of umbilical cord blood, showing that folate concentration of umbilical cord blood is affected by maternal status. There was no significant correlation between the serum folate levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes.(Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 840-847, 2000)

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) status of breastfed infants less than six months old and their mothers, and factors affecting the status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on breastfed, term, Filipino infants less than six months old who were seen at local health centers and clinics in an urban area. The serum 25(OH)D levels of these infants and their mothers were determined, and their demographic data, nutritional status, sun exposure behavior, and maternal vitamin D intake were analyzed for correlation using regression models. Results: Among the 131 infants, 101 (77%) had vitamin D deficiency (VDD), which was defined as having 25(OH)D levels <37.5 nmol/L, and 13 (10%) had vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), with levels >37.5-50 nmol/L. Conversely, maternal VDD with levels <50 nmol/L was seen in 31 (24%) mothers and maternal VDI with levels 50-75 nmol/L, in 63 (48%) mothers. Infant age and maternal 25(OH)D status were independent predictors of infant VDD. Infants less than three months old were found to have a six-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.004). Infants who had mothers with VDD had a six-time increased risk, whereas those with maternal VDI had a four-time increased risk of infant VDD (p=0.049 and p=0.020, respectively). Conclusion: Both infant and maternal VDD and VDI were seen to be highly prevalent in this tropical, urban community. Young infants and maternal VDD/VDI independently increased the risk of infant VDD, whereas lack of sun exposure of the mothers increased the risk for maternal VDI.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.855-863
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary protein level throughout gestation and lactation on milk composition and on postnatal growth in infants, using rats as an animal model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were provided with either high(25% ISP(Isolated Soy Protein)diet) or low protein diet(10% ISP diet) throughout gestation and lactation. Milk samples were taken for analysis from the lactating rats at days of 7, 14, 21, of lactation. Dams and some pups were killed after 4 weeks from parturtion (Experiment 1). Pups from dams of each diet groups were randomly selected and reared with 25% or 10% ISP diet for 4 more weeks (Experiment 2). In experiment 1, maternal protein intake and body weight gain throughout gestation and lactation was higher in 25% ISP group. Serum protein, Ca, Fe, Zn, K concentrations were significantly higher in 25% ISP group. There was no difference in birth weight between two groups, however the mean body weight at 4 weeks postpartum were significantly higher in 25% ISP group. Serum profiles of pups at weaning were similar to that of dams. Milk compositions were changed during lactation processes and were affected by dietary protein level. Lactose and Ca, Cu, Fe concentrations in milk were higher in 25% ISP group, whereas, lipid, triglyceride were higher in 10% ISP group. In experiment 2, food intake was higher in milk were higher in 25% ISP group but was unaffected by pup's dietary protein level after weaning. The weights of liver and kidney were affected by maternal protein intake. The weight of intestine was affected by pup's dietary protein level after weaning. The weight of femur and scapula were affected by maternal protein intake. There were no differences between four groups in serum profiles. Therefore, as mentioned above, it seemed that the effect of maternal protein malnutrition to fetus was able to be overcome to some extent by high protein diet intake after weaning. In conclusion, 1) Dietary protein level throughout gestation and lactation affected both nutritional status of dams and pups and milk composition: 25% ISP groups supported better nutritional status than 10% ISP group 2) It seemed that effect of dietary protein level after weaning on pups was able to be overcome the influence of maternal diet in fetus to some extent.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.182-191
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• 2001

Anemia in women during pregnancy and after delivery has been known to affect the mother, the fetus, and the infant's growth and health status. Studies examining, changes in iron and folate status associated with anemia during pregnancy and during pregnancy, and those supplements are stopped after postpartum. However, the effects of those have not been clearly determined in pregnant and lactating Korea women. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the changes in maternal iron and folate status during pregnancy and six months after delivery longitudinally in six pregnant women who consumed supplements from 20 wk to delivery. We concluded that the iron status deteriorated during pregnancy and especially was weak in the third trimester, but had a tendency to recovery after delivery. On the other hand, the folate status deteriorated in the first and second trimester and was good in the third trimester, but had a tendency to decrease after delivery. These results suggested that the iron status was not improved despite consuming total iron supplements of 50 mg/day through diets and supplements during the second half of the pregnancy. On the other hand, the folate status improved at the end of pregnancy by consuming folate supplements of a total of 800 mg/day through diets and supplements. However, folate status was poor in the first half of the pregnancy, and the tendency of folate status to decrease during postpartum was advanced. At the point in which iron and therefore supplementation is essential. However, the effects of supplement intake time and intake dosage need to be verified and the nutritional status changes of postpartum women should be carefully monitored.